The youngest is hiding a lot of things.

Chapter 22

He placed Rubian on his lap as if it were nothing. She was still far too light for an eight-year-old.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, don’t pay too much attention to what Father says.”

“But…”

“Look at this. You keep worrying about pointless things, and now the top of your head’s all warm again.”

“Oh. You’re right.”

Rubian put her small hand on top of her head and looked amazed.

Leviathan let out a light sigh.

“So if you weren’t upset, what were you doing locked in your room?”

“Huh?”

“They said you suddenly ran upstairs.”

When he pressed the question, Rubian slowly turned her head away.

Well, well.

“My, my stomach really did hurt! But then it suddenly got better…”

“Hmm. Maybe I should have a physician take a look at you.”

“I’m not sick. I ate a lot for dinner too.”

The child fidgeted with her hands. It was something she did whenever she felt troubled. And when she got anxious, she would bring them up to her lips.

Leviathan watched her fingertips and shook his head firmly.

He playfully pinched the tip of her round nose.

“What kind of man are you going to be if you stay this frail all the time? You need a full check-up.”

“I’m really fine…”

The castle’s physician was away on a business trip.

Void had always been naturally healthy, and the old duke hated doctors with a passion, so Leviathan hadn’t worried much until now.

‘But she really is small for her age.’

There wasn’t a boy as small as Rubian anywhere in the capital.

“It’s not just because of you. Soon Rose… my wife, will be coming back.”

Rubian’s eyes sparkled instantly.

“The one who sent the letter?”

“That’s right.”

“I see…”

She looked strangely excited.

Leviathan sometimes felt like Rubian understood him far too well. Then again, she was an unusually sharp child.

“Enough of that. Go lie down under the covers.”

“Huh?”

“You said you’re going out tomorrow. If you want to wake up early, you need to sleep. Maybe that’s why you’re not growing.”

“Ha!”

Rubian slipped into the blankets. Peeking out with just her eyes and sniffing the covers seemed to be a habit of hers.

Leviathan tucked her in and dropped onto the nearby sofa.

“Did you wash your face?”

“Yep.”

“Brush your teeth?”

“I did.”

“Take out your hairpin and put it here.”

“I already did.”

“Want some warm water?”

“Uncle, why aren’t you leaving?”

“…”

Sharp kid.

He kicked off his shoes carelessly and stretched his legs out on the sofa. As he slumped back, Rubian gave him a disapproving look.

“Honestly, the sofa in this room is the most comfortable.”

“What’s different from the sofas in other rooms?”

“Totally different.”

“…? Then take it with you. It’s all yours anyway…”

“Enough. Close your eyes.”

“Yes, sir.”

He adjusted the brightness of the lamp.

“…You’re not going to watch me sleep, are you?”

“Of course not.”

He had spent the entire day checking the northern outpost and the castle walls. Thankfully, his body didn’t tire easily.

“I’ll just rest for a bit and go.”

He yawned lazily and pretended to fall asleep first. Soon, Rubian’s soft breathing filled the room.

She fell asleep so quickly, after trying to stay up.

A small smile crossed his face.

A deep, quiet night.

As Leviathan stared into the air, he slowly turned his head.

Rubian was having a nightmare.

“…”

The child let out faint whimpers.

Leviathan rushed over like lightning and grabbed her hand. He stroked her forehead and held her tightly.

Even so, Rubian couldn’t wake up easily, as if trapped by the nightmare.

“Rubi, please…”

His chest burned. He felt like he was going insane.

At least when he held her, her expression softened a little. That was all he could do.

“What on earth…”

What kind of memories are tormenting you?

The fact that he couldn’t completely chase away the darkness clinging to her made him feel utterly helpless.

‘Seventh, my beloved daughter.’

The king of mages always called me “Seventh.”

There was no special reason. I was simply his seventh child.

‘To think you would fight for me—your father is deeply moved.’

That wasn’t true. I was only fighting because I had no choice.

‘But be careful. If you get hurt, it will break my heart.’

Lies.

‘You must capture the dark mage alive. Understand?’

‘…’

‘That is the very reason our kingdom is involving itself in this continental war. We must never let those continent scum take the dark mage’s head.’

His greedy face always disgusted me. But I never dared to rebel.

The brand on my body meant exactly that.

Proof of absolute obedience to our king.

‘Especially never let that damn Duke Zebert take the dark mage’s head…’

What should I do, Father?

I disobeyed your order.

And because of that…

I defeated you.

A bright morning.

I slowly opened my eyes. Stretching out, I felt refreshed.

Ahh, I slept so well.

This bedding really is comfortable…

“…What the heck?”

I froze halfway through sitting up.

The bedroom was in complete chaos.

“Yaaawn.”

“Void oppa, why are you here?”

An incredulous voice burst out of me.

Right next to my bed, on the large sofa, Void was crumpled up.

“Came to play cards… y-yaaaawn.”

“You came here early in the morning to play cards?”

Though he looked more like someone who’d stayed up all night.

“Yeah. But I changed my mind.”

His bloodshot eyes glanced at me, then he shook his head.

“Damn it, I should’ve just gone back to bed after going to the bathroom… shouldn’t have come down here…”

Scratching his messy hair, Void muttered incomprehensibly and wandered off.

I had no idea what was going on.

I turned my head slowly, making a face like I’d bitten into a bug.

On the sofa right next to where Void had been, a man lay sprawled like dough, staring at me with hollow eyes.

“Uncle, were you playing cards too?”

“…The sofa.”

A stubborn, hoarse voice answered.

“You like it that much?”

Ugh. Uncle leaned his head back against his beloved sofa.

“I’m really getting old…”

He muttered something about blocking off the northern annex corridor.

“I really don’t get it…”

It didn’t seem like he’d explain even if I asked, so I just buried my face in the sheets and tilted my head.

Just how strange could the Zebert family be?

I had breakfast with Uncle.

Void was apparently still dead asleep.

After neatly finishing salad, eggs, a bit of meat, bread, soup, and fruit juice, I got ready to go out. Uncle hurried off to deal with knight order business.

“I’m all washed up!”

“Were you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“Nope.”

Hazel looked a bit disappointed.

She still didn’t seem happy about me bathing alone.

“If you ever need help, you have to tell me, okay?”

“Yep, yep.”

I nodded, but honestly, that day would probably never come.

I already washed perfectly fine on my own.

“All done.”

Hazel tidied up my short hair and carefully picked out a hairpin.

With my bag packed and shoes tied tight, I headed down to the lobby. Butler Morris was waiting at the entrance.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning, Lady Rubian.”

The thin butler was wiping sweat with his handkerchief as usual.

I looked around the lobby.

The person I’d promised to meet wasn’t there.

“Um, Butler.”

“Yes?”

“Is the old duke not here yet—”

I stopped mid-sentence.

From behind a large decorative bust in the corner…

A dark shadow was peeking out.

“…”

Hmm. This was awkward.

Did he really think his huge body would be hidden by that decoration?

“Um… is the old duke perhaps feeling unwell?”

“Please don’t worry. His Excellency is currently reflecting on his actions.”

“Reflecting?”

“Repenting for being harsh to you yesterday.”

The butler winked.

“He didn’t get a wink of sleep all night.”

I was shocked.

I hadn’t realized he thought I’d run off yesterday because I was angry.

“N-no! That’s not it!”

As I hurried to explain, the statue in the distance trembled. I even heard something crack.

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes. I wasn’t angry at him at all. Yesterday I really just… had a sudden stomachache…”

Morris chuckled and wiped his sweat.

Feeling uncomfortable lying, I fiddled with my nails.

“So… is he not coming with me today? I was really looking forward to going together…”

Crack.

Another piece of the bust broke.

Morris gently took my hand.

“Then why don’t you greet him first? He’ll be delighted.”

“Should I?”

“Yes. And… please try to save the bust of the first Duke of Zebert while you’re at it.”

Ah… that might already be too late.

I slowly approached the statue.

The dark figure hiding behind it twitched.

“Hello, Your Excellency?”

“…”

Purple eyes peeked out.

“About yesterday, I—”

“If you’re going to apologize, I was the one who startled you!”

A thunderous voice boomed through the lobby.