The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 63

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 63

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot

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"No, you don't have to eat it!"

"If you're going to have cake, you need to eat your meal first. Let's go."

"Huh?"

I stood there blankly, and Liam, who had already walked halfway down the hall, turned back to look at me.

His steady gaze fixed on me. Followed by a short sigh.

"What? I heard from Void that you're a spoiled brat, and it's true."

"Wh-what?!"

I flailed my arms and legs like a fish just pulled from the water.

That was because Liam strode over and effortlessly hoisted me onto his back with an expressionless face.

"Stop dangling your legs. Hurry up."

A stern voice rang out. No, was he really being stern?!

The teenager who had scooped me up quickened his pace.

He was faithfully following the stickers I'd placed leading to the dining hall.

What the heck? How does a bookworm have such broad shoulders? And why is he so strong?!

"Br-bro, slower!"

"......"

His steps, which had been taking stairs two at a time, finally stopped. He tilted his head slightly, and his purple eyes turned toward me.

"That's weird."

"Huh?"

"Calling me 'bro'."

For some reason...

At his voice laced with an odd tone, I clamped my mouth shut.

"Little Fairy. I'll research this question, so it's forbidden until I reach a conclusion."

"Ugh... Research forbidden..."

Thanks for giving me some distance, though... You picky otaku teenager...

But it was unexpected.

Liam turned out to be the perfect meal buddy for me!

"Peppers? Hand them over right now."

"Eek."

I excitedly shoveled the green monsters from my plate onto Liam's.

They were stewed tender with amazing seasoning, but I still hated them all the same!

"Still just picking out the veggies, huh."

Dad shook his head as if he'd given up.

"I need to eat veggies to stay awake while reading."

"If you're sleepy, just sleep, please..."

"I'd be grateful if Father would just button up his shirt for once."

Both of them ignored each other's words, pretending not to hear.

Spear and shield... No, just spear and spear?

I chewed on the meat Void had cut for me and quickly changed the subject.

"Hey, I heard there's a kids' contest at the New Green Festival."

Dad looked nonchalant.

"I know. And how long are you gonna chew that?"

"I ate too much cake earlier... Still full..."

"That's a problem. Should've brought Borvel."

"I'm perfectly normal! Anyway, I'm entering the New Green Festival contest too!"

Void, who was tearing into his bread, furrowed his brow. He'd scarfed down so much cake earlier and still had a huge appetite.

"Why enter something so lame?"

I gulped down my meat.

"Bro. You haven't heard yet. The New Green Festival contest prize."

"What is it?"

I covered my mouth with both hands and whispered.

Hero Collection Cards. Unreleased limited edition.

"...!"

Void's nostrils flared wide.

"Ha... Sorry, Rubian."

His face said he couldn't yield on his favorite item.

What is it? Dad asked casually, but Void and I exchanged glances and silently agreed to zip our lips.

"A fair fight, then."

"Yay!"

Just what I wanted! I burned with enthusiasm at his declaration of war.

Void turned to Liam, who was sitting next to me.

"You entering too, Liam bro?"

"Nah, not really."

Liam looked utterly uninterested.

Gazing at his flawless profile, I sincerely admired him.

"Wow, you eat peppers so elegantly..."

"What?! I could've eaten your peppers too!"

Void yelled, looking wronged as I clung to Liam's side.

I grinned widely and gave him double thumbs up.

"Execution wins!"

"Basics."

"Tch! I'm writing it in my diary!"

Diary... My lips automatically pursed like a duck's.

"Hmph."

That's right. I could no longer access Void's diary anymore.

I glared straight ahead in dissatisfaction, and Void read the meaning in my eyes, pulling a smug face while going "eh heh heh."

"My diary~ Locked diary~"

"Annoying!"

"Lock~ Lock~"

"Dang it, I own 99% of it! I thought it was our exchange diary!"

"It's not an exchange diary, though?"

"Don't worry, Little Fairy. Once I figure out the lock mechanism, it'll be easy to pick."

Liam, who had been listening, chimed in.

"Whoa. Whose side are you on, Liam bro?!"

"My own side. Even the gods are on my side..."

"...? No idea what that means, but it's cool."

"Don't act cool, Void bro. It's just chuunibyou."

"What's chuunibyou? Bleh... Am I sick? Rubi, fix me."

"Dunno. They say it's an incurable disease that only time can heal..."

"Sounds dramatic. Nice."

"Kids."

Dad let out a deep sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Our chattering voices cut off abruptly.

"Never thought I'd say this in my life."

"......"

"Shut up and eat."

The father of three kids looked utterly drained, like all his energy had been sucked away.

'Oops, got carried away.'

I cleared my throat and primly picked up my fork.

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.

"Your Excellency."

Turning around, Sir Leon looked a bit pale.

"What is it?"

"Word from the gate..."

What was with this ominous pause?

"The Duchess, who was on her way back, has gone missing..."

"Gasp!"

Clang. My fork slipped from my hand.

What do I do! The frail sunshine heroine is missing! I anxiously looked at Dad.

"Haa..."

"Oh nooo..."

"I'm out."

But the humans' reactions seemed strangely lukewarm?

"Thought it was too quiet... Here we go again."

"Father, shall I borrow a tracking tool from Grandfather in the annex?"

"Do that."

"Last time he disguised as a fruit vendor... Wonder what he's going as this time."

Void muttered as he slipped away.

"Have a good time, then."

Liam neatly finished his meal and headed up to the third floor.

"What? Why is everyone so used to this?"

"Hide and seek."

"......"

"My wife's hobby."

Dad stood up, ruffling my hair.

"I'll go fetch her, Ruby."

Maybe... the Duchess was the weirdest one of all?

Dad immediately led the knights out to "track" the Duchess (?).

Fortunately, the Ipson kidnapping attempt had been resolved, so not all knights needed to stay here.

Grandpa, who had been soaking in the hot springs, also left after Void's summons, leaving me alone in the mansion unintentionally.

Dad asked me over and over if I could stay by myself. When he asked more than a hundred times, I slammed the door in his face with a weary look.

"Stay-home victory!"

I rubbed my face in the white blankets, then suddenly had a realization.

"Whoa, wait. Isn't this my chance?"

It was the first time all three nuisances were out at once.

The hermit teen Liam had shut himself in the annex with a cake box, demanding no talking for three days and two nights.

I jumped up from my seat and pressed my earlobe.

'Cal, Cal, Khalid! Buddy! Kaaaaal! Big trouble! Real emergency!'

My desperate call met with static signals.

'You... were ignoring me after all.'

I ground my teeth. I wanted to chew him out right then... but I was the desperate one now, so I'd let it slide.

'Keep watch! Now! Jebert Hot Springs! Your training ground, right?'

Khalid seemed to exhale shortly.

Yay! Squirrel! Yay!

I wiggled my feet happily.

"Heh heh, didn't know this place existed. Heh heh."

The Jebert private hot springs stretching behind the mansion were truly a paradise on earth.