This guess is only if Minting = 0...
MINDFUL
If = 1, then D is proved, if = 0 then E from CANDIES is proved.
MIN disproved by Minting=0
FUL disproved by Soreful=0
That would only leave D as possible correct if MINDFUL=1
If MINDFUL = 0 that disproves the D. So for CANDIES = 3, then
CA=2
--N-I-- is disproved by Minting=0.
D disproved by Mindful=0
Final S disproved by Candler/Candles being equal in score
Only the E is left so it must be right (if Mindful and Minting both = 0)