First, although he was momentarily bewildered by the unexpected gesture from Leciel, Kael lifted her onto his knee with an indifferent expression.

Then, he murmured so quietly that she couldn’t hear him.

“Tsk, you’re unnecessarily cute.”

He never thought of himself as someone so easily swayed.

If it had been his usual self, he would not have acceded to promises he couldn’t keep and would not have granted the child’s wishes despite knowing he should naturally refuse.

Yet, even though Kael knew he should refuse, he couldn’t resist those eyes and had no choice but to acquiesce.

Just as he had become the sole existence for this child, he had promised to reciprocate those feelings towards her, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be to this extent.

It felt unfamiliar and awkward, but not unpleasant.

That was how much the child had already become special to Kael.

Ironically, he was even willing to accommodate minor inconveniences for the child, despite the problems that might arise within the family.

‘What makes this child so special?’

How had this child captivated his heart completely?

With that sentiment, Kael mischievously flicked Leciel’s cheek.

Though Leciel wore a displeased expression, she remained still.

Normally, she would have protested loudly, furrowing her brow and grumbling. But this time, she didn’t want to make him feel obliged.

Kael chuckled, finding her pouting cute.

“However, I have a few conditions. First, you must not take it to places where there are people. And second, when you’re not around, keep it in its cage and don’t let it roam freely. We’ll have a cage specially enchanted and crafted so even monsters can’t easily break it.”

“Yes, understood.”

Since Kael’s conditions were naturally intended to prevent any harm or trouble caused by Mimi, Leciel readily nodded.

This wasn’t the monster forest; it was a place meant for humans, so even Mimi had to accept some constraints.

“And also, treat it like a regular pet around the servants. You can say the same to others in the future.”

Considering its appearance alone, it would be hard for anyone to believe it was a monster; it looked so small and fragile. Calling it a pet would surely be convincing enough.

Especially since the essence of Mimi was so faint and indistinct that even he could barely detect it.

“Yes, thank you.”

Leciel sincerely expressed her gratitude.

She knew how difficult it must have been for Kael to make this decision.

And also, she understood that it unnecessarily burdened him with risks he didn’t need to take.

Therefore, she was even more thankful.

“Is that all?”

Kael asked playfully.

“Um… is there something else you want from me?”

Otherwise, she couldn’t understand why he would say such things.

Leciel asked because it seemed unlikely he would say that without some ulterior motive.

She felt a slight unease not knowing what he wanted, but she couldn’t refuse.

“Try acting cute.”

“… acting cute? You really like cute things, huh.”

He had said yesterday to act cute if she wanted him to listen, and he had even told his son, Carren, to try acting cute if he was curious.

“I found a new hobby.”

“… that doesn’t seem like a hobby worth finding.”

Why found joy in watching someone else act cute?

Wouldn’t it be better to find something more useful?

It was a hobby that Leciel found difficult to understand.

“So, you’re not going to do it?”

“… no, I will.”

If she could pacify Kael with just a little bit of acting cute, it would be worth it for Leciel.

But when it the time to act cute actually came, she felt lost on how to do it.

Well, she wouldn’t know until she tried.

If cuteness wasn’t something you were born with, then she could do it because she was still young.

It was nothing of concern.

Leciel revived memories of her past life.

Even if she had never acted cute before, she had seen others do it.

“Lessie is happy, boing boing.”

With a short sound from her tongue, Leciel puffed out her cheeks and brought her fist beside her cheek with her small, white hand.

At that sight, Kael burst out laughing with a delighted expression.

He had been the one to suggest acting cute, but she was actually doing it.

And beyond that, the cuteness of her act far surpassed his expectations and was truly enjoyable.

The puffy cheeks were so adorable that he wanted to take a bite.

Even the short sound from her tongue that might have annoyed him when coming from someone else was surprisingly pleasant to hear.

“Is that enough?”

“Yeah, I’ll be counting on you to do this from time to time.”

Just once wasn’t enough.

At Kael’s words, Leciel turned her head, pretending to be unable to understand.

“Then I’ll just leave. I shouldn’t interfere with your work.”

“It doesn’t matter to me, but my aide is going to kill me.”

“I don’t want to be an attempted murderer who killed your aide, so I’ll go quietly.”

“Oh? But you’re already an attempted murderer by being cute.”

“… yes? Why am I an attempted murderer?”

It was such a cruel title for a child.

Leciel looked bewildered.

“Well….”

Kael answered with a playful expression.

There was no need to tell her that he might be too busy playing with her that he neglected his work.

Leciel narrowed her eyes and glared at him, as if she didn’t like him, and then quietly left the office.

 

* * *

Lunch that day.

After the meal, Kael left the mansion with Leciel and Carren as promised.

It was to buy a dress for Leciel and other things she needed.

And Leciel, who had prepared to go out, was wearing a rather large cloak over the clothes she was wearing.

It was originally a cloak that Carren wore when he was young, but since Leciel was so small, it was too big for her.

Still, it was doing its job well.

Leciel’s clothes, which she had not noticed until Carren pointed them out, were so sloppy that it was bothersome to wear them, but the cloak completely covered her clothes.

In fact, Leciel, who was wearing a cloak, was feeling uncomfortable because the sleeves were loose and kept covering her hands.

“It suits you quite well.”

“This… isn’t it the same as being naked?”

Anyone could see that it looked like she had stolen her brother’s clothes.

Leciel looked bewildered.

It was the same for Carren next to her.

“It is said that the completion of fashion is not the clothes but the face.”

“Anyway, I don’t think this is right.”

Leciel said with a shocked expression. Beside her, Carren also added.

“It looks like my father is very tired. Your normally functioning eyes are not even functioning properly.”

“That’s what I want to say. Isn’t she cute in her own way?”

Carren looked at Leciel indifferently at Kael’s words. Then he turned his head back out the window again, as if he had nothing to say.

Kael chuckled at that action. Because he seemed to know why Carren did so.

Perhaps it was because Leciel looked cute in his eyes that he couldn’t deny it.

He seemed to be saying he didn’t want to admit nor refute it, so he pretended not to hear.

‘But he’s pretty cute.’

Kael didn’t realize he was thinking that way despite showing an uninterested attitude.

After all, Leciel was indeed a very adorable child.

Not just in appearance, but in every action and attitude.

Soon, the carriage stopped. They had arrived at the store.

Kael naturally lifted Leciel into his arms. He was trying to carry the child because it seemed dangerous for her to get down alone.

“Can’t I get down by myself?”

Leciel said calmly, seeming anxious about being carried by Kael all the time.

“With that body of yours?”

He thought it would be difficult for her to go down even a single stair.

It seemed unbelievable to Kael.

“Even if I’m small, I can still get down from the carriage.”

Leciel, whose pride was hurt by Kael’s gaze, became angry.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“If that’s the case.”

Kael shrugged lightly.

It would be better for him to carry her down to prevent any injuries, but if she didn’t want that, what could he do?

Moreover, if there was any danger, he could easily watch and catch her if she fell.

Kael got down from the carriage first. Then Carren also got off the carriage alone.

Now it was Leciel’s turn to get off the carriage.

But when she tried to get down, she found that the carriage was higher than she had expected.

If she had known, wouldn’t it have been better to just ask Kael to carry her down?

But now, her pride was hurt, and she didn’t want to ask Kael again.

She was sure if she did so, he would make fun of herself.

With determination, Lecier nervously set her foot down.

But as she was about to step on the ground, she realized her legs were too short and eventually lost her balance and stumbled.

But fortunately, she didn’t fall.

The moment Leciel stumbled, someone quickly reached out and caught her.

“Oh, thank you, uncle… wait, it’s not uncle?”

Lecier, who had assumed it would be Kael, widened her eyes at the sight of Carren’s face in front of her.

“… be careful.”

Despite his cold voice, Carren was gently holding Leciel’s body with both hands.

“I… I wasn’t being careless; it’s just that the carriage was too high…”

“Regardless.”

“Yes.”

Leciel replied quietly to Carren’s stern voice.

Just for a moment.

“But you’re incredibly strong for someone only two years older than me.”

Carren was still holding Leciel partly in his arms, even though he was just supporting her body.

Leciel’s feet weren’t touching the ground.

Amazed, Leciel raised her thumb.

“You’re too small.”

She was small in stature and her body was so thin that it didn’t feel heavy at all,

He said she lived a special life, but what kind of life would result in being so skinny?

Karen seemed unimpressed and stuck out his tongue, indicating he didn’t like what she said.

“Well, but…”

In response to Leciel’s cautious call, Carren stared at her with an indifferent expression.

“I’m not a <yes> person.”