TYHL 16

~Chapter 16~

As the sun set and darkness fell, the smell of delicious food filled the whole castle.

“Oh my, this is something. It’s like a completely different place now.”

“Butler Adolf!”

I ran toward Adolf as he entered the dining room.

“What about Uncle? Is he here yet?”

“He’s on his way down now. But… is it really okay for everyone to do this together…?”

I pulled the signed paper from my pocket.

“It’s fine. I already got the Duke’s signature.”

“Heh-heh.”

Adolf looked at the paper and chuckled.

I proudly puffed out my chest—when suddenly, tap! A light flick landed on my head.

“So this is what you were up to.”

“Ow.”

“What did you do to my castle?”

“Uncle.”

“Father!”

Void, who had been in the corner eating cookies, stood up.

“All the troublemakers are here.”

Uncle folded his arms and looked between me and Void.

I led Uncle to the center, where it was brightly lit.

At the head of the shiny marble table—the seat was perfectly set. Uncle tilted his head as he looked at it.

“You’re the main guest, so why am I sitting here?”

“No. You’re the main guest.”

“…?”

“Actually, it’s Void—”

I corrected myself. That still felt strange to say.

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

“Void?”

Uncle’s gaze moved to the boy wagging his metaphorical tail.

“You’ve worked so hard, so…”

Void spoke with bright eyes, like he had been waiting for this moment. Uncle’s hand stopped mid-motion.

“I’m glad you came back safely. I… never got to tell you that when you first returned.”

Void looked a little nervous.

“So I wanted to tell you this time.”

Uncle placed a hand on Void’s head. A short chuckle escaped him.

“Alright, thank you.”

“…Yes!”

Nice. That looked good.

I sat down with a satisfied smile.

Right on cue, a feast began arriving, one dish after another. There was even a cake piled high with pink cream. Wow, so pretty!

“Did you send food to the knights?”

“Yes. They should be eating and drinking plenty by now.”

“Tell the others to go and enjoy it too.”

Butler Adolf smiled.

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

The old butler, back straight, spoke again with a respectful face.

“Though it’s a bit late, once again, congratulations on your return, my lord.”

Others joined in.

“Congratulations on your victory, too!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Why are you all making me feel itchy with these words?”

Uncle frowned deeply.

“It’s not like this is my first time coming back. Go on, go enjoy yourselves.”

He waved his hand with an exasperated face.

The castle staff laughed softly and left.

“Father, did you see my swordsmanship record?”

“I saw. You’ve improved a lot.”

“Yes! I worked hard!”

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

“No problem! Teacher Ullin said next semester, I’ll definitely…”

Dinner continued peacefully.

Sometimes, Uncle’s aides or close companions came to give greetings and share drinks.

Even though it was a small, hastily prepared party, everyone seemed in good spirits.

Thank goodness.

…

Meanwhile, I rolled a piece of green bell pepper on my plate.

It rolled over and bumped into Void’s plate.

‘Say it. Quickly.’

I gave him a sharp look. Void swallowed hard.

“Uh… Father.”

Uncle looked up.

“I’m really fine eating with you now.”

Uncle, who had been about to drink his amber-colored liquor, froze.

“So… can we have meals together from now on?”

“….”

He stayed silent for a moment. I couldn’t guess what he was thinking.

But there was no escape now.
The war was over. He couldn’t use the excuse of leaving soon anymore.

‘Since we’re family now, they should get close quickly.’

I glanced between the two.

Uncle stared at his now-grown son. Void fidgeted but didn’t look away.

“…I see.”

Not just taller… Uncle muttered so quietly it was almost inaudible.

It was the face of someone who had decided something.

“Alright, I understand.”

Void’s face lit up immediately.

I smiled.

“Sorry I didn’t notice. It must’ve been hard to say.”

Uncle ruffled Void’s hair.

Then Void suddenly pointed at me.

“Actually, Rubian was the one who came up with this party. Please praise her.”

“Rubi?”

Uncle turned to me.

“Uh, well…”

Caught off guard, I blinked.

Uncle leaned back in his chair.

He crossed his arms with a thoughtful “Hmm,” which somehow felt ominous.

“Now that I think about it, I signed for your welcome party.”

His sharp gaze poured down on me.

“You can’t give false reports to the Duke.”

He looked exactly like a boss scolding an employee for submitting a terrible report.

“Come here. You need to be punished.”

“Gasp—what punishment?”

I flinched. Uncle jerked his chin toward my plate.

“First, the bell peppers you’ve been avoiding.”

“….”

“Eat them all. Right here.”

It was the harshest punishment.

I tried to cover them with my fork.

“If you don’t eat them, you’ll only get one piece of the cake you keep glancing at.”

“…I don’t like bell peppers!”

The texture, the color, the smell—nothing! I’d even told the chef I didn’t like them, so why were they here?

I protested strongly, but even Void betrayed me.

“Rubi, if you’re picky, you can’t become a strong northern knight.”

He crossed his arms with the same strict face.

Like father, like son!

“That’s right.”

Now that he had an ally, Uncle looked triumphant.

“Ugh!”

A moment ago, they were awkward, but now they were teaming up?
Still, the score was 2:1.

Total defeat.

Uncle’s punishment didn’t end there.

“Lady Rubian, welcome to Jebert Castle!”

The party had completely flipped. I was seated in the main seat, eating all sorts of sweet, delicious things.

“Oh my, she’s just too cute!”

“I can’t believe my hands could make something like this…”

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

“Look at her face.”

Uncle poked my sulky cheek.

“This isn’t what I had in mind…”

But the castle people bustled around, giving me welcome greetings.

Uncle and Void nodded together in satisfaction.

‘Is this… a first birthday party?’

It kind of felt like it.

Anyway, the party ended smoothly.

As night fell and it was time to sleep, Void went up to his room first. I also stood up.

“I’m going to bed too!”

My eyelids were getting heavy.

“Come here, Rubi.”

The villain who made me eat five pieces of bell pepper reached out his hand. I ignored him in annoyance—only to be caught right away.

Uncle easily lifted me into his arms. I smelled a faint scent of alcohol.

“Why are you coming along?”

“You didn’t say goodnight. Be polite.”

“Oh… goodnight?”

My deliberately cheeky tone made Uncle pinch my nose lightly.

“You only act polite when you want something.”

Step, step.

We left the dining room and walked down the hallway, up the stairs, and around a corner.

I tilted my head.

“Are you inviting me to your room?”

“I’m too drunk to go all the way to my bedroom.”

“You’re not even staggering… whoa!”

While holding me, Uncle suddenly lowered himself quickly and chuckled.

I thought I was going to fall!
Of course, his arms were steady and safe.

“See? I’m staggering.”

“…Are you teasing me?”

“You’re very smart.”

The wicked uncle straightened up and walked on. Thanks to his long legs, we reached the room in just a few steps.