TYHL 18

~Chapter 18~

“Ah!”

“Why do you keep barging in when someone’s eating…!”

Uncle stood up abruptly, looking genuinely annoyed.

Wait—how could that thick, heavy door break apart like a piece of paper?

“Where is she?!”

The voice roared like a wild beast.

‘An angry lion!’

Stepping over the broken door appeared an elderly man with a full head of white hair and eyes glowing cold blue. His huge mouth was open wide.

A wild beast had appeared!

‘The Grand Duke of Jebert!’

His huge body, towering height, thick and tough skin, and roughly swept-back white hair—he radiated the presence of a mountain standing before me.

‘So he wasn’t bedridden from illness at all?!’

How could someone “sick” have such overwhelming energy?

“Bring the new kid here!”

“She’s right in front of you.”

“….”

The Grand Duke lowered his head, scanning the area, until his eyes met mine—standing right next to Uncle.

Wow, that look. Not a joke.

If Uncle Leviathan’s aura was like a finely sharpened blade, the Grand Duke felt like a huge, heavy axe.

Either way, both were weapons…

“….”

“…Uh, hello?”

I greeted him cautiously.

His gaze narrowed slightly, the corners of his eyes twitching, his lips slowly parting.

“What’s this… a little snot?”

“I’m not a snot…”

“A talking snot!”

“My name is Ruby… But did you just punch down the door with your fist?”

I couldn’t help asking. Steam was rising from his knuckles.

So those loud noises earlier—were they him breaking through the castle’s main door?

“Hmph.”

Suddenly, the Grand Duke crouched down to my level and stared straight at me. After a moment, he reached a hand behind him.

“Bring it here!”

“Oh dear, Lord Balrog.”

A thin, bony man hurried in—he looked like the Grand Duke’s butler. He was holding a large board.

“Please slow down a little…”

“Give it here!”

The board was marked with strange height measurements.

The Grand Duke snatched it and placed it right next to me.

“What are you doing?”

“Hmm. Barely taller than a low-level beast.”

Did he just measure my height in beast standards?

I stood there speechless.

Before I could even argue, the Grand Duke crossed his arms and shouted,

“Unqualified!”

“…Huh?”

“Snot, you’re going straight back to the capital!”

“Hey, Father, who says—”

Unable to watch any longer, Uncle stepped in. Immediately, the Grand Duke’s glare turned on him.

“You rascal. I knew you were cold-blooded, but I didn’t think you were rotten to the core!”

The Grand Duke stood up and pointed a finger at his son.

“How could something this small ever hold a sword?”

“I-I can fight…”

“I told you to bring a capable knight or soldier, and you bring a child? Did you forget there’s a beast subjugation coming soon?”

His booming voice rang through the air.

Without thinking, I slipped behind Uncle and gripped his clothes.

“Lower your voice. You’re scaring her.”

At that, the Grand Duke froze—except for his constantly moving lips.

“… ….”

“And don’t mumble so much I can’t understand you.”

…This old man was a little extreme and strange.

“Anyway, she’s not acceptable!”

His stern gaze fell back on me. I felt a wave of danger.

‘Am I about to get kicked out?’

The fear I’d imagined earlier was becoming reality.

Honestly, I’d been too relaxed since his role wasn’t big in the original story… but now, an unexpected problem had shown up.

‘I thought, since both the first and second sons accepted me easily, he would too!’

That was way too optimistic!

“Even if you look at me like that, no! You look like you’d crumble if you bumped into anything!”

Uncle, shielding me, spoke in a cold voice.

“Ruby’s place here is not for you to decide, Father. Same goes for anything involving the knights.”

“You insolent—”

“And capable knight or soldier? I won’t forgive you for speaking of her like that, even if you are my father.”

“When did I ever call her a soldier? I told you to recruit someone useful!”

“The war just ended. Unless they’re mad about fighting, who would volunteer to come to the North?”

“And so you brought a doll-like girl instead?”

“That’s why Ruby—”

“Ruby? Even her name sounds like yours!”

“…Are you saying you like her or dislike her?”

Half-panicked, I could barely follow their conversation, too distracted by how tense it was becoming.

“Don’t fight!”

I forced myself to step between them, looking up at the Grand Duke.

“Please don’t throw me out… I have nowhere to go.”

Well, technically I do, but I don’t want to! I don’t want to die either!

“You…”

“If being small is the problem, I’ll eat a lot and grow taller. I won’t break if I bump into something. I’m not actually that weak—if you saw me in action, you’d be surprised…”

Then suddenly, my view lifted.

“Tsk. Why are you scaring her for no reason? Annoying.”

Uncle had picked me up completely, blocking my view of the Grand Duke. He clicked his tongue in displeasure and patted my back.

“Watch your tone with your father.”

The Grand Duke tried to kick Uncle’s shin, but of course the hero didn’t get hit so easily.

“You’ve been ill for days, but it seems your strength isn’t what it used to be.”

“What? Who spread the rumor I’m sick?!”

“Morris, I think the Grand Duke should rest longer in the northern annex. Please escort him.”

“You brat, are you ignoring your father?!”

I turned my head slightly.

The one trying to stop this ridiculous father-son fight was the skinny butler.

“Ha-ha… Please, both of you, calm down. You’ll bring the castle down.”

Morris, the Grand Duke’s butler, wiped his sweat-soaked forehead with a handkerchief.

Honestly, he looked like the one who needed rest.

‘No, this isn’t the time to think that!’

I quickly decided.

Right now, the head of this ducal house was Uncle Leviathan. So if I was going to cling to anyone, it had to be him.

“You’re going to send her back right away—”

“No!”

I hugged Uncle’s neck tightly. His solid body stiffened in surprise.

“No matter what the Grand Duke says, I’m staying here!”

I shut my eyes and shouted.

This was do-or-die!

“I’m going to live here! I don’t want to be apart from Uncle!”

“….”

Silence.

I felt a low vibration from the body I was holding.

When I peeked one eye open, Uncle’s lips were twitching like crazy.

“Hm.”

The Grand Duke, on the other hand, tilted his head with a strangely refreshed look.

“…Son.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve got snot on you.”

A large hand pressed down on the back of my head.

“I know.”

“What an audacious little snot.”

“I’m not a snot…”

I flared up out of stubbornness, but was easily ignored.

‘Wow. What is this?’

My eyes darted around awkwardly.

Thanks to the uninvited guest barging into what had been a cozy snack time.

“You.”

The Grand Duke, now seated heavily on one sofa, gestured to me.

“Yes.”

I sat opposite him, keeping my back straight.

“You want to stay here that badly?”

“Yes…”

“Then show me your ability.”

“My ability?”

“That’s right. Whether it’s stamina, strength, whatever! To be a strong man of the North, you must prove your power.”

Like a predator lounging after a feast, the Grand Duke leaned back.

“Tell me your ability!”

Ability? Obviously…

‘Magic power!’

—was what I wanted to say, but I barely held it back.

“My mental strength!”

Somewhere nearby, I thought I heard a muffled laugh.

“Hm. Mental strength.”

The Grand Duke stroked his thick, bearded chin seriously.

“That’s necessary too. Fine. Then right now!”

Gulp. I suddenly felt tense.

“Finish your snack.”

“…What?”

“Do you think I’m a heartless old man?”

It seemed he’d just noticed the snack table.

He pounded his veined fist on the table.

“Eat it!” Bang!

“When you finish!” Bang!

“Then I’ll test you and kick you out!” Bang!

So in the end, you’re still kicking me out?!