Chapter 9

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Recently, I've started to be read picture books.

It's honestly surprising that they read to me, even though I can't even speak yet, let alone hold my head up. However, it's been very helpful in learning words and characters. I've also been actively communicating with the maids, my mother, and the nurse, which has paid off in terms of physical practice as well.

I've had the opportunity to learn their names too—though these might be nicknames rather than their real names. My understanding of words has also rapidly improved.

In my previous life, I wasn't much of a studier, but now, learning new things is incredibly fun. I have to be careful not to go overboard and seem creepy, but I'll continue to actively communicate with them in the future.

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It's raining today.

The room is dark outside, but the lighting from the magical devices is on, so the inside is bright. The curtains are still open, but the windows are closed to block out the slightly chilly wind. There's no draft.

Since many jobs are canceled on rainy days, both of the maids are here to keep us, the siblings, company.

The blue-haired girl—Marr—is reading to me.

The cat-eared girl—Chalo—is reading to Seere.

They are sitting on the same sofa, each holding one of us on their lap. The white sofa looks very soft, but we are wrapped in something even more luxurious, so it doesn't bother us.

By the way, the books they read are made of paper. I don't know what the paper is made from, but it doesn't seem to be of very high quality. It's a bit brownish. However, they turn the pages carefully. It seems to be a relatively inexpensive type of paper that is available to the general public, though I don't think it's cheap.

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The maids take turns reading books, but their choices are all over the place.

"---And so, the princess married the prince happily ever after. The end."

The book Marr chose is a typical picture book for young children. Picture books are a very effective medium for learning culture and morals. Sometimes they have surreal storylines that are hard to understand, but that's the same in the previous world. Overall, the stories don't seem to have a strong religious tone and feel rather modern. This might be limited to this country or even this town, though.

Magic apparently does exist.

It seems to be established as a technology and is being utilized. There's also a type of magic that seems similar to the nuances of the previous world, which involves spirits. ...Seere?

It's a very intriguing topic, but it's only at the picture book level. I'll have to learn more about it in the future.

"Aaa, aaa-♪"

The content was a bit too girly for my personal taste, but it was educational. I can't clap yet, so I look up at her with a smile to show my gratitude and appreciation.

"Hehehe... Thank you, Master Jace♪"

She gives me a gentle hug and strokes my head. I'm glad she's happy.

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I should revise my estimate of her chest size upward.

"Aaa! Big sister, that's so nice..."

"It can't be helped, Seere-sama is resting."

"Aaa-"

"...Look, Master Jace still wants to hear more. It's Chalo's turn now. Please read to him."

"Haaaai♪"

On the other hand, Chalo is completely genre-less. You could say it's random. Sometimes, she reads words she doesn't know—though that's part of the charm—and it often leads to interruptions and criticism from Marr, which makes it questionable whether it's educational.

However, sometimes the words that stick in the back of my mind pop up in other conversations, and this can be surprisingly useful. My general knowledge is also increasing. When she read an encyclopedia to me, it was really educational. ...It's not something you'd normally read to a zero-year-old, though.

By the way, there was a dragon in it. They really exist!?

When I genuinely expressed my amazement and joy, she started reading it to me more often.

But it's not always like that. If I let my guard down...

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"Alright, let's read this next♪♪"

Chalo picks up a book with a joyful expression.

"Oh-?"

I look up at Chalo intently. Marr tilts her head, not recognizing the book. The princess is sound asleep, completely in dreamland.

"Um, what is it? The title is..."

"...'Shitmi-s'"

"Bufoo-!!?"

"Wait a minute-!!?!!?"

"Feh...!?"

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If I let my guard down, things can get really bad.

I mean, this world has it too!?

And Marr, why do you know about it...?