“I have something to say.”

Sycar, seeming to find it amusing that a ten-year-old was talking like an adult, sat across and said, “I didn’t call you, did I? Why are you being so cheeky? Weren’t we supposed to get along affectionately in front of Yura?”
Of course, that was the case. However, while Kian felt grateful to Sycar for his absence during the expedition, his mother, Yura, who was Sycar’s mother, was waiting eagerly for letters every day. Observing this, Kian’s gratitude turned into resentment toward the Duke once again.

“Do you know how much my mother has been waiting for your letters?!”

Though Kian’s words were almost choked up, he couldn’t say more considering his mother’s pride.

Instead, Kian looked at Sycar with cold eyes and said, “You sent letters only twice in three years. Once when you left for the expedition and once before returning.”

“That’s right. I had my reasons back then.”

He didn’t know what those reasons were, but Sycar shouldn’t have done that. Kian wanted to say that protecting a family wasn’t just about physical strength, but he couldn’t speak, biting his lip tightly.

“But you should have taken good care of my mother.”

“How am I supposed to take care of her from a distant place like that?”

“Writing letters is no different from taking care of family.”

“Letters have no real power. They’re just letters. And the battlefield is not a place where you can exchange letters casually like pen pals.”

“Fine. Let’s forget about that now since it’s all in the past. But now that you’re back, take good care of my mother from now on.”

Sycar thought the mouse droppings, which were already mischievous, became even more mischievous.

“So, you only treated my arm and left my leg?”

Kian smiled as if he knew well.

“Yes. That’s what I said. If I mistreat your mother, I won’t treat even if the Duke’s statue comes to life. I only treated your arm because I thought your mother might worry about you, Duke.”

Even if it was the second threat, Sycar couldn’t understand why Kian was saying such things.

“What did I do wrong?”

‘Obviously, the letters.’

“The important thing is from now on. So, I wanted to say… even if the Duke is petrified as a statue, I won’t release it. However, I’ll release it where it’s visible.”

“Again, threatening. As soon as I returned to the Duke’s residence, a threat… I didn’t even ask for the Gold Carpet, but I didn’t expect to receive a threat right after coming back, did I?”

‘Then send letters properly.’

However, Sycar couldn’t even think it was because of the letters. He believed he had reasonably concluded his relationship with Kian before going on the expedition.

But seeing the situation flowing back to the starting point upon his return, he could only laugh.

Sycar’s intention to get along well with Kian was not only because of the curse. Certainly, when the curse manifested, it was uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but he had already prepared for that.
Sycar’s attempt to get along well with Kian was mainly because of Yura. He thought he should get along well, seeing Yura, who cried every time she saw Kian.

However, he had a thought that he might have raised a lion cub.

“Do you know that Family Day is coming soon?”

“Now that it’s spring, Family Day will come soon. But why are you mentioning that?”

Although Kian had no intention, he said with a resigned look, “I’ll give carnations on Family Day. I personally grew them.”

“Carnation…”

Only then did Sycar remember that Kian had mentioned growing carnations to give to Yura.

“You grew those carnations well.”

Consistently wearing a solemn expression, Kian smiled faintly as he brought up Yura’s story.

“Yes. Mother really liked them.”

Kian, who smiled for a moment, solidified his expression again.

“Anyway, my mother told me to give those carnations to the Duke as well.”

“Is that so?”

If it were Yura, she would have done that. Sycar nodded.

“I see. Make sure to accept them graciously.”

“Just accepting them won’t be enough.”

“Then? What should I do?”

“The reason I came to this study is to tell you this. My mother is eagerly waiting for the day you, Duke, receive carnations. She believes you will be pleased.”

Sycar scratched his eyebrows in embarrassment, as if he was perplexed by such innocent thoughts.

“Pleased to receive carnations… Yura must have been very pleased to receive carnations.”

A broad smile bloomed again on Kian’s face, which was somber at the thought of that time.

“Yes. Because my mother is such a person.”

“Perhaps she shed tears of emotion.”

As if to say, ‘How did you know?’ Kian answered with a big smile.

“That’s right! Mother was very pleased, and she smiled so broadly that tears even flowed a little.”

Thinking about that time, Kian wore an exceptionally happy expression. But realizing that the current situation was not suitable for such emotions, he returned to a solemn expression.

“Anyway, since my mother is pleased, she hopes that you, Duke, will be pleased as well.”

“You’re expecting a lot.”

“That’s why my request is this. When you receive the carnation from me, make sure to be pleased and smile. Definitely make my mother feel better. Otherwise, next time, I won’t even release a finger of the statue, so keep that in mind.”

Sycar found the situation ridiculous and burst into laughter. Feeling a throbbing sensation in his head, he rubbed his temple and said, “Alright. I promise.”

“Then, let’s hook our pinkies.”

‘Pinkies, huh? I thought I was dealing with an adult now, but seems like I’m dealing with a child.’
Sycar hooked pinkies with Kian, looking perplexed. Kian pressed his thumb against Sycar’s finger and said, “And, on the day you receive the carnation, there’s one more thing you need to do.”