The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 71

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 71

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot

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Ch.8

When they emerged from the cave carrying Rubian, a large crowd had already gathered.

Among them, the most visibly restless were undoubtedly the Jebert knights bearing the family crest.

"Your Excellency, Rubian is......"

Leon stepped forward, his usual composure replaced by clear anxiety.

He had taken Rubian into account by hanging back a step, but his gaze on the child was sharper than anyone's.

"Shh."

Leviathan quietly shook his head. He then took a dry outer cloak from another adjutant and draped it over the child.

"Is she asleep?"

Rubian in his arms was trembling intermittently.

She didn't seem asleep......

She had simply exhausted all her strength.

"We need to let her rest soon."

He pulled the heavy mantle covering Rubian up over her head. A misty rain continued to fall from the overcast sky.

Leon nodded as if he understood and stepped back.

"Lady Rosetta has all the culprits bound. They were already hanging upside down from trees, so it wasn't much binding to do......"

How had she subdued seven grown men?

Leviathan instinctively picked up on the murmurs around them.

The prince and the other young ladies had woken up in the cave, but Rubian and the short-haired girl had regained consciousness first...... The crowd buzzed.

He turned his head sharply.

His eyes met those of a young woman who had been glancing their way.

"Was it you?"

"Pardon?"

"You look like a stationed mage from Babylon."

At that, Rubian stirred in his arms. His large hand gently stroked her small, fragile back to soothe her.

"Ah, y-yes. I'm Asha......"

"I see. Asha."

His impassive gaze fixed on the mage.

"Thank you for protecting Rubian."

Asha's eyes widened in surprise at the polite gratitude.

Didn't Duke Jebert hate mages? She hadn't expected him to thank her so readily......

Her gaze then fell on the limp Rubian. Though she didn't know the full details, Asha could guess enough.

"Well...... I don't think I deserve any praise for it. Anyway, you're welcome."

"Leviathan."

At that moment, a woman with pink hair appeared, her footsteps quick. Leviathan hurried to his wife's side.

"Sir Obron has taken the culprits into custody. We should head down too."

A troubled sigh escaped Leviathan's lips as he looked at the thoroughly soaked Rosetta.

"......We should hurry. Your complexion isn't good."

"Oh, please. Who here has a good complexion?"

Honestly, Leviathan looked the palest of them all. Rosetta almost pointed it out but held back.

"More importantly, Rubian......"

She could see the child's back, swaddled tightly in the dark cloak, stubbornly clinging to Leviathan's neck with her face buried.

"......We'll talk later."

The light drizzle had finally stopped.

Leviathan took hold of the reins. At that moment, he sensed a group approaching.

"Duke, Your Excellency."

"What is it?"

"I am Lutrus, knight of the Imperial Palace 1st Guard."

They were the prince's escort knights, arriving late.

A clear sneer crossed Leviathan's face.

"That title carries some weight."

After a brief moment of silence to show respect, the knights turned their eyes to the child in the duke's arms. Veins bulged on the back of Leviathan's hand.

"I'd like to ask those involved in the incident a few questions. May we speak with that child briefly?"

"Sir Lutrus, enough."

It was Leon who spoke. The two had met in the capital.

When the usually reserved man showed obvious displeasure, Lutrus raised an eyebrow in surprise. But he didn't drop his cold expression.

"Apologies, but it's procedure. She was the only one conscious during the kidnapping."

"There's a stationed mage."

Leon blocked him again.

"He's also a suspect in another attempted kidnapping. You know we can't trust the word of someone under suspicion."

Lutrus replied coldly, looking at Leon.

"Therefore, Your Excellency, just the child for a moment......"

"Child."

Leviathan, who had been silent, murmured lowly. Lutrus involuntarily stepped back.

"Yes?"

"That child?"

Just one step forward, and an immense pressure bore down. A dark shadow fell over Lutrus.

"Y-Your Excellency. Why are you suddenly...... I was only suggesting proper procedure."

"Since when does a mere knight give me orders?"

By now, eyes including Count Camellan's had turned their way.

"And to dare extend that to Jebert's lady, no less."

"......Pardon?"

Lutrus and everyone else's faces froze in shock.

"La... lady?"

That was the moment.

A sharp gust of wind grazed past Lutrus's ear.

Thud. A massive greatsword, terrifying just to look at, embedded itself in the tree behind him.

"Argh!"

Lutrus collapsed to his knees.

My ear, my ear!

"Tch. What a slippery head."

"D-Did you just throw a sword at me?! Old Duke!"

The beast mounted on horseback grinned and shook his head.

"Nah. My hand slipped."

It was obviously a lie. But no one dared call him out.

Ballock dismounted calmly and yanked his sword free.

"So? What's this dogshit about?"

The mountain of a man glared down.

Lutrus suddenly felt a bit wronged.

"I was just conducting the investigation...... No, procedure."

It wasn't like he was trying to do anything major. Just ask what happened......

Did it warrant this level of overprotection?

"Perfect timing. Handle the cleanup, will you?"

Leviathan said as he gripped the reins again.

"Hmph."

Ballock's gaze fixed on the small bundle in his arms.

After anxiously checking Rubian and confirming she was safe, he finally relaxed his rigid shoulders.

Cracking his neck, he scanned the surroundings and spoke ominously.

"Fine. You go ahead. I'll wring these bastards out myself."

"That won't do......!"

"Sir Lutrus!"

Then, Licht, who had been talking with Count Olson in the distance, came running up late.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"P-Prince......"

"Do you know whose presence you're blocking?"

The prince swept back his wet hair and glared coldly at Lutrus. Seeing the face so like the emperor's, Lutrus shut his mouth.

Licht turned to Leviathan with a low sigh.

"I apologize for the rudeness, Duke. Please go ahead. I'll handle the palace knights."

Leviathan spared him no further glance.

The horse reared up on its forelegs and bolted forward.

Rosetta, Leon, and the Jebert knights surrounded the child like a shield.

"......"

Khalid, following behind, glanced back sharply. His eyes met Licht's for a split second.

Argh! Aaaah! Rats out of nowhere! Scram!

Shouts from the knights rang out.

In the brief commotion, Rubian tried to peek up.

Leviathan pressed down on the back of her head with his large hand to soothe her.

"Keep your eyes closed."

Then, the child who had been quiet turned her head to stare at his profile.

Leviathan kept his gaze forward and said firmly.

"It's all over."

"......"

"So everything's fine now."

With a sound that could have been a reply or a sigh, the child buried her face again.