IMLM 05

Chapter : 05

At the sight he was seeing for the first time, Gerald’s mouth fell open. But Leonard didn’t stop there.

“Would that… not work…?”

He even twisted his body shyly as he spoke in a whisper. His cheeks were flushed bright red.

At a glance, it looked like embarrassment, but Gerald knew better.

That was definitely anger. He was irritated that he had to do something so humiliating in the first place.

It was obvious that he’d jumped in after watching the situation spiral out of control.

Just as Gerald was about to tear up under the look that seemed to say, How can someone who’s supposed to be my closest aide fail to handle something like this?, Loreina answered.

“Alright. I’ll take care of Jen.”

A faint blush appeared on Loreina’s cheeks as she spoke.

It seemed that being called “big sister” had worked just as intended.

Seeing Leonard’s expression soften at the quicker-than-expected approval, Gerald quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness. I survived!

“But not for free. I’ve only spoken with Jen briefly, and today’s the first time I’ve met him. Don’t you think I need some preparation too?”

“Yes. What would you like?”

Buoyed by relief before he even realized it, Gerald asked with a broad smile. An answer came back at once, firm and unwavering.

“I’ll need you to write up a contract for me.”

“…What?”

“Could you bring me some paper?”

Still dazed, Gerald nodded and gestured to an attendant.

A moment later, Loreina took the paper and wrote something down. Then she smiled brightly and held it out.

“Please review the contents.”

The document, titled Contract, included everything they had discussed—except for the fact that Jen was an illegitimate child.

It even included a clause stating that if anything happened to her due to people sent by Baron Hentison’s family, all responsibility would lie with the Hentison household.

What was astonishing was that it was a perfectly proper contract in form.

Is this girl really only sixteen? Why does she look so used to writing contracts?

“You’ll stamp it, right?”

At her cheerful words, Gerald wiped away tears and brought out the seal.

…She really was not someone to underestimate.

“Then I look forward to working with you for the time being!”

Gerald bowed deeply and spoke in a booming voice.

Seeing the refreshed look on his face, my senses finally came back to me.

It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over my head.

…What have I just done?

But there was no point in regretting it now. I had written the contract myself and even signed it.

And most importantly…

I said, right in front of Jen, that I’d take responsibility for him.

He was already a child full of wounds. I couldn’t hurt him again.

This was all my fault. I completely fell for that “big sister” line.

It couldn’t be helped. Honestly, it was just too cute.

I’d always wished for a younger sibling. And whenever I looked at Jen, he reminded me of my old self.

I didn’t know whether my decision came from sympathy or something else, but either way, I couldn’t abandon him.

I didn’t even understand why I suddenly felt this way. Life was already hard enough just taking care of myself. It was strange.

Well, he’ll mostly stay in the mansion anyway. Having a friend or two isn’t so bad.

I wasn’t going to look after him forever, so it would be fine.

Instead of dwelling on the past, I turned my gaze to the child staring intently at me.

“Shall we go?”

When I smiled and spoke, Jen nodded and examined my expression.

It felt a little strange, like I’d become a piece of art—but not in a bad way.

From what I’d observed, Jen just seemed interested in my face. If it helped him in any way, that was fine.

He only seems to stare like that when my expression changes.

Thinking that, it almost felt cute.

His face was usually stiff, but right now his eyes were sparkling.

Ah, cute really is the best.

And so, with a new little brother in tow, I left the Hentison baron’s estate.

It was an unexpected addition to my family, but it wasn’t a bad deal at all.

In exchange for caring for Jen, Gerald offered compensation that was appropriate—or honestly, a bit excessive.

I didn’t expect him to assign this many knights and servants.

Mary had been complaining about a lack of help, so this worked out well.

With the promised financial compensation too, I could even raise the staff’s wages for a while.

“Money really is nice…”

“You like money?”

Oh—right. I’d forgotten I wasn’t alone in the carriage.

I was riding together with Jen. Of all things for him to hear.

Worried that I might have just shattered a child’s innocence, I hesitated briefly before hurriedly adding,

“Well, I mean—it’s not that I like money. It’s just that money is important…”

“Then do you hate it?”

“…No.”

I shook my head quickly.

I couldn’t lie about that. Honestly, who hates money?

After watching me for a moment, Jen slipped his hand into his coat.

Then he pulled out not money, but a small notebook.

Money—what was I thinking? Why would money come out of there?

My first dream had been feeling unstable lately; I must’ve been getting sensitive. I needed to calm down.

“Is there anything else?”

“Huh?”

“Is there anything else you think is important?”

Jen looked up at me as he asked. At some point, he was even holding a pen, like he was interviewing me.

Wait. Was he writing down what I’d just said about liking money?

“Jen, why are you writing that?”

“I might need it later. I’m writing it down in case I forget.”

But why would you need it?

It might seem silly to interrogate a child like this, but I was serious.

That notebook could be what gets me killed someday.

Who knew? Someone might think Lady Amelio loves money, assume I’m rich, and target me.

Once that thought crossed my mind, I genuinely started to worry.

This was bad. It had been half a joke until now, but it was becoming real.

“Jen, actually, I don’t like money. So erase that and write something else.”

“You don’t like it? But the contract clearly—”

“Yeah, I don’t just not like it. I actually hate it.”

Jen gave me a suspicious look.

I knew it was an obvious lie, but did he have to look at me like that?

“Then what do you like?”

“Warm places. I really hate the cold.”

“Why? Is there a reason?”

“I have some bad memories. That’s why I never go up to attics.”

Especially the attic of the Amelio count’s estate.

It was poorly heated and cramped—just like the house I’d lived in back in my previous world.

“And?”

“Um… books?”

“……”

What’s with that look? I really do like books. I’d read everything in the mansion already.

To prove my innocence, I deliberately widened my eyes. After watching me quietly, Jen seemed to think for a moment and then muttered,

“Then should I build a new library in the imperial palace…?”

“What?”

I hadn’t caught it properly, but Jen shook his head and said it was nothing.

Well, fine. It probably wasn’t important.

“Jen, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask.”

“What?”

“Why did you stop calling me ‘big sister’?”

“……”

“I’m joking. Just joking.”

…Did he really have to look that serious?

He’s really hard to get close to.

I knew his earlier behavior had been an act.

The fact that he’d gone that far just to come with me didn’t bother me. What concerned me was something else.

Jen often wore expressions far too mature for his age—like right now.

He was really cute earlier, though.

That suited him much better. Granted, my personal bias played a big role.

Worried, I quietly watched Jen as he continued writing in his notebook.

He was so busy that he didn’t even glance my way while talking.

Did he live like this the whole time at the baron’s estate?

He must have lived hiding his existence, unable to hold his head up freely. The thought made my chest ache.

I wished I could see those pretty eyes curve softly in a smile.

“Jen.”

“Yeah.”

“Look at me for a moment.”

Jen’s rapidly moving hand stopped. His head, which had been tilted downward the entire time, lifted.

When our eyes met, I gave him a small smile.

“You’re finally looking this way.”

Jen flinched. Even in that brief moment, his anxiety was evident.

Still, I continued speaking with a smile.

“Having a habit of recording things is great.”

As if to write that down too, Jen’s hand moved again.

When his gaze dropped back to the notebook, I gently held his face in both hands.

Soft cheeks met my palms.

“How about we look at each other while we talk?”

“Ah…”

“You like my face, don’t you?”

“…What?”

Clearly caught off guard, Jen panicked. His ears turned red from the tips down.

I’d only teased him because he looked too serious—but wow, that reaction was bigger than expected.

“W-why would I?”

“Wasn’t it? You kept staring, so I thought you liked my face.”

“That’s—!”

Jen sprang up as if to jump across to my side.

At that moment, the carriage jolted violently—it must’ve been entering the Amelio territory.

I quickly grabbed Jen’s shoulder and pulled him toward me. Since I’d already been holding onto him, it was easy.

Whew. That was close.

“Are you okay?”

I asked, looking at Jen safely settled in my arms.

I was sure I’d caught him properly, but oddly, there was no reply.

“Jen?”

“….”

At my call, Jen lowered his head completely. Even without seeing his face, I knew his expression.

Both his ears were burning red.

He was surprisingly shy. How cute.

“…Put me down.”

Seeing him sigh softly without even looking at me, I finally burst into laughter and hugged him tightly.

No matter how I thought about it, bringing Jen with me was the right decision. How could someone be this cute?

“Jen.”

“….”

“There’s something else I like. Want to hear it?”

At that, Jen lifted his head, his eyes narrowed. I could finally see them again.

They were so beautiful it felt like a waste just to look, so I lightly traced the corner of his eye with my finger.

“This. This is what I like.”

“…What?”

“Your eyes. They’re so pretty—why do you try so hard not to show them?”

Jen’s eyes widened in shock, like he’d never heard that before.

Goodness. What kind of treatment did he receive at the baron’s estate? Carrying that notebook around had to be a result of his upbringing.

“Jen, when you’re with me, let’s talk without the notebook.”

“….”

“I like it when you look me in the eyes while talking to me.”

Jen still hesitated.

After a moment of thought, he shook his head.

“I can’t. What if I forget something…?”

“Then tell me. I’ll remember everything for you.”

“….”

“Even the things you didn’t notice. All of them.”

I whispered softly near his ear.

“It’s a promise.”

I hooked my finger around his.

That should give him some reassurance.

“My memory’s insanely good, you know. You know I’m a half-elf, right?”

After hesitating briefly, Jen nodded obediently.

Seeing that made my chest tighten.

Ah, maybe I’m actually good at this.

All those years of part-time jobs weren’t for nothing. I had to guide him properly, starting now.

With that resolve, I released Jen from my arms. As expected, he hurriedly retreated to the opposite seat.

That was so cute I laughed again. Jen shot me an annoyed look, but it didn’t matter.

Those eyes that had only looked at the notebook before were focused solely on me now.

Yes, this was enough.

Outside the window, a familiar landscape came into view. The carriage was already heading toward the Amelio count’s estate.