Youngest 061

61

Titi changed the subject.

“Oh, I heard about that. They say it’s only girls being targeted.”

“Huh? I heard it’s noble children, boys and girls alike.”

“Really? I’d heard status doesn’t matter.”

Hmm? Titi and Liv tilted their heads at each other, faces close.

“With something this unsavory, I guess the rumors are bound to take many forms.”

When I added this, Licht, who had been listening quietly, let out a heavy sigh and joined in.

“Whatever it is, the young ladies just need to be careful.”

He put down the fork he’d been holding the whole time with a sharp clink.

“Always go out with an escort, and don’t wander after dark.”

“Of course. I want to make it back to the Academy in one piece!”

“Hehe, Titi doesn’t like scary things either.”

“……”

Under a piercing gaze, I turned my head with my fork still in my mouth.

As expected, those steely blue-gray eyes were staring right at me.

‘I know. I get it.’

You don’t have to look at me like that. I promise I won’t do anything foolish.

I’d already heard a bit about the rumors going around here.

‘They’re hunting for fugitive mages?’

“Khalid. There was an attempted abduction in Ipsen. The rumor is—”

“No. And that’s not it.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet?”

“You were about to blame yourself, weren’t you? And then say you’d do something or help with the investigation.”

Sometimes he thought way too well of me and it was a real problem.

I bristled.

“No, you pig! I was just about to say I’d never let myself get caught! The Count of Camellan can handle catching criminals.”

“What a surprise.”

“I’m not that good!”

“You’re that good.”

Ugh. I sighed and drank some of the milk in front of me.

I glared at him, trying to remind him of our earlier conversation. He folded his arms, looking away with a huff.

What are we going to do about his social skills?

“By the way, have you all heard about this year’s New Green Festival competitions?”

This time, Olivia brought up a new topic.

“Huh? There’s a competition?”

“It must be Rubian’s first time. After the festival’s prayer, the adults mainly compete in hunts or martial contests, while the children have simpler games. It’s a celebration after all.”

Oh, now that I think about it, I remember reading about something like that in a book.

Olivia explained further.

“There’s a children’s riding contest, a maze race, a quiz bowl, a swordsmanship contest, things like that. You should see if there’s an event you’d like to join, Rubian.”

“Oh, okay…”

Titi cut in beside me.

“I’m joining the quiz bowl!”

“I see.”

“This year, I’ve heard there’ll be a lot of questions on herbalism! Isn’t that right, Lord Licht?”

At this, Licht rubbed his brow as if in mild distress.

“I’m not sure myself. But the Academy’s professor of herbal studies has been visiting the palace a lot lately.”

I listened for a moment, then asked,

“Um, do you get prizes for winning at the festival?”

“Of course.”

“What kind?”

“Second place is money, third is jewels.”

“……”

Are these prizes really supposed to be so realistic for a children’s game with so much innocence at heart?

Titi let out a small, resigned sigh.

“It’s gotten so modest. Last year it was land.”

“……”

You little noble brats…

“What about first prize?”

Feeling strangely petulant, I propped my chin on my arm and asked sulkily.

“First prize is…”

Licht gave a neat smile as he looked at me.

“A Hero Collection Card. It’s a New Green Festival limited edition with an unreleased portrait.”

So they’re giving the children’s hearts what they really want after all?

“But I want that the most…”

Now I wanted first prize more than anything.

‘I can feel my collector’s greed burning…’

Mainly, I wanted to see Dad’s pained expression when he saw the Hero Collection Card again.

‘I want to torment him, intensely.’

Aha. So this is why the Hero Collection Card is the top prize?

“This will be a fierce competition…”

Olivia laced her fingers with a grave expression.

“Yes… children across the continent will be after it…”

Even Titi muttered with deep furrows in her brow.

So money and jewels mean nothing. Truly, it’s the life of luxury for these noblechildren.

“All right, I’ll set my sights on the quiz bowl! Let’s climb Mount Ipsen to study herbs!”

“Oh! I’m all for it, Liv!”

“Um, aren’t there kidnapping cases all over the place?”

I asked with skepticism, and Olivia just arched her brows as though it were nothing.

“If we take our escorts, it’s no problem. To be honest, it’s most fun to sneak out in commoner clothes, but still.”

To that innocent answer, I let out a short sigh.

‘Here are the real troublemakers.’

Fine. I’ll write to Count Camellan and Count Olson when we get home!

Once the cake was mostly gone, the group naturally broke up.

With the pocket money I’d been given for the outing, I packed a cake nicely for Dad.

While ordering, I also thought of Grandfather, Void, and Liam, so I borrowed a bit more from Sir Leon to buy cakes for all three.

‘I feel great!’

To think the faces that come to mind when I eat something good are theirs.

Isn’t this just like a real family?

“Well then, take care, everyone!”

I waved my hand cheerfully. Since we were going different ways, Titi and Liv stood across the road from me.

“All right! See you at the New Green Festival!”

With their escorts, the two girls walked off hand in hand, like sisters.

Just then, Sir Leon and Khalid appeared, arms loaded with cake boxes.

“Ruby, let’s go. They’ll send the rest to the duke’s manor.”

“Okay!”

I answered lightly and glanced at Licht, who stood before me.

“It wasn’t very fun for you, was it?”

“Hm?”

He blinked.

“I’m the one who dragged you out to play, but we hardly talked… and it seemed like you didn’t really like the cake, either.”

Feeling embarrassed, I rubbed the back of my head. It struck me that I’d gone out wanting to amuse Licht, but in the end, only I seemed to have enjoyed myself. Guilt hit me belatedly.

“The truth is, I don’t even know what to do when I play with someone…”

This was the best I could do. I laughed awkwardly, and Licht gave me a genuine, bright smile.

“No, it was really fun.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

For a moment I wondered if it was just politeness, but his eyes shone with sincerity.

“Rubian.”

At that moment, Licht took a step closer to me.

“Thank you for spending time with me today.”

“Uh…”

“Can I come look for you again, if I want to play?”

“Well… sure?”

I suppose we’re friends now?

A radiant smile blossomed on his smooth face, so bright and innocent it would make anyone’s heart tingle.

“Ruby, aren’t you coming?”

Khalid’s low voice called, and I turned quickly.

“Goodbye! See you at the New Green Festival!”

“Yeah.”

Leaving the prince, his scarlet hair bathed in sunset, I strode away briskly. Sir Leon hurried along behind me.

‘But why is he that gentle with a boy?’

Could it be…?

Hmm.

Well, maybe so. The Empire’s future looks interesting.

Meanwhile, after Rubian and Leon had gone a little farther ahead,

Khalid and Licht stood exchanging a strange look.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something since earlier.”

Khalid, who’d been standing still, finally spoke in his slow way.

“You know, don’t you.”

That she’s a girl.

He’d chopped off most of the sentence, but Licht fully grasped the meaning behind it.

“Well, why don’t you guess.”

You little—.

Khalid twisted up the corner of his mouth. Watching him, Licht muttered to himself.

“So you really are a friend, then.”

“Don’t know what you’re here for, suddenly showing up like that…”

Khalid stepped closer, red sunset flickering in his blue-gray eyes.

“You’d better keep your mouth shut.”

“……”

“Your Highness.”

In that moment, Licht saw something swirling in the trailing black shadow.

‘This guy…’

Is he even human?

For a split second, the thought made the back of Licht’s neck prickle.

“Khalid, what are you doing? Come quickly!”

A clear voice called out, and Khalid’s eyes, which had been darkening, regained their clarity. The shivering shadow stilled and became solid again.

He adjusted the cake boxes in his arms and turned away.

“…What are you?”

That presence—surely not.

As he turned, Khalid cocked his head, fixing Licht with a gaze.

“Well, try to guess.”

With a crooked smile, the boy walked away unhurriedly. Licht stood, fists clenched, staring after him for a long time.