Youngest 022
by CristaeWith a calm expression, he lifted Rubian onto his knee. She was still unnaturally light for an eight-year-old.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, don’t pay too much attention to what my father says.”
“But…”
“See? You’re worrying about pointless things again and now the crown of your head is all warm.”
“Oh. You’re right.”
Rubian pressed a small hand atop her head, marveling at the sensation.
Leviathan let out a quiet sigh.
“So, if you weren’t upset, what were you doing cooped up in your room?”
“Huh?”
“They said you suddenly ran up here.”
He pressed persistently, and Rubian turned her head away.
I see how it is.
“My—my stomach really did hurt! But then it suddenly got better…”
“Hm. I think you ought to see the physician.”
“I’m fine. I ate a lot at dinner too.”
Her fingers fidgeted—something she always did when uncomfortable. If she got more anxious, she’d soon bring them to her lips.
Leviathan shook his head firmly as he watched her hands.
He flicked her round nose with mischievous gentleness.
“What’ll you do if a boy keeps being so frail and feeble? I think a complete checkup is in order. No helping it.”
“I really am fine…”
The household physician was away on business for a while.
Void was naturally healthy, and the old duke loathed seeing doctors, so Leviathan hadn’t worried much until now.
‘Still, for his age, he’s awfully small.’
Nowhere in the capital had he seen a boy as tiny as Rubian.
“It’s not just because of you. Soon, Rosa will… my wife will be coming back.”
Rubian’s eyes instantly sparkled.
“The one you wrote letters to?”
“Yes.”
“I see…”
She looked giddy with anticipation.
Leviathan sometimes felt Rubian knew him unnervingly well. Then again, she was a bright child.
“That’s enough, get under the covers. In bed.”
“Huh?”
“You said you’re going out tomorrow. If you want to wake up early, you’d better get some sleep. Maybe that’s why you’re not growing?”
“Ha.”
Rubian obeyed, slipping quickly under the blanket. Sniffing the bedding with just her eyes peeking out seemed a habitual comfort.
Leviathan tucked the covers in and slumped onto the nearby sofa.
“Washed your face?”
“Yeah.”
“Brushed your teeth?”
“I did.”
“Put your hairpin here.”
“I did.”
“Want some warm water?”
“Why aren’t you leaving, Mister?”
“…”
Sharp little thing…
He kicked off his shoes and put his feet up. Sprawling out on the sofa, he received a look that seemed to find him utterly hopeless.
“To be honest, this sofa is the most comfortable in the house.”
“How’s it different from the others?”
“Completely different.”
“…? Then take it to your room. It’s yours anyway…”
“Enough talk, close your eyes.”
“Okay.”
He dimmed the lamp.
“…You’re not going to stand guard while I sleep, are you?”
“Of course not.”
He’d spent the entire day checking the northern outpost and the ramparts. Luckily, he was made to withstand exhaustion.
“I’ll just rest a little.”
He yawned deeply and pretended to sleep first. Before long, Rubian’s soft, even breaths filled the room.
She’d fall asleep so quickly, yet she always put up a fuss.
A brief smile flickered across his lips.
In the deep, quiet night.
Leviathan, gazing into darkness, turned his head.
Rubian was having a nightmare.
“…”
A thin whimper escaped the child.
Leviathan rushed to her side in an instant, grasped her hand, stroked her brow, and held her tight.
Even so, Rubian didn’t easily wake, as though trapped in some terrible dream.
“Ruby, please.”
His heart twisted; it was enough to drive him mad.
At least, when he held her close, her expression softened somewhat. That was all he could do for now.
“What on earth…”
What memory was tormenting her so?
That he could not banish the darkness clinging to her was nothing but agony.
‘Seventh, my lovely daughter.’
The Mage King always called me ‘Seventh.’
The reason was simple: I was his seventh child.
‘To think my child would fight for me—I am deeply moved.’
Not true. I was only fighting because I had no choice.
‘But take care of yourself. If you’re hurt, my heart would be torn.’
Lies.
‘You must capture the Dark Mage alive. Understand?’
‘…’
‘That’s the only reason our kingdom is getting involved in this continental war. We can’t let the continentals take the Dark Mage’s head.’
That greedy face always disgusted me. But I never had the nerve to rebel.
Because of the brand upon my body.
A mark, proof of my absolute obedience to our king—a command I could not defy.
‘Especially at all costs, don’t let that damned Duke Zevert get the Dark Mage’s head…’
What now, Father.
I have disobeyed your order.
But, because of that—
I have defeated you.
A bright morning.
I opened my eyes slowly and stretched with satisfaction.
Ah, I slept so well.
These linens really are so comf—
“…What?”
In the act of getting up, I froze.
The bedroom was a disaster zone.
“Yaaawn.”
“Void? Why are you here?”
A stupefied voice escaped me.
Void was sprawled on the big sofa beside my bed.
“To play cards… yawn…”
“You came here this morning to play cards?”
He looked more like someone who’d been up all night.
“Yeah. But I changed my mind.”
His reddened eyes slid briefly to me before he slowly shook his head.
“Ugh, I should have just used the bathroom when I came down at dawn… what was I thinking…”
He scratched his rumpled hair as he walked off, muttering under his breath.
I didn’t get it.
I turned my head toward the spot where Void had been, wearing a look as if I’d bitten into something bitter.
There, sprawled like dough on the adjacent sofa, was a man staring at me hollow-eyed.
“Mister, did you come here for a card game too?”
“…The sofa.”
He replied gruffly, voice tight.
“You like it that much?”
Ugh. Mister leaned his head back against his favorite sofa.
“I really am getting old…”
Maybe it’s time to brick up that passage to the Northern Annex… grumble, grumble.
“I really don’t get it…”
There was no point asking; it was clear he wouldn’t explain.
I buried my face in the white sheets and tilted my head.
How far would the Zevert family’s bizarre antics go?
I had breakfast with Mister.
Void, apparently, was too out of it to eat, still fast asleep.
I polished off salad, eggs, some meat, bread, soup, juice, and more, then got ready to go out. Mister had already left for the knights’ business.
“I’m all washed up!”
“Were you uncomfortable anywhere?”
“Nope.”
Hazel looked a little regretful.
She must have felt uneasy about me bathing alone.
“Please ask for help whenever you need it, all right?”
“Sure, sure.”
I nodded, but that day would probably never come.
I was already perfectly good at bathing myself, after all.
“All done.”
Hazel straightened my short hair and carefully chose a hairpin for me.
Bag over my shoulder, shoes tied tight, I went down to the lobby. Butler Morris was waiting at the entrance.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning, Lady Rubian.”
The skinny butler was dabbing sweat from his brow with a handkerchief as always.
I stood quietly in the lobby, looking around.
The person I was supposed to meet was nowhere in sight.
“Um, Butler?”
“Yes?”
“The old duke isn’t here yet…?”
I stopped mid-sentence.
In one corner of the lobby, behind a large marble bust…
A black silhouette was lurking.
“…”
How am I supposed to react to this?
Did he truly think that large frame of his was hidden behind such an ornament…?
“Um, is the old duke feeling unwell?”
“Please don’t worry. His Grace is currently in a period of reflection.”
“Reflection?”
“For behaving so harshly toward you yesterday. He didn’t sleep a wink all night.”
Morris’s eyes glinted mischievously.
I was startled.
I didn’t think running out of the drawing room yesterday would make him believe I was angry.
“Oh, it wasn’t like that!”
I hurried to explain. In the distance, the bust trembled. Something chipped away at the edge.
“Does it trouble you?”
“Yes. I’m not upset with the old duke. Yesterday, I just—I really did suddenly have a stomachache…”
Morris chuckled and wiped his brow.
I felt uneasy, nibbling my nails—a reflex whenever I lied.
“So the old duke isn’t coming with us? I was looking forward to it…”
Crunch. The sound of marble breaking again.
At the same time, Morris gently wrapped his hand around mine.
“In that case, why not go greet His Grace first? I’m sure he would love that.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. And… perhaps you could spare the Zevert family’s founder’s bust as well.”
Ah… That might be too late.
I approached the statue slowly.
The shadow behind the ruined bust flinched.
“Good morning, Your Grace?”
“…”
Two purple eyes peeked out.
“About yesterday, I—”
“If you’re here to say sorry, I’ll be very annoyed!”
The duke’s thunderous voice rang through the lobby.