TYHL 166

~Chapter 166~

“Dad!”

I ran into a familiar face on my way to the lobby!

Dad, who looked like he’d just come back from the knights’ training grounds, was taking off his coat and handing it to the butler when he spotted me, a frown immediately forming between his brows.

I barreled down the stairs, practically rolling.

“How many times have I told you to take the stairs one step at a time?”

His big hand tapped my head, ruffling the round buns on either side.

“What’s this? Who gave you cotton candy?”

“These are steamed buns, thank you very much!”

“What’s the difference?”

“They’re totally denser— Wait, what’s that?”

I caught sight of a letter in Dad’s hand. The envelope looked familiar.

“Oh, I was just about to bring this to you.”

Licht!

I hurried to take the letter. When I glanced around, Dad waved his hand and dismissed everyone except Butler Adolf.

After all, hardly anyone in the ducal house knows I’m a wizard.

Once the room was empty, I opened the envelope.

“Ooh…”

The letter included a short greeting and, more importantly, information about the place names I’d requested.

‘This place called Hail Ro Ivina seems to be somewhere in the eastern jungles of the continent. I don’t have enough details for an exact spot, but I’m attaching all related materials I could find. Next up…’

Hmm.

I read Licht’s letter twice, just to make sure I understood.

‘With this new info… I can narrow it down to about three places worth investigating.’

I was busy in the north, researching the material left behind by “Second.”

Looking for a magic formula that would complete the breaking circle.

I worked hard translating the ancient documents and sent them to Licht, who searched the imperial archives for matching regions and sent back anything he found.

Once we narrowed down the region, Dad would send someone to check if there was a monument like the one in the academy’s old library.

“Think you can figure out where to check next?”

Dad tapped my cheek. I nodded big.

“I think I can narrow it down a few more.”

“Good. Let me know when you do. We’ll make a plan for the next move.”

A short silence. Dad rolled up his sleeves, glancing at me sideways.

“Ugly face again.”

“Ow.”

A quick flick to my forehead.

Feeling a little glum, I grabbed onto Dad’s coat.

“It’s just… You go on business trips all the time… In spring you’ll be out on subjugations, and in between you’re always out searching for magic formulas…”

Whenever a place was confirmed to have a monument, Dad went himself. He only brought Asha and a few of the senior knights, always quietly.

‘There’s no way we can let the world know the Duke of Zebert is running all over the continent looking for magic formulas…’

He’d told the imperial family it was all to search for traces of missing wizards from the past year.

When Asha brought back any new formula, I’d double-check and verify what kind of magic it was.

Honestly…
This was a ridiculously inefficient process.

If I just went myself, I could check everything in a blink!

But Dad, for the life of him, wouldn’t let me go.

“When can I start going with you? I’m already eleven—almost twelve! I’m basically grown!”

“You’re only twelve.”

“Uuugh.”

He pulled my cheeks until they stretched.

“I’ve told you a thousand times. Not until after your eighteenth birthday. I only bring Asha Druccan because she’s an adult now.”

“So unfair!”

I’m way stronger than Asha!

But before I could even argue, Dad cut me off.

“By the way—did you do your homework? Borvel and Ullin have been looking for you all morning.”

“Gasp.”

An ambush from the homework police.

That’s right. Since I haven’t been going to the academy lately, I’ve been studying up north instead.

The Magic Kingdom’s been eerily quiet, so a lot’s up in the air right now.

‘But maybe if enough time passes, I’ll get to go back to the academy again. If I grow a little more, strong enough to protect myself…’

“You didn’t do it, did you?”

I shifted my eyes nervously. Dad sighed and let go of my cheeks.

“You think having those two cute cotton balls on your head makes up for everything?”

“No, sir…”

“Rubian.”

He folded his arms, one brow arching high.

Oh no, that pose…

“How are you going to pass the academy transfer exam at this rate? Wasn’t it you who kept singing about how you wanted that graduation certificate?”

“…”

“Listen up, Rubi. I found out at my meetings that the transfer exam has gotten even harder lately…”

“Oh no…”

Sound the alarm. All troops, retreat.

He’s hit the nagging button.

“No more meetings, Dad…”

I muttered under my breath, scanning for an escape route.

Right then, I locked eyes with Butler Adolf near the entrance. He smiled kindly and cracked open the door for me.

Dad, lost in thought, suddenly looked up.

“Oh, by the way—the girl from next door, Lady Camellan…”

Now’s my chance!

“Why are you bringing up Titi, who entered the academy as top of her class?!”

I yelled, then bolted from the lobby as fast as I could.

“No comparing me to your friends’ daughters!”

—

Meanwhile, Leviathan was left alone.

“I was just going to say Lady Camellan’s coming to visit next week…”

He stared after Rubian, who had dashed away, utterly baffled.

“What did I do wrong this time?”

“Who knows,” Adolf said, barely holding back a smile as he closed the door.

“No comparing me to your friends’ daughters!”

Rubian’s words echoed in the air. Leviathan shook his head in disbelief.

“Compare her to who?
Of course my own kid is the best.
Cute, bold, lovable.”

He shrugged and started up the stairs, spotting Borvel and Ullin busily running around the second floor.

But still…

Did she sneak out again?

He sighed.

Cute, bold, lovable.

…And a true little rascal at age eleven.

“Really, what am I going to do with her?”

He couldn’t help but laugh again.

“As long as she’s healthy, that’s all I need.”

As soon as Leviathan stepped into his office, a maid brought something in.

“What’s this?”

“Lady Rosetta asked me to bring this before you leave.”

Steam drifted from the cup.

Adolf checked the contents and blinked in surprise.

“It’s herbal tea, isn’t it?”

If nothing else, Rosetta’s got energy.

Leviathan rubbed his brow, looking a little troubled.

“Borvel says it’s full of herbs to help you sleep.”

Adolf asked gravely,
“Your Grace, have you been sleeping poorly?”

“Well…”

Sleeping with Rosetta always left him wanting more rest.

Of course, he was the shameless one who kept her up all night, so he really had no one to blame but himself…

But this morning had been different.

“You startled me…”

The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was pink hair.

It was rare for Leviathan to wake up after Rosetta, so it caught him off guard.

“When did you wake up? Come here.”

“You. What kind of dreams do you have?”

“Hm?”

He reached out for her by habit, but hesitated. Rosetta was watching him with concern.

“You were tossing and turning like you were having a nightmare.”

“…Was I?”

He couldn’t really remember.

‘Now that she mentions it, maybe I did have a dream.’

But herbal tea was a bit much.

Still, refusing would only make things worse…

“Leave it.”

“Yes, sir.”

He obediently sipped the bitter tea.

‘A nightmare…’

The word echoed in his mind.

Just then—

Waaaah!

A truly bizarre noise drifted faintly from somewhere.

“What in the world? Sounds like a newborn beast.”

Listening closer, it was coming from the back of the annex. Adolf rushed out to check.

Leviathan gripped his sword, face hardening.

“Could it be a magical beast? A flying one? Damn it, what’s Oberon doing? I need to get the kids—”

“N-no, sir, I don’t think so. Please, calm down. It’s just…”

“What is it?”

“I believe it’s the young lady…”

“My daughter?”

Hyaaah!

“….”

“…What the?”