“Was it not that we were not to become a family, but that we already had become one?”

Carren asked in disbelief at Leciel’s remark, which was reminiscent of Kael.

But Leciel herself was still wearing a sunny expression.

“What do you mean?”

“I wondered if you brought home a child who looks just like you because she’s your hidden daughter.”

“Sure, the little one is smart and charming, just like me, and quick-witted too, but she’s not my hidden daughter.”

To Kael, the woman he knew was only the late mother of Carren, and there was no other woman with whom he had a moment’s interest or a night of passion.

At Kael’s response, Carren merely maintained an indifferent expression.

He had never really thought Leciel might be Kael’s hidden daughter; his father wasn’t the type of person to do that kind of thing.

But their actions were so alike that he couldn’t help but briefly consider it.

In particular, it was the first time his father was so relaxed with someone, and it was the first time someone was so comfortable around his father.

It looked so difficult to get along like that.

On the other hand, Leciel wore an annoyed expression, as if she was upset that she had been mistaken for Kael’s hidden daughter.

“Uncle, even if your words are crooked, you should still speak straight. It’s not that I resemble you, it’s that you resemble me, exceptionally and charmingly.”

“… me?”

Kael looked incredulous.

“Yes, uncle, you follow me around. I’ve said it before, you followed me into the Monster Forest, and you can’t say empty words to me.”

“Are you suggesting I follow you? Since I was born first, if there was anyone following, it would be you.”

“No!”

“A strong denial is said to be a strong affirmation. And there’s no need to deny. There’s no better compliment than saying you look like me.”

Kael said proudly.

“No, that’s not it! It’s not a compliment at all.”

“You’re embarrassed.”

Kael interpreted Leciel’s sincere denial playfully.

Leciel stamped her feet in frustration.

But only briefly.

“Can I go now?”

Carren said, not wanting to get involved in the two’s antics.

“Sure, just go.”

Kael nodded, thinking of how temperamental Carren would be if he continued to hold him back longer.

“Then I’ll go too.”

If she continued talking to that guy with a flashy face, she felt like she would end up with a vase that wasn’t there before.

Leciel got up after Karen.

Kael waved her hand, indicating she should.

Soon, Carren and Leciel left the room together.

How far she was going to follow him?

Carren frowned at Leciel with a frustrated expression.

“What is it?”

“What? What’s wrong?”

Leciel asked, looking around as if there was something strange.

“Why are you following me?”

Karen looked displeased as he thought that he was finally getting some alone time but ended up being bothered by Leciel following him like a baby bird.

“I’m not following you.”

“If you’re thinking of bothering me, stop. I can’t stand that.”

Carren spoke so firmly that it felt like even if she pricked him with a needle, not a single drop of blood would come out.

“Well, I’ll think about it.”

She thought she might be bothering him even if he didn’t want to, because she planned to get closer to him.

In response to that thought, she gave an ambiguous answer.

“Let me say one more thing, I hate kids.”

“Oh, then… do you hate yourself too?”

“What?”

Carren looked at Leciel in confusion.

He didn’t know why she got that answer.

But Leciel was just beaming.

“If you’re 12, you’re still a kid. You’re only two years older than me.”

“That’s…”

Carren was briefly at a loss for words.

It was true, he couldn’t think of anything to deny, but admitting it would mean being treated like a child, which he didn’t like.

In the end, Carren decided to ignore Leciel’s words.

In retrospect, he didn’t need to respond to every word Leciel said. Especially not to such meaningless and unnecessary conversation.

Although his father seemed to enjoy  chatting with the child, he did not.

He didn’t dislike Leciel, but he didn’t like her either.

He was just a little curious about her existence.

But even that thought, for a moment, made Carren frown at Leciel, who followed him all the way to his room.

“I thought you said you weren’t following me.”

“I did.”

“Now this is my room. Surely, you’re not trying to follow me in here?”

“No… I’m not.”

She couldn’t help but find Carren a bit cute, like a little elementary school boy who drew a line on his desk, pretending to be scary and threatened you with death if you crossed it.

‘Well, that’s it.’

Leciel opened her mouth again to explain.

“In fact… I don’t know the way to my room.”

If she were to walk recklessly, she could have been lost in this vast mansion.

“In that case, why not ask a maid?”

Obviously, she might not know the layout of the mansion, having just arrived.

But apart from that, he couldn’t understand why she would follow him.

“Oh, so there was a way like that.”

“Right.”

Having provided the method and thought he had shown enough consideration by doing so, Carren, without any hesitation, opened the door and tried to step inside.

But Leciel was quicker than him.

“However, couldn’t you just… um, wouldn’t it be okay if young… master take me there?”

“Why should I do that?”

While clearly stating he detested being bothered, somehow even the act of annoyingly hanging around resembled his father.

“If you take me there, I will tell you at least one thing you’re curious about.”

Leciel said, looking at Carren with an expression that suggested this was not a bad deal.

At those words, Carren’s eyes momentarily flickered.

He didn’t show it much, but in reality, Carren had many questions for Leciel.

Like the contract between Leciel and his father, or what had happened between them.

Especially from their recent conversation, Leciel had mentioned his father accompanying her into the Monster Forest.

The implication was that before his father fell into the trap and set foot in the Monster Forest, this child had already been there.

With that in mind, there were more than one or two things he was curious about.

So, in exchange for hearing the answers he desired, bringing the child to the room wasn’t that difficult, even if it was a bit annoying.

At least it was better than cutesy or winking.

‘… she’s certainly quick-witted.’

Seeing that she understood what interested him.

And that too in such a short period of time.

That was especially surprising because even he hadn’t expected a girl younger than himself to realize this, much less anyone else.

Unless she had exceptional perceptiveness and observation skills.

Carren was skilled at concealing his thoughts and emotions, making him difficult to read.

Even the maid or servants who had been observing him for a long time hadn’t caught onto his attitude.

“How about it?”

Seeming to imply now or never, Leciel grinned.

“… sure.”

Carren deliberately moved forward with an indifferent expression.

Seeing his action, Leciel smiled knowingly.

“So, young master, what are you curious about?”

“… nothing in particular.”

“Oh, come on, you can’t be honest.”

His face looked like he was dying to know, and the expression of not knowing what to ask first was almost comical.

Certainly, seeing this made one think he was just a child.

Of course, this was how Carren appeared to Leciel; to others, he simply seemed indifferent.

Meanwhile, Carren opened his mouth with an expression that seemed to be bothered by Leciel’s words.

“In the future, are you going to keep calling me <young master>?”

“I guess so?”

Leciel tilted her head as if asking what the problem was.

“Just call me comfortably. Since I was introduced to you as someone who will be family, I don’t want to be addressed with such a stiff title.”

Moreover, wasn’t she a benefactor of his father’s life?

Especially since he was not someone she needed to be polite to; neither just <young master> nor <esteemed young master> felt comfortable.

“Um… then how about <sir uncle’s son>?”

Leciel, who had been considering what title to use, suggested a new one.

She was calling him that because he was Kael’s son who she called uncle.

Calling him with just <uncle’s son> seemed odd, and considering he was the Grand Duke’s son, it seemed impolite, so she added <sir> to show respect.

“… is there no normal title?”

Carren said with an incredulous expression.

After carefully considering, <sir uncle’s son> was the chosen title.

It was astonishing how she could come up with such a title.

“Then comfortably and normally… <brother>?”

As she spoke, Leciel smiled slightly with a hint of playfulness.

“… I guess that’s better than the others.”

Although he didn’t quite like being called <brother>, it was better than the previous two titles.

“Then please take care of me, brother!”

With emphasis on the title <brother>, Ressier smiled.

She was overjoyed with the satisfaction in her heart.

Indeed, all this was part of her big picture.

In fact, Leciel had intended to call Carren <brother> from the beginning. How endearing and friendly that title was.

The beginning of a relationship started with titles, and sometimes, relationships changed depending on how you addressed someone.

Therefore, for the sake of becoming closer to Carren, she wanted to call him <brother>.

However, considering Carren’s personality so far, calling him <brother> from the start would likely lead to rejection.

So, deliberately slipping in a title that was clearly a rejection, she aimed for a more positive effect.

<Brother> was better than that strange title, and he eventually allowed her to call him <brother>.

And Leciel’s expectations were accurate.