Chapter 25

“I was a bit late because the merchant placed the blue scarf inside a box. You’ve been waiting for a while, haven’t you?”

Irene shook her head.

“No, I didn’t wait long.”

Irene placed the two snowmen side by side as she wrapped the scarf around both.

It was gratifying for the final presentation to hold such a cute look.

Of course, Benjamin also made a wish.

His wish was for ‘Irene’s snowman to remain for a long time.’

It was a nice wish, but that probably wouldn’t come true either.

Tomorrow will be a sunny day.

As time passed, a large number of people began to flock the place.

Elvin was the first to leave after asking to be excused. It was also time for Benjamin and Irene to return to the mansion.

Before they left the area, Irene glanced back at the clumsily made snowmen.

It was bothering her how both the snowmen that Benjamin and Elvin made their wishes to were stuck closely together.

Irene carefully moved the two snowmen bit by bit, until there’s left a gap between.

She was very pleased with the appearance of the two small snowmen fighting.

(P/N: ……..Oh Irene. You’re dedicated indeed. And sorry, readers, I was caught off guard too. No showdown ;_;)

(T/N: Girl we all know Irene too conscious of him I’m starting to feel bad from the guyಥ_ಥ)

***

Benjamin and Irene headed back from the central fountain, all the while holding each other’s hands tightly.

The two exchanged various stories, mostly about their parents.

“My father was very concerned.”

Benjamin nodded towards Irene’s remark.

“Ah, I assume.”

There was one thing my father was worried about throughout the winter.

“He still hasn’t found a teacher?”

“That’s right. Did you participate in the interview for at least a couple of minutes?”

“I did.”

“I was surprised only scary people came.”

“Well, certainly.”

Benjamin’s face crumpled unpleasantly. There were too many teachers who carried a whip and imposed corporal punishment whenever a student made a mistake.

It didn’t matter much for Benjamin, since he wouldn’t make a mistake.

He glanced down at Irene.

She grew up much from when she was a newborn, however, she was still both young and small.

Perhaps if this child was punished for making a mistake, it wouldn’t feel nice.

She wouldn’t know when she made a mistake apart from when she didn’t.

Fortunately, the same idea circulated in his parents mind, so any seemingly scary tutors were not hired.

“I’m sure my parents would be more than accepting to hire someone who Irene thinks is appropriate.”

Benjamin hoped he could respect Irene and encourage her to gain any type of enlightenment from her mistakes.

He didn’t know if that type of education really did exist, but…

Anyway, he wouldn’t be pleased if Irene would get hit whenever she answered wrongly.

“A good person should come for brother, rather than me. My brother is definitely studying very difficult topics.”

“That’s nothing.”

“How come that’s nothing. It’s a very big deal.”

“Well, all I do is memorize the towers of knowledge that the great people of the past have built up considerably.”

When Irene stared at him as if she didn’t recognize the language he was speaking, Benjamin added an explanation.

“Well, the thing is, it’s the same as searching for new towers to construct.”

“Do you mean there should be new achievements?”

“You know very difficult words. Yes, achievements.”

Benjamin smiled as he gently swung the hand that held Irene’s.

“Even if you don’t fulfil your goal, it will still be worth the try.”

“But brother.”

“Hmm?”

“If there aren’t any worthy results, it’ll be seen like you did nothing.”

That’s very upsetting.

What was even more agitating is that such a result happens rather frequently.

“Of course, upstanding results are important for a project to continue progressing. I don’t mean to deny it. Because it’s reality.”

“That’s right.”

“However, that is the result. It’s still considerable to attempt to, despite the possibility of failure.”

“Even if it’s as if you did nothing?”

“That’s right.”

That’s a sophistry. What kind of thing like that exists? Being appreciated without having achieved nothing.

“So, no matter what Irene does, she’s always a great person.”

What’s this… When did the conversation head this way?

“So I want you to do what you want. I’ll cheer you on.”

“Me…?”

“Yes. Of course, as we decided, it is also very important to rest as it is to work.”

Oh, so this was a continuation of what we had been talking about this morning.

When talking about Benjamin’s future, Irene stated she wanted him to work hard, as well as rest when he had free time.

So this time, Benjamin spoke about Irene’s future. He said he would cheer for her on any occasion.

‘…He’s so sweet.’

No matter how close family could be, it was really difficult to find someone this kind.

“I really like brother.”

“Of course, I love Irene Webber too.”

Oh, Benjamin must have learned this answer from father.

The two soon arrived right around the mansion. With a happy balloon floating in the air.

“You’re tired, aren’t you?”

“A little bit. It was fun, though.”

“Then let’s head in and rest…”

As they crossed the Count’s garden, Benjamin halted and repositioned his glasses.

As if he found something strange.

“Brother?”

Irene gazed at him in bewilderment.

His gaze headed towards the front entrance of the mansion, where something black laid.

An elongated figure was reclining in front of the door. I can’t believe there was such a strange thing in front of a well-managed house.

Perhaps no one in the mansion had witnessed the strange lump.

Irene gazed directly at it, her eyes narrowing as she did so.

‘Person… It looks like a person.’

A person who didn’t seem to be alive either. It was oddly chilling.

Benjamin carefully proceeded to the front door, with Irene constantly behind him.

She held Benjamin’s coat tightly with both her hands, only peeking her head out to glance at the monster.

First of all, it stood clear to be a person. He seemed to be covered in newspaper, his feet sticking out.

However, she wasn’t sure if he was alive.

Benjamin managed to reach the person and carefully grabbed the end of the newspaper.

Irene unconsciously clenched his clothes with more force. She was honestly afraid.

Bachuk, bachuk. As he rolled up the newspaper, Irene caught sight of the face of a young man.

It was an unknown person.

Fortunately, his body was not a dead one, given the subtle movement of his eyelids.

“…You?”

The moment Benjamin spoke, the man opened his eyes.

He frowned as if he was displeased when the sudden light penetrated his eyes, and yawned openly.

Is he a beggar?

The man rose from his seat and brushed his face several times, as if to clean it.

He didn’t even seem that much dirty for someone lying on the street with a newspaper covering him. Interestingly enough.

His blue hair was a bit messy, and the clothing hidden underneath the newspaper were in fine condition. Except for the fact they were a little wrinkled.

“You…”

He stared at the two siblings, and soon clapped his hands as he laughed.

“You’re the children of this house! Aren’t you?”

“Well, yes.”

Benjamin replied, his expression hard to define.

Irene still remained hidden behind Benjamin and carefully observed the strange man.

“What a coincidence. I can’t believe we met like this!”

“…What do you imply by the word ‘coincidence’?”

“Very good. This is a good sign!”

The man stuck out the newspaper in excitement, as if he couldn’t hear Benjamin.

The newspaper was not in very good condition, it seemed quite old.

There were rips, and black ink was imprinted here and there.

The man smiled broadly, pointing his finger at a specific part of the newspaper.

“Here, you said you were looking for someone.”

Irene and Benjamin carefully looked at the part of the newspaper he pointed to.

Although she could hardly read the ink spread over the newspaper, Irene immediately recognized the familiar phrase written where the man had pointed.

「High-income guarantees, the best treatment in the industry, including backing from the position.」

Oh, so there was an actual person who was successfully tricked by such phrases.

Irene stared at the face of the strange man who was taken in by her father’s job advertisement.

He was smiling so happily to the extent his white teeth were visible.

As expected, it didn’t seem like a proper teacher arrived.

Count Webber was a fair gentleman.

He never kicked a single person out, even if they seemed suspicious.

In fact, he was rather polite. He would lead him to the best parlor room, and when the person showed any signs of hunger, he would treat them with so much food, it could be considered a meal.

“The best meat pie in the world! This is amazing. Is the phrase ‘best treatment in the industry’ true?”

The man swallowed the warm pie in one gulp.

After, he poured sugar into his black tea and drank it pleasantly.

He didn’t forget to say ‘It’s so delicious!’ in between.

What kind of job seeker comes to an interview only to show such an attitude?

Elimination. Elimination!

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

At this point, Irene couldn’t help but admire her father’s courtesy.

I can’t believe you’re so polite to such a man.

“So, I believe you came to our residence for a job.”

“Yeah, that’s right. That’s right.”

The man replied so, now crunching a bite of bread that was spread with thick butter.

“I need money.”