Chapter 15

“Is it returned?”

Irene asked in a rather bleak voice. The moment the librarian nodded, she backed away.

‘What am I trying to do?’

Just because he was her benefactor doesn’t mean she had to know his name.

Even if I didn’t know who he was, I would still contain a heart filled with gratitude towards him.

Moreover, just because I’d find out doesn’t mean I could call him by name.

Perhaps I will only be able to call him properly once I lie, asking ‘What’s your name?’.

In the end, it’ll mean betraying my benefactor twice.

To steal personal information, and even lie.

‘That’s right.’

It was better not to know from the beginning.

The librarian quickly turned around to pick out the user card.

‘I didn’t see it. I really didn’t.’

Irene decided to be honest, regaining her confidence.

Again, it’s better to obey the laws and rules. It always makes me feel lighter.

Irene hopped down the stairs with cheerful steps.

“My Lady.”

Beth, who had been waiting for her, smiled brightly and spoke.

“You have a happy expression on your face. Did something good happen?”

“Yes, I didn’t fall for the devil’s temptation.”

Irene placed one more candy she earned from her benefactor as a reward.

It’s sweet. This time, I’ll bite it. Crunch Crunch.

“From what I see… you’re completely possessed by the devil’s temptation.”

“No. I have completely overcome it.”

I overcame the temptation to steal other people’s personal information.

Isn’t that great?

I can’t believe I defeated the sweet evil. This was the victory of reason.

Thus, Irene was willing to allow herself another candy. This is so delicious!

“My God, My lady! How many have you eaten already?!”

“Huh?”

How many. I counted what I’ve eaten since I’d been with my benefactor…

Irene began to count the number of candies she had consumed by hand.

Then, I realized I’ve eaten an amount uncountable with only one hand.

“Ah…nine?”

That’s a relief. There’s still one finger left.

Irene smiled happily as she opened the lid of the candy bottle.

However, Beth rapidly snatched Irene’s precious bottle.

“Lady, according to Webber’s sacred rules, you may have up to three candies a day!”

“Don’t lie! There’s no rule like that!”

Irene wanted the candy back, yet Beth only raised her arm higher.

“What do you mean, My lady? It’s a family rule.”

Irene jumped from her seat, However, she couldn’t reach the candy bottle.

“No, you can’t. “

Furthermore, Beth resolutely twirled her head.

“I repeat, three candies a day. It’s Webber’s sacred rule.”

By citing absurd rules.

We’ll see, Beth.

***

“The Weber family rules Article 3, clause 21, candies up to three per day. In addition to paragraph 22, you must brush your teeth after eating candy.”

Benjamin observed the candy Beth handed him, speaking in a solemn voice as he declared.

Irene doubted her ears.

I’ve never heard of such a stupid rule all my life. No, I’ve never heard of it even before I was born here.

Limiting the number of candies you eat. This is a vicious law that completely ignores the individual’s free will, and will cause direct damage to those who run candy shops as their business.

“But brother, the rule!”

However, before Irene could say anything, Benjamin cut her off.

“Irene, what about brushing your teeth?”

The answer was answered by Beth, in place of Irene.

“Not yet, Master.”

She had already prepared a silver tray and toothbrush set.

“Irene, this is a very serious matter.”

Benjamin clapped his fingers with a serious face. It meant to come closer.

“Brother…”

Irene approached Benjamin with an unfair look on her face.

“Article 21 has already been violated, however, if you violate the rules of Paragraph 22, we might punish you.”

Punishment?! Am I being punished for eating candy and not brushing my teeth?!

“Of course, you are the precious child of the Webber family, so the punishment will be received by your maid, Beth.”

“…!”

Irene widened her eyes.

A bad memory flashed through her mind.

While she had been working for a vicious company, the manager who made billions committed a vast mistake in their orders.

Of course, the sh*t was overturned by her, who did nothing wrong.

「How the hell are you doing your job? Huh?」

The manager went so far as to get angry at her.

I can’t thank enough the person who stayed at the office until dawn, begging and imploring on the international phone, basically cleaning up the sh*t instead!

So if Beth gets punished now, Irene would become the manager of the time. The manager whose hair was bald.

No! I don’t want to be that kind of person!

“I’ll clean it! I’ll clean it! You can’t punish Beth!”

“Hmm, good girl. Now say ‘ah.’”

“Ah?”

Irene opened her mouth in a daze, while Benjamin caught her chin.

As soon as he lifted my head and I could meet his gentle eyes, something flowed into my mouth.

Chika Chika.

It was a toothbrush.

“…?!”

“No, Irene.”

Benjamin whispered, pulling the startled Irene’s chin a bit more.

“You have to keep your mouth open. That way, I can clean the inside thoroughly.”

When I opened my mouth again, the delicate toothbrush passed in between.

“You must have bit the candy and eaten it.”

There was a slight wrinkle in Benjamin’s forehead, who had said so. The gaze beyond the glasses became a bit more tenacious.

Perhaps the sticky candy wouldn’t come off easily.

“Let’s open up a little more.”

“…Uh.”

The toothbrush meticulously passed not only the molars but also the inner teeth, which were easy to miss.

It was a standard toothbrush that seemed to appear in textbooks. The brochures and sequences that I once read at the health center before I was born here seemed similar.

‘Even the brushing is perfect… After all, he’s brother.’

“Would you like me to rinse your mouth for a moment?”

Benjamin let go of Irene, while Beth quickly held a glass of water. Irene refreshed herself by spitting the remaining foam in her mouth.

“Now I’ll wipe it off. I can do it.”

Irene said so while removing the excess water from her mouth. However, Benjamin shook his head, wearing a stern smile.

“No.”

“Why?”

“I dislike the candy left in your mouth.”

“I can clean it well, too.”

“Now, let’s try ‘Ah’ again.”

Irene was forced to open her mouth, once again.

Benjamin had now cleaned her teeth, as well as the roof of her mouth and the bottom.

It took exactly three minutes.

After brushing her teeth, Benjamin wiped the water off his hands with a thin handkerchief Beth had handed him.

“I can’t believe you’ve already eaten nine today.”

“…”

“As a penalty, leave this candy bottle with me until tomorrow.”

“Can I eat candy again tomorrow?”

“If you only eat three. Of course, after that, you’ll be required to brush your teeth meticulously.”

Irene nodded gently. It would be fine if she could get candy tomorrow.

“Okay, brother.”

When Irene answered obediently, Benjamin erased the rigors that remained on his face.

Dressed in a caring brother look, he stroked Irene’s head a few times.

“Irene.”

“What?”

“This candy, was it delicious?”

I nodded. It was delicious.

“…Did they have similar tastes? Hmm.”

“What?”

Irene asked confusedly, but Benjamin only shook his head and smiled.

“No, I’ll be waiting for Irene to find the candy tomorrow.”

“I might come early in the morning. Long before my brother wakes up!”

“That sounds like a pleasure.”

“…You’re not going to hug and tickle me again?”

“No way.”

Benjamin shrugged and laughed.

***

It wasn’t until the next morning that Elvin realized the history book had been returned by Irene.

“…Really.”

He was all over the place.

He must have been more embarrassed than he thought.

Elvin got ready to hurry out. It was a modest suit he loved to wear whenever he left.

“Are you leaving today?”

His knight inquired anxiously.

“I have a situation.”

“Your majesty knows very well.”

The knight continued his story after waiting for the servant to fill Elvin’s collar efficiently.

“Now there are quite a few who recognize your Majesty.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going to soon officially announce the portrait.”

“I’m worried that you’ll be in danger.”

“You will be by my side even at that moment.”

The knight bowed his head lightly.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Elvin grinned. Just in time, the preparations were over.

“Oh, by the way.”

Elvin, who was heading outside, turned around. The servant in charge of preparing his clothes bowed his head and waited for his order.

“Tomorrow, I’ll wear a different suit. I have an audience.”

In other words, he meant to meet someone as the crown prince.

“Yes, Your Highness, I will make sure that everything is ready. “

Elvin nodded and headed down the hall.