TYHL 165

~Chapter 165~

‘What could that possibly mean?’

The cold air brushed against his cheek.

Khalid leaned against the carriage window, silently watching the passing scenery.

‘The ancient royal palace…’

The traces of that distant past, now considered nothing more than myth or legend, were still buried like treasure all across the continent.

There was far more left to discover than had ever been found. The Delkan Ruins were just one example.

‘Either way, if I’m going to help Rubian find those ancient magic formulas, I’ll have to wander around here and there. I should tell Allen about this in secret, too.’

With a short sigh, Khalid felt deep down that this wouldn’t be easy.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the noise.

[ Khal! Want to switch seats? You still alive? ]

That clear, bell-like voice soothed his restless heart. It felt like his drifting soul was finally coming home.

‘…My past makes me anxious and curious. But—’

For the first time, Khalid realized,

‘I’m still me, no matter what.’

So even if he didn’t know everything about his past right away, he wasn’t as restless as before.

At least here, he could finally believe that it didn’t matter who he was.

Rubian would say the same. So would Duke Zebert.
…And maybe even this troublesome old man.

As that thought struck, Khalid’s heart felt lighter.

“Hey, kid. What are you smiling about all dreamily?”

“…Don’t mess up my hair…”

“You little brat!”

[ …Hello? Khalid? At this point, are you just ignoring me, or did you block me? Please clarify. ]

The carriage rolled steadily on, heading for home.

Whoosh. The wind blew.

“What the—”

“What’s wrong?”

“Is this hell?”

“My territory… Dad, you’re teasing me again.”

Dad playfully knocked my head with his fist, making sure it didn’t hurt.

“Hehehe.”

Far below, red rocky mountains stretched out as far as the eye could see—
Zelox, the Zebert estate!

“Wow! Winter’s back!”

As we traveled from the capital to here, autumn had swiftly turned to winter.

There was no rush, so the whole family wandered north, stopping here and there along the way.

It was loud, chaotic, and noisy as always—but because of that, it was fun and full of laughter!

And finally, we arrived home.

Sir Leon, just like when I’d first come to Zelox, handed me a fluffy white scarf. I buried my face in it.

“Your Grace, each allied nation has sent word that they’ll attend the round table next summer. I expect everyone will support the Emperor’s proposal.”

“Good. What about the Magic Kingdom?”

“All quiet. Oh, and a letter just arrived. It’s from a man named Allen.”

Allen!

My eyes went wide.

Allen was the owner of the mercenary group Dad bought. The name sounded oddly familiar, but maybe it was just a common one.

‘He did seem to get a lot done for a “boss.”’

Anyway.

Dad crouched down to read the letter with me.

“Wow, that was fast.”

He’d found the location of the second magic formula.

“The second one’s… Kasalia?”

“Hmm. Looks like Dad’s going on another business trip.”

I pouted, feeling a little down.

“Dad… I think I should—”

“Duck lips.”

“Don’t do thaaaat!”

Dad laughed and tucked the letter away.

“Kids don’t go on business trips. They go on picnics.”

His big, rough hand squeezed mine.

“But Dad, don’t you need a wizard to read the magic circle?”

Dad grinned and nodded toward the wall.

“Look. The resident wizard is snoring away on the ramparts.”

Sure enough, Asha was dozing off in a chair, looking tiny from here.

“She’s a good kid… probably bored to tears. Maybe I’ll take her on the next trip.”

“Ehh…”

Honestly, this was my job.

“But if you ever need me, just say the word… I’ll come rolling to you, no matter what.”

Dad looked down at me, then ruffled my hair with a smile.

“Hey, you’ve gotten taller, Rubi.”

Nothing could’ve made me happier!

I perked up immediately.

“Right? My head almost reaches Khalid’s nostrils now!”

“…Did you have to say it like that?”

But my happiness faded just as quickly.

“The shoes Mom gave me don’t fit anymore. My feet have grown too much…”

“That’s the best news Rosetta could ever hear. She’ll dream about you in those shoes.”

“Whoa.”

That’s… a good thing, right?

Dad grinned and mussed my hair even more. Great, now there’s static!

“When we get back, buy five hundred pairs of shoes. Change them every time your feet grow.”

I scowled.

“If we waste money like that, the whole estate will go broke. I like being well-off…”

“Oh? Then just buy a hundred.”

Dad and I bantered as we crossed the gates of Zelox castle.

Seasons came and went.

The days I’d left behind had quietly piled up inside me, turning into growth, into laughter, and into memories.

That road to Zelox had once felt like a pitch-black tunnel—
I’d never known what might be lurking at the end, and it always made me anxious and scared.

But now, I finally understood.

At the end of that road, what was waiting for me all along…

“Miss! Welcome back! Did you have a good trip?”

…was a place full of warmth and love.

Home, where my family is.

“I’m home!!”

It was a long, long journey.

Ch.18

“Whew. What am I going to do?”

I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror and let out a deep sigh.

“This is… I think I’ve grown way too much.”

I’ve changed.

I’m at that awkward “late eleven” stage now, closer to twelve than not.

“It’s been a long time…”

My once-round, babyish face was getting sharper, and my height had shot up—
I was now as tall as Hazel…

“What are you doing, Miss?”

“Ah! You scared me—”

I spun around and immediately got smothered in something soft.

“Aw, you’re so cute! Hug attack!”

Hazel bent down and wrapped me in a perfect bear hug. I could feel every muscle—so solid and real.

“Hazel, air! And I’m way too old for this now—!”

“Too old? Then why are you standing on tiptoe?”

Actually, I’d only grown up to Hazel’s chest.

“Anyway, have you picked out your birthday present? You’ll be 11.9 soon!”

“Waaah…”

Hazel started sniffling.

“It feels like just yesterday you came back from academy camp shouting ‘I’m home!!’ I can’t believe a whole year’s gone by already.”

She was right.

I’m almost twelve.

“Thanks for not turning into a grown-up overnight…”

“Stop squishing my cheeks! They’ll stretch!”

“You’re getting cuter and chubbier every day. So soft!”

“No, look—my jawline is getting sharper!”

“Sharp, huh? Where?”

“Right here, and my nose—look closely! …Whatever! I’m going out!”

It’s so frustrating that I’m the only one who notices my dramatic transformation!

Anyway, I turned from the mirror and ran to the window.

Pulling back the heavy winter curtains, I was greeted by a sparkling white world.

“The snow finally stopped!”

“Where are you headed, Miss?”

I just grinned in reply.

“Where’s the gardener?”

“Probably in the herb garden.”

“Perfect! Time to recruit my brothers for this!”

After days of snow, the skies had finally cleared.

And there was something I’d been dying to do once the weather improved.

As I rummaged through the dressing room for gloves and a scarf, Hazel tapped a big chair.

“Hold on, sit here first. I’ll tie your hair!”

She was holding two tiny hair ties hostage in her hands.

“Wait, are those… dumpling buns?”

“Dumpling…? Should I just make one?”

“No, two!”

“Okay! Time to show off the technique Lady Rosetta taught me!”

“…You did learn it properly, right?”

Swish, swish.

Hazel’s maid skills were so fast, her hands were a blur.

Before I knew it, she’d put two white “dumpling” buns on either side of my head. I was ready for my winter adventure.