The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 60

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 60

Chapter Title: Tea Time Intrigue

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Without realizing it, a sharper tone slipped out of me.

Licht blankly fluttered his eyelids. A flash of bewilderment crossed his previously sunken face, and the mask-like expression peeled away.

For a moment, the prince covered his mouth and bowed his head.

"......What am I doing?"

Ugh. With a short groan, the boy ruffled his hair wildly.

"Sorry."

The prince, who had snapped his head up, had a face stained with embarrassment and awkwardness. Without his usual picture-perfect smile, he finally looked his age.

"Sorry, Rubian."

"......"

"This is my really bad habit...... asking things like I'm testing people."

To think he'd do it to you too......

The prince let out a short groan.

"I'm interested in Duke Jebert's movements, that's true. But I wasn't trying to pry it out of you."

I swallowed a sigh inwardly.

In the original story, Licht was a flower hiding a blade. He concealed his true feelings with clever words while extracting only the information he wanted from others.

'The perfect schemer optimized for power struggles.'

But to think he'd been like this since childhood.

'......He probably had no choice but to become that way to survive.'

Licht fidgeted, glancing at my expression. Seeing him so dejected made my heart ache.

"If I upset you, I sincerely apologize......"

I let out an ehw, a sigh.

No helping it.

"It's fine. Just don't do it again."

"Yeah. Yeah!"

Licht's head snapped up brightly. For a moment, it felt like non-existent ears were perking up.

'I can't exactly tell him not to worry since he's the crown prince anyway.'

Or could I?

'Maybe he's been like this since childhood, which is why he became crown prince material?'

Chicken or egg.

That is the question.

"So, where are you staying then?"

I shook off the thought and changed the subject.

"The mansion Count Camellan prepared."

"......"

My slender gaze pierced Licht. The prince averted his eyes obliquely and scratched his chin.

"......Yeah, I came first to gauge the nobles' movements."

I'd heard the New Green Festival was a celebration......

A prince's life who couldn't relax for even a moment.

"Not that it's my place to say, but you really don't know how to have fun......"

Gazing at the sky, a simple solution suddenly came to mind. Then...... just have fun?

I leaned toward Licht. A faint blush lingered on his pale face.

"Hey. You free tomorrow?"

* * *

"To think Prince Licht was really there......"

Olivia murmured in a dazed voice.

"Hehe, I knew."

"It's been a while, Lady Olson. Lady Camellan."

Licht greeted them with his handsome face.

"So that's why you invited us to Jake's Tea Salon, Rubian?"

I nodded at Olivia's words.

"Yep. I thought it'd be fun to go with you two ladies and Licht."

A bright afternoon sun rose.

I went out with Licht.

We were headed to that famous tea salon I'd heard so much about, but since it was my first time, I lightly coaxed the two ladies along.

"But who's that dark figure standing behind you......?"

Olivia's eyes sparkled at Cal, who stood a step back.

I puffed out my chest like I'd been waiting.

"My bodyguard and friend, Khalid! Don't let appearances fool you—he's a swordsmanship prodigy, animal lover, smart, and has all sorts of powers......"

"......Stop."

Khalid cut me off curtly. His earlobes were slightly red, probably from embarrassment.

Whoops. Got carried away.

"Bodyguard...... you say?"

Olivia blankly fixed her gaze on Khalid.

"......Plus 1,000 points."

Huh?

Gasp. "What did I just say?"

Olivia startled and hurriedly looked away.

Ah. The face-judging type, huh.

"Um, but how did you reserve the tea salon? They don't take same-day reservations."

I chuckled at Sortie's question.

"The power of authority."

"Oh my."

At the tip of my pointing finger was Licht.

"Ufufu."

"First time using my status as prince for something like this......"

Unable to bear the pouring gazes, Licht buried his face in his hands.

"Tell me this self-loathing trades off, Rubian."

"Mind control is self-service! Alright, let's go, kids!"

I grinned and raised my hand high. Sortie replied with a ne!.

"Then, Ruby, I'll head out."

"No, Cal!"

I grabbed Cal's arm tightly.

Nearby were the bodyguards, including Sir Leon whom Dad assigned.

Cal seemed eager to join them, but no way.

"We need to build some social skills."

I whispered, and his thick brows shot up at a steep angle.

Oof. That displeased face.

"Like normal kids!"

To blend into House Jebert smoothly, I needed to act like a normal kid. And with peers right here, what better chance?

"I don't need it."

Cal, who scored zero in both social and social graces, replied coldly.

"S-so stubborn......"

"Seems your friend isn't keen. Let's go, Rubian."

A soft voice came from behind. Turning, I saw Licht smiling gently. He naturally extended his hand to me.

"......Guess no choice."

I turned toward Licht. As I reached for his hand—

"Wait."

Suddenly, my shoulder was grabbed.

"Cal?"

"I'll go."

"You said no."

"I'll go."

What was this sudden acceleration?

Khalid stood with arrow-like eyes fixed behind me. I nodded dazedly.

'Somehow...... feels like both temples are burning.'

Just my imagination?

"Wow. I want an insta-pic."

I stared blankly at the cake boasting an enormous three-tier visual.

Marbled sheet with elaborate cream and fruit decorations. Topped with glittering gold dust and popping sprinkles.

"What's an insta-pic, Rubian?"

"It's a thing."

I brushed it off vaguely, blinking my eyes—blink-blink.

Stored in retinas!

"How's the knot practice going?"

Sortie asked, cutting a small piece of cake.

"Yes. Not as good as you, Lady...... This is delicious."

"Hehe, call me Titi. I'll teach you other knots next time."

"Sure. Ideally ones for jewel decorations. This is really good!"

"Yay, glad you like it!"

Her sky-blue croissant hair bounced fluffily. I looked down at my plate in genuine admiration.

The ducal chef is great, but this place is no joke!

Olivia smiled contentedly with a hf.

"Delicious, right? It's the hot dessert spot all the noble kids are hitting up."

Oh, love a hot spot!

'Dad would love this too.'

Sweet, sticky, flavors going wild in all directions.

"We should order more. What cream do you like, Rubian?"

"Um...... strawberry cream and milk cream."

"Ah, same taste as me."

Olivia grinned and placed an additional order. As I reached for the cake again, I suddenly realized.

'Huh? Wasn't I pretty natural just now?'

I chatted with them like totally normal kids. Back then, I probably couldn't have said a word!

"It works."

"What does?"

"It's a thing."

Feeling good, I shoveled cake into my mouth.

"So...... why have those two been battling cakes since earlier?"

Titi asked, reaching for a new cake.

Turning my head, at the end of the table sat two dark boys facing off.

'Feels like a rain cloud over there.'

The black one sat with arms crossed, head turned away stubbornly, while the blond one calmly mutilated his cake with a serene smile.

"Probably not to their taste."

"Oh my. But taste is subjective here."

Olivia gazed pityingly at the cakes drying out or disintegrating in real time.

"More importantly, heard the rumors lately? Kidnappings of unregistered mages are happening frequently."