“I don’t understand why you would say that in this situation.”

Kael looked at Leciel with a puzzled expression, unable to comprehend the intent behind her question.

“You might not know this, but I survived alone in the monster forest for two whole years.”

No matter how tough the monster subjugation was, they couldn’t compare to two years spent in the monster forest.

Back then, until Leciel managed to build something that could be considered a home, she had to sleep on the hard ground with nothing but her body.

And that wasn’t all. Every day, she wandered through the rough forest paths, and at first, she barely cooked her food, often eating it barely seasoned.

Later on, she managed to find some herbs that could be used as salt, but even then, it wasn’t exactly gourmet food.

After having lived that way for two years, enduring a mere week of monster subjugation wasn’t much of a challenge.

At least, no matter how hard that journey might be, it was better than Kael overexerting himself.

“… haa. I’ll think about it.”

Kael, reading the determination in Leciel’s attitude, replied reluctantly.

However, Kael still didn’t want to take Leciel on the monster subjugation.

Because she had survived the monster forest for two years, a week-long monster subjugation might not be too difficult for her.

But that didn’t mean it was a good enough reason to bring her along.

Why should a child, barely ten years old, have to endure hardship for an adult like him?

It was all his problem; she didn’t need to bear that burden for him.

Even though he had brought her along thinking she could be of help to his family, it wasn’t to burden her with something like this.

“… it’s not the answer I wanted to hear, but I’ll compromise for now.”

Since she wouldn’t get the answer she wanted from Kael immediately, Leciel decided to spend the remaining time trying to persuade him.

After all, it didn’t seem like they’d be leaving right away.

‘But how should I convince him?’

Despite all her efforts to make her case, all she got was “I’ll think about it,” so persuading him didn’t seem easy.

But she couldn’t just back down because she was worried about Kael.

And though Kael claimed he could last a week without sleep, what if he accidentally dozed off for a moment?

Therefore, it was best if she went along with him.

“Alright then, to get back to what we were discussing earlier, is there anything else you want besides work?”

“… someone to play with?”

“Hm, I think I can fill that role today.”

“Huh? Aren’t you busy?”

Leciel asked with a puzzled expression, glancing at the piles of paperwork on his desk.

“I can afford to take a day off. It’s not good for anyone to work all the time.”

Previously, he had no complaints about working every day, but now it was different.

The thought of spending less time with Leciel left him feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Was it really okay to rest? Was he overexerting himself because of her?

Leciel’s expression showed her concern.

“You’re too young to be worrying about such things.”

At her age, she should be whining and throwing tantrums more often.

Even when she mentioned wanting someone to play with, Leciel still seemed hesitant, worried about being a bother. Kael clicked his tongue slightly at the sight.

Why were the children around him always so mature?

Compared to Carren, Leciel might seem more childlike, but even so, it was hard to see her as just a kid.

In that sense, it would be nice if she acted a bit more childish.

Surely, no matter how stern he might be, he wouldn’t coldly reject the whims of such a lovely child.

“Just because I’m a kid doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have thoughts, you know?”

“Anyway, I want to take a break today too, so let’s go out together, just the two of us.”

Come to think of it, since they arrived in the capital, Leciel had mostly stayed in the mansion and hadn’t gone out much.

She had never mentioned wanting to go out, so he hadn’t considered it, but now that he thought about it, he realized he hadn’t been very considerate.

After spending quite some time in the monster forest, she must have been curious about the outside world.

“Just the two of us?”

“Why, don’t you want that?”

“No, it’s not that. I just think it would be nice if Brother came with us. Wouldn’t he feel left out if he knew just the two of us went out?”

“That stoic guy? Hardly.”

Carren, in particular, disliked having his time interrupted.

He might be a bit more lenient with Leciel, but he still wouldn’t enjoy being disturbed.

Besides, Kael didn’t think Carren would feel left out.

“Well, still…”

“He’s the type who doesn’t like going out unnecessarily.”

“Really?”

“I’ve suggested outings to him before, but he always dismissed them as too bothersome. I wonder who he takes after.”

He spent all day at the mansion, never tiring of the daily lessons and training.

Kael shook his head, unable to understand Carren.

“Who else? He takes after you, of course.”

Leciel gave him a look of disbelief, as if to say that the answer was obvious.

“… well, that’s true.”

Of course, his son would take after him.

If Carren had taken after his late wife, he wouldn’t be such a homebody; he’d be out and about every day.

His late wife loved meeting new people and couldn’t sit still for a moment.

She only focused when reading a book or engaging in a debate.

“Anyway, if you say so, then let’s go, just the two of us.”

She had hoped Carren would come along, but she didn’t want to bother him.

“Alright.”

“Then, see you later!”

Waving her hand, Leciel left the office and headed straight to her room to prepare for the outing.

Kael also wrapped up his work quickly and prepared to go out.

Shortly after, both Kael and Leciel, now dressed in their outing clothes, held hands and left the mansion together.

“Do we really have to hold hands like this?”

She wasn’t a baby who couldn’t walk on her own, so there didn’t seem to be a need to hold hands.

“There are a lot of people in the city. It’s easy to get lost.”

“We can’t have that.”

Who knew what could happen if she got lost?

Understanding Kael’s reasoning, Leciel quietly held his hand.

Indeed, once they arrived in the city, it was bustling with people. It was on a completely different level compared to the town where the Grand Duke’s villa was located.

“Whoa.”

From the ornate buildings to the street vendors lining the roads, Leciel’s eyes sparkled with wonder.

Everything was so new that it felt more like a vacation than a simple trip into the city.

‘It really hits home now.’

Living in the Grand Duke’s mansion already made her realize she was in a different world, but the capital’s atmosphere was something else entirely.

“Since we’re out, how about we start with some shopping?”

“Shopping?”

“Yes, you might need a few things.”

‘Not sure I do…’

Thinking of the closet full of clothes and the many items in her room, Leciel looked doubtful.

‘Well, you don’t need to have something in mind to go shopping.’

There was such a thing as window shopping, after all.

“Then let’s start with the dress shop.”

“Sure.”

Excited to explore and see new things outside the mansion, whether it was a store or something else, Leciel nodded eagerly.

Soon, the two arrived at the most famous and popular dress shop in the city.

This shop was especially known for catering to high-ranking nobles, with customers typically being daughters of at least a Count.

Because the dresses were of such high quality, they were also incredibly expensive.

As Kael entered the shop, the staff, recognizing his face, greeted him with deep bows.

Even if they hadn’t met him in person before, his reputation preceded him, so they knew his face well.

“I’m here to buy a dress for this young lady.”

“My, what a cute young lady she is.”

Though the staff member smiled warmly, her mind was racing.

If her memory served correctly, the Grand Duke’s family didn’t have a daughter. He only had a son.

So, this must not be his daughter. For him to personally come and buy her a dress, she must be a beloved collateral relative.

Realizing this was a rare chance to make a good impression on the Grand Duke, the staff member’s eyes shone with excitement.

Meanwhile, Leciel looked at Kael as if she had something to say.

“We only came to look around, though?”

“Why bother coming if you’re just going to look?”

“But I already have more than enough dresses.”

She hadn’t even had a chance to wear all of them yet, and now another new dress?

She had always dreamed of living a life without worrying about money, but this seemed a bit excessive.

“That’s hardly enough. Besides, I chose those dresses. Now it’s time for you to pick one you like.”

“… well, if you insist…”

“I have to uphold the family’s honor; we can’t settle for so little.”

“Well, if you’re that eager to buy me one…”

Leciel didn’t see any reason to refuse.

Pleased with her response, Kael gently patted her head and then looked at the staff as if he had other business to attend to.

“Oh, and is the owner busy right now?”

“May I ask why you’re looking for our owner?”

“I’m considering a deal.”

“… a deal?”

Hearing this, the staff’s eyes sparkled.

She didn’t know what kind of deal he was talking about, but missing out on this would be foolish.

“No one else, but Your Excellency, is asking; our owner will certainly make time. I’ll take you to them right away.”

“Good. Then, little one, you can stay here and pick out a dress.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

Leciel was happy to let Kael go, especially since she had no interest in joining a stiff business conversation.

So, while Kael was led to the owner’s office by one staff member, Leciel followed another to browse the dresses.

‘They’re all so pretty, I can’t decide.’

But since she couldn’t buy everything she liked, she needed to choose carefully.

Even though Kael would probably let her buy whatever she wanted, Leciel didn’t want to be wasteful.

Knowing that she wouldn’t get much use out of the dress anyway, she didn’t want to spend money unnecessarily.

With that thought in mind, Leciel carefully considered her options.

After much deliberation, she finally chose a dress.

“I’ll take this one, please.”

“I want this one.”

Just as Leciel spoke up, another girl’s voice chimed in from the side.