Ch#58
“Save me.”
Turning around, there was the hero duke with dark circles under his eyes. He clutched a dessert tray desperately like a lifeline in one hand.
“The sword’s better than the pen. At least for me.”
Watching the man shuffle over like a zombie while muttering something incomprehensible, a very reasonable suspicion arose.
Hmm.
Did the male lead... die from overwork, perhaps?
* * *
Dark alley.
A figure cloaked entirely in a black robe appeared with a swish. In one hand, a Magical Artifact for detecting mana.
His sharp gaze turned toward the children browsing a nearby stall.
His footsteps moved in an instant.
“Hello, young ladies.”
A polite greeting fit for a gentleman. The girls stiffened at the exaggerated, theatrical gesture.
“Wh-who are you?”
“Pardon the intrusion.”
The moment he held up the Magical Artifact, the girls screamed.
“Kidnapper! It’s the kidnapper!”
Tsk, should’ve covered their mouths first.
A rustling sound came from his other hand, not holding the Magical Artifact.
It was a fleeting moment, but fortunately, the Magical Artifact activated.
Mana presence?
‘XXXXXD-!’
Pfft! Next chance!
With the regretful sound effect, a blue mark appeared on the dark red Magic Stone.
‘Tch. Wrong answer.’
Spotting knights rushing over from afar, he quickly vanished.
Just as he entered the tangled web of alleyways.
A dagger suddenly flew at him from somewhere.
“I figured you’d be slow like a mudworm.”
No...
A slow, murmuring voice.
‘What’s with this guy?’
Clatter, clatter.
Looking toward where the dagger came from, the first thing visible was a cart piled with a mountain of books.
Pulling it was a boy wearing gloves on both hands.
His spotlessly cleaned glasses and neatly combed black hair looked like they wouldn’t allow even a single needle’s gap.
The boy, now close, lifted his glasses with sharp eyes gleaming.
“Hey.”
Coincidentally, it was his middle finger.
‘Tch, an obstacle...’
“You just called me ‘hey,’ but why are you stepping back? And your attire’s so sloppy.”
He had the habit of pushing up his glasses with every word.
It was strange...
‘Just pushing up glasses...’
Why did it annoy him so much...?
After pushing up his glasses to his heart’s content, the boy muttered, “Can’t be helped,” and turned toward the cart. A gleaming sword was stuck between the books.
‘Now!’
Whoosh! The mage hurled something he’d been holding with all his might, then bolted while the boy dodged it.
“......”
The boy blankly stared at the thing that had splattered against the wall and slid down. A strawberry cream bun.
“Ah, that strawberry smell...”
He pulled out disinfectant, sprayed it around him liberally, then tossed it.
Because strawberry cream was one of the things he hated most.
The surroundings had already fallen silent.
“Why does everyone run away?”
The boy left alone muttered stiffly.
He’d only politely asked for directions, so why did they all flee? And even attack with bread.
Ipson’s full of weird people.
His glasses glinted as he pulled the cart with a clatter once more.
“So... I’m curious how much monster knowledge my new little brother Rubian has.”
If he’s filthy or boring, no mercy.
Early education’s key, so as his big brother, he’d have to teach strictly.
One cart of books is still too few.
“But what alley is this?”
Hmm. Back to the start...
It was Riam Jebeurt’s long, winding way home.
* * *
Yawn. I stretched languidly and opened my eyes.
I’d just woken from a nap buried in the fluffy sheets after a snack.
Must be the vacation vibe. I’m turning into a sloth...
“Huh?”
But the mansion felt unusually hectic. I dashed into the hallway and grabbed the first servant I saw.
“What’s going on?”
“Well...”
The maid leaned in and whispered secretively.
“His Highness the Prince has arrived.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly?
Stunned by the abrupt news, I just blinked for a moment.
The Emperor and imperial family weren’t due for a few more days.
Suddenly suspicious, I asked,
“Not the Fourth Prince, right?”
“How did you know?”
The blond from the capital, Licht Barillon, naturally came to mind.
He came all the way north alone?
This guy really loves acting solo...
“And with Young Master Riam too.”
“Huh?”
What on earth was this situation?
Unable to bear it, I hurried off.
“Oops.”
Check my outfit. Nearly went out in pajamas.
I returned to my room, meticulously checked the mirror, then ran to the lobby. It was already bustling with people.
I crouched on the landing, peeked over the stair railing, and observed the scene.
The first voice I heard was Dad’s sigh-mixed tone.
“Got lost in an alley and picked up by His Highness...?”
“Yes.”
“This is driving me insane.”
The duke’s broad back, hand on his forehead, clearly radiated disbelief.
Clatter, creak. A cart sound followed and stopped.
‘Gasp, a mountain of books.’
I frowned slightly, looking queasy.
‘Riam Jebeurt.’
True to Jebeurt blood growing like bean sprouts, the boy was tall for his age. Straight black hair neatly combed, pale purple eyes.
Sharp eyes visible under clear glasses gave off an oddly prickly vibe.
‘Huh... kinda looks like Dad.’
If Void was the mild flavor, this one was straight-up spicy.
The boy finally released his hands from the cart piled higher than himself and removed his gloves.
“Long time no see, Father. Your shirt button’s undone.”
Riam pushed up his glasses with both index fingers, fixing his gaze on Dad’s loosely undone shirt button.
Dad let out a long sigh.
“Riam, when exactly did you arrive in Ipson? Where are your escort knights?”
“Well... that’s how it happened. Your button’s undone.”
“That explains nothing. Pushing up your glasses with that smart face doesn’t cut it.”
“The but...”
“The button was undone on purpose. It’s stuffy.”
Riam’s icy expression cracked.
“......Buttons are meant to be buttoned.”
Regardless, Dad looked like he had a throbbing headache too.
“What about Rose? She’s not in Ipson too, is she?”
“Mother’s probably still on her way. I rode ahead with Sir Beth midway. It was tough reading in such poor conditions.”
“I told you not to read while riding.”
“What else is there to do while riding if not read?”
It was the tone of someone hearing the strangest nonsense.
Like asking a modern person what they do on the subway without their smartphone...
‘What is this, spear vs. shield?’
I squished my cheek against the railing, watching the father-son duo with great interest.
The adult raised the white flag first.
“Fine, fine. Leon, send a messenger to the south gate. Check if Rose’s carriage passed.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Senior Leon vanished smoothly. Riam smiled slightly at Leon—probably pleased with his perfect attire.
“Anyway.”
Dad’s gaze shifted behind Riam.
“What brings His Highness here again? Please don’t say he came alone too.”
Licht, casually having the servants assist while removing his coat and sword, laughed.
“Sorry to shatter your hopes, Duke.”
“......”
“Couldn’t resist when the New Green Festival’s in the north.”
Siiiigh. Another heavy sigh escaped.
‘Oh no. What to do? Is Dad getting gray hairs?’
I gripped the railing tight, gazing pityingly at his handsome profile.
Raising teens is tough... Fighting.
“......”
“......”
While reaching out to stroke the air slightly, sapphire eyes locked onto me without hesitation.
“Hello, Rubian. What’re you doing up there?”
A gentle voice flowed out. All eyes in the first-floor lobby turned to me.
