TYHL 22

~Chapter 22~

He calmly lifted Rubian onto his knee. She was still far too light for an eight-year-old.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, don’t pay too much attention to what my father says.”

“But…”

“See? You’re worrying about useless things again—your crown is warm already.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

Rubian placed a tiny hand on top of her head in wonder.

Leviathan let out a light sigh.

“So, if you’re not upset, what were you doing in your room?”

“Huh?”

“They said you suddenly ran up there.”

When he pressed her, Rubian slowly turned her head away.

Oh?

“M-My stomach did hurt! But then it suddenly felt better…”

“Hmm. I think you should still see a doctor.”

“I’m not sick. I ate a lot for dinner too.”

The child fidgeted with her hands—something she always did when troubled. When she was really uneasy, she’d bring her hands to her lips.

Watching her fingers, Leviathan shook his head firmly.

He teasingly flicked her round little nose and let go.

“How are you going to manage if you keep being so frail? You need a thorough check-up.”

“I really am fine…”

The castle’s personal physician was away on a short trip.

Void was naturally healthy, and the Grand Duke—an old man who hated doctors—never sought treatment, so Leviathan hadn’t paid much attention until now.

‘Still, for her age, she’s small…’

In the entire capital, there wasn’t a boy as small as Rubian.

“It’s not just for you. Rose… my wife will be back soon.”

Rubian’s eyes instantly sparkled.

“The one you sent the letter to?”

“That’s right.”

“I see…”

Her face was full of expectation.

Leviathan sometimes felt that Rubian knew him too well. Well, she was a smart kid.

“Alright, enough. Get under the blanket.”

“Huh?”

“You’re going out tomorrow, right? If you want to wake up early, you should sleep now. Maybe that’s why you’re not growing taller.”

“Ah.”

Rubian slipped into the blanket. Peeking out just her eyes, she sniffed the bedding—apparently a habit.

Leviathan tucked the blanket around her and sat down on the nearby sofa.

“Did you wash your face?”

“Yeah.”

“Brush your teeth?”

“I did.”

“Take your pin out and put it here.”

“Already did.”

“Want some warm water?”

“Why aren’t you leaving, Uncle?”

“….”

Sharp kid…

He kicked off his shoes carelessly and propped both legs up. When he lay back lazily on the sofa, she gave him a look full of disbelief.

“Honestly, this sofa is the most comfortable in the castle.”

“What’s different about it compared to the others?”

“Totally different.”

“…? Then just take it. Everything here is yours anyway…”

“Stop talking and close your eyes.”

“Yes, sir.”

He adjusted the lamp’s brightness.

“You’re not going to watch me sleep, right?”

“Of course not.”

He’d been busy all day, checking everything from the northern outpost to the castle walls. Luckily, his body didn’t tire easily.

“I’ll rest here for a bit before leaving.”

He yawned widely and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. Soon, Rubian’s steady breathing filled the room.

She always fell asleep quickly, despite trying to stay awake.

A faint smile crossed his lips.

In the deep, quiet night.

Leviathan, staring at the air, slowly turned his head.

Rubian was having a nightmare.

“….”

A thin whimper escaped her.

He moved like lightning, grabbing her hand, stroking her forehead, and holding her tightly.

Still, she wouldn’t open her eyes, as if trapped in the nightmare.

“Ruby, please.”

His chest burned. He thought he’d go mad.

The only thing that seemed to help was holding her, so that’s all he could do.

“What on earth…”

What memory was haunting her?

It pained him that he couldn’t completely drive away the clinging darkness.

‘Seventh, my beloved daughter.’

The King of Magicians always called me ‘Seventh.’

The reason was simple—I was his seventh child.

‘Hearing that you will fight for me fills your father with emotion.’

Not true. I was fighting because I had no choice.

‘But please take care of yourself. If you get hurt, my heart will break.’

Lies.

‘You must capture the dark sorcerer. Do you understand?’

‘…’

‘That is why our kingdom is entering this continental war. We must not let the continentals take the dark sorcerer’s head.’

I had always thought his greedy face was disgusting. But I never dared to resist.

The brand on my body was proof of my absolute obedience to the King—an order I could never defy.

‘Especially that damned Duke of Jebert. You must never let him take the dark sorcerer’s head…’

What will you do, Father?

I disobeyed your orders.

And because of that…

I defeated you.

A bright morning.

I slowly opened my eyes, stretching until I felt refreshed.

Ah, I slept so well.

This bedding was truly comfortable…

“…What the?”

I froze halfway through getting up.

The bedroom was a complete mess.

“Yaaawn.”

“Void hyung, why are you here?”

My voice came out in disbelief.

On the big sofa next to my bed, Void was slumped, rubbing his eyes.

“To play cards. Yaaawn.”

“You came here early in the morning to play cards?”

But he looked like someone who’d been up all night.

“Yeah. But I’m giving up.”

With bloodshot eyes, he glanced at me, then shook his head.

“Man, I should’ve just gone to the bathroom at dawn instead of coming down here…”

He scratched his messy hair and shuffled away, mumbling things I couldn’t understand.

I turned my head slowly with a grimace.

On the sofa right next to where Void had been, a man was sprawled like dough, staring at me with a haggard face.

“Uncle, are you here to play cards too?”

“…Sofa.”

The stubborn answer came back in a locked voice.

“You really like it that much?”

Ugh. Uncle leaned his head back against his precious sofa.

“I’m really getting old.”

He muttered something about sealing off the northern annex passage…

“I really don’t get it…”

It didn’t seem like he’d explain even if I asked. I just buried my face in the white sheets and tilted my head.

The strange habits of the Jebert family—how far do they go?

I had breakfast with Uncle.

Void was apparently still half-asleep.

After finishing salad, eggs, some meat, bread, soup, and juice, I got ready to go out. Uncle left the castle on knight business.

“All washed!”

“Were you uncomfortable at all?”

“Nope.”

Hazel looked a little regretful—probably still uneasy about me washing alone.

“If you need help, you must tell me, okay?”

“Mm-hmm.”

I nodded vaguely, but honestly, that day would never come.

I was already perfectly fine washing on my own.

“There, all done.”

Hazel tidied my short hair and carefully chose a pin to put in.

I strapped on my bag, tied my shoelaces tight, and went down to the lobby. Butler Morris was waiting at the entrance.

“Hello!”

“Hello, Lady Rubian.”

The skinny butler was wiping sweat from his forehead again today.

I stood in the lobby, looking around.

The person I was supposed to meet was nowhere to be seen.

“Um, Butler.”

“Yes.”

“Is the Grand Duke not here yet…”

I trailed off.

In one corner of the lobby, behind a large bust statue…

A black figure was lurking.

“….”

This was awkward.

Did he really think that huge body would be completely hidden behind the statue?

“Um, is the Grand Duke… unwell?”

“Please don’t worry. His Grace is… reflecting right now.”

“Reflecting?”

“For behaving so meanly to you yesterday.”

The butler gave me a subtle wink.

“He apparently couldn’t sleep a wink all night.”

I was startled.

I didn’t think he’d misunderstand me storming out of the reception room as being angry at him.

“Oh, it wasn’t like that!”

As I hurried to explain, the statue behind him twitched. There was a faint sound of something cracking.

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes. I’m not mad at him. Yesterday I just… suddenly had a stomachache…”

Morris chuckled, dabbing at his sweat.

I felt uncomfortable lying, so I fiddled with my fingernails.

“So… is the Grand Duke not going with me? I was looking forward to it…”

Crack. Another piece of the bust broke off.

At the same time, Morris gently took my hand.

“Then why don’t you go and greet him? He’ll be very pleased.”

“Should I?”

“Yes. And… please spare the bust of Jebert’s first lord.”

Ah… I think it’s already too late for that.

I slowly approached the statue.

The black figure hiding behind it flinched.

“Hello, Grand Duke?”

“….”

Purple eyes peeked out.

“About yesterday, I…”

“If you’re sorry, then you were startled!”

His thunderous voice shook the lobby.