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—sothing 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 checkup.”
“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 treatnt, 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 sotis 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 under the blanket. Peeking out with 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 so 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 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 seed to help was holding her, so that’s all he could do.
“What on earth...”
What mory 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 ‘Seventh.’
The reason was simple—I was his seventh child.
‘Hearing that you will fight for 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 ss.
“Yaaawn.”
“Void hyung, why are you here?”
My voice ca out in disbelief.
On the big sofa next to my bed, Void was slumped, rubbing his eyes.
“To play cards. Yaaawn.”
“You ca here early in the morning to play cards?”
But he looked like soone who’d been up all night.
“Yeah. But I’m giving up.”
With bloodshot eyes, he glanced at , then shook his head.
“Man, I should’ve just gone to the bathroom at dawn instead of coming down here...”
He scratched his ssy 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 with a haggard face.
“Uncle, are you here to play cards too?”
“...Sofa.”
The stubborn answer ca back in a stiff voice.
“You really like it that much?”
Ugh. Uncle leaned his head back against his precious sofa.
“I’m really getting /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ old.”
He muttered sothing 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, so at, 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 washing alone.
“If you need help, you must tell , okay?”
“Mm-hmm.”
I nodded vaguely, but honestly, that day would never co.
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 et 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 anly to you yesterday.”
The butler gave a subtle wink.
“He apparently couldn’t sleep a wink all night.”
I was startled.
I didn’t think he’d misunderstand 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 sothing 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 ? I was looking forward to it...”
Crack. Another piece of the bust broke off.
At the sa ti, 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.
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