TYHL 80

~Chapter 80~

But before I could even run out of the greenhouse, I was instantly caught.

Of course, by Grandpa’s hand.

“You don’t smell. It’s not because you didn’t wash that I avoided you.”

“…Too late.”

“It’s true. It’s just… whenever you come close, I get excited.”

“What?”

“…I mean comforted. I think he came to comfort you, Lord Balrok.”

Khalid muttered that and quickly vanished. As punishment for skipping training for several days, he was dragged straight to the training grounds.

I ended up sitting back down at the tea table with Grandpa.

My clothes were a mess with dirt from crouching on the ground, but Grandpa insisted on seating me on his lap.

“Will you really forgive this old man?”

His gaze was more nervous than ever. I shook my head firmly.

“I’m the one at fault.”

I was the one who had hidden things, yet strangely, the Zebret family kept apologizing to me. Grandpa was no different.

“To think I rolled my priceless granddaughter around on the training grounds… I deserve heaven’s punishment! Strike me with lightning now!”

“Wah! There’s no lightning in the greenhouse!”

He beat the ground in despair, looking so dramatic that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Mm. It’s all Leviathan’s fault anyway. Our Ruby hasn’t done a single thing wrong.”

“See? That means you’re fine too, Grandpa. You didn’t really roll me around in the dirt.”

It was just a fun P.E. class, that’s all!

I stretched both arms high above my head.

“Look! Thanks to that, I grew taller!”

“…Ugh…”

“….”

Crying so suddenly, just like that.

“Where did such a precious little bean come from and stick to me?”

He hugged me tight. His body was stiff like stone, but I could feel how careful he was not to crush me with his strength.

“How worried I’ve been…”

His sigh-like whisper brushed my ear.

I pulled away slightly, smiling.

“Grandpa, are you a crybaby now? That’s my job.”

“Looks like it.”

He blew his nose loudly into a handkerchief.

By now, the sun had climbed high overhead. I’d had some snacks, but it wasn’t lunchtime yet.

When my stomach growled, Grandpa rose without hesitation.

“I brought chefs from the ducal castle. I told them to cook all your favorites, so let’s go!”

“Wow, real chefs!”

I clung to him as we walked, and he occasionally glanced down at me, sniffling loudly.

“By the way, where’s Dad?”

I asked lightly to change the topic. Grandpa answered slowly.

“He went to see that young Emperor.”

“Huh? Why?”

Weren’t all the kidnappers already punished?

“Because the Verdant Festival starts the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

“He ran off in such a hurry. Ha, I’m so glad I already passed down the family headship.”

Grandpa chuckled, enjoying his son’s troubles.

Only then did I realize how busy the mansion was—carriages coming and going, people moving everywhere.

‘So the festival is really about to begin.’

I stared blankly.

‘Yes… even if I tell them I’m a magician, I’ll wait until we return to Zerox.’

It was important. I wanted to explain calmly, in a quiet place, and allow time for questions.

‘Though honestly, I’m still a little worried…’

My fingers fidgeted in my lap.

‘Would they say: “So you carry the enemy’s blood!” and cast me out?’

No, no. My family wouldn’t do that.

I soothed myself, steadying my trembling heart.

At most, a week.

During the festival, I would think it over carefully.

Cough, cough. A small cough slipped out.

Balrok gazed at Rubian’s round forehead.

He remembered the conversation he had with Leviathan while the child was asleep.

“Why on earth would Ruby hide her gender?”

“Because my dead child was a girl. She feared her gender would be seen as a weakness.”

“So she stayed silent, afraid she wouldn’t be accepted…”

Balrok groaned softly.

‘How deep must her wounds be…’

Because of worthless parents, the child had grown up so harshly that even recalling the past was painful.

Still, Leviathan was investigating Eosia to learn more.

‘It’s necessary for her formal registration anyway.’

But damn those vile scoundrels!

‘What did they do to this child, to make her shrink like this?!’

She deserved nothing but love.

Balrok swallowed curses he couldn’t voice.

“Ruby, never forget this. You are a Zebret now. Our precious youngest. Always remember that. Understand?”

Two blue eyes sparkled at him. After hesitating, Rubian whispered:

“…Yes.”

The weight in his arms was the dearest thing of all.

But a small cough rattled her chest again.

The cold seemed like it would linger. Frowning, Balrok strode toward the mansion.

“Let’s eat and then take your medicine. Grandpa will feed you.”

“…Borvel’s medicine is really bitter.”

“What? I’ll kick that fool’s backside and make him brew something sweet!”

“Ah! I didn’t mean it like that! I’ll eat the medicine and then candy!”

“Hmph. Fine then. I’ll bring mountains of candy. Grandpa will do whatever Ruby wants, yes he will.”

“Eek! Your beard! Your beard!”

Struggling in his arms, I suddenly lifted my head with a gasp.

My small fingers worked nimbly.

“Hehe.”

Under his chin suddenly felt cooler.

“Huh? What’s this?”

Glancing at the mirror on the wall, Balrok froze.

A reflection of an old man with his beard braided into three neat strands stared back.

He blinked, then burst into loud laughter.

“Ha-ha-ha! I look beautiful now!”

I clamped my hands over my ears, but he couldn’t stop laughing. Servants rushed in to see what was happening.

“Morris! Look at me! I’ve become handsome!”

“…Congratulations.”

“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”

His booming laughter filled the mansion.

This precious little child who had come into his life—

No matter what, he would protect her with his own hands.

Balrok rubbed his cheek against Rubian’s, smiling proudly.

“Even your fingertips are clever, my little one!”

Balrok Zebret.

In his old age, he had gained the sweetest, most adorable granddaughter!

“Long time no see, Duke.”

The Emperor smiled brightly.

Leviathan snorted.

“We saw each other just a few days ago.”

“That was the ‘demon Duke.’ Meeting the ‘normal Duke’ is what’s rare.”

The Emperor lounged comfortably at the head of the table.

After handling the kidnapping incident at Ipsun, he had remained in the royal villa with the princes.

“Sit, won’t you?”

The maids bustled to prepare tea.

Leviathan placed a stack of papers beside the steaming cups.

“Ah. So today you’ve come to submit the registration documents.”

“Process them.”

Request—or threat? It was hard to tell.

“I’m busy trying to salvage this year’s ruined Verdant Festival.”

The Emperor gave him a side glance, then picked up the papers without further complaint.

“Well, fine. After all, my foolish son owes you a debt this time.”

That Licht had gotten caught up in the kidnapping was unexpected.

According to him, the child named Rubian had remained impressively calm.

‘So… perhaps she really does have the qualities to be the Zebret family’s young lady.’

For the first time, the Emperor felt intrigued by the girl.