Chapter 16:
As the sun set and darkness fell, the entire castle filled with the smell of delicious food.
“Oh my, this place has become a completely different space.”
“Butler Adolf!”
I ran toward Adolf as he entered the dining room.
“Where’s Uncle? Is he still not here?”
“He’s on his way down now. But I’m not entirely sure if it’s truly alright for everyone to be doing this…”
I pulled a document proudly from my pocket.
“It’s fine. I got the Duke’s signature right here.”
“Ho ho.”
Adolf chuckled as he examined the paper.
I puffed out my chest proudly—then suddenly, tap. A light flick landed on my forehead.
“What kind of trouble have you been stirring up now?”
“Ow!”
“What on earth have you done to my castle?”
“Uncle.”
“Father!”
Void, who had been crouched in a corner eating cookies, jumped to his feet.
“So the troublemakers have all gathered, I see.”
Uncle crossed his arms and looked back and forth between me and Void.
I pulled him toward the brightly lit center of the room.
At the head of the smooth marble table, his own beautifully prepared seat awaited.
Uncle Leviathan tilted his head as he looked down at it.
“You’re the main character here, so why am I sitting in this spot?”
“Nope. The main character is you.”
“…?”
“Actually, Void—”
I quickly corrected myself. That name still didn’t roll off my tongue naturally.
“Void oppa said he wanted to hold a return party for you.”
“For me?”
Uncle’s gaze shifted to the boy, who was practically wagging his tail with excitement.
“You’ve worked so hard all this time!”
Void said brightly, as if he’d been waiting for this moment. Uncle froze for a second.
“I’m really happy you came back safely. I… I don’t think I ever got to say that properly before.”
Void looked a little nervous.
“So this time, I wanted to tell you!”
Uncle placed a hand on Void’s head. A short chuckle followed.
“Yeah. Thank you.”
“…Yes!”
Mm. This was nice to see.
Feeling satisfied, I took my seat.
As if waiting for the cue, an incredible procession of dishes began to arrive. Along with them came a cake piled high with pink cream. Wow, it’s so pretty!
“Did you send food to the knights as well?”
“Yes. They’re probably eating and drinking to their hearts’ content right about now.”
“Tell everyone else to stop working and go enjoy themselves too.”
Butler Adolf laughed softly.
“Thanks to Lady Rubian and the young master, we’re the ones being spoiled today.”
The elderly butler straightened his back and bowed politely.
“It may be a little late, but once again—congratulations on your safe return, my lord.”
Then others began adding their own words.
“Congratulations on your victory!”
“You’ve worked so hard!”
“Why are you all acting so embarrassing?”
Uncle Leviathan frowned deeply.
“How many times have I returned already? Enough—go on, all of you.”
He waved them away with an awkward, flustered expression.
The castle staff retreated with gentle smiles similar to Adolf’s.
“Father, did you see my swordsmanship report?”
“I did. You’ve improved a lot.”
“Yes! I worked really hard!”
“You’ll be returning to the academy next month. Are you prepared?”
“Of course! Instructor Ullin even said that next semester I’ll definitely—”
The meal continued peacefully.
Occasionally, Uncle’s adjutants or close aides came by to offer greetings and share a drink.
Even though it was a hastily prepared and somewhat clumsy little party, everyone seemed happy.
Thank goodness!
“….”
By the way.
I quietly glanced around, then rolled a piece of bell pepper across the table.
The little green monster rolled across and tapped against Void’s plate.
‘Hurry. Up. And. Say. It.’
I shot him a look. Void gulped nervously.
“Um… Father.”
Uncle Leviathan looked up.
“I’m really okay eating together with you now.”
Uncle paused, holding his amber-colored drink.
“So… from now on, could we eat together more often?”
“…….”
Uncle was silent for a moment. Honestly, I couldn’t tell exactly what he was hesitating over.
But there was nowhere left to run now.
The war was over. He couldn’t use the excuse of leaving again anytime soon.
‘You’re family now, so you might as well get close quickly.’
I watched the two of them as I thought this.
Uncle looked at his now-grown son. Void fidgeted a little but didn’t look away.
“…I see.”
Not just tall, huh… Uncle murmured quietly.
He looked like he’d made up his mind.
“Alright. I understand.”
Void’s face immediately lit up.
I smiled softly.
“Sorry I didn’t realize sooner. It must have been hard to gather the courage.”
Uncle ruffled Void’s hair.
Void, laughing happily, suddenly pointed at me.
“Actually, Rubian was the one who thought of this party first. Please praise her!”
“Rubian did?”
Uncle turned his head toward me.
“No, um, that’s…”
Caught off guard, I blinked awkwardly.
Uncle leaned back in his chair again.
The way he folded his arms and went “Hmm” gave me a bad feeling.
“Now that I think about it, what I signed was your welcome party.”
His stern gaze poured down on me.
“You shouldn’t submit false reports to the Duke.”
He looked exactly like a manager scolding an employee for turning in a terrible report.
“Come here. You need to be punished.”
“W-what punishment?!”
I jumped in alarm. Uncle gestured lightly.
“First, all those bell peppers you’ve been sneakily avoiding.”
“…….”
“You’ll eat every last one right here.”
What a cruel punishment!
I slowly tried to hide them with my fork.
“If you don’t finish them, you’ll only get one slice of the cake you’ve been eyeing all evening.”
“…I hate bell peppers!”
The texture, the color, the smell—everything about them! I even told the chef, so why were they here?!
I protested strongly. But even Void betrayed me.
“Ruby. If you’re picky, you can’t become a strong knight of the North.”
He crossed his arms with the same stern expression.
Like father, like son!
“Seems that’s the case.”
With an ally on his side, Uncle looked smug.
“Ugh!”
You two were awkward just a moment ago and now you’re teaming up?!
But the score was 2 to 1.
Total defeat.
Uncle’s punishment didn’t end there.
“Lady Rubian, welcome to Gebert Duchy Castle!”
The party had completely flipped its purpose. I ended up sitting in the guest of honor seat, forced to eat endless sweets and treats.
“Oh my goodness, you’re just too cute!”
“I never knew my hands could make something like this…”
The maids gleefully placed a strange cone-shaped hat they’d made onto my head.
“Look at that face.”
Uncle poked my puffed-out cheek.
“This isn’t what I imagined at all…”
Regardless, the castle staff busily came and went, offering me welcome greetings.
Uncle and Void watched with identical expressions, nodding in satisfaction.
‘Is this… a first birthday party?’
It kind of felt like one.
Anyway, the party ended smoothly.
As the night grew late and Void went up to bed, I stood as well.
“I should go sleep too!”
My eyelids were getting heavy.
“Come here, Ruby.”
The villain who made me eat five whole bell pepper pieces reached out his hand. Feeling annoyed, I ignored him—though I was caught immediately.
Uncle scooped me up easily. I could faintly smell alcohol.
“Why are you following me?”
“We haven’t said goodnight yet. You have to say it properly.”
“Uh… goodnight?”
At my blunt reply, Uncle lightly pinched the tip of my nose.
“You only act polite when you need something.”
Step by step.
We left the dining room and walked down the hallway, up the stairs, around a corner.
I tilted my head.
“Are you coming to hang out in my room?”
“I’m too drunk to make it all the way to my bedroom.”
“You don’t look wobbly at all—whoa!”
Still holding me, Uncle suddenly dipped downward with a laugh.
I thought I was going to fall!
Of course, the arms holding me were steadier than anything.
“See? I’m wobbling.”
“…Are you teasing me?”
“Smart kid.”
The mischievous uncle straightened up again and kept walking. Thanks to his long legs, we reached my room in just a few steps.
