Carren gazed at Leciel blankly for a moment.

Just then, sunlight streaming in through the window illuminated her, and her smile, formed with the light, seemed especially radiant and lovely.

Even Carren, who was usually indifferent to others’ appearances, was so captivated by that smile that he stood there dazed.

‘… not bad.’

Uncharacteristically, he found herself appreciating the troublesome task he had undertaken, as it allowed him to witness such a smile.

It was absurd to think that such a trivial thing as a smile could shake his heart, but the subtle flutter he felt along with Leciel’s smile left him no room to mind.

“So, why are you here?”

Carren, unfamiliar and uncomfortable with his own emotions, deliberately changed the subject.

“Well, I was bored…?”

Though Leciel knew Carren was changing the topic on purpose, she responded earnestly.

It seemed he was a bit embarrassed by the current situation.

‘He really is just a kid.’

To see him so flustered, even though it was just a thank-you smile.

It was endearing.

“You’re bored, so you came here?”

Carren looked puzzled.

“Yes. I didn’t have much to do, so I thought I’d explore the mansion. I even made a map.”

With those words, Leciel proudly showed the map she had drawn.

‘Oh.’

Carren looked at the map with a face full of admiration.

The map was surprisingly detailed for something drawn by a child. It was systematically drawn, with different floors distinguished.

The child even seemed to know symbols, using unified symbols to denote the purpose of each room.

‘Given that, it’s hard to believe she’s just a street kid.’

If she hadn’t received proper education, she wouldn’t be able to effectively use symbols to draw a map like this.

However, it was difficult to consider her a noble’s daughter either, as she didn’t know the etiquette expected of a noble and lacked the typical noble aura.

“What do you think?”

Leciel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Carren, as if expecting a compliment.

“Not bad.”

“Oh, come on, it’s great! You’re being stingy with your praise.”

After all, who was she? In her past life, she was a brilliant architecture student in Korea.

For someone like her, drawing a map like this was a piece of cake.

“What good is praise?”

“It’s to make you feel good.”

“I don’t feel particularly good hearing praise.”

What was there to feel good about discussing something so obvious?

“Really?”

Leciel squinted her eyes, as if she couldn’t believe Carren’s words.

“Of course.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Despite Carren’s firm answer, Leciel didn’t believe him.

Sure, it was possible not to feel good hearing praise, but were there really such people?

“I’m not a kid who gets happy over mere words.”

‘Even though you’re only twelve.’

Why did he insist he wasn’t a kid when he could just be honest and admit it?

And it was not only kids who like hearing praise. She herself liked it even as an adult.

So, she would test it out! See if he really didn’t like hearing praise.

Leciel’s eyes sparkled with unnecessary determination.

Feeling something ominous, Carren flinched.

“Brother!”

“…….”

Carren looked at Leciel with a suspicious expression at the overly enthusiastic call.

“Brother, you’re really handsome.”

“… I know.”

He was wondering what she would say, only for her to say something so trivial. It was something he heard often, so Carren felt no particular emotion.

“And you’re really cool.”

“… I know that too.”

“And very mature.”

“I hear that a lot as well.”

“You’re smart!”

“… of course.”

“You take care of me kindly and considerately.”

“That doesn’t seem right….”

“You don’t even pick at your food, you’re amazing.”

Having dined with Carren, Leciel had noticed this and praised it.

“I said, I’m not a kid….”

“Your voice is very nice to listen to as well.”

“That’s….”

“You’re taller than me too!”

“Obviously….”

“So, you’re reliable.”

“Ha….”

Tired of responding to the barrage of compliments, Carren sighed.

And then, he made a strange expression at the following words.

“Lastly, I like you because you’re my brother!”

Carren silently looked at Leciel’s bright face.

It seemed like a thoughtless comment, but why did it make his heart tickle?

‘Is it because she feels like a real little sister?’

He had never thought about wanting a younger sister, but this feeling seemed like what it would be like to have one.

It was definitely troublesome, but the fact that she kept looking for her and cared for her meant it might be so.

That sentiment was fleeting, and Leciel’s praise time was not over yet.

She somehow found something to praise no matter what.

As it continued, Carren had no choice but to declare surrender.

It seemed like she was deliberately doing this because Carren said he didn’t like receiving praise, and at this rate, she would follow him around all day, showering him with praise.

“Enough.”

“… well, I was still pondering, but it’s not over yet.”

“Thinking about it, I think I like hearing praise too. So, you can stop.”

“See? I knew it!”

Actually, she was running out of things to praise, so it was a good outcome.

“… yes.”

She really kept praising him just to hear those words.

Such a pointless action. And incomprehensible.

But thanks to it, Carren realized something.

He thought he didn’t particularly like being praised, but it wasn’t the case.

Leciel’s praise was quite pleasant to hear.

Perhaps he was indifferent to others’ praise because theirs meant nothing to him.

In hindsight, it seemed like he felt secretly proud whenever his father praised him.

“Anyway, I’ll keep praising you from now on!”

“… do as you please.”

Carren was going to tell her it wasn’t necessary at first but changed his mind. Leciel’s praise seemed to be fine for him.

Though, it might be a bit troublesome and annoying if it was like today.

“But what were you doing here, brother?”

Feeling somewhat proud that she seemed to have gotten closer to Carren, Leciel asked.

“I wanted some peace and quiet.”

He felt like this troublesome kid would find him and bother him if he stayed in his room.

In the end, those thoughts were for naught, and he ended up meeting Leciel here anyway.

“Ah, is that book you’re holding?”

“Yes.”

“Do you like reading?”

Leciel asked after seeing the thick book Carren was holding, thinking one must really like reading to hold such a thick book.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

“So, if you’re bored, why don’t you read a book too?”

“… um, do you think I can read?”

She didn’t dislike reading, although it wasn’t her hobby. And it seemed like she could read a book to ease her boredom.

But she wasn’t sure if she could read the letters.

She never thought about that since she didn’t have to read anything while living in the monster forest.

“… oh, you don’t know the letters?”

If she were a noble, she would have received education from a young age and would naturally know how to read, but this child was different.

There were commoners who could read, but most of them were well-off enough to afford an education.

Considering how Leciel looked when she first arrived, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“I’m not sure.”

Leciel said with an awkward expression.

All she knew about this body was its age and name. She hadn’t had a chance to check if she could read.

“How can you not know?”

Even knowing whether or not you had received an education should be enough.

“Well, there are circumstances.”

“What circumstances?”

Carren looked at her with a puzzled expression, wondering what could prevent someone from knowing whether they could read or not.

Leciel hesitated. Should she tell the truth?

‘Well, I guess it’s okay to tell this much.’

It wouldn’t solve all of Carren’s questions, but it wouldn’t hurt either.

Rather, it would only stimulate his curiosity, not the other way around.

“Actually, I don’t have any memories.”

“No memories…?”

“All I know is my age and name.”

After saying that, she offered no further explanation.

Carren looked at her with a face full of questions, wondering why she had no memories and how she had been living until now.

However, Leciel pretended not to notice that gaze.

Just because they had gotten a bit closer didn’t mean she was going to reveal all her secrets.

‘I’m not that easy.’

Carren looked regretful, having sensed Leciel’s intention.

‘Special, in one way or another.’

Leciel was full of secrets and questions.

So, Carren became curious.

How much more would this child capture his interest?

And what significance would she hold for him once all his questions were answered?

Normally, there weren’t many who intrigued him so much, so she would hold a special place, one way or another.

‘Let’s find out slowly.’

It wouldn’t be fun to know everything at once.

Thinking that, Carren decided to set aside his impatience.

Since it seemed that she wasn’t going to hide everything forever, he would naturally find out over time.

Having organized his thoughts, Carren opened her mouth, putting aside his surging questions.

“If you don’t know if you can read, we can check now.”

With those words, Carren handed the book he was holding to Leciel.

The content might be difficult for young Leciel to understand, but it would be enough to see if she could read.

“Okay.”

Leciel, who had become curious about her own reading ability, gladly accepted the book Carren held out.