Benjamin, who talked about Irene Webber, looked very happy. To the point where it’s so lovely that you can’t help but agree.
Naturally, his curiosity for Irene grew.
How the hell did that little girl melt Benjamin’s firm heart?
“Because it’s the treasure of your proud Webber family. That’s why, I thought I wanted to meet her as your best friend.”
“My best friend…”
“Right, Best friend.”1
Benjamin wanted to refute, but it was a little difficult. Since, there was only the crown prince who he could call his friend.
“But, Irene won’t come.”
“Why!”
Elvin looked disappointed. Benjamin smiled triumphantly.
He didn’t expect to be so happy to say this line.
“Irene has a cold.”
“Ah.”
“It’s a big deal if Irene’s cold spreads to your highness.”
“It’s fine with me.”
“But I’m not fine.”
“I didn’t know you cared about me that much… It’s strangely pleasant.”1
“It’s not that. I simply…”
The only thing that belonged to Irene, he didn’t want it to move towards Elvin.
Even if it’s a disease.1
“I hope she gets well soon. If you need help with the temple, I’d like you to tell me anytime. As your friend, I will be able to send you a high priest.”
At the heartfelt favor, Benjamin nodded gladly.
“Thank you.”
At the same time, in Benjamin’s mind, his assessment of Elvin Manuel got a little better. I think it’s okay to use the word ‘best friend’ as well.
“Benjamin.”
“Yes.”
“So when will I be able to meet Irene?”
“…..”
In the end, Benjamin decided to throw out the modifier ‘best friend’, which he had decided to use for the first time in a long time. The favorable sentiment for Elvin also plummeted. And again, for him, Elvin Manuel was an enemy.3
Enemy,
A dangerous enemy who dares to pay attention to Irene.
Therefore, he cut off Elvin, so that he would not have any dreams and regrets.
“Not for a lifetime.”
In particular, the word “lifetime” was strangely empowering.
**
Benjamin, who saw Elvin off, immediately returned to Irene’s room.
Irene was also on her way back to her room after meeting her father.
“Brother.”
Irene ran to his front and looked around him.
“What about your friend?”
Her round eyes were so cute that Benjamin stroked Irene’s silver hair.
“He just stopped by, so he went back a while ago.”
“Quite… He went quite early.”
Irene murmured, a little regretful. Actually, I wanted to see him one more time.
In the original novel, Crown Prince is said to have black hair like night.
And since brother’s friend had the same hair as the Crown Prince, it occurred to me that there might be a very small chance that he might be a crown prince.
“Irene, rather than that.”
Benjamin quickly shifted the subject, and reached out his right hand.
Is he… is he asking me to hold his hand?
Irene put both her hands on his palm.
“Of course, I’d appreciate you holding my hand.”
Benjamin smiled for a moment and held Irene’s hand affectionately.
“Although, I’m asking you for something else.”
“Something… else?”
Irene was lost in thought for a moment.
I was wondering if there was anything else to give to my brother.
“Did I borrow money from brother and forget it?”
“No way.”
It seems to have been heard. Benjamin shrugged and laughed.
“And, there’s still a long way to go before brother’s birthday….”
“I mean the ribbon.”
“What?”
At the sound of asking back, he just laughed without answering. Maybe he wanted Irene to remember about it herself.
“No way, the… ribbon?”
She asked, recalling the ribbon she had put in the drawer this morning.
“Yes, the ribbon.”
“But.”
The ribbon was prepared for the hunting competition. So it’s no use handing it over now.
“Well, you don’t need it anymore.”
Irene said so carefully.
“Of course it may be the case.”
And Benjamin didn’t deny the fact either.
“I wanted to have it.”
“That ribbon?”
“Yes.”
It was also the only thing he expected from the hunting competition.
“The truth is.”
So Benjamin decided to tell the story before he left for the hunting competition.
“I came to your room before I left.”
“Brother came?”
“Yes.”
I went there because I thought Irene would be very happy if she tied the ribbon herself.
But Irene was half asleep with a sore throat.
He heard the wheezing breath standing by the bedside for a moment.
A terrible cold lasts quite a long time.
Thinking so, I put my hand on her forehead and it was very hot.
They said she took strong medicine, but her fever seems to have not gone away yet.
Irene smiled lightly, perhaps because she liked the touch of his cold hand. It was good that the smile was engraved on his hand.
‘I’ll be right back.’
He looked at the ribbon Irene had placed on her desk.
Maybe he could plow it himself, but it wasn’t what he expected.
So he looked at it as he wanted and left her room empty-handed.
“I didn’t know at all… if you had woken me up, I would have given you the ribbon.”
“Because you were so sound asleep.”
“Still…”
Irene whined regretfully.
Actually, I was blaming myself. Well, my gifts are never delivered.
Maybe that’s what she did…
A long time ago…
It must have something to do with the memory of buying a watch and not being able to give it to him.
Now it’s so old that it’s blurred memories.
“Well.”
Irene laughed out her useless thoughts.
“I put it in the drawer, so I’ll get it.”
She let go of Benjamin’s hand, ran straight to the desk and squatted in front of the drawer.
When I pulled the drawer open, two ribbons I had put in the morning were neatly placed. I took out one of them.
“This is it.”
Benjamin holds out his left wrist without saying a word. I thought it meant, he wants me to tie.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Irene wrapped a ribbon around his wrist. It was a blue color resembling the eyes of two people.
She made a little loose knot. I was worried that it might hurt because it was too tight.
“It’s all done, and I’m sorry.”
“What?”
“……it’s too late.”
Benjamin laughed as he looked at the knot Irene had tied.
“It’s all right.”
And by pulling the end of the ribbon with teeth, the knot was made very tight.
It stuck perfectly on his wrist, so that it never falls.
“I love waiting for Irene.”
He raised his arms high and looked at the blue ribbon in the sunlight.
“Pretty.”
Then he smiled looking at Irene again.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
….really, my brother is so gentle and kind. What should I do with this soft-hearted man?
***
Irene also gave the ribbon to her father.
I was going to say sorry for giving it too late but I was so happy that I forgot to apologize.
And after a few days, I got a reward for the ribbon.
“It looks like it just arrived today.”
Beth made a fuss and brought a small box. When I opened the box, a scarf made of white fur came out. It looked like it was made from animal fur caught in a hunting competition. Maybe it’s rabbit fur.
I’m sorry for the rabbit, but there’s no artificial fur in the world yet. I’m sorry, rabbit. I’ll use it preciously instead.
The fur was so soft that it felt invincible just by touching it.
Perhaps it will defeat all the cold.
Irene ran out wearing a scarf. She also showed her scarf to her father saying she really liked it and gave her gratitude.
And she ran to Benjamin. Of course, she showed it to him too.
“Later.”
Feeling better, Benjamin touched Irene’s scarf and presented her another offer.
“Shall we go to buy some clothes that go well with this scarf? Dresses or anything.”
“But I have plenty of clothes.”
“Still.”
“Well, let’s do that. I’m doing gymnastics every day these days, so I’m sure I will grow up.”
“When you grow taller, you will need new clothes.”
“That’s right.”
“Then shall we buy shoes and hats, too?”
“Then you’ll buy me a necklace as well.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Brother!”
Irene screamed. Whatever it is, providing all away may have a bad effect on the child’s personality.
Of course, Irene doesn’t have the necessity to build personality.
“Okay, then just the hat.”
Benjamin raised one hand slightly and said as if proclaiming. Maybe he doesn’t want to yield below that.
“Okay.”
Irene eventually nodded and opened the door.
“By the way, did you say today is the day you go to the library?”
“Yes, that’s right.”