The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 61

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 61

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding Something

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Titi changed the subject.

“Ah, I heard about it. They’re only targeting girls.”

“Really? I heard they’re going after noble kids regardless of whether they’re boys or girls?”

“Yeah? I heard status doesn’t matter?”

Hmm? Titi and Liv tilted their heads as they faced each other.

“Since it’s bad news, the rumors must be circulating in all sorts of forms.”

I added that, and Licht, who had been listening quietly, let out a deep sigh and chimed in.

“Whatever the case, the young ladies need to be careful.”

He set down the fork he’d been holding with a clack.

“Make sure to bring your escorts everywhere, and don’t go wandering around after dark.”

“Of course we will. I want to get back to the Academy safely!”

“Hehe. Titi doesn’t like scary things either.”

“……”

Under that piercing gaze, I turned my head with the fork still in my mouth.

Sure enough, ash-gray eyes were staring straight at me.

‘I know. I know.’

Even without you staring like that, I’m not going to mess up.

I’d also heard the rumors going around this area, more or less.

‘They’re trying to catch runaway mages?’

“Cal. There was an attempted kidnapping in Ipson. Rumor has it……”

“No. And it’s not that.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet?”

“You’re just going to say it’s your fault anyway? And then step up to help or whatever.”

He really saw me as such a good kid sometimes—it was too much.

I got seriously annoyed.

“No, you pig! I was just resolving not to get caught myself! Catching criminals is Count Camellan’s job.”

“What’s gotten into you?”

“I’m not that nice!”

“You’re that nice.”

Sigh. I let out a sigh and drank the milk sitting in front of me.

I shot Cal a look threatening him to remember our earlier conversation, but he just crossed his arms and turned away with a huff.

What was I going to do about his social skills?

“By the way, have you heard about the New Green Festival contests this year?”

This time, Olivia brought up a new topic.

“Huh? There’s a contest?”

“It’s Rubian’s first time, I suppose. After the New Green Festival prayer gathering ends, the adults usually do things like hunting or martial arts tournaments, while the kids have simple contests. It is a festival, after all.”

Ah, now that she mentioned it, I vaguely remembered reading something about it in the book.

Olivia added to her explanation.

“There’s a children’s riding competition, a maze-solving contest, a quiz contest, a swordsmanship contest, and the like. See if there’s anything Rubian might want to join.”

“Ah, yeah……”

Titi jumped in from the side.

“I’m entering the quiz contest!”

“I see.”

“I got intel that there’ll be a lot on herbal medicine this year! Right, Your Highness Licht?”

Licht rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking troubled.

“I don’t know the details. But the Academy’s herbal medicine professor has been coming and going from the Imperial Palace quite a bit.”

I listened quietly before asking.

“Um, do you get prizes for winning at the New Green Festival?”

“Of course.”

“What are they?”

“Second place is money, third place is jewels.”

“……”

No, weren’t the prizes for a wholesome kids’ game a bit too pragmatic?

Titi let out a small “Aww” with a sigh.

“It’s gotten a bit modest. Last year it was land.”

“……”

You noble kids.

“What about first place?”

For some reason, with my mood soured, I propped my chin on my arm and asked sulkily.

“The first-place prize is……”

Licht looked at me and smiled neatly.

“A Hero Collection Card. The New Green Festival limited edition, with unreleased portraits included.”

Back to innocence, just like that?

“But I kinda want it now.”

More than anything else, I wanted that first-place prize.

‘Burning up, collector’s itch…….’

Because I wanted to see Dad’s rotten expression one more time while looking at Hero Collection Cards.

‘I want to tease him. Intensely.’

Hah. So that’s why Hero Collection Cards were the top prize?

“It’s going to be a fierce battle……”

Olivia clasped her hands together with a grave expression.

“Yeah. Every kid on the continent is after it……”

Even Titi muttered that with her brows deeply furrowed.

As expected, money and jewels meant nothing to them. Such pampered noble kids.

“Alright. I’m going for the quiz contest! Let’s climb Ipson Mountain to study herbs!”

“Ooh! I’m in favor, Liv!”

“Hey, kidnappings are all the rage right now, you know?”

When I asked snarkily, Olivia raised an eyebrow as if to say, so what?

“Just bring escorts. Honestly, going out in commoner clothes all casual is the most fun.”

At her innocent reply, I let out a short sigh.

‘So the real troublemakers were right here.’

Okay. I’d write letters to Count Camellan and Count Olson as soon as I got back to the mansion!

Once we’d eaten most of the cake, the group naturally dispersed.

I used the allowance I’d gotten before heading out to have them neatly package some cake for Dad.

As I was ordering, Grandpa, Void, and Liam came to mind, so I borrowed a little extra money from Sir Leon and bought some for them too.

‘Feels kinda good!’

Thinking of their faces while eating something nice!

Feels like a real family, doesn’t it?

“Then, everyone, bye!”

I waved my hands flutteringly. Our paths split in different directions, so Titi and Liv were standing on the opposite side.

“Yeah, see you at the New Green Festival!”

Their escorts had come to pick them up, and the two walked off holding hands like sisters.

At that moment, Sir Leon appeared, laden with cake boxes, along with Khalid.

“Ruby, let’s go. They’ll send the rest to the ducal residence.”

“Yeah!”

I replied lightly and looked at Licht, who was standing right in front of me.

“Not much fun, was it?”

“Huh?”

He blinked his eyelids.

“I dragged you out to play, but we didn’t talk much…… and you don’t seem to like cake that much.”

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. Now that I thought about it, I’d come out to entertain Licht, but I’d ended up enjoying myself too much. Guilt hit me belatedly.

“I don’t really know how to play with you either……”

This was the best I could do. Embarrassed, I let out a hehe laugh, and Licht smiled neatly.

“No. It was a ton of fun.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

I wondered if it was just his usual polite farewell, but surprisingly, his sparkling eyes seemed full of sincerity.

“Rubian.”

At that moment, Licht took a step closer to me.

“Thanks for playing with me today.”

“Uh……”

“If you want to play again, you can come find me, right?”

“Well…… sure?”

We were kinda friends now, right?

Then, the brightest smile bloomed on his smooth face. It was such a pure expression of joy that it tickled anyone watching.

“Ruby, aren’t you going?”

At Khalid’s low urging, I quickly turned around.

“Bye! See you at the New Green Festival!”

“Yeah.”

I walked off briskly, leaving the prince’s sunset-dyed crimson hair behind me. Sir Leon followed right on my heels.

‘But why is she acting so sweet to a boy like that?’

No way……?

Hmm.

Could be. The empire’s future was going to be interesting.

Meanwhile, after Rubian and Leon had walked away.

Khalid and Licht stood there, exchanging odd glances.

“I’ve been wanting to ask since earlier.”

Cal, who had been standing still, slowly opened his mouth.

“You know, don’t you.”

That she’s a girl.

The words cut straight to the point, but Licht fully grasped the hidden meaning.

“Who knows? Guess.”

This guy.

Khalid twisted up the corner of his mouth. Licht muttered to himself as he watched.

“Guess you really are friends.”

“I don’t know what your deal is, showing up out of nowhere.”

Cal narrowed his eyes. Crimson sunset light flickered in the ash-gray irises.

“You’d better keep that mouth shut.”

“……”

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, Licht saw something writhing in the lengthening black shadow.

‘This bastard…….’

Was he even human?

The sudden doubt sent faint goosebumps rising on the back of Licht’s neck.

“Cal, what are you doing? Hurry up!”

At the clear voice that pierced the air, a glint returned to Khalid’s eyes, which had gone dark. The quivering shadow finally stilled and solidified.

He lightly readjusted the cake box in his arms and turned around.

“……What are you?”

This aura—no way. Khalid, mid-turn, tilted only his head as he stared at Licht.

“Who knows? Guess.”

The boy smirked, one corner of his mouth pulled up, and sauntered away leisurely. Licht clenched his fist tightly and stared at his retreating back for a long time.