“Hello, Miss. My name is Lani, and I will be serving you from now on.”

The brown-haired girl, who had been assigned as Leciel’s personal maid, bowed politely as she greeted her.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Leciel.”

Although Leciel knew she was under Kael’s guardianship, she didn’t expect to be assigned a personal maid.

Leciel, who suddenly found herself with a personal maid, looked somewhat bewildered.

“Then, Miss, if you don’t mind, I can assist you with your bath.”

“… I was just thinking of going to bed right away.”

“It would be better if you soaked in warm water before going to sleep.”

Lani gently suggested, hoping not to offend Leciel.

“Well, okay!”

Although it was a bit bothersome, Leciel nodded readily, thinking it would be better to follow Lani’s advice.

Soon, Leciel took a bath with Lani’s assistance.

It felt strange to have someone help her with her bath, but having someone to assist her was definitely convenient.

She just had to stay still and let Lani do the work.

After enjoying a small water play and washing in the warm water, Leciel came out and sprawled on the bed, completely relaxed like melted jelly.

“Then, please rest well. If you need anything, just ring the bell beside the bed.”

“Okay.”

Feeling drowsy, Leciel managed to lift her hand to wave and then fell asleep.

 

* * *

 

Today marked the fifth day since Leciel had been staying at the Grand Duke’s mansion in the capital.

During this time, Leciel had been doing nothing but eating, playing, and sleeping.

While this lifestyle made her feel like she had become the wealthy idler she always dreamed of, it was also extremely boring.

She had visited Carren’s room a few times, but unfortunately, Carren was never there, always busy fulfilling his duties as a Grand Duke’s son.

Kael was also too busy to spend much time with Leciel.

Today, Kael left for the imperial palace on business.

“Isn’t there anything to do?”

She considered reading a book in the study but was tired of reading after doing so much of it.

After pondering for a while, she decided to go for a walk.

Thanks to her diligent exploration of the mansion, Leciel was familiar with its layout, so she ventured out alone without a maid.

However, today, she decided to take a new path instead of the familiar ones.

After walking for some time, Leciel arrived at a training ground where knights were training.

“Oh.”

Having never seen knights train before, Leciel found a suitable spot and watched with fascination.

“They’re working really hard.”

The Grand Duke’s household was truly impressive.

Since the Grand Duke family was responsible for subjugating monsters within the empire, they likely paid extra attention to training their knights.

‘But… it’s not that interesting.’

At first, she found it fascinating, but as time passed, it became boring.

Watching others train didn’t seem to accomplish anything.

Just as Leciel was about to get up, she spotted someone.

It was Carren.

‘Is my brother training too?’

It made sense since he was expected to inherit the Grand Duke title.

Leciel sat back down, wanting to watch Carren’s training.

Watching the other knights’ train was just somewhat interesting, but seeing Carren train was much more engaging.

“Amazing.”

Unlike the other knights who struggled, Carren showed no signs of difficulty despite undergoing the same training.

And… he looked incredibly cool!

At this moment, she almost forgot her dignity and shouted, “Brother, you’re awesome! You’re the best!”

“I… feel a bit down.”

While she was just idly enjoying herself like an unemployed person, her two-year-older brother Carren was diligently training in swordsmanship and accomplishing things.

Should she start finding something to do?

However, being only ten years old, there wasn’t much Leciel could do.

Even though she was brought to the Grand Duke household because of her ability to purify and heal monster poison, it was of no use unless the knights went out to hunt monsters.

‘It makes me feel a bit guilty.’

Even now, she was receiving a salary just for holding the position of a healer.

Those thoughts were fleeting as the knights stopped training for a break. Leciel quickly stood up and ran to Carren.

“Lessie?”

“Brother, you worked hard.”

Leciel smiled her practiced smile and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off Carren’s face.

“Here, I brought water too.”

Having cleverly grabbed some water on her way, Leciel kindly handed him a water bottle.

“What brings you here?”

“I was just bored and wandering around.”

“… you must have been really bored.”

Considering she had come all the way to watch the knights train.

“Well, that’s that. Do you need anything?”

“… all of a sudden?”

“Since I have nothing to do, I thought I’d attend to you.”

Seeing Carren, so young, training with adult men made her heart ache.

“You didn’t stay here to look after me.”

“I just want to look good to you.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Leciel was the only person who didn’t need to make an effort to look good to him.

No matter how she acted in front of him, to Carren, Leciel was special just as she was.

“It’s my choice, so I’ll do as I please.”

“Hmm. Are you trying to look good to me because you want to be someone important to me?”

Carren recalled when Leciel said her goal was to become someone important to him and murmured softly.

“Probably not.”

Leciel responded to Karen’s murmur.

“Why?”

“It seems more reasonable to think it’s because you’re already important to me.”

“Is that so.”

“But if it’s to become someone important to me, will you accept that?”

“You said it’s not that.”

Carren replied indifferently, drinking the water Leciel handed him.

“That’s one thing, and this is another. My goal of becoming someone important to you hasn’t changed.”

“Who knows.”

“What is that ambiguous answer?”

Leciel pouted, hoping for a more positive response.

Seeing that, Carren smiled slightly.

‘Is that why?’

Previously, he couldn’t understand why his father was so eager to tease a child, but seeing this now, he understood.

Leciel was certainly fun to tease. And… she looked very cute when she pouted.

Before he knew it, his hand reached out to pat Leciel’s head.

It was just a light touch, but even that surprised him.

The same went for Leciel, who stared at Carren with wide eyes, as if she couldn’t believe his hand was on her head.

“… just.”

“Just?”

Under Leciel’s obvious gaze, questioning why he did that, Carren felt embarrassed.

“Just because you looked like… a steamed bun.”

Unable to say it was because she was cute, Carren said that instead.

While trying to find an excuse, Carren recalled his father’s words about teasing Leciel by calling her a steamed bun.

“Why do you all treat me like food?”

She had rights too! A steamed bun, seriously!

And what did her being a steamed bun have to do with patting her head?

“So, do you dislike it?”

“Yes. If possible, I’d prefer being called cute or pretty. There are plenty of nice words.”

“… right, you’re cute.”

Thinking that Leciel’s pouty face looked like a steamed bun filled with sweet red bean paste, Carren gave her the answer she wanted.

It wasn’t just because she wanted it. To Carren, Leciel genuinely looked very cute.

“What, what did you say…?”

As if she couldn’t believe Carren would actually say that Leciel’s eyes widened.

“There won’t be a second time.”

Carren said, unable to bring himself to say it twice.

“Geez, it’s not like saying it again will wear you out.”

Leciel puffed out her cheeks sulkily.

Carren lightly poked her puffed-up cheek.

“No, it’s forbidden.”

Leciel pouted.

“Why? You didn’t say anything when my father did it.”

Of course, back then, she had shown her annoyance through her expressions.

“That’s because he’s an old man.”

Of course, this originally meant she gave up stopping Kael because he wasn’t someone who would stop just because she told her not to.

But to Carren, it sounded different.

“…….”

Carren felt strangely annoyed by Leciel’s words and quietly stared at her.

He didn’t feel jealous that Kael cherished her, but it did bother him that Leciel particularly favored Kael.

He thought it was natural for her, but his heart felt differently.

“… well, it’s just… only someone special can do it. Uncle already said I’m special to him. But you haven’t yet.”

Perhaps noticing Carren’s odd mood, Leciel offered an excuse.

Carren, lost in thought for a moment, spoke in his usual indifferent but slightly lowered voice.

“… then.”

“Yes?”

“Then, what else can you do if you become someone special?”

It was just a small curiosity.

If he could poke her cheek by saying she was special, what else could he do?

But Carren’s expression was more serious than ever as he asked.