***

According to Colin, Astrid had briefly gone with Isana to see the water vein at the edge of the city.

Upon hearing this, the Grand Duke gently laid Leticia back on the bed and left, saying he would bring Astrid back.

‘I think he’ll just get scolded…’

Leticia watched the Grand Duke’s retreating figure with uneasy eyes.

After the door closed, only the two children remained in the room.

Colin, who had been quietly observing Leticia and Ferik, asked:

“You called the Lady  ‘Master.’ Are you a magician too?”

“….”

She wasn’t sure if she should tell him or not.

In the Basilinte main castle, it wouldn’t matter what she said. That place was tightly controlled by the Grand Duke anyway.

Leticia had vaguely realized that whatever was said there wouldn’t leak outside the castle.

But then she wondered, what had happened to Emma…

Leticia shook her head to dismiss the sudden thought.

Don’t think about it. She must have returned safely. Probably. Probably…

“Don’t you want to talk to me?”

Colin asked when Leticia remained silent.

Leticia shook her head.

“No, that’s not it.”

“That’s good. I like you. I’ve never seen someone as handsome as you before. If my little sister saw you, she’d probably say she wants to marry you.”

Colin talked a lot. Leticia didn’t even need to open her mouth.

And he seemed quite perceptive, as he didn’t repeat questions that made Leticia uncomfortable.

“Oh, right. Aren’t you hungry?”

“A little.”

“Let’s go downstairs. There should be something to eat in the dining room.”

Without calling a servant?

Leticia was a bit surprised at herself for naturally having such a thought after living in Basilinte for such a short time. She shouldn’t get too accustomed to being waited on.

Colin seemed to guess what she was thinking and explained with a deliberately casual smile.

“My aunt doesn’t like having many servants. She also enjoys cooking herself.”

“I see.”

Leticia nodded as she followed Colin.

At her nonchalant response, Colin wrinkled his nose. Then he shrugged and said.

“Well, neither my aunt nor I are nobles.”

“Mm-hmm.”

What am I supposed to do about that? Leticia had no thoughts other than noting that her companion was quite talkative.

Noticing Leticia’s demeanor, Colin muttered.

“…You’re a strange kid.”

“How so?”

“Aren’t you angry? I’m speaking informally to you even though I’m not a noble.”

“I never said I was a noble.”

The stairs leading to the dining room were narrow. The house wasn’t very large to begin with. It was just the size where a wealthy commoner family might live.

Colin, walking ahead, burst into laughter at her words.

“True, you’re not a noble. You’re royalty. The Herta prince who was brought to Basilinte as a hostage.”

The one who’s strange is you, speaking informally despite knowing that.

“Should I speak formally now?”

“Being the former Grand Duchess’s nephew probably carries more weight than being a hostage.”

“Hahaha, while being doted on like that? I’ve never seen His Grace hold anyone like he held you.”

“That’s because I’m useful.”

Leticia felt like she had returned to the streets after a long time.

The children who survived there were never naive. They were fundamentally wary and cunning enough to hide it on the surface.

Just like the boy walking in front of her.

“You’re family, and I’m a tool. Even if I appear to be more cherished on the surface, what do you think really matters?”

Colin stopped in front of the dining room door at the scathing words that flowed from her angelic appearance.

“…What?”

The boy turned to look at Leticia with confused eyes.

Leticia had no intention of engaging in a battle of wits with him.

Perhaps the strange Basilinte family had completely drained her venom.

“I have no intention of playing games with the Grand Duke or his family. And honestly, even if I did, I wouldn’t be so careless as to let a child like you catch on. Why do you keep testing me? Do you think you’re that clever?”

The voice was a clear, beautiful tone, but its content was scathing.

Colin stammered before finally collecting himself and asked.

“You, you… Is this your real personality? Earlier, in front of His Grace, you were so kind and innocent…”

The child who looked like an angel untainted by the world let out a deep sigh.

“Are you stupid? Of course, I’m putting on an act because I want to look good.”

“Then shouldn’t you be putting on an act for me too? What if I tell His Grace everything?”

“I said I wanted to look good to His Grace, not deceive him. Tell him if you want. What does it matter to me?”

After all, the emotionless people of the Basilinte family cherished her only because she was useful. Leticia always kept this fact close to her heart.

Whether Leticia behaved prettily or badly in front of them, whatever her actual personality was like, it wouldn’t really matter to the Basilinte family.

So Leticia’s act was merely for her own satisfaction.

It was like saying, ‘I like you all. That’s why I’m behaving in a way that will make you cherish me’—a confession that the other party didn’t care about at all.

“Anyway, His Grace doesn’t care about my personality. I’m just doing this because I want to.”

“So with me… you don’t feel like you want to look good?”

“Right.”

“Why?”

Why indeed.

Leticia looked at the boy, who seemed like he would have many friends even at a glance.

He appeared to be just a cheerful, mischievous boy, but Leticia could see through the facade he wore.

“I don’t like cunning children.”

“You’re a child, too.”

“I don’t particularly like myself either.”

“That’s fair.”

Colin sighed and raised both hands in surrender. The smile disappeared from the boy’s face.

“Fine. I won’t test you anymore. Let’s just not talk to each other anymore. Neither you nor I.”

“Good idea.”

“I’ll still get you something to eat, though. The Lady asked me to before she left. After that, let’s not get involved with each other. Deal?”

Leticia nodded.

Colin found ingredients in the dining room and cooked while Leticia ate in silence.

The two didn’t speak at all during cooking and eating, and they parted ways cleanly.

And they didn’t speak to each other until they left this place.

…Or at least, that was their wish, which unfortunately did not come true.

***

“Is that so? Why is our baby—no, Leti’s stomach so small? What if you don’t grow?”

Leticia, blinking her golden eyelashes and smiling sweetly, rested her forehead against Astrid’s shoulder.

Seeing this, Colin wondered if a different soul had entered that body compared to the one he’d met during the day.

“It’s not small…”

Her shy mumbling was extremely adorable.

Astrid, who had returned home only at night, was completely melted by her disciple’s loveliness and couldn’t regain her senses.

“Aren’t you hungry, Master? What about His Grace? You’ve been traveling for three days without rest.”

“Master is fine. It’s our Leti who suffered for three days.”

“No, that’s not true…”

Colin was a bit frightened by how the child who had spat out scathing remarks during the day had suddenly transformed into a shy angel.

And somehow, seeing him like this made him think…

He really does like them.

His eyes sparkled when looking at Astrid and Ferik. That was something that couldn’t be faked through acting.

After glimpsing Leticia’s true feelings, Colin felt somewhat conflicted. If he had to describe it, it was close to pity.

How could he have such affection for people who he believed viewed him as merely a useful tool?

How little must he think of himself?