Youngest 016

As the sun set and darkness fell, delicious aromas filled the entire manor.

“Goodness, look at this. The place is completely transformed.”

“Adolf, sir!”

I ran toward Adolf as he entered the dining room.

“Where’s Mister? Is he here yet?”

“He’s on his way down. Still, I’m not sure if it’s really all right for us to be doing this together…”

I quickly pulled out the document from my pocket and showed it off.

“It’s fine. I got the duke’s signature, see?”

“Heh.”

Adolf smiled as he looked over the document.

I puffed out my chest, proud, when—a light flick landed on my head.

“So this is what mischief you’ve been up to.”

“Ow.”

“What have you done to my manor?”

“Mister.”

“Father!”

Void, who had been huddled in a corner nibbling cookies, got to his feet.

“So the troublemakers have all gathered here.”

Mister crossed his arms and looked from me to Void and back again.

I led him into the brightly lit center of the room.

At the head of the polished marble table—the seat of honor.

Leviathan looked down at the place set especially for him and tilted his head.

“The guest of honor is you, so why am I sitting here?”

“No. You’re the guest of honor, Mister.”

“…?”

“Actually, Void…”

I corrected my words. That title just doesn’t come naturally to me.

“Void wanted to throw you a welcome home party.”

“Void did?”

Mister’s gaze fell on the boy wagging his “tail” with anticipation.

“You’ve worked so hard all this time!”

Void’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, as if he’d been waiting for just this moment. Mister suddenly stilled.

“I’m glad you came back safely. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that since your return.”

Void looked a little tense.

“I wanted to finally say it this time!”

Mister placed a hand on Void’s head. A short, quiet laugh escaped him.

“Thank you.”

“…Yes!”

It was a heartwarming sight.

Feeling proud, I took my seat.

As if on cue, a magnificent meal was brought out, dish after dish. A cake topped with mounds of pink cream came with it. Wow, it’s beautiful!

“Did you send food to the knights as well?”

“Yes. By now, they’re probably feasting and making merry.”

“Tell the others to go enjoy themselves, too.”

Adolf, the butler, laughed.

“Thanks to Lady Rubian and the young master, we’re all being spoiled today.”

The elderly butler, standing perfectly straight, offered a formal bow.

“It’s a little late, but let me once again congratulate you on your safe return, Master.”

Others joined in with a word of congratulations.

“Congratulations on your victory, too!”

“Thank you for all your hard work!”

“Why are you making such a fuss?” Leviathan’s brow knitted deep with disapproval.

“How many times have I come home now? Go on, off with you, get out of here.”

He waved away the well-wishers with a look of feigned distress.

The manor staff, still smiling and dignified like the butler, quietly withdrew.

“Father, did you see my fencing records?”

“I did. You’ve improved a great deal.”

“Yes! I’ve been working hard!”

“You’ll be back at the academy next month. Are you ready?”

“No problem! Teacher Ullin says that next term I’ll definitely…”

The meal continued in a peaceful atmosphere.

From time to time, Mister’s officers or closest aides came to offer a welcoming toast.

Even though it was a hastily thrown, rather shoddy little party, everyone seemed to be in good spirits.

Thank goodness!

“……”

Meanwhile.

I glanced around cautiously and rolled a piece of pepper across the table.

The little green monster rolled to a stop on Void’s plate.

‘Say it. Now.’

I shot him a look, and Void swallowed hard.

“Um, Father.”

Leviathan looked up.

“I really don’t have any problem eating with you anymore.”

Mister, reaching for his amber-hued drink, stopped short.

“So, can’t we have meals together from now on?”

“……”

Mister was silent for a moment. I honestly had no idea what he was grappling with, or why he hesitated.

But there was nowhere left to run now.

The war was over. He could no longer use the excuse that he’d be leaving again soon.

‘Now that we’re a family, we should get close as soon as possible.’

I looked back and forth between the two.

Leviathan stared fixedly at his now much taller son’s face. Void, a bit uncertain, did not look away.

“…I see.”

Not only has he grown taller… In a barely audible voice, Mister muttered.

There was a resolute look on his face.

“All right. I understand.”

Void’s face lit up at once.

I smiled softly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t notice. It must’ve taken courage to say that.”

Mister ruffled Void’s hair affectionately.

Void, who was giggling sheepishly, suddenly pointed at me.

“Actually, Rubian thought of this party first. You should praise her.”

“Ruby did?”

Mister turned to me.

“Um, well…”

Suddenly put on the spot, I blinked awkwardly.

Leviathan leaned back in his chair.

He crossed his arms with a low hum, which felt ominous.

“Come to think of it, what I signed was your welcoming ceremony.”

He shot a stern, authoritative glare my way.

“You shouldn’t make a false report to the duke.”

It was the face of a department manager scolding an employee for submitting a bogus report.

“Come here. I’ll have to punish you.”

“What kind of punishment?”

I jumped in alarm. Mister jerked his chin at me.

“First, for quietly pushing away your peppers earlier.”

“……”

“You’re going to eat them all right here.”

A punishment as cruel as could be!

I shyly moved my fork to cover up the peppers.

“If you don’t eat them all, you only get one slice of the cake you’ve been eyeing since earlier.”

“…But I hate peppers!”

Texture, color, smell—everything! I even told the chef, so why did they appear?

I protested fiercely—but then Void betrayed me.

“Ruby. You can’t become a strong northern knight if you’re picky with your food.”

He, too, crossed his arms and put on a stern expression.

Like father, like son!

“That’s right,” said Mister, triumphant now that he had an ally.

“Ugh!”

A moment ago they were awkward—now they were a team?

But it was two against one.

Complete defeat.

---

Mister’s punishments did not end there.

“Lady Rubian, welcome to Zevert Manor!”

The party quickly turned upside down, and I, the supposed guest, found myself in the seat of honor, required to eat heaps of all sorts of sweet, delicious things.

“Good heavens, you’re absolutely adorable!”

“To think my hands could create something like this…”

The maids, delighted, put a strange cone-shaped hat they had made on my head.

“Look at that face.”

Mister poked at my sulky cheeks.

“This is weird. This isn’t what I had in mind.”

But whether I liked it or not, the household bustled about offering their welcomes.

Mister and Void, wearing nearly identical expressions, nodded in satisfaction.

‘…Is this a first birthday party?’

It sure felt that way.

At any rate, the party ended smoothly.

Night deepened. Once Void, drowsy, headed off to his room, I stood up as well.

“I should go to bed, too!”

My eyelids were getting heavy.

“Come here, Ruby.”

The villain who’d made me eat five pieces of pepper held out his hand. I ignored him, a bit resentful. But I was caught immediately.

With a light “Up we go,” Mister easily picked me up. He smelled faintly of alcohol.

“Why are you coming along?”

“You didn’t say goodnight. You should say it properly.”

“Oh, good night?”

At my sullenly defiant reply, Mister squeezed the tip of my nose and let go.

“You only have manners when you need something.”

Step, step.

Leaving the dining room, we walked down the hall, up the stairs, around a corner.

I cocked my head.

“Are you going to visit my room?”

“I’m too tired to make it to my own bedroom tonight.”

“You’re not even staggering a little— Waugh!”

Suddenly, still holding me, Mister dropped his body low with a chuckle.

Ah, I thought I’d fall!

But, of course, the arms holding me were as solid and secure as anything.

“See? I’m unsteady.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“You’re very sharp.”

The mischievous Mister straightened up and continued on. Thanks to his long legs, we reached my room in only a few steps.