Youngest 060

60
Without realizing it, my tone had grown a little sharp.

Licht blinked in a daze. A flicker of embarrassment passed over his usually calm face, the mask slipping from his features.

After a moment, the prince dropped his head, covering his mouth with a hand.

“…What am I doing?”

A short groan escaped him as he ran both hands through his hair in frustration.

“Sorry.”

He suddenly lifted his head. Now Licht’s face was mottled with discomfort and embarrassment. The constant, picture-perfect smile was gone; for the first time, he looked his age.

“I’m sorry, Rubian.”

“…”

“This is a really bad habit of mine… asking things as if I’m trying to probe someone.”

I can’t believe I did it to you too…

The prince groaned softly.

“It’s true I’m curious about Lord Zevert’s situation. But I didn’t mean to interrogate you about it.”

I stifled a sigh.

In the original story, Licht was a flower hiding a blade. He concealed his own feelings with glib words and drew out only the information he wanted from others.

He really was the perfect schemer, optimized for the power struggle.

To think he was like this even as a child…

…I suppose he had no choice but to be, just to survive.

Licht shifted uncomfortably, sneaking glances at me. As I watched him so deflated, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret.

“If I upset you, I really am sorry—”

I let out a sigh. Oh well.

“It’s fine. Just don’t do it again.”

“Yeah. Okay!”

Licht’s head snapped up. For a moment, it felt as if invisible ears had pricked up.

Not like I can tell him not to worry since he’s already the crown prince.

Actually, is that quite right? Maybe it’s because he was like this from a young age that he could become the crown prince in the first place.

Which came first—the chicken or the egg?

That’s the question.

“So, where are you staying right now?”

I shook off my thoughts and changed the subject.

“Count Camellan lent me a mansion.”

“…”

My narrow gaze bored into Licht. The prince averted his eyes, rubbing his chin.

“…Right, I arrived early to get a read on the state of the other nobles.”

The New Green Festival was supposed to be a celebration…

The life of a prince—he can never really let down his guard.

“It’s not really my place to say, but you don’t know how to have fun, do you…”

I gazed up at the sky and was struck by a simple solution. Well… why not have some fun, then?

I leaned toward Licht, my pale cheeks tinged with pink.

“So… are you free tomorrow?”

---

“I can’t believe Lord Licht was really here…”

Olivia murmured in an absent-minded voice.

“Hehe, I knew it all along.”

“It’s been a while, Lady Olson. Lady Camellan.”

Licht greeted them with his usual graceful manner.

“So this is why you invited us to Jake Tea Salon, Rubian?”

At Olivia’s words, I nodded.

“Yes. I thought it’d be nice if Lady Camellan and Lady Olson and Licht could all go together.”

Afternoon sunlight filled the day with brightness.

I’d gone out with Licht for the first time, heading to that famous tea salon. Since it was my first visit, too, I coaxed the two young ladies into joining us.

“But the man standing behind… who is he?”

Olivia glanced at Kal, who stood a step away, her eyes shining.

I drew myself up with pride.

“This is my escort and friend, Khalid! He’s an expert swordsman, and an animal lover, not to mention smart and capable in all sorts of ways—”

“Enough.”

Khalid cut me off bluntly. His earlobes turned slightly red in embarrassment.

Oops. I hadn’t even realized.

“Your… escort?”

Olivia stared vacantly at Khalid.

“…Plus a thousand points.”

Huh?

“Ah! Did I say that out loud?”

Olivia startled, hurriedly looking away.

Ah, she’s the type who cares about appearances.

“Um, but how did you get a reservation at the tea salon? You can’t book a table there on short notice.”

At Sortie’s question, I chuckled.

“The power of authority.”

“Oh my.”

I pointed right at Licht.

“Ohoho.”

“This is the first time I’ve used my position as prince for something like this…”

Unable to withstand the barrage of gazes, Licht hid his face in both hands.

“Tell me this is worth the shame, Rubian.”

“Self-control is up to you! Alright, let’s go, children!”

I grinned and raised my hand high. Sortie replied with a bright, “Yes!”

“Well then, Rubian, I’ll be going now.”

“No, Kal!”

I quickly grabbed Kal’s arm.

Nearby, my father had assigned Sir Leon among several other escorts.

Kal seemed eager to join them, but no way was I letting that happen.

“We need to work on your social skills.”

I whispered quietly, and his thick eyebrows drew into a dramatic frown.

Oh dear. He looked thoroughly displeased.

“Like ordinary children!”

To fit in naturally with the Zevert household, he needed to act like an ordinary child. Meeting age-mates now was the perfect opportunity!

“I don’t need it.”

Kal, completely lacking both social and communication skills, answered coldly.

“So stubborn…”

“Looks like your friend doesn’t want to. Let’s just go, Rubian.”

A gentle voice. I turned to see Licht smiling softly, his hand naturally extended toward me.

“…Well, there’s nothing for it.”

I turned to Licht, reaching for his hand. But then—

“Wait.”

Suddenly, my shoulder was seized again.

“Kal?”

“I’m coming.”

“I thought you weren’t going?”

“I’m coming.”

What’s with this sudden turnaround?

Khalid stood behind me, gaze locked on me like an arrow. I nodded, bewildered.

‘Why do I feel… like both my temples are burning?’

Must be my imagination.

“Wow. I need to get a picture of this.”

I stared, dazed, at the three-tiered masterpiece of a cake before me.

The marbled sponge was lavishly decorated with intricately piped cream and fruit. To top it off, shining gold dust and sparkling sprinkles scattered across the surface.

“What’s a ‘picture for proof,’ Rubian?”

“It’s… a thing people do.”

I brushed it off, blinking slowly.

Saved to memory!

“How’s the knot practice going?”

Sortie asked, carving off a small piece of cake.

“Well enough, though not as good as you, my lady… This is delicious.”

“Hehe, please call me Titi. I’ll teach you another knot next time, too.”

“Okay! If it’s one that lets you add jewel embellishments, that’d be great. This really is delicious!”

“Yay, I’m glad!”

Titi’s sky-blue braided hair bobbed with delight as I genuinely admired my plate.

The chef’s skills were impressive, but this place was on another level!

Olivia smiled in satisfaction.

“It’s good, isn’t it? Among the children of the nobility, this is the hottest dessert spot right now.”

Ooh, I love a hot place!

‘Dad would love this, too, wouldn’t he?’

It was sweet, rich, and bursting with flavor in every way.

“We should get more. What kind of cream do you like, Rubian?”

“Um… strawberry cream, and milk cream.”

“Ah, so our tastes match.”

Olivia grinned and placed another order. As I reached for more cake, a sudden realization hit me.

‘Wait. Wasn’t I really natural just now?’

I was chatting with them just like a completely ordinary child. Once, I’d have been too shy to say a single word!

“I’m really doing it.”

“Doing what?”

“It’s just… a thing!”

Feeling good, I dug into the cake with gusto.

“So, why have those two been fighting with their cake since we arrived?”

Titi asked as she reached for a new slice.

Turning my head, I saw the two dark-clad boys sitting at the end of the table, facing each other.

‘There’s definitely a storm cloud over that end of the table.’

The dark-haired one sat with arms folded, facing away, sulking. The blond one was calmly smiling as he mercilessly attacked his cake.

“It must not be to their taste.”

“My, but this is a flavor that transcends any preference, here.”

Olivia watched with regret as the cake was either neglected or torn apart in real time.

“By the way, have you heard the rumor lately? There have been more and more failed abduction attempts.”