Youngest 190
by Cristae190
Khalid’s ears inexplicably burned, and he turned his head away. Rubian nudged him, saying, “What’s with you? I can feel your gaze boring a hole in my head,” then went on chatting with Sevelena.
“It’s really fascinating. A failed love story.”
“Just in time, our Academy’s graduation symposium is putting on a play about it!”
That caught Khalid’s attention, and he interjected.
“A play? Ruby… You’re in it?”
Rubian was a member of Professor Yuliope’s ancient languages symposium at the Academy.
“Yeah. What’s with that face?”
“It’s just… You’ve always hated being in front of people.”
Rubian curled up one corner of her mouth and gave a sly grin.
“I know how to grow up, you know. I’ve even appeared on stage for quite some time now!”
Of course.
Most likely, she’d be the lead.
She shines so brightly—how could they not cast someone with such thunderous presence among mere mortals as the star?
Khalid, momentarily spellbound by Rubian’s confident smile, suddenly seized on a particular word.
“…A love story?”
Wait, hold on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! The play will now begin!”
“You really are the lead…”
“Yaaay!”
Khalid’s words were swept away by the applause of the crowd.
For the first time in a long while, and with a bit of haste, he carefully wove mana into a message.
[ When are your play rehearsals? ]
Rubian flicked her gaze to the side and touched her earlobe.
‘Next week?’
[ You’ll show me when we get back, right? ]
‘Yeah! It’s a bit embarrassing, though.’
He wanted to ask who was playing the other lead opposite her, but pinched his thigh instead—worried that, yet again, the conversation would turn to that accursed ‘blonde’.
Licht was part of that ancient languages symposium, too.
‘Pathetic…’
And yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about it, not even for a moment.
By the time the play was over and they stepped back outside, the sun was beginning to sink toward the horizon.
Sevelena watched Rubian, who was walking ahead, absorbed in explaining the play’s story to Khalid.
Just then, Rubian stumbled slightly, tripping on an awning’s jutting decoration.
“Ah!”
Sevelena and Khalid both reached out to steady her.
“Are you all right?”
“Gosh, thank you.”
‘She smells nice.’
Sevelena thought so before she realized, surprised by how soft and plush the sensation lingered in her hand.
‘Someone so cotton-candy-sweet looking… She couldn’t survive a day in the Eosia forest…’
How had she endured the Human–Dark Beast War?
‘Senia must be right. She must be some extraordinary mage.’
She was about to ask if Rubian was really unhurt when a dark arm suddenly swooped in and grabbed Rubian.
“Let me see.”
Khalid, hunched low with a serious frown between his brows, examined her.
“You didn’t twist your ankle? Can you walk? If you need to, like before, you can always…”
Sevelena couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
Sir Khalid himself, at a total loss—who would have thought?
“Hey, I’m fine. Seriously, I’m okay.”
“Ah, I see…”
“Then why do you look a little disappointed?”
“That’s not it.”
“Yes it is.”
“It’s really not. Just watch where you’re going.”
“You tied my cloak so tight I was busy unfastening it. What’s with you today, anyway?”
Sevelena stifled a laugh.
‘It must be so her face is a bit easier to see, right…’
And with his big frame, he blocked outsiders’ eyes from her completely.
“Ah. Sorry about that.”
“What’s with you, apologizing all out of nowhere…”
It surprised her how easily the apology slipped out—and then he smiled, clearly enjoying himself.
‘Who is he really?’
Sevelena stared at the pair walking before her.
The young lady, not even coming up to Khalid’s shoulder, was chattering without pause, and the man was giving her every ounce of attention, hunched slightly over, trying not to miss a single word.
He looked like someone who’d been taught to listen to ladies that way.
There must be someone around him who listened to her like that.
“Wow! A cute white horse!”
“Careful.”
“It kind of looks like my Arherkalberrominia the Third.”
“Your… what, now?”
“My white horse. I’ll introduce him to you later!”
“No, I didn’t mean that…”
The big man’s ears turned faintly red for a moment.
“I meant, why did you put my name in your horse’s name?”
“Huh?”
“Arher‘Kal’berrominia the Third, you said.”
“Oh wow, I really did, didn’t I. Is it weird?”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“What?”
Rubian, chiding him for talking nonsense, quickly got distracted and hurried ahead. The man, left behind for a moment, rubbed his chin with one hand and slowly followed after her.
“What the…”
Sevelena let out a frustrated laugh.
“I’d thought he was the type to have a few screws loose from being splattered with too much dark beast blood—but it turns out, he just never cared enough to show interest in anyone, is all?”
“Did you say something?”
“No. Look, Nova. I thought he was a wild dog, but he’s really just a loyal companion.”
That tail was wagging.
He looked positively delighted to have found his owner.
“Hm, I was right not to say what my real purpose was.”
Otherwise, I’d have made a fool of myself.
“Remember this, Sevelena. During this Babylon visit, you absolutely must get engaged to Sir Khalid Riorc!”
Her father’s words, loud and clinging, echoed in her ear.
‘It’s hopeless.’
Sevelena clutched her handbag tightly.
‘Just one look, and it’s obvious he’d give that lady his heart and soul.’
Besides, in any case…
‘If Sir Khalid becomes impossible, there’ll always be a next candidate. Who, I wonder? One of the Babylon princes?’
What conditions would they sell me off for, in the end?
A huge cart rumbled past, sides covered in carcasses heading for the butcher.
Sevelena thought she had little more agency than the sides of meat hanging there belly-up.
She’d be sold if the price and terms were right.
A self-deprecating smile crept across her lips.
“Phew, that was fun!”
After enjoying the festival, I returned to the mansion.
The royal entourage had decided to stay here for two days to reorganize before moving on.
The king was staying at a grand estate owned by a nearby noble. According to the senior knights, my father had already eaten a quick dinner with the king.
‘I heard he’s a gentle-looking Mister.’
And yet, behind the scenes, he pulls such schemes.
Anyway, as soon as I got back, I headed straight for the parlor where Dad was.
‘I like that the East and West Wings are separate.’
The East Wing was used by the Kasalia king’s party, while the West Wing was reserved for Dad and the Zevert knights, so there didn’t seem to be much chance of running into anyone from Kasalia. The princess, too, was nowhere in sight.
And as for keeping watch on the princess…
“Sorry, but I don’t want to watch the princess by myself.”
“Huh?”
“I think I’ll be busy elsewhere. I have to stick with someone for a while.”
Because Kal said that, we agreed to discuss it again later.
“But… Who do you have to stick with? The knights?”
“…”
“Why are you looking at me like that again?”
“That skewer—how’s the sweet flavor? Can I have a bite?”
“Wait—Why are you eating from my mouth again?!”
“Tasty.”
I couldn’t exactly force someone who didn’t want to do the job!
“Hmph.”
What is this?
Oddly, I kept humming to myself.
“Oh, what is this~ Am I this happy just to go see Dad~”
With a light step, I flung open the parlor door.
“I’m home!”
“Ruby, I told you to come back before dinner. Where on earth have you been running around without even eating—”
The Duke, sprawled diagonally on the sofa and rummaging through his papers, spotted me and immediately started scolding me, eyes blazing.
I skillfully let it wash over me and hurriedly tattled on the princess.