3 - The Youngest is Hiding a Lot
Episode 3
"It’s because of the victory celebration." Bear with it.”
“Ugh… I’m so dizzy!”
To be honest, I hated noisy things even in my past life.
Besides, the Magic Kingdom of Arcadia where I was born and raised is like a temple, with less than 3,000 people in the entire nation…
Therefore, this commotion in the Imperial capital is too much stimulation for me!
I felt more drained than when I met the Dark Creature.
“It would be good to build up your stamina first.”
Hup! I quickly looked up at Leviathan.
“Does that mean? That you’ll raise me?”
“…Not even worth answering.”
“Hing.”
He’s not falling for it.
“What do we do first?”
I wish I could wash up first!
At my question, he abruptly pulled the reins, changing direction. And soon, the horse stopped.
“….”
In front of a building with a shiny sign that stood out.
Imperial Rieta Orphanage
“…Huh?”
Is he going to abandon me first thing?
While I was stammering, Leviathan Uncle put me down in front of it. Then, after having the gatekeeper deliver a message.
He waved his hand with a very charming smile.
“It was fun while it lasted, you dirty thing.”
\ \ \
“Ha.”
I sighed.
A bowl of vegetable soup and a piece of brown bread with sesame seeds sprinkled on top were placed in front of me.
“Ha!”
Unbelievable.
How could he really do that?
Still, weren’t we a little, just a little, closer in that forest?
How could he just dump me like old luggage as soon as we arrived in the capital…?
I put down the children’s spoon. I had no appetite at all.
“Haaa.”
“Um….”
Then, a very cautious voice was heard.
Turning around, a boy with brilliant Blonde hair was sitting next to me.
He seemed to be a child who had entered the orphanage before me.
“I think it’s the third time.”
“Huh? What?”
“Um, that sigh of yours, like your Grandfather’s?”
“…….”
I closed my mouth.
You should be oppressed by the weight of life too. You’ll naturally sigh like this.
“You look like you have a problem, do you want to talk to me about it?”
When I didn’t react, the Blonde seemed even more curious. He even moved his chair closer and started talking to me.
I stared blankly at the Blonde.
‘The Imperial Orphanage….’
Must be nice.
How can a war refugee look so radiant?
His clothes were shabby, but his milky white skin was incredibly smooth.
Slightly drooping eyes like a puppy and turquoise eyes like jewels embedded in them. His fluffy hair was like a sunlit cumulus cloud.
‘How can a boy be so pretty?’
Making the observing girl feel sad.
“I have a lot of worries.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
Curiosity filled the Blonde’s big eyes.
“First of all….”
I have to prevent the destruction.
So that the second part of the original story doesn’t start.
“To do that.”
I have to save the male lead who is about to die.
His name is Leviathan Zebert. In other words, the hero of the continent.
“So.”
I was thinking of staying by the male lead’s side somehow, hiding my identity as a runaway mage? So that the male lead doesn’t suddenly die!
“But.”
That Uncle abandoned me. So heartlessly.
“Therefore.”
I have to meet Uncle again…
“There’s no way….”
Heuang. I pushed away the tattered bread and lay down on the table.
“Hmm.”
An unknown laugh flowed from the side.
“First of all, to do that, so, but, therefore there’s no way…”
“…….”
“What kind of worry is it?”
I just turned my head and looked at the Blonde.
His doll-like face looked just innocent as it tilted.
“Oh my. You little thing.”
Without realizing it, I stroked the Blonde’s hair as if stroking a doll.
Ignorant being who doesn’t know the worries of the world. I envy you, I envy you.
“…You’re very unreserved.”
The Blonde smiled brightly as he tidied his fluffy hair. His dazzling smile seemed to brighten the surroundings.
\ \ \
Leviathan stared at the Emperor in front of him. He held a familiar cigarette in his hand.
But somehow, he didn’t feel like smoking it. Come to think of it, he had never smoked in the forest… Should he try to quit?
“You’ve worked hard, Duke.”
The Emperor said, flipping through complicated documents.
“Welcome back.”
Soft features. Long Blonde hair tied to one side. Clear turquoise eyes under long eyelashes.
Indeed, he had the appearance of a young Emperor said to be the most beautiful in Bamilon.
“Enough with the pleasantries, please get to the point.”
“You’re so prickly… Well, fine. The Archmage Kingdom has requested cooperation in tracking down a runaway mage.”
Emperor Ditrian Bamilon said.
Leviathan’s eyebrows, which had been sitting askew, rose. The sound of ice breaking came from the glass he put down the cigarette and picked up.
“A runaway mage?”
“A mage unit passing through Canalan Canyon was suddenly attacked and annihilated.”
“I heard.”
“It seems like one body is missing.”
“…….”
Leviathan curled up the corners of his lips.
No warmth could be found in his fierce purple eyes. The air rapidly sank.
He was the only man on this continent who could overwhelm people with just his aura.
“It must be buried under some rock. Since it was a canyon, he might have fallen off a cliff.”
“…….”
“Do we have to do even that kind of clean-up?”
“Put away that ominous energy. Are you going to faint all my maids?”
The Emperor smiled gently and closed the documents.
“Knowing that the Archmage Kingdom is busy controlling their mages isn’t a one- or two-day thing. You’re strangely on edge.”
“Isn’t it ridiculous? That those great mages can’t find a single runaway soldier and are restless.”
“Your mage hatred is still the same.”
“Dark mages were also mages.”
Gritting sounds were heard.
Leviathan hated magic more than anything. He was close to hating the very category of mages.
“How is the Duchess’s health?”
The Emperor naturally changed the subject.
A deep wrinkle formed between his brows as if something had come to mind.
“The Archmage Kingdom’s runaway mage attacking Rosetta’s carriage is a tragedy that should never have happened again. And also losing the baby in her womb….”
Crack! A chilling cracking sound was heard. It was the glass Leviathan was holding.
Drip, drip. Red blood embroidered the luxurious carpet.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
The servant reflexively tried to approach with a horrified face, but the Emperor waved his hand to stop him.
Touching Duke Jebert in that state would mean death.
‘I misspoke.’
The Emperor swallowed his tension and smiled calmly.
“Oh my, you’re angry. Our hero.”
Is that what a dragon whose reverse scale has been touched looks like?
“Alright, alright. I’ll take care of the runaway mage issue myself. I won’t tell the Duke to touch it.”
“I would be grateful if you would.”
“Go back and rest. You look tired.”
Leviathan nonchalantly removed the glass shards that had dug into his hand and threw them on the floor.
The Emperor, watching the Duke rise from his seat, suddenly asked.
Knowing he shouldn’t touch it anymore.
“Marquis Aibrich said he saw you while riding in a carriage to the Imperial Palace.”
This personality that can’t stand not knowing is always a problem.
“Is that so.”
“He said you were with a child.”
Thud. The man’s movement stopped.
“You’re not thinking of adopting again, are you?”
The Emperor leaned back against the backrest.
“Stop running an orphanage unless you’re going to run one. Void and Liam are exceptionally strong children. You know that not many children like that harsh North.”
“I know.”
It was well known that the Duchess was infertile due to the carriage accident.
He consulted with Rosetta and adopted two boys from a collateral line. He didn’t see them often because he was away on the battlefield for long periods of time… but they were brave and proud children.
‘That kid….’
Suddenly, the dirty child came to mind.
‘I wonder if he’s doing well.’
He clearly showed that he didn’t want to go to the orphanage.
His unusually small frame and transparent blue eyes kept bothering him.
Leviathan shook his head as if shaking off his thoughts.
The Emperor is right.
He has to forget it unless he’s going to open an orphanage.
Even for the sake of the child.
“Okay. Will you attend the banquet?”
“No. I’m planning to go back right away.”
“It will be a victory banquet without a hero. That’s also disloyal, Duke.”
“Then.”
The sound of clicking his tongue followed the back view of him leaving the office, creating a cold wind.
“So stiff.”
\ \ *
Leviathan left the Imperial Palace and walked down the street.
The capital was bustling.
Lively and full of life.
It was the first time he had seen it in nearly 10 years.
Everyone rushed out to enjoy the joy of the end of the war. There were still scars here and there, but time would gradually solve them.
‘Come to think of it, he hated it.’
Leviathan chuckled.
As soon as the child entered the bustling capital, he immediately covered his ears. He looked more horrified than when he met the Dark Creature.
Even so, he rolled his clear eyes and looked around the capital…
‘I almost gave him a tour of the capital.’
The thin silver hair that bounced up and down. The round cheeks that moved busily came to mind.
‘He had a dignified side.’
Even in that forest.
“You must have had a hard time. Thanks to you, it’s peaceful.”
When he heard those words, he felt like his heart was clenching.
Leviathan was raised as a knight from birth. Rolling around on the battlefield was more natural than eating.
He was just doing what was natural.
He had always thought so.
So, he just felt awkward and unfamiliar with being praised for his achievements.
Especially by such a young child.
‘But on the other hand.’
Was that the kind of thing he wanted to hear?
That he had suffered.
That it was thanks to him.
“…….”
Leviathan languidly swept back his hair.
“Should I say hello before I go?”
Come to think of it, he didn’t even say a proper goodbye.
His hesitant steps naturally quickened.
Raindrops had already begun to fall from the heavy sky.
Just as he entered the road where the orphanage was located, getting caught in the drizzle.
He saw a group of people gathered and whispering.
“Why are so many security forces gathered here?”
“Haven’t you heard yet?”
“What?”
“The Imperial Orphanage was robbed, I tell you.”
“Oh my!”
“I heard some children were injured.”
“What should we do… Oh my!”
A whirlwind swept past.
Leviathan’s face, running through the crowd, was paler than ever.
