Youngest 175

Episode 175

The mark, imbued with blue mana, was the same size as when I was a child. A spell that froze time itself had been cast upon it.

“Whew.”

I know it’s the only part of my body that’s ceased to grow, but every time I see it, I feel inexplicably tense. After all, who knows when my magic might break and it would start growing again?

“More importantly…”

I’m about to turn eighteen.

Moved, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror.

A round-faced girl with blue eyes stared back at me.

As rice ripens, so it bows its head. Following this truth, the bun perched atop my head had also grown humbler with time and now sat comfortably below my ears.

Well, all in all… not bad. Except—

“A sharp, sleek jawline!”

—nope, don’t have that.

Why does my face still look so round?

“Eyes, keen and fierce!”

—yeah, those are missing too.

Why do my eyes seem so sad at the corners?

“Hmph, then I’ll be as tall as Hazel!”

“Young Miss!”

“Ah, you startled me.”

Poof. I was still small enough to be lightly swept into Hazel’s arms. At least, I was relieved to see I reached about chest height now…

‘So unfair.’

I wanted to grow up into a glamorous beauty.

Still, it’s not as though there aren’t any ways.

“Alright. Hazel. I’m going to take the bulk-up route.”

“Huh? The what-up?”

With a solemn expression, I rolled up my sleeve, bent my arm, and flexed with all my might.

Pop.

“Look at this, look! My arm muscles are protruding! Ha! The results of my special training are finally showing!”

“…?”

“Could you not just throw a question mark when I’m trying to boast?”

“Oh, sorryyy.”

Hazel chuckled, hugged me once more, and then checked the fireplace and window in my room.

“You’re not cold, are you?”

“Nope!”

“But, Young Miss,”

As she picked up a lamp and was about to leave, Hazel tilted her head.

“What is it?”

“Did you lose weight, by any chance?”

I just finished showing off my muscles, what is she talking about?

“No, I haven’t?”

“Hmmm, something feels less soft.”

“How on earth do you measure someone’s body weight?”

“Well, get some rest for now. I’ll have tomorrow’s meals prepared extra lavish just for you.”

Watching Hazel’s determined face, I couldn’t help but laugh.

She finished double-checking the bedroom and came to fix my hair, insisting she’d get it comfortable for me. Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Father entered.

“I’ll handle things here. Hazel, go on.”

“Yes, Master.”

Father had changed into fresh clothes, spotless where the ice cream had smeared him before.

Surely he’s not here to scold me.

I glanced at him warily, but he stretched out on the sofa, then patted the seat beside him.

“Come here and let’s fix that bun of yours.”

“Yes, sir.”

Obediently, I sat by his side.

His large hands deftly removed the pins from my hair with not even the slightest misstep.

A cautious, ticklish touch.

“It really is like cotton candy.”

“…Don’t eat it.”

“I’ll consider it.”

I quickly gathered my long silver hair to the front and tied it tightly beneath my chin.

He chuckled.

“So, Ruby.”

His low voice came from behind me.

“Yes?”

“Tell me what’s bothering you today.”

“…”

My expression, which had been floating without a care, suddenly hardened.

---

Leviathan gazed quietly at Rubian, who had turned her back to him ever so slightly.

“I’m in a good mood, really…”

A hollow laugh escaped.

“I may not be observant, but I can read the mood.”

After all these years together.

“Especially when it comes to my youngest daughter—I know her feelings inside out.”

“Oh ho ho…”

Rubian laughed, covering her lips in an awkward motion.

It was an odd laugh—she held her hand to her mouth, turning her head aside just a bit.

‘She’s been reading that again.’

Leviathan’s eyes drifted to the nightstand beside the bed.

There sat a book titled The First Step to Becoming a Wonderful Adult. He was sure that laugh was from one of the chapters in that guide.

Casting a glance at her bookshelf, Leviathan couldn’t help but chuckle again.

The lineup was much the same.

101 Ways to Start Your Eighteenth Year with No Regrets, Eighteen—Speak Out to the World!, Become an Adult Who Communicates Well, Eighteen—Run Toward Wealth—titles along those lines…

“Gosh, being an adult must be so busy. You have to scold the world, communicate perfectly, run after money…!”

“What did you even buy at the bookstore?”

On the day Rubian raided the bookstore.

Liam, who’d lent her a cart for all the books, was beaming triumphantly right beside her. The two of them then holed up in the library for three days, devouring book after book.

‘She never does anything by halves.’

Why does she work so hard at even becoming an adult?

‘Unless…’

Leviathan studied Rubian’s face in detail.

‘Is she feeling anxious about something?’

“You wouldn’t have randomly tempted Void to sneak a drink with you for no reason. Was it really just because of the coming-of-age ceremony?”

When Leviathan asked about earlier, Rubian pressed her lips tight. He reached out to comfort her—then stopped.

In his eyes, she was still a small, endearing child. But she was seventeen now; he’d resolved to be mindful not to sweep her up in his arms so easily anymore.

“…Senior Delmon passed away.”

The words tumbled out, hesitant.

Without a second thought, Leviathan pulled Rubian close and hugged her tight.

Not long ago,

Rubian had gone to her first funeral.

Delmon had been a member of the Zevert Knights.

A few years back, he’d taken the entrance exam for the order alongside Khalid, training as a low-ranking knight to hone his skills.

But just recently, he’d lost his life in a magical beast attack near the capital. Tragically, he died rescuing farmers who’d been caught by the beasts as they were returning home nearby.

Rubian had cried bitterly then—so much so that nobody had known how to console her.

“I thought I was over it, but sometimes it just hits me out of nowhere.”

Rubian’s voice was calm.

At moments like these… Leviathan felt a mysterious mix of feelings, as if he were glimpsing a child who’d grown up overnight.

“I didn’t think I was that close to Senior Delmon… but, suddenly, I remembered.”

“Remembered what?”

“What you always say about drinking—that it tastes sweet.”

“…”

“I used to protest, saying how could alcohol possibly be sweet… I told him eventually, when I was grown-up, I’d try it myself and let him know if it really was.”

Rubian sniffled. He could see she was biting her lip, fighting the urge to cry.

Leviathan gently swept Rubian’s forehead. No matter how grown-up she seemed, she was still his beloved daughter—so small, so fragile, so precious.

“Ruby, that… was something no one could help. It was an accident.”

“I know…”

Rubian’s reply was heavy and subdued.

“I know it well.”

Her blue eyes, wet with tears, looked toward Leviathan. Rather ironically, the child who’d lost someone looked more resolute than before.

He’d wanted her to grow up knowing only joy and happiness.

Knowing it was impossible, Leviathan could only sigh quietly. All he could do was stand by and watch over her as she mourned.

After comforting her for some time, Rubian’s gloom seemed to lift a little.

Her lips pouted as she muttered, “But I’m not a little kid anymore…”

“I’ll tell you something that’ll cheer you up right away.”

“What is it…?”

“I just got a letter. The day after tomorrow, Rosetta’s arriving. And the week after, your grandfather will be here.”

As expected,

Rubian shot up from her seat.

“Really? Both Mom and Grandfather? What time? Which minute? Which second?”

“Rose will be here early in the morning. Not sure about Father. But when Rosetta gets here, you two should go out and have some fun.”

Barring emergencies, Rosetta spent every summer till late fall caring for children at the new shelter in the south.

“Amazing.”

Rubian’s blue eyes sparkled. Fearing what mischief she might be plotting, Leviathan quickly added,

“And no dyeing.”

“Huh?”

“No dyeing your hair. Just something ordinary.”

“Oh… how did you know?”

Rubian covered her mouth, laughing oh ho ho again. Leviathan resolved then and there to set that book on fire as he rose.

“If your mood’s better, try to sleep.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, by the way… There’s going to be a big royal banquet soon. Before the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“A banquet? What kind?”

“A triumphal celebration.”

Rubian’s eyes widened.

“Khalid’s coming home.”

“Ah…!”

Khalid is coming back.

Rubian clenched the fist that had been hanging loosely at her side. Leviathan gave a short laugh.

“For a brat, he certainly made a name for himself.”