TYHL 191

~Chapter 191~

A little while later.

After hearing my whole story, Dad rubbed his chin and murmured,

“So the King of Cassalia is a traitor, huh.”

“Yeah. But the princess says she’s on my side. She wants to help me, that’s why she told me everything.”

He was quiet for a while. I sat beside him, snagged a chocolate chip cookie off the table, and took a bite.

“So, what should I do? I want to trust the princess, but maybe we should just keep an eye on her for now. Khalid says he’s busy.”

“Busy? What could that kid possibly have to do… Well, anyway, I’ll take care of it.”

“And the Emperor? Are you going to tell him?”

“I’ll have to give him a heads-up.”

He snatched the cookie out of my hand and, out of nowhere, handed me a glass of vegetable juice.

“If… if it turns out the King of Cassalia really did collude with the Magic Kingdom, what happens then?”

“We’ll have to hold him accountable. And with the Round Table coming up this spring…”

Dad twisted his lips into a sly grin.

“There’ll be plenty to talk about, that’s for sure.”

“Ugh.”

Cassalia is a country that relies heavily on magic.

‘I bet the Magic Kingdom used that to blackmail them.’
But still, that doesn’t excuse what the king did.

‘At least now, he might be the lead we need to finally track down the Magic Kingdom.’

I didn’t bother saying that out loud.

I slurped the juice and rubbed my eyes. Maybe it was all the running around, but my body felt tired.

‘Hopefully I’m not about to get another nosebleed…’
I wiped my upper lip, just in case, and spoke again.

“So what about the princess?”

Dad gave me a sidelong look and stroked his chin.

“It depends what her true motive is, but… since she did give us some intel, I suppose we can give her some credit.”

I nodded, finishing my drink.

“By the way, what did you think of the tombstone formula Khalid gave you?”

He smoothly changed the subject.

“Oh, about that… there are actually a few parts missing. I was going to ask him…”

I leaned over Dad’s huge frame, peering past him.

There he was—
Khalid was in the room, quietly sitting and staring at the dessert tray like a hawk. What’s he so focused on?
He never eats the chocolate cookies… muttering to himself. Where are these from… mutter, mutter.

He kept mumbling for a while, but Dad was blocking my view so I couldn’t really hear.

“Khalid, the tombstone formula…”

I stretched and asked,

“Is that really the whole thing?”

“Yeah.”

As expected.
Looks like I’ll have to finish it up at home, just like before.
Still—

“It does seem like a spell to unlock something. The problem is, the ‘something’ part is missing. Khalid, are you sure there weren’t any other tombstones or clues nearby…?”

As I started to question him again, a wave of annoyance hit me.

“Excuse me, Dad.”

“What.”

“Why are you sitting between me and Khalid, anyway? You were sitting across from me before. You’re in the way. Move!”

Dad blinked slowly, sipping his tea.

Then he looked down at his own body, almost confused, and muttered,

“Huh. Lately, my body just seems to move on its own.”

I frowned.
What am I going to do with him…

Alright, as soon as we get home, I’m booking the Borvel Family Premium Health Checkup.

Just as Dad started to stand and go back to his original seat, he paused and suddenly asked,

“So, when did you two meet up? You’re back pretty late.”

“We met up in the afternoon!”

“But it’s already night and you’re just now coming back?”

“It’s not night! It’s just after dinner, that’s all.”

“So what were you two doing?”

“Hmm… We met in an alley, went to a garden café, watched a play, wandered the festival and ate food together. It was fun!”

Dad immediately sat back down, solid as a rock.

Then, with a very gentle look, he put a heavy hand on Khalid’s shoulder.

“You. Khalid, you rascal.”

“Um, that hurts.”

“Oh, right—I forgot to greet you properly. You’ve worked hard. Thanks for everything.”

He squeezed.

Khalid blinked slowly, looking bewildered.

“Why do I feel like I’m being punished for working hard?”

“It’s praise. Praise usually hurts a little. That’s where the pressure comes in.”

“I… really don’t get it.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

Borvel Family Premium Health Checkup.
Let’s get that booked ASAP.

—

Late at night.

Khalid walked quietly down the hall.

When he opened the door to his assigned room, he found someone already there.

‘…Did he teleport?’

Wasn’t he just in the drawing room?

“You really travel light, huh? All you need is your sword?”

“Well…”

Khalid closed the door behind him.

“What else would I need?”

Leviathan sat on the bed, comfortable and relaxed. Even after spending the day dealing with the king and a mountain of busywork, he didn’t look tired at all.

“Bow your head.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Your head.”

It was a brief order. Khalid clasped his hands behind his back and bowed.
Orders are orders.

A moment later—

Khalid blinked in surprise as Leviathan ruffled his hair.

“Is there something on my head?”

“No, you idiot. That’s praise. I didn’t get a chance earlier because I was being grumpy.”

“…Oh.”

He’s petting me, huh.
Just like when I was a kid.

‘Guess I still look like a little kid to him.’

Khalid accepted it, nonchalant, quietly soaking up the praise.

“You did good. Survived two years in that hellhole for Ruby.”

“I got stronger, so it’s fine.”

“When are you going to stop being so cocky?”

“I’m being polite right now.”

“You’ve grown so much I can’t even scold you anymore. It’s kind of sad.”

Leviathan grumbled.

But honestly, Khalid felt good.
Other than Rubian, Leviathan was the only person he really wanted approval from.

“Rest when we get home. For a while.”

“I’m fine—”

“Just listen for once, will you?”

A big hand came down, thumping him on the head.

“Okay, fine.”

Leviathan fussed a little more, then finally stood up.

“Oh, and…”

At the door, he paused, almost awkward.

“Yeah?”

“Ruby…”

The second Khalid heard that familiar name, he stiffened.

“Talk to her more.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

“She pretends she’s fine, but she’s been struggling lately. I think it started when Delmon died.”

Leviathan’s low voice drifted like a sigh.

“She keeps telling me she’s fine, but…”

As soon as he heard that, Khalid didn’t hesitate—he moved.

At the same moment, Leviathan’s big frame blocked the door.

“Where do you think you’re going.”

His purple eyes flashed, almost dangerous.

“Wait till morning. When the sun’s up, you idiot.”

“…Oh.”

It was the dead of night.
Khalid glanced at the darkness outside the window and reluctantly stepped back.

At least, that’s what it looked like to Leviathan.

Knock, knock.

He gently tapped at the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Khalid waited patiently, squirrel on his shoulder.

After hearing what Leviathan said, he didn’t hesitate.

‘Gotta cheer her up.’

Listen to her, too.

He’d always dropped by Rubian’s room anyway, so this wasn’t a big deal.

But when she finally opened the door, Khalid froze.

“Khal! Oh, squirrel! It’s been so loooong!”

“…You.”

What… what is she wearing?

A thin chemise…?
Where’s that strawberry print pajama set she always wore?

Or more importantly, she had something draped over her shoulders, but it slipped off when the squirrel climbed up—leaving bare arms, smooth shoulders, and a graceful neck on display…

“What’s wrong?”

Rubian frowned at the oversized jacket he tossed over her.

Her hair was still a little damp, like she’d just finished a shower.

“Hey, I’m hot. The fireplace is blazing in here.”

“Just wear it. Please…”

Khalid wrapped the jacket around her tightly, hoping the fire would explain why his face was so red.

And he realized—

This late-night visit was going seriously, seriously sideways.