“Ruby, time for breakf—…… That’s quite the expression.”
The uncle, dressed comfortably, stood outside the door with one leg propped up.
“……Good morning, Uncle.”
I scrambled up with a face haggard from anger, shuffling toward the door in yellow slippers.
“You didn’t sleep well?”
“Slept like I always do.”
“…….”
Squeak, squeak. I peeled off the tape I’d stuck in long strips across the door.
Uncle let out a hollow sigh.
“Was this really necessary?”
“You keep peeking while I sleep, so yes! I have a private life too, you know.”
It was a drastic measure. I couldn’t stand being watched every time I slept. What if I muttered some pointless sleep-talking?
‘Of course, if he hops over with those long legs, there’s nothing I can do about it……’
It was a matter of principle.
“Ha. Unbelievable.”
Uncle shook his head and reached out. I naturally nestled into his embrace, and we walked down the hallway.
Whew, getting worked up sure stokes the appetite.
I was still gritting my teeth over Kalid Riorke, who had blocked me.
‘No, stay calm. He might just be sleeping in, right? I’ll just go check the shop later.’
I took deep, calming breaths to settle my bubbling stomach.
Just then, someone approached from down the hall.
“Your Grace.”
“Ah, Count Leon! Good morning!”
Count Leon stared at me for a moment before nodding in greeting.
Then, with a stoic face, he fished around in his pocket and held out a small madeleine.
Why does he carry these around every day? Does he have low blood sugar or something?
Hunger won out anyway, so I munched on the madeleine and listened to Uncle and Count Leon’s conversation.
“Your Grace, we are somewhat short-handed in the Order. I believe we should bring in new squires or knights. What do you think?”
“Hm. The spring subjugation is coming up soon, so we should. Any applicants?”
“Actually, none yet…….”
“Huh, does that mean I finally get a junior?”
As I swallowed the madeleine, Count Leon dug into his pocket again and handed me a bottle of strawberry milk. What? Is that a magic pocket?
“No matter what, there’s no way someone younger than you would join.”
Tch, what a shame.
I pouted, sipping noisily on the milk.
“Do your best to find some before the subjugation.”
“Understood. I will relay that to Count Obron.”
Count Leon gave a crisp salute and marched off. Before leaving, he also made sure to empty his entire pocket, passing me every kind of madeleine he had.
“Lemon, chocolate, vanilla, Earl Grey…… Wow, could Count Leon’s dream be to retire and open a dessert shop?”
A dessert shop run by a stoic former knight…… Hm, strangely enough, it might actually work.
“Eat the rest after your meal.”
“Okay!”
When we arrived in front of the dining hall, I hopped out of Uncle’s arms.
Was it the sweets? The anger I’d felt at Kalid had eased considerably.
“Gotta eat quick, train, and then go play at the shop!”
Another busy, fulfilling day!
But I didn’t sense Uncle following right behind me as I’d expected.
I turned around in confusion to find that handsome face with his arms crossed and a very displeased expression.
“……You’re going out?”
“Hm? Why?”
“Then this afternoon, I’ll be…….”
“What?”
Uncle pressed his lips into a thin line and let out a deep sigh. Then he walked over and poked my cheek with a smile.
“It’s nothing. Have all the fun you want, all you want.”
* * *
Shortly past noon, in the office.
Leviathan Zebeurt shot to his feet.
“I can’t take this.”
Rubian had gone out again today.
Because of that, afternoon tea time with the child was canceled again today.
“I feel like I’m going to suffocate buried under all this paperwork.”
He frowned at the mountain of parchment stacked before him. He needed a change of pace.
Leviathan grabbed a few documents he needed to read right away and headed to Rubian’s room.
The moment he opened the door, the child’s uniquely sweet scent poured out. The corners of his mouth relaxed on their own, and his frayed nerves softened.
He slowly looked around Rubian’s bedroom.
What stood out most were the light purple mana stones neatly arranged along the window frame.
“He must like them quite a bit.”
On the floor, he’d even arranged the mana stones into a sparkling heart. Beside it, fresh herb decorations were tied up like bouquets.
At the sight, a short laugh escaped Leviathan.
‘Does he have a collecting hobby?’
Like a squirrel gathering acorns?
Leviathan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Among the capital’s nobles, there were a few young ladies who collected mana stones with rare hues. Most of them also shared an interest in collecting gemstones.
‘Could it be he wants jewels too but can’t say it because he’s a boy?’
He did seem to like shiny things, after all……
“Ah, Your Grace. You were here.”
Lost in thought, Leviathan was approached by Adolf from behind. It was good timing—he had been about to call for him.
“Adolf. Find out who currently owns the jewelry shop near Central Avenue.”
“Suddenly, sir?”
“Is there a problem?”
“None…… whatsoever. Of course not.”
Adolf answered with a glance at the purple mana stone Leviathan held. He could more or less read the situation.
“But what is it?”
“Ah, Physician Borbel requests an audience.”
“Borbel?”
Borbel was the recently returned house physician of House Zebeurt.
Wondering why he had come, Leviathan recalled having Borbel examine Rubian right after his arrival.
No way. Was something wrong with Rubian?
His fingertips went ice-cold.
“Send him in at once.”
The door opened, and a middle-aged man appeared.
“Your Grace, I have come to report the results of young Lord Rubian’s examination.”
“The conclusion. Now.”
“Hm, he is healthy.”
“‘Hm, healthy’?”
Leviathan tilted his chin. Borbel gulped at the chillingly sharp air.
“Tell me why you hesitated just now.”
“That is based solely on a basic examination. He is somewhat slower in growth compared to his peers, but it is not due to any illness. However……”
The physician, who had been speaking calmly, scrunched up one eye slightly.
“You mentioned there was a large scar on his body, yes?”
“……Yes.”
“I wished to examine it more closely along with the rest of him, but he was extremely averse to being touched. It concerns me that I could only perform the most basic examination.”
“He tends to be wary of strangers.”
Though he pretended otherwise, Rubian was incredibly shy.
The memory of how the child would squirm into his arms in crowded places made his expression soften.
‘Really, for such a child to follow me so boldly.’
Perhaps he hadn’t been shy around him, in particular……
“Yes. That seems to be the case. I shall examine him again once he has grown more accustomed to me.”
“Regardless, you’re saying there’s no immediate problem?”
“Yes. With continued care as he is receiving now, his growth should gradually improve. Well, though he will likely remain smaller than other boys his age……”
Leviathan nodded quietly, then suddenly furrowed his brow deeply.
“Uncle! I think I’ve gained weight since coming here! At this rate, won’t I grow as big as Hazel?”
It was because he recalled the child’s eyes shining as he’d said that.
Rubian had simply looked happy, but Leviathan had been deeply shaken by those words.
“It had only been a few weeks, and he said he’d grown.”
It hadn’t even been a month since Rubian had come to this ducal residence.
In that short time, simply by feeding him well, the child had gained weight, his complexion had improved, and he had even grown a little taller.
‘Just how badly had he been fed before?’
Leviathan groaned, pressing his palm to his forehead. It felt as if his stomach were being twisted into knots.
“Borbel, could you send someone to Iosia?”
“I studied there briefly, so it is possible. May I ask why?”
“Rubian is from Iosia, and I am curious if anyone there knows him. Parents, relatives, anyone.”
To find out just how he had lived with those (presumed) pieces of trash.
‘I can’t stand not knowing anymore.’
Leviathan had intended to wait until Rubian told him directly.
But would such a day ever come?
It was a sort of intuition.
He felt extremely uneasy about prying behind the child’s back, but Leviathan made up his mind.
He was Rubian’s guardian now. Therefore, he needed to know everything about the child.
Only then could he properly protect him.
And……
“If it’s not a stomach ache, what were you doing in your room?”
“M-My stomach did hurt! But it suddenly got better……”
He recalled how Rubian had furtively averted his eyes.
He hoped it wasn’t the case, but he couldn’t help thinking it.
‘Could Rubian be hiding something?’
Crunch. The documents in Leviathan’s hand crumpled pitifully as strength poured into it unwittingly.