Youngest 104

104
The boy scratched his eyebrow, then bowed politely.

“Sorry, Rubian.”

“Hm?”

“For misunderstanding you. Didn’t that cause you trouble yesterday?”

Ah. About yesterday.

I shook my head quietly. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Licht’s fault.

“It’s fine. Is that why you wanted to keep talking with me?”

“Mm. I had too many thoughts on my own. If I caused you any distress… I’m truly sorry.”

Everyone knew—even the stones in the road—that the Zeverts hated mages.

So it was all the more apparent that Licht was at a complete loss.

“It’s okay. I was pretty shocked, but… really.”

I glanced aside as I replied.

“It was exactly that—a misunderstanding. Don’t apologize anymore.”

Only then did Licht smile brightly.

“All right, thank you.”

Talking lightly about what had happened yesterday, we strolled slowly across the garden. Licht laughed out loud several times, as if genuinely enjoying even my smallest comments.

‘He seems in good spirits.’

Maybe it was relief at having resolved what weighed on his mind.

‘But…’

As I studied Licht in silence, I suddenly turned my head, sensing a burning gaze beside me.

‘Why hasn’t he left yet?’

Normally, he’d have bolted at the first chance.

Khalid, who scored zero in sociability and zero in social skills, was, for some reason, doggedly keeping by my side today.

“Rubian! Over here!”

Sortier waved from the tea table.

The table was set five steps up in a pagoda pavilion draped in white columns and an arched roof.

Feeling the urge to hurry, I unconsciously quickened my pace.

“Careful.”

Licht reached reflexively for me.

But just then, a hand darted out from the opposite side, swatting away the prince’s hand.

“A loose stone.”

Khalid lightly gripped my shoulder, pulling me toward himself.

“Where?”

“I just cleared it for you.”

Oh, did you?

I almost tripped…

I was about to thank him, but suddenly, my temple felt hot on the side where Licht stood.

When I looked, Licht was gently rubbing his reddened hand, smiling.

“…You, ever since before…”

His voice was strangely cold, edged with frost.

“Rude.”

My eyelids fluttered.

What… is with this atmosphere?

“Why always that look of perpetual dissatisfaction? I see—so that’s why your name is…”

Well-shaped lips drew a short arc.

“What was it again…”

Khalid let out a short, derisive laugh.

“The manner of your speech is as unpleasant as ever.”

My head turned rapidly from side to side.

Just then, Titi’s voice piped up from above.

“Rubian! What are you doing down there?”

“Oh, I’m coming!”

Almost in a trance, I started up the steps.

The two boys followed, but the searing glares between them hadn’t cooled.

…What is with this atmosphere?

But even those thoughts dissolved the moment I saw the dazzling tea foods adorning the table.

“Wow! Did you bring these from Count Camellan’s manor?”

“Yes. I begged our cook a little, since we were coming to the ducal house…”

Titi said shyly.

Overflowing with excitement, I reached for a chair to take my seat—

“What are you doing. Take your hands off.”

“You first.”

—or, tried to.

Because the two boys were gripping the back of the white chair in front of me.

“Move. I grabbed it first.”

“Does the order really matter?”

“Yes. It matters. It’s everything.”

“That must be all you have going for you.”

Licht’s smile was sharp as a blade. Khalid stared at the prince without a flicker of expression.

Crackle. Crackle.

Sparks flew so fiercely from either side that it felt my back might burst. Save me, Ruby Shrimp.

“Rubian… what’s with those two?”

Sortier whispered softly. I shrugged and pulled out the chair next to Titi.

“No idea. I guess both of them wanted that chair.”

“Oh my. Boys, honestly…”

Only then, after glancing over at us, did Khalid and Licht finally give up their obsession with the chair.

‘But why has Khalid been speaking so informally to the prince since a while ago?’

And why is the prince responding to it at all?

Are they on good terms, or bad? I can’t tell.

Shaking my head, I reached for a particularly tempting mini tart.

I searched for a plate to place the tart on, glancing around, when two gleaming plates appeared before me as if they’d always been there.

“……”

Looking up, I found the two boys brandishing plates, glaring at each other with murderous intent.

“Shouldn’t you refrain from butting in all the time? Doesn’t suit that cape you wear.”

Licht muttered calmly. Khalid scoffed and pushed his own plate a little closer.

“Don’t create reasons for me to butt in, then.”

“Doesn’t it embarrass you to just force your way in like this?”

“I only nudged it. That’s hardly—”

Khalid’s drawl was mocking.

“For the delicate prince who got dragged off helplessly in Ipsen’s alleys, it probably feels different, though.”

“Does it? I heard you weren’t in much better shape back then, yourself.”

“At least I never lost someone right in front of me.”

“And how are you any different?”

“Ah, en—enough!”

Unable to take it any longer, I jumped in, spreading my arms wide to block them.

“What is this? Seriously! Why have you two been at it like this?”

“……”

“……”

Crackle, crackle.

“Uh… uh…”

The tension was too much! It was like electricity was arcing in the air!

“Stop exchanging those looks!”

Turn your heads. Away!

I forcibly turned both boys’ heads aside.

“We aren’t fighting, Rubian. Just talking.”

“Liar!”

Licht, smiling blandly, calmly took his seat.

“I was fighting.”

“Are you proud of that?”

Khalid turned away sulkily, his face full of dissatisfaction.

What on earth just happened?

‘What’s going on with Khalid’s social skills!’

He’s gone from zero sociability to negative!

An odd silence settled over the table.

Then, somewhere, came the delicious crunch of a bite.

“Titi… what are you…?”

“Oh, oh.”

Sortier set down her caramel cookie. The gathered maids, too, for some reason had bright, sparkling eyes.

“I just got so caught up watching… It’s even more entertaining in person than the storybooks the maids read…”

“Huh?”

What kinds of storybooks are these!

Sortier only fidgeted her little fingers and murmured to herself.

“I see. So it’s like this, and like that, and… Mm, mm…”

“What kind of arrows are you drawing over there! Ack, you two, stop building a tart tower on my plate!!”

It was truly a chaotic tea time!

Please, stop fighting! Go back to being strangers, please! For Ruby’s sake!

Rubian raised her voice and shouted.

‘What could those two possibly be so worked up over, bickering like sparrows?’

Leviathan watched with a smirk as he spotted the child’s head from the window. Running straight out to the training grounds at dawn—such boundless energy.

“You look quite pleased.”

A sudden voice made Leviathan start.

“What—? When did you get here?”

“…I’ve been here the whole time.”

Ah, right.

Ahem. Leviathan closed the curtain and returned to the reception room table.

Count Camellan stroked his beard with a look of smug satisfaction.

“There, you see, Your Excellency. Rubian is indeed your daughter, just as I suspected…”

“Adolf, bring some sandwiches or soup, would you? That girl skipped breakfast.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The butler bowed politely and withdrew.

Count Camellan seated himself with another quiet chuckle.

“Well, I’m a doting father to my daughter myself, but Your Excellency puts even me to shame. You know, when I said she seemed just like a girl back then…”

“Count. Drink your tea.”

Leviathan slid the teacup over. The count cleared his throat and smiled as he lifted it.

“My prediction that she was your daughter turned out—”

“The tea’s rather bitter. Don’t drink it.”

“Can’t you just admit it for once!”

In the end, the count exploded in frustration.

He’s doing it on purpose.

He’s being like this just to hide his embarrassment!

Leviathan only arched his brow nonchalantly.

“I don’t see why you’re the only one getting so heated.”

“Never mind!”

“Are you short on work lately? You seem to have far too much energy. I can always assign you more…”

“This tea is delightful, Your Excellency. I’ve been so swamped with duties lately I’d nearly forgotten the luxury of a cup of tea, ha ha.”

Count Camellan praised the tea despite not having tasted it.

Watching him, Leviathan couldn’t help but chuckle. Raising his own cup, he murmured,

“Well… You’ve been right now and then, I’ll grant you that.”

“See?”

The count perked up at once.

But then his chin tilted curiously again. That sounded… odd.

“Does that mean you’re saying I’m wrong the rest of the time…?”

“That’s a misunderstanding. So, what did you find?”

Clink. Leviathan set down his cup.

The count scratched his chin awkwardly as he slowly got to the point.

“Hmm, yes. As you instructed, I looked through the mage’s private chambers.”

Leviathan’s gaze darkened instantly.