41 - The Youngest is Hiding a Lot
41
“Th, there’s no way.”
“……”
“Ruby, I’m really not mad at you. Okay? You know that, right?”
Void trotted over and circled around Rubian.
Rubian, who had been pouting for a moment, burst into laughter at his puppy-like behavior.
“Okay, okay. You’re not mad. Happy now?”
He really seems like an adult at times like this…
In any case, Void sighed in relief as he watched Rubian giggle.
“Anyway, Khalid is my friend, so please get along with him.”
“Tsk, that depends on what that ba, stard does!”
“I’m asking you a favor right now. Won’t you do it for me?”
Ugh. Void stepped back.
“…I even proofread your spelling for free.”
Rubian stared at the diary Void was holding with a seemingly sulky face.
Ah, right! Proofreading is indeed a laborious task!
“Okay, I get it! So don’t be so down!”
“Hehe.”
Rubian smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. A sweet smell wafted from her, as if she had just eaten a gummy apple.
“You’re the best as always! Thank you!”
Rubian clung to his back. Since some time ago, his younger sister had liked to cling to him like this.
And then the heart of the elder would melt away like ice cream on a summer day.
“Really… why do you need so much attention?”
Are all youngest siblings like this?!
Even as he grumbled, the motion of giving her an airplane ride was as diligent as ever.
* * *
Whoosh.
Dry dust wind. A desolate Training ground.
I stood in the middle of it again today.
“This Grandfather here…”
Old Duke Jebert, silhouetted against the sun.
It felt like standing before a massive beast.
“Can be either a devil or an angel, depending on what you do.”
“So you’re saying we’re all devils anyway!”
I shouted back, and Grandfather laughed heartily.
“Alright, alright, gather around, you little runts!”
Void, who had his diary and spelling thoroughly checked by me yesterday, stood next to me with a pale face.
“Seriously…”
The scoff of disbelief was, of course, from Khalid, who was on my other side.
We were lined up in the middle of the Training ground. As if it were a good show, the knight Uncles were pretending to train while watching us.
Khalid wore an amused expression again at the farce.
‘He said he slept well in the knights’ quarters.’
His face was smooth and refreshed. He was quite adaptable, that one.
“Huh? Haaaa? This guy with the washed-out night sky eyes.”
Oh, a phrase I heard yesterday.
“Can’t you stand straight, Water Night!”
“What night?”
“You too, step forward, Void runt!”
“Yes? Ye-yes, sir…”
Grandfather placed his hands firmly on the shoulders of the two boys.
Void’s shoulders slumped. Khalid didn’t even flinch.
“I should make the two of you spar first! That way, I can gauge your skills!”
‘What?’
I was shocked. He saw everything at the training yesterday, and he wants to see more?
“G, Grandfather. It’s a little unfair to Void…”
“Alright, running! Get ready!”
“……”
I got ahead of myself.
“Ah, that kind of sparring…”
“It will be a rough battle. The obstacles they must overcome will not be easy…”
Hehehe. Grandfather chuckled ominously.
Obstacles were placed all over the Training ground. Vaulting boxes, mud pits, nets…
‘K-Army…?’
It felt strangely familiar, but let’s move on.
But it looked kind of fun. I had been running around the Mini Training Ground diligently. I could probably jump over one section of the vaulting box, right?
“Heh, heh.”
I did some stretches.
“Me too, then.”
I was about to head to the starting line with a determined face when the back of my collar was grabbed.
“No, no. You’ll be blown away by the wind, you little runt!”
“What? I’m a member here too, you know?”
I even made sure to wear my knight uniform!
I want to run too! I want to try the obstacle course!
“And I haven’t even done my Training ground laps for today! I’ll replace it with this! Stamina! Strength!”
“……”
Grandfather’s lips tightened as I looked up at him with burning eyes. His eyebrows, which wriggled as if they were alive, didn’t seem so easy to deal with.
Why did he even call me here if he was going to be like this!
“Right, Lord Leon? I should run too, right?”
“…That’s, true. But this Training ground is the main Training ground… Maybe you should just stick to the Mini Training Ground like you usually do…”
“Are you discriminating against me right now!”
The knight’s composed face was mixed with embarrassment as I wailed.
“N, not discrimination, but…”
“I want to do it too. You acknowledged me as the youngest knight…”
“Your Grace…”
Lord Leon looked back at Grandfather with a troubled expression.
“Al, alright. I understand, so don’t pull your lips down! Up! Smile!”
Grandfather grabbed my cheeks and kneaded them like dough.
“You’re allowing me, right?”
“Huh? Uh, uh…”
I quickly turned around and ran. Towards the starting line where Khalid and Void were.
“Yay, gym class!”
“Oh dear, you little runt! Be careful!”
As I ran, I saw the two people standing awkwardly. Void’s eyes widened as he saw me.
“Ruby! Why are you here? Just rest!”
“I’m going to build up my stamina too!”
I smiled and squeezed between the two of them.
Khalid stared at me blankly before placing his hand on my head.
“Ruby. Did you get taller?”
Gasp! Music to my ears!
“Right! I knew you’d notice!”
I jumped up and down and grabbed Khalid’s hand.
A subtle amount of mana flowed into my body without me realizing it. I was wearing the bracelet, so it was closer to an unconscious action.
“…You two are too close?”
Tear. At that moment, you and I were suddenly separated.
Void, who had wedged himself between me and Khalid, crossed his arms and wore a displeased expression.
“What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem, you ask?”
“Yes. What’s the problem?”
When Khalid asked, Gong-ja’s lips opened and closed before stopping.
“…I guess. What is the problem?”
Scratch, scratch. Void rubbed the back of his head.
Leaving the dazed Void behind, Khalid leaned in and whispered to me.
“Do we have to keep doing this foolishness? I want to do swordsmanship training, but when will I ever get to…”
“Shh, Khalid. You said you’d get along.”
“…That’s true, but.”
Just then, Grandfather, who had approached unnoticed, cleared his throat. I clenched my fist with a determined face.
“Ready, set, go!”
“You two, your shoelaces are untied!”
I laughed and ran off in first place. The two people who had been looking down at their feet followed behind a step late.
“Rubyyyyy!”
Void’s voice, sounding frustrated, followed from behind. As did Grandfather’s hearty laughter.
“Yours really are untied, Void runt!”
“Ah!”
Void tripped over his loosely tied shoelaces and tumbled loudly on the ground.
I ran without stopping. A long shadow fell beside me. I knew I’d be caught up to quickly.
“I’m having fun right now!”
“What about it?”
I was already out of breath, while Cal was perfectly fine.
“Running without thinking! Not running because I’m being chased!”
“……”
Clear sky, cool breeze, warm sun!
The only times I had to run were when I was faced with urgent situations. My pounding heart was nothing more than a danger signal.
But here, I can run for no reason!
Even if my heart pounds, nothing scary will happen!
“I can even get praised for running!”
Healthy body, healthy mind!
“Let’s g… Ugh!”
At that moment, my insignificant foot twisted.
The ground rapidly approached, and the thought, ‘Ah, I’m done for,’ flashed through my mind.
“Ruby!”
“Ju…!”
Two arms grabbed the back of my collar and my shoulder, respectively.
I saw Khalid, his pupils dilated with shock, and Void, who was panting as he ran over.
“Phew. Almost died filming a youth drama.”
I dusted myself off and ran again.
No overdoing it, no overdoing it. Let’s calm down if I don’t want to break my nose.
Tap, tap. The sound of my footsteps, now calmer, echoed through the Training ground. I focused all my attention on running, afraid of falling again.
So I didn’t know what was happening behind me at all.
“……”
“……”
That the two boys who had caught me were standing there exchanging strange glances.
‘For a friend of my sister, he’s quite something.’
‘So what’s this bastard’s deal.’
And the thoughts that crossed their minds. Of course.
