Ch#59
Gasp, embarrassing.
“Ruby? Dangerous. Come down here.”
As Dad reached out his hand, I timidly stood up and stepped down the stairs.
“Long time no see.”
Licht deliberately came down to the bottom of the stairs and held out his hand. One hand behind his back in a very polite escort.
“Blondie, why are you…….”
I blankly asked without even thinking of taking his hand. Licht naturally withdrew his arm and smiled while squinting one eye.
“Yeah. My hair is golden, after all. But I have a name too—Licht.”
“Uh-huh…….”
I know that very well…….
“We haven’t done proper introductions yet, right? Licht Barillon.”
His softly waving blond hair reflected the sunlight outside the window, sparkling brightly.
He’s grown taller and his face is even prettier than last time……. I gave a vague greeting while lost in meaningless thoughts.
“Hello, Rubian…….”
Oh no. I tried to finish without thinking and glanced slightly behind Licht.
Found Dad’s stern face with raised eyebrows staring this way.
“……of the Jebeurt family.”
Only then did satisfied smiles appear on Dad’s and the servants’ faces.
Licht muttered, “Suddenly so formal…….” while scratching his brow awkwardly.
Then, a bespectacled face suddenly interjected.
“Hm. So you’re Rubian.”
The eldest son of this house looked down at me with his head tilted.
‘Gasp, tall. And…….’
He looks super strict!
His scanning gaze made me instinctively snap to attention like a soldier.
‘But no need to be scared!’
I checked my reflection once more in his clear glasses.
Buttons done up to the chin, wrinkle-free neat attire. The pin that used to be on one side now symmetrically aligned on both.
“Hello…… sir?”
As I cautiously greeted him, Riam Jebeurt narrowed his eyes thinly and lifted his chin.
Then came short claps: clap, clap.
“Perfect.”
He turned toward Dad.
“Father, it seems the Jebeurt dignity, long buried in the muck, is finally reviving.”
“Don’t forget you’re a Jebeurt too, Riam.”
Riam ignored him completely and grabbed my hand by the chin.
“I like you. Come here.”
Then he yanked me toward the mountain of books.
“Let’s study.”
“Eek!”
My body staggered from the sudden force. Riam quickly let go, looking startled.
“Riam, Ruby isn’t Void. Don’t handle her roughly.”
Dad clicked his tongue lightly and rubbed my wrist.
“What…….”
Riam alternated between my slightly reddened skin and his own hand with an incredulous expression.
“Is the youngest…… not human?”
His serious face uttered nothing but that. Propping his chin on his hand, Riam began circling the lobby.
Uh, that repertoire feels kinda unsettling.
“Yes, I’ve heard of such races. The fairy folk living in the Iosiah forest…….”
“Argh! What are you saying?!”
I grabbed a random book from the cart and threw it at Riam.
True to brothers not being alike, spouting such itchy nonsense casually!
“Monster Compendium Vol. 3? You’ve got good taste.”
“Bro, sorry! I’m busy!”
I snatched Licht’s hand, who’d been standing nearby. The cold hand flinched stiffly.
I hate study bugs!
“I already organized the entire library, so go read fun books there!”
Good thing I’d prepared in advance knowing Riam might come to Ipson.
“By the way, just follow these stickers to the library! Even directionally challenged folks can do it!”
I pointed to the heart stickers plastered all over the floor. Riam tilted his head with a strange expression.
“……What’s with this sudden consideration.”
Riam muttered blankly, unaware his glasses were slipping down.
Dad, watching from behind, let out a short sigh and tousled Riam’s hair.
“Anyway, unpack your things. Go greet Grandfather.”
“…….”
Riam tilted his chin slightly.
Was Dad always this affectionate?
His face was awkward, but he didn’t refuse the large hand. Of course, his gaze never left Dad’s unbuttoned shirt either.
“Buttons are the best.”
“…….”
Aigoo. What to do with this spear versus shield.
“Let’s go, Licht!”
“Huh? Uh, yeah.”
Gotta escape. Or I’ll get trapped in the library with that picky boss study bug!
* * *
‘No, I thought they were on awkward terms because of some past issue like with Void.’
Dad seemed to think so too.
‘That’s just their personalities clashing, isn’t it?’
No solution for that.
I shook my head side to side.
“So that’s where you ran off to? Just the front yard?”
Licht glanced around the mansion garden and asked lightly. It was a place Titi and I came often.
I caught my panting breath and answered.
“Outside is dangerous…….”
Who knows what could happen if kids go out alone?
“Good thinking.”
Licht smiled softly. He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief, placing it on the bench for me.
“Sit.”
“…….”
Do all royals have such good manners?
‘But isn’t this something you do for a girl?’
I sat down awkwardly, feeling dubious.
“You look like you’re doing well. Glad to hear it.”
“You…… no, wait. Why would a prince be glad?”
Then Licht squinted one eye and smiled.
“Why the sudden formality?”
“I didn’t know your identity before, but now I know you’re a prince?”
I know to respect royalty too.
But Licht seemed somehow reluctant. Squinting his eyes softly, he began with a “Well.”
“I’m not here as a prince right now.”
“So?”
“Licht.”
The prince sat side by side with me and tilted his head while whispering.
“Don’t you think you should call me that?”
This guy knows how to use his face well…….
I scooted back a bit and answered awkwardly.
“Well……. If that’s what you want.”
Maybe because I knew him from the original story. The odd sense of familiarity actually made it easier for me.
As I answered hesitantly, a picture-perfect smile bloomed on the boy’s face.
“Anyway, seems like you’re getting along great with Duke Jebeurt.”
“Yeah. Well, he’s…… Dad.”
“Your face looks much brighter. Not that it was bad before, of course.”
“Spare me the pleasantries…….”
“I mean it.”
I’d met Licht after being seriously ill in the capital. Naturally, I knew my current complexion couldn’t compare to then.
He skillfully called a nearby maid and had her prepare a tea table in the garden. The attending maids hurried off.
“Duke Jebeurt seems busy even here.”
Licht said while eyeing the line of carriages pulling in far away.
“Yeah, well.”
“Still, he spends a lot of time with you. Spring subjugation soon?”
I nodded while swinging my legs.
“Yeah. Right after the New Green Festival, I heard.”
“Then new knights must’ve joined the order.”
Including my childhood friend, a bunch of rookies got recruited.
“Right. You know your stuff.”
As I asked casually, Licht smiled with a “Of course.”
“It’s been ages since I saw Lord Nogran too. He looks much healthier.”
I turned my head and stared at Licht. The prince was reading the crests on the incoming carriages with a picture-like smile.
“Anything fun happen in Zelox?”
Looking at his sparkling blond hair turned toward me, I quietly opened my mouth.
“Licht.”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you probing me?”
“…….”
A short silence passed.
A faint crack appeared on Licht’s face. His calmly settled mint-green eyes shook for a moment.
“Seems like you’re more curious about Dad than me…… Am I wrong?”
“……Rubian.”
“If you’re so curious about the duke’s movements, wouldn’t it be faster to ask him directly?”
“…….”
“-Sir? Your Highness.”
