TYHL 70

~Chapter 70~

Ding-a-ling!

“Correct answer!”

The cheerful sound of a bell filled the cave. Sortie smiled softly.

“But… do Abellita herbs really have sharp leaves? I wasn’t sure…”

I puffed out my chest proudly.

“There’s a trick to spotting them. When you visit the duke’s mansion, I’ll teach you.”

“Wow!”

“Rubian, you really know a lot.”

Olivia looked at me with pure admiration.

The children sat together around the fire. I became the center of their circle and drew on the ground.

“Now, next question! Which herb is good for stopping bleeding? This one’s multiple choice!”

“Aww… I like true or false better.”

“Who knew we’d be having a quiz contest here.”

Licht, sitting a little apart, muttered like he didn’t know what to think. I kept moving my hand quickly.

“If we stay quiet, we’ll just get gloomy thoughts.”

“I meant you’re amazing. I was worried you seemed down.”

“Then come join.”

At my call, Licht smiled gently and sat closer.

I can’t keep being sad!

I wasn’t worried about myself, but about the little ones, Sortie and Olivia.

I’d been through things like this before, but those kids—used to tea salons and boutiques—must be terrified.

I was about to restart the herb quiz when Asha came back from checking outside.

“No sign of the rain letting up.”

Drops flew from her hands as she shook them. Behind her, the downpour was still heavy.

“Asha! Join the quiz too!”

“Alright!”

She smiled brightly and sat near the fire, feeding the flames.

We played quiz games for a while. Then, when that got boring, we played word chain.

At least the girls aren’t crying anymore…

I glanced at Sortie and Olivia, now smiling.

“I’ll go first!”

Sortie cleared her throat and shouted.

“Since we’re lost right now… ‘Lost child’!”

Asha jumped right in.

“Father!”

“……”

“……”

The mood dropped again.

“Father… Daddy…”

Tears welled up in their eyes. I quickly yanked Asha close and whispered.

“Asha! Read the room!”

“Ah—yes.”

I had just calmed them!

I forced a laugh and said, “I’ll start! Asha, you go last.”

“…Fine…”

“Okay… Health!”

“Puppy.”

“Roof!”

“Fish!”

“Mother!”

“……”

Asha Drukan… are you a villain?

“Mommyyy!”

Olivia and Titi clung to each other, crying again. I was glaring daggers at Asha and about to change the subject when—

—Sortie! —Titi!

Voices, faint under the sound of rain, echoed in our ears.

The girls snapped their heads up. The voices grew closer.

“Dad?”

“It’s father!”

“Daddyyyy!”

Both girls jumped up and ran out of the cave. Licht chased after them, shouting, “It’s dangerous, ladies!”

Finally!

“They came to rescue us! Let’s go, Rubian!”

“Yeah.”

I stood quickly.

Ding.

At that moment, the golden bell I’d kept hidden slipped out.

Did uncle come too?

I picked it up, but no voice called my name. Normally, he would’ve been the first to rush in.

“Guess he didn’t…”

Maybe he was angrier than I thought.

“Rubian?”

“I’m coming!”

I hid my sadness and stepped outside. Just as I set foot out of the cave—

BOOM!

A thunderous sound shook the mountain.

“Wh-what was that?!”

“Ruby!”

Before I could react to the familiar voice, a storm of mana swept over me.

It was Khalid.

Dropping from the sky, he grabbed me tight and pushed his mana into me. It was so heavy and rough I groaned.

“Ugh. Khal!”

“Sorry, I’m sorry.”

He finally managed to refine his mana.

“I wasn’t that short on mana! You didn’t have to hold me this close!”

I struggled free. His black-blue hair was soaked with sweat and rain.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

“…But your face looks terrible.”

“I’m fine. You just gave me mana.”

“Really…”

Khalid staggered weakly, sighing long and hard.

“It’s exhausting…”

“Maybe I should’ve tied us together by body, not just mana.”

“…Did I hear that wrong?”

He looked away, but didn’t deny it.

Soon, many footsteps and shouts drew near. Knights cut through the bushes.

“Here! They’re here!”

In moments, the place was full of people.

“Sortie! Titi!”

“Daddy! Daddy!”

“Olivier! My daughter!”

“Father…”

The nobles forgot their dignity and rushed to hold their children.

“Your Highness!”

A man who seemed to be Licht’s attendant ran up, pale-faced, feeling over the prince.

“Thank goodness you’re safe! But… I’m dead now. Goodbye, Your Highness, goodbye!”

“Haha…”

Surrounded by attendants and palace knights, Licht explained everything.

I just watched blankly. As the adults arrived, the rain began to ease.

Then—BOOM! Another explosion shook the air.

“What is that sound?!”

“The Duke of Jebert…”

“What?”

The wind shifted. A sharp mana filled the air.

“No way…”

“He’s killing the sealed beasts nearby.”

“Why? They should’ve been asleep!”

“You.”

“…?”

“He thought you might be in danger.”

His voice was drowned in another blast. Soon the pounding of hooves echoed.

Khalid let out a dry laugh.

“Five high-class beasts… he killed them all alone.”

“Ruby!”

Sir Leon, Rosetta, and other knights appeared, calling my name.

“Ruby!”

And then—

My uncle’s voice crashed down like thunder.

At that moment, Leviathan was glad it was raining.

It wasn’t enough to wash all the blood away, but at least enough to hold his child in his arms.

When Khalid said there were sealed beasts, he hadn’t hesitated. Anything that threatened Rubian—he would destroy it.

“Ruby!”

Leviathan saw the silver-haired child in the distance and cried out.

But the child froze, stepping back with fear.

That frightened, shrinking look—his heart ached.

“Leviathan.”

“Rose, wait here. I’ll bring her.”

“Alright. I’ll tie up the criminals with the knights.”

Step by step, he moved closer. Rubian retreated, back into the cave.

He blocked Khalid from following and stood at the entrance, staring into the darkness.

“Rubian.”

The child flinched behind a rock.

“Ruby, first…”

“I-I’m sorry!”

Her voice shook.

“I… I didn’t mean to hide it. I had no choice. I had a reason… I’m sorry…”

Uncle… I’m sorry.

Leviathan’s brow twisted. He lowered himself at the cave’s mouth.

“Ruby, are you hurt?”

His voice was soft, careful. He wanted to run to her, but he couldn’t scare her more.

“Are you in pain? …Sorry. I should’ve come faster.”

“Why…”

Her voice was wet with tears.

“Why aren’t you angry?”

“Of course I’m angry.”

“….”

“I told you in the capital—don’t run off alone. What should a father do with his troublesome youngest?”

Her head dropped.

“I tricked you. I’m not a boy.”

“I know.”

In the silence, soft sobbing filled the cave.

Hearing Rubian’s crying voice for the first time, Leviathan’s heart twisted painfully.

“But it’s not your fault. It’s mine—for assuming on my own.”

“….”

“Ruby… it doesn’t matter who you are. You’re just Rubian.”

“My precious little one, Rubian Jebert.”

He spoke from the heart.

“So… stop crying, and come here. Please?”

He stretched his hands out, but no answer came for a long time.

Just as he was about to call again—

Ding-ling.

The bell’s clear sound echoed in the cave.

“….”

Ding-ling. Ding-ling.

Leviathan clenched his fists, stood, and walked forward.

He cut through the shadows hiding the child. The darkness split and crumbled.

And when at last the small figure was revealed—when his broken self stood before her—

He thought: I would give everything for this child.

“My legs… gave out…”

Rubian, face messy with tears and snot, looked up.

Leviathan didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into his arms.

“Then you should’ve called me ‘Dad.’”

At that, Rubian burst into tears.

“D-dad…”

Her trembling voice broke him.

“Daddyyy!”

She sobbed loudly in his arms.

What should I do with you, my child?

Dad, I’m sorry. Dad…

Like a child who just learned to speak, Rubian repeated only that word, crying hard.

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize.”

You suffered, didn’t you? You were in pain.

It’s alright now. I’ll fix everything that hurt you.

My precious Ruby. My one and only jewel.

Leviathan felt like he had traveled a long road, only to finally meet his child again.