Chapter 34
“Ruby, breakfast—…your expression is something else.”
An uncle dressed in casual clothes was standing outside the door with his weight shifted onto one leg.
“…Good morning, Uncle.”
With a hollow, exhausted face from anger, I slowly got up, dragging my yellow slippers as I walked toward the door.
“You didn’t lose sleep, did you?”
“I slept just fine, as always.”
“……”
Riiip, riiip.
I removed the tape that had been stuck along the door for a long time.
The uncle let out a resigned sigh.
“Is all this really necessary?”
“Of course it is! You keep peeking at me while I sleep!”
That was my special countermeasure. I couldn’t tolerate being observed every time I slept. What if I muttered nonsense in my sleep?
‘Well, if he just hops over with those long legs of his, there’s nothing I can do…’
But it was a matter of principle.
“Hah. Ridiculous.”
The uncle shook his head and reached out his hand. I naturally settled into his arms as he carried me down the hallway.
Ugh, now I’m hungry after getting worked up.
I was still grinding my teeth over Khalid Riorc, who had blocked me.
‘No, calm down. Maybe he’s just oversleeping. I’ll check the shop later.’
I took deep breaths in and out, trying to cool my boiling mood.
At that moment, someone approached from down the hall.
“Your Grace.”
“Ah, Sir Leon! Good morning!”
Sir Leon looked at me silently for a moment, then gave a small nod in greeting.
Then, with his usual expressionless face, he rummaged through his pocket and handed me a small madeleine.
Why does he carry these around every day? Does he get low blood sugar or something?
Anyway, since I was hungry, I quietly listened to the conversation between Uncle and Sir Leon while nibbling on the madeleine.
“Your Grace, we’ve lost some personnel in the knight order, so we may need to recruit new squires or knights. What should we do?”
“Hmm. Spring subjugation is coming soon, so we should. Any applicants?”
“Not yet, unfortunately…”
“Gasp, finally a junior for me?”
After swallowing the madeleine, Sir Leon rummaged through his pocket again and handed me a bottle of strawberry milk. What is he, some kind of magic bag?
“Even so, no one younger than you is likely to join.”
Aw, what a shame.
I pouted while sipping the milk.
“Try to find candidates as much as possible before the subjugation.”
“Understood. I will relay that to Sir Oburon.”
Sir Leon gave a formal bow and walked away. Before leaving, he also emptied his pockets and handed me a variety of madeleines.
“Lemon, chocolate, vanilla, Earl Grey… Wow, does Sir Leon dream of opening a dessert shop after retirement?”
A former stoic knight running a dessert shop… Hmm, oddly enough, it might work.
“Eat the rest after your meal.”
“Okay!”
Once we arrived in front of the dining hall, I hopped down from Uncle’s arms.
Maybe because I’d eaten something sweet, my irritation toward Khalid had eased quite a bit.
“Let’s eat quickly, then train, then visit the shop!”
A busy but fulfilling day ahead!
But the presence of Uncle, who I expected to follow right behind me, was nowhere to be felt.
Curious, I turned around—and saw that handsome face with arms crossed, wearing a very displeased expression.
“…You’re going out?”
“Yeah? Why?”
“Then this afternoon again—”
“What?”
Uncle, who had pressed his lips into a straight line, let out a deep sigh. Then he walked over and poked my cheek, smiling.
“No, never mind. Go have fun as much as you want.”
* * *
Around noon, in the office.
Leviathan Zebert suddenly stood up.
“This won’t do.”
Ruby had gone out again today.
As a result, the afternoon snack time with the child was once again skipped.
“I feel like I’m going to suffocate buried under paperwork.”
He frowned at the mountain of parchment piled high. He needed a change of pace.
Leviathan grabbed several documents that required immediate reading and headed toward Ruby’s room.
As soon as he opened the door, a faint, sweet scent unique to a child filled the air. His lips softened naturally, and his tense nerves relaxed.
He slowly looked around Ruby’s bedroom.
What stood out most were the neatly arranged pale purple mana stones lined along the window frame.
“She must really like them.”
On the floor, mana stones had even been arranged into a sparkling heart shape. Beside them were fresh herb decorations bundled like a bouquet.
Seeing this, he let out a small chuckle.
‘Does she collect things?’
Like a squirrel collecting acorns?
Leviathan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Among the noble ladies of the capital, there were some who collected rare-colored mana stones. Those ladies often also had hobbies of collecting jewelry.
‘Maybe she actually wants jewels but can’t say it because she’s a boy?’
She certainly seemed to like shiny things…
“Ah, Your Grace. You’re here.”
While lost in thought, Adolph approached from behind. Perfect timing—he had just been about to call him.
“Adolph. Find out who owns the jewelry shop near Central Road.”
“Out of the blue?”
“Is there a problem?”
“None… of course not.”
Adolph replied while glancing at the purple mana stone in Leviathan’s hand. He had more or less figured out the situation.
“By the way, what’s going on?”
“Ah, Councillor Borbel has requested an audience.”
“Borbel?”
Borbel was the family physician of House Zebert, recently reinstated.
Why was he looking for him? Then he recalled that Borbel had examined Ruby immediately upon arrival.
No way… Is something wrong with Ruby?
The tips of his fingers turned cold.
“Bring him in immediately.”
The door opened, and a middle-aged man stepped inside.
“Your Grace, I’ve come to report the results of Rubyan’s examination.”
“Start with the conclusion.”
“She is healthy.”
“‘Healthy’?”
Leviathan tilted his chin slightly. The chilling pressure made Borbel swallow.
“Explain why you hesitated just now.”
“That conclusion is based on a basic examination. Her growth is significantly slower than peers, but it is not due to any illness. However—”
The physician continued calmly, then slightly narrowed one eye.
“You mentioned she has a major scar on her body?”
“…Yes.”
“I would have liked to examine that as well and perform a more thorough check, but she is quite reluctant to be touched. That limited us to basic checks, which is what concerns me.”
“She tends to be wary of strangers.”
Though she acted composed, Rubyan was actually very shy around unfamiliar people.
Leviathan’s expression softened slightly as he recalled how the child used to crawl into his arms whenever she was in crowded places.
‘And yet… she somehow followed me.’
Perhaps she wasn’t shy around him in particular…
“Yes. That seems to be the case. It would be best to examine her again after she becomes more familiar with me.”
“So there are no immediate problems?”
“Yes. With proper care as she is now, her growth should gradually improve. Though she will likely remain smaller than boys her age…”
Leviathan nodded silently, then frowned.
“Uncle! I think I’ve gained weight since coming here! At this rate, I’ll grow as big as Hazel!”
The child’s bright expression as she said that came to mind.
Rubyan seemed simply happy, but for Leviathan, the thought was complicated.
“It’s only been a few weeks, and she’s already grown.”
It hadn’t even been a full month since Rubyan arrived at the estate.
In such a short time, just by feeding her well, the child had gained weight, her complexion had improved, and she had grown slightly taller.
‘Just how poorly was she living before?’
Leviathan covered his forehead with one hand, groaning. It felt as though something inside him was being violently stirred.
“Borbel, can you send someone to Iosia?”
“I can. I studied there briefly in the past. For what purpose?”
“Ruby is from Iosia. I want to know if anyone there recognizes her—parents, relatives, anyone.”
What kind of life had she been living with those (presumably trash) people?
‘This can’t continue.’
Leviathan decided to wait until Rubyan chose to tell him herself.
But… would that day ever come?
It was more of a feeling.
Though it felt intrusive to investigate her in secret, Leviathan had made his decision.
He was now Rubyan’s guardian. Therefore, he needed to know everything about her.
So he could protect her.
And also…
“Were you upset, or what were you doing in your room?”
“My—my stomach really did hurt! But it suddenly got better…”
Rubyan, who had been avoiding his gaze, came to mind.
He hoped it wasn’t the case… but the thought lingered anyway.
‘Is Ruby hiding something?’
Crack.
Without realizing it, Leviathan’s grip tightened, crumpling the documents in his hand beyond repair.
