The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 78

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 78

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot

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"Your face looks a bit flushed. You're not getting a fever again, are you?"

Khalid suddenly asked with a stiff expression. I vigorously shook my head no.

He had poured an abundance of mana into me in one go—far richer than anything I'd given him before. As my eyes widened at the power surging through me in an instant, he replied indifferently.

"Payment."

Khalid pulled his hand away and stretched largely.

"Alright. Reflection time's over. Can't make my master upset."

Let's go to the pond.

I stared at his back as he turned and walked off with heavy steps, then slowly followed.

'I didn't even realize it, but was I low on mana?'

Is that why my heart was pounding?

I removed my hand from my now-quiet chest.

"You coming?"

"Coming!"

I shook off my thoughts at Khalid's words and ran over.

Every time his picture-perfect face drew closer with those long strides, my heart picked up speed again.

Ah, this is because I'm running!

"......"

......Why?

It's really just from running!

Inside the greenhouse was a truly adorable artificial pond. In the middle was a short line of stepping stones, and we went back and forth across them, playing around.

"Huff, Asha was in jail?"

I asked in surprise.

"She got released thanks to testimonies from the other kids. Still, she was a suspect in the attempted kidnapping."

Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered hearing something like that in my sleep.

"So where is she now?"

"Seems like she got drafted for New Green Festival staffing. That's the excuse she gave for coming up north."

"Poor Asha."

Khalid squatted down next to me. I was admiring the sprouts in the flower bed.

"So? Do you still need Asha Drukan?"

"Huh?"

"You came here in the first place to bring Asha Drukan to your side. To hide that you're a mage."

"Well, yeah......"

"Your gender got found out. Curious if you're gonna keep hiding that you're a mage too."

"Umm......"

I let out a short groan.

I couldn't tell Khalid about the dream. It was the story of the 'original' that only I knew, after all.

'Not knowing the identity of the mage who kills Dad bothers me.'

I tapped my head. No matter how hard I tried, nothing came to mind.

'Why do I only remember half of it!'

In this state, I couldn't act rashly. I wasn't sure what variables my actions might bring.

Intentionally or not, I'd already changed the original a lot.

'So far, it's worked in my favor, but will it continue?'

If Dad found out I'm a mage, he'd take even deeper interest in the Magic Kingdom than he does now.

That worried me.

I didn't know what that interest would lead to.

Knowledge was power, ignorance poison.

Since I knew about the original, it was my weapon—but whether it would pierce the enemy's heart or turn into a blade at my throat was uncertain in the current situation.

So I had to be cautious.

'At least I need to figure out who the mage is that gets Dad killed.'

I could only stop it if I knew who the enemy was.

But this incident taught me there's no eternal secret.

I couldn't keep my mouth shut forever about being a mage, even if I didn't spill the 'original' story.

"Ugh...... At least after we get back to Zelox."

Khalid nodded as if agreeing with my mutter.

"Yeah, everyone's busy with the New Green Festival anyway."

"Right. And...... Khalid."

"Yeah?"

I lowered my voice.

"I'm gonna properly look into a way to remove my stigma."

Khalid looked a bit surprised at my sudden words.

"You mean the Magic Kingdom's crest? ......You said it's hard even with your own power."

"Yeah. But I have to......"

I hesitated, choosing my words.

"To completely break free from the kingdom...... then I can truly become Rubian Jebert."

That was my true feeling.

To become Dad's real daughter...... a child worthy of the Jebert name.

Not the Magic King's 'seventh' or whatever.

"I hate being known as that mage's child who tormented Dad."

Only after shedding that label could I finally tell him everything without reservation.

Only then could I accept Dad's 'it's all okay' without guilt.

"Got it."

Khalid replied after a brief silence.

"A way to remove the stigma. If your head-knowledge can't figure it out, I'll look into it too."

"Huh? No. This is my problem, so I'll."

"Master. You pulled me out of that cave when I had nothing to do with you."

His gray-blue eyes gleamed stubbornly.

"That was...... something I could do."

"Exactly. This is something I can do for you."

"......"

"I'll look into it too."

Khalid said firmly. I had no choice but to nod slightly.

"Okaay...... Thanks......"

Well...... Khalid's animal friends are helpful anyway.

'Better than struggling alone......'

We fell silent for a moment, each lost in thought.

Then, from afar, we heard the rattling of Hazel pulling a trolley.

Khalid stared blankly at the sight, then quietly spoke again.

"Speaking of which, Ruby...... after the New Green Festival, I have somewhere to go for a bit."

My eyelids blinked.

"Where? Leaving the Northern Region?"

"Yeah. It'll only take a few days. There's a place I want to check out regarding your stigma."

I almost asked what, but closed my mouth. Just as I had things I hadn't told Khalid, I sensed he had things he hadn't told me.

Of course. Even close friends can't share everything.

"Ugh...... Got it."

I nodded reluctantly.

"Miss, I brought tea!"

Hazel brightly set out tea and snacks on the table by the pond.

'My goal hasn't changed. I'll protect Dad's life.'

The steaming milk had honey and cinnamon on top. No doubt Dad had it prepared since my cough wouldn't stop.

'And I'll break free of the stigma to become fully this house's youngest.'

I clenched my fist tight.

Tap, tap.

Leviathan's index finger moved rhythmically.

"The kid keeps coughing."

Borvel wiped his brow at the chilling voice.

"Yes...... That's the fifteenth time you've mentioned it. I adjusted the medicine for her sore throat accordingly—fifteen...... now sixteen times. As for having her drink lots of warm things...... fortunately, only the tenth."

That guy.

Can't even fix my little one properly.

Leviathan shot a fierce glare. But dutifully, he called a servant and ordered warm honey milk sent to Rubian.

Tap, tap.

He drummed his finger again.

Under his long finger lay a crumpled letter.

"So...... what do you plan to do?"

Borvel cautiously spoke, glancing at the desk.

"Send someone to Iosiah again?"

"......"

Leviathan was silent.

There was no boy like Rubian in Iosiah. It was only natural. Rubian was a girl.

Then search for a 'girl' again?

Would that reveal Ruby's past?

Something felt off.

Pretending otherwise, Rubian was a timid, defensive child who shied from strangers. It wasn't hard to understand the feelings of a kid who'd suffered in silence, too scared of abandonment to even mention her gender.

'But is that really the only reason?'

What else could there be?

His brows furrowed involuntarily.