Ch#56
Rubian seemed to have gained a bit of confidence.
“Ta-da. There’s a ton of snacks. Who do you think prepared them? Whose house is this?”
“……The, the Jebeurt Duke’s house.”
Sortie pouted her lips and answered softly. Rubian grinned and handed her a handkerchief.
“Oh my. Thank you for comforting our Titi. As expected of a Jebeurt child—truly exceptional.”
The count, who had been sweating bullets, finally set his child down.
“Come on, Titi. Stop clinging and greet them properly.”
“Yees, Daddy.”
Sortie, who had been squirming, stood on the floor while fixing her gaze on Rubian.
“I’m Sortie Camellan of the Camellan Count family. I’m seven years old.”
Only then did Rubian grow a little shy.
“I’m Rubian……. Eight years old……”
At that moment, one of Leviathan’s eyebrows shot up at a steep angle. Rubian? That’s it?
What next?
Blink, blink. Sortie’s clear eyes moved as if observing Rubian’s face.
“Why is your name only half?”
Crack. The air froze at the innocent question.
Sortie tilted her head back and forth between Leviathan and Rubian. Her twin pigtails tilted along with her.
“Your hair color’s different too. Titi has the same as Daddy, so weird!”
“Titi, enough……”
As the count tried to intervene, Leviathan set down his teacup.
The moment he urgently reached out toward Rubian’s still figure from behind—
“I’m gonna get adopted. Um, so…… I’m not Daddy’s real kid.”
A steady voice flowed out.
Rubian turned around with a completely nonchalant face. Sortie covered her cheeks and asked back with an ‘o?’
“Can that happen?”
“Yup.”
“I see.”
Leviathan extended his arm fully again and pulled Rubian to him.
“There are many ways to become family, young lady.”
As he sat Rubian on his knee, the child tilted her head back and looked up with sparkling eyes. Blue sapphire-like orbs filled his vision.
“We may look a bit different, but she’s my precious jewel. Can you be good friends?”
At the gentle coaxing, Sortie beamed as if she’d never cried.
“Yes! Thank you for telling me! Your Grace!”
Family……. Rubian mouthed the word with her small lips. Leviathan poked her fluffy cheek.
A sharp glare came back, but as always, it was utterly lovable.
While the two adults briefly discussed business, Rubian shared snacks with Sortie.
“—Then let’s continue with the New Green Festival matters. Truth is, Ipson’s security hasn’t been great lately, so I requested knights. There’ve been specific crimes recently…… Ack, you rascal.”
“Hehe, Daddy’s beard.”
Sortie, who had somehow crawled over, giggled while braiding the Camellan Count’s long beard.
“She’s the real baby of the family—spoiled rotten. My apologies.”
Leviathan said it was fine and glanced to the side.
Rubian was munching on a cream puff, her eyes sparkling.
That looks good……?
A mutter was heard, but its meaning was unclear.
“Ruby. Bored? Wanna go play outside? Looks like the talk’ll drag on.”
“Yeah! Lady Camellan, wanna come?”
Oh my. Despite being a year older, she’s the one reaching out first……
“Ah.”
Leviathan suddenly furrowed his brow.
A boy and a girl…… grabbing hands like that, is it okay?
He unwittingly glanced at the Camellan Count. The count just looked pleased.
‘It’s fine?’
If it were my daughter……
Clank.
“Y-Your Grace? Why are you suddenly drawing your sword……?”
“Ahem, never mind.”
Leviathan forcibly released his unconsciously gripped sword.
Strange. My stomach keeps churning……
“We’re going to the garden out front!”
“……Alright.”
Leviathan nodded, clasping his hands together.
Rubian was already chattering away to Sortie, who had apparently warmed up to her.
“The garden here is super pretty. Can you teach me that braid from earlier?”
“Braiding beards? Sure!”
“It’s so prickly, I can’t stand it……”
“Oh no. You got beard-attacked.”
The two walked off hand in hand amiably.
‘Well……’
Cute enough, I guess.
* * *
After the children left, in the reception room.
Leviathan broached the main topic with an impassive face.
“So, what’s the situation in Ipson lately?”
“Ah, the crimes. There’ve been a few attempted kidnapping reports…… With outsiders flooding in for the New Green Festival, I wanted to bolster security.”
“I brought plenty of defensive knights. I’ll dispatch as many as needed.”
“Oh, thank you so much.”
The Camellan Count smiled in relief. He peeked at the man across from him while hiding behind his teacup.
His strikingly handsome appearance was the first thought.
Then, fear.
Though seated loosely and casually, it was more like the arrogant leisure of one who reigned supreme.
The count swallowed dryly without realizing.
Because he knew all too well how much blood those straight, teacup-holding hands could spill.
‘War ghost.’
Even knowing he was humanity’s hero, he couldn’t erase the word.
When he’d gone to the front lines by chance to inspect supplies, what he saw was a single demon.
Black hair soaked in blood, crossing the wasteland. The silver blade gleamed red, and wherever he moved, blood and flesh trailed like footprints.
‘The creepiest part was his utterly emotionless face.’
He seemed like a man swinging his sword purely on instinct.
‘Compared to then…… he’s remarkably mellowed now.’
Back then, even imagining him sitting like this, sipping tea, was impossible.
‘Is it because the war’s over, or……’
The count set down his teacup with a composed face.
Maybe because of the child just now.
“But kidnappings out of nowhere?”
Leviathan asked, leaning back in his chair. The count quickly shook off his thoughts and replied casually.
“Well…… there’s a rumor the runaway mage from the Magic Kingdom is a little girl.”
At that instant, the air sharpened as if by magic.
“Some lunatics must think they’ll catch her and hand her to the kingdom for a reward. Or else demand ransom from parents instead……”
Leviathan’s brow furrowed deeply. Feeling cold sweat trickle down his back, the count hurriedly added,
“We’re pursuing the culprits day and night, so no need to worry too much. Fortunately, they’re still just attempts, so we’ll catch them before the New Green Festival somehow.”
“I’ll tell Ovron to dispatch all the knights.”
Leviathan clicked his tongue roughly. Seeing the count’s face drain of color, he forcibly suppressed his surging aura.
‘A little girl mage?’
Then she must’ve fled to survive.
Do they have to hound even a child like that?
‘Crazy kingdom bastards.’
Leviathan exhaled deeply. Now he had one more reason to meet the Emperor.
“Must be unsettling for you too, Count. With a young daughter and all.”
“Whew. Yes……. Honestly, I get anxious if she’s out of sight these days. I’m sure Your Grace feels the same.”
“……?”
Leviathan raised a blank gaze.
“Rubian’s a son.”
“Whaaat?”
The Camellan Count made a face like he’d seen a ghost.
“Heh. No way!”
“I know he’s pretty. His cuteness pierces the heavens, of course.”
“…….”
“Smart and clever too. Speaks so well, he could match Academy professors without issue. Now runs three and a half laps in the training grounds. Amazing grit, right? Already surpassed his herbology master, and healing arts soon……”
“Yes. I’ve heard.”
A curt reply came back.
“No, there’s more. Hear me out.”
“Not at all. I must’ve been mistaken.”
The Camellan Count shot to his feet. Leviathan felt deep pity for the count missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Well. You wouldn’t easily take a ducal princess anyway……”
Ahem! The count startled himself with his own mutter and coughed loudly.
“…….”
Leviathan, lost in other thoughts, didn’t even hear it.
Come to think of it, he’d been hearing that a lot lately.
Evelyn, who’d taken Rubian’s clothing order, had said the same.
“A……boy?”
Really? For real?
A dubious voice echoed like an auditory hallucination.
‘What is it.’
Am I supposed to realize something now?
