Irene was startled by the strange voice that came over her blurred vision. Yet, the crying that erupted after a long time didn't stop.
"The baby keeps crying, Mother."
The little boy's voice was heard.
"Well, maybe our baby had something upsetting before she came into her mother's womb."
The woman who said so gave her a tight hug. She also patted her with her soft hands.
"Shh... It's okay, it's all over now, Irene."
It was strange.
She wasn't a 'baby' until a little while ago, nor was she 'Irene'.
And yet, instinctively, I knew, it was referring to me.
"From now on, we will protect you."
And, the woman who said this was her mother.
"We'll protect you, Irene."
The little boy followed his mother's words and made an oath together.
What the hell is this?
She fell deeply asleep, without even understanding the reality.
***
Irene slowly began to learn about the things that happened around her. New language, culture, and her surroundings.
So, by the time I was able to walk on my own feet and speak, with a big heart I said this to my family.
"Earth!"
Question marks floated over the heads of the family members who heard a lively cry. Even so, Irene did not give up and shouted, pointing her fingers to the imperial map that her parents had put on the wall.
"Earth!"
"Ah, You mean the map?"
"No, I think you said it was an institution, right?"
The parents insisted that they were right. Of course, they both heard it wrong.
'...I should have written it down.'
By paying attention to the pronunciation... No, I don't think it would have worked.
Since, I don't think there's a word here that says Earth.
Then where the hell are we?
With her head down in despair, Irene's brother, Benjamin Webber, who was only five years old, approached her.
The boy held out his chubby, pure-white hand.
'What about your hands?'
As Irene thought so and looked at him, the boy smiled sweetly, curling his blue eyes which resembled the water.
With his lovely smile, Irene held his hand as if possessed.
At that moment, despite the fact that I didn't know where this place was, I could definitely realize one thing.
'Ah, even if I'm born again, I'm a fool.'
Benjamin took Irene to the library. The count Webber's library contained several books, and Benjamin took out the largest atlas and unfolded the first chapter.
The map was much more sophisticated and scoped than the map on the wall.
Oh my, the kind older brother seems to have understood Irene's shouting 'Earth!' as a meaning 'I want to see the map.'
So he brought me here to show me a better map.
Oh, that's really so sweet.
You're a kid, too. How can you be so good at taking care of your younger sister?
"Irene, can I explain?"
"Yes."
The two children sat side by side on the footstool near the bookshelf and were close enough for each other's shoulders to touch.
Benjamin spread the map out so that Irene could see it well.
It was much more sophisticated than the one outside, and it even depicted the change in borders of the era.
"This is the capital. We're here."
A small finger pointed to the middle of the map.
"The capital is here..."
When Irene followed, Benjamin stroked her head.
"Irene is a good and smart girl."
I can't believe you even told me that when I just repeated the words.
This... feels strangely good.
I think I'm going to get addicted.
Benjamin's explanation continued, as he worked hard to show the arrows and year chart on the map.
"So the extent of the Terence Empire is from the upper stream of the Sears..."
The Terence Empire? Among Benjamin's explanations, Irene heard the name of a familiar country.
It was definitely a name she knew. I couldn't have been mistaken. This is...
While she had reasonable doubts, Benjamin's explanation continued.
"This is the Terence dynasty who rules the country."
"Ah!"
I remembered.
Why did I just think of it? That's how fanatic I'd been.
The Empire of Terence, Terence dynasty?
All of them appeared in the romance fantasy novel "Lend Me Your Heart", which she was a fan of.
'If so.... Is this inside the novel?'
So what am I in the original novel?
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't think of anything about 'Irene Webber'.
There was a great possibility that she was an extra that barely appeared or a character that didn't even appear. I could be sure because I've read it many times.
That's a good thing. It means that I can live a normal life even though it's the world in the novel.
But why does the name Webber keep giving... a familiar feeling, ominously? Where did I hear that?
That's what I was thinking, and one of the new explanations of my older brother was leading to the history of the dynasty.
"So, after Prince Elvin Manuel, rise in the future."
There's nothing this child doesn't know.
"He'll be the Crown Prince. By then, Irene will probably be able to come with us to the palace."
Irene shuddered at the word Crown Prince. The puzzle is completed.
Elvin Manuel Terence, Crown Prince!
Isn't he the main character?
And like fate, the great event of the Crown Prince flashed through her mind.
[You don't have to worry, because I have a competent aide named 'Benjamin Webber'.]
[What's the problem? I have an excellent aide named 'Benjamin Webber'.]
[Don't worry, 'Benjamin Webber'. I'll make sure to come back and do my work faithfully.]
Benjamin Webber, the icon of heavy labor!
Irene looked at the angelic boy who turned pages beside her.
This older brother, who always cares about Irene and takes care of her, will be the victim of the vicious boss... No, he will be the Crown prince's aide?!
"Irene?"
No, I hate it.
How can I tell this lovely brother to go through such a sad thing? Irene looked back at Benjamin in a half-hearted way.
"...I hate it."
It would be nice if I could explain something properly.
She can't even draw it, so the only thing that comes out of her mouth was this. Perhaps Benjamin didn't even understand what she was saying.
Nevertheless, the boy closed the book and hugged his younger sister tightly.
"Is that so? If you hate it, let's not do it."
Patting and delivering words were so sweet that Irene leaned her little forehead on her brother's shoulder.
If you hate it, let's not do it.
If someone had told her these simple words in her past life, would something have changed?
I don't know. It is a problem that cannot be solved anymore.
"Yes, I hate it."
I hate life being eaten by work. She knows the horror better than anyone else.
'Therefore.'
So that my brother doesn't get hurt like that, so that he doesn't lose anything precious because of work.
'I'll help you.'
My gentle brother.
***
From that day on, Irene decided to keep Benjamin by her side.
When she woke up in the morning, she looked for Benjamin first and spent most of the time with him just before she fell asleep again. At some point, when Benjamin woke up in the morning, he started looking for Irene, too.
After some time passed, Irene finally began to see the letters correctly.
I didn't study separately.
However, when I was reading a book with Benjamin, I naturally discovered certain aptitude.
'Is this why they ask you to study when you're young?'
Since my head was soft, I was able to memorize it quickly. Of course, it didn't mean that studying was good though.
And then, one day.
Irene secretly held a colored pencil in the corner and grunted, struggling with her small muscles.
Benjamin came close because he wanted to help her, but Irene quickly ran away.
"Don't come... brother."
She said it in a troubled voice.
Benjamin was a little disappointed, but he agreed to respect Irene's words.
And a moment later, a tearful Irene came back with a piece of paper in her hand.
"It's not working."
"What?"
When Benjamin asked, Irene held out a white paper to him in silence.
As he unfolded, there was a "Benjamin Webber" written on it over and over again.
Although, the words were not written properly, no one would point that out, in a situation like this.
Benjamin looked in amazement, alternating between the letters and little Irene.
"Did mother teach you how to write?"
{Shake head}
"Then, Father?"
{Shake head}
"Then?"
Irene stared at Benjamin.
"Older brother."
"Me?"
{Nod}
"Ah..."
Benjamin finally understood one thing. Irene saw the name in Benjamin's notebook and tried to write the same thing.
If so, maybe some of the words could still be read. Even if it's difficult to understand.
"Irene's first handwriting."
Benjamin lowered himself to make eye contact with Irene.
"...It's my name." There was a strange feeling coming in. I didn't really want a reward for taking care of my younger sister, but it felt like I received a great gift.
But Irene didn't look good as if she wasn't satisfied yet.
"But it didn't work out."
"Well done. You did a great job, Princess of Webber."
Benjamin kissed the little child's forehead lightly.
Irene was startled by the strange voice that came over her blurred vision. Yet, the crying that erupted after a long time didn't stop.
"The baby keeps crying, Mother."
The little boy's voice was heard.
"Well, maybe our baby had something upsetting before she came into her mother's womb."
The woman who said so gave her a tight hug. She also patted her with her soft hands.
"Shh... It's okay, it's all over now, Irene."
It was strange.
She wasn't a 'baby' until a little while ago, nor was she 'Irene'.
And yet, instinctively, I knew, it was referring to me.
"From now on, we will protect you."
And, the woman who said this was her mother.
"We'll protect you, Irene."
The little boy followed his mother's words and made an oath together.
What the hell is this?
She fell deeply asleep, without even understanding the reality.
***
Irene slowly began to learn about the things that happened around her. New language, culture, and her surroundings.
So, by the time I was able to walk on my own feet and speak, with a big heart I said this to my family.
"Earth!"
Question marks floated over the heads of the family members who heard a lively cry. Even so, Irene did not give up and shouted, pointing her fingers to the imperial map that her parents had put on the wall.
"Earth!"
"Ah, You mean the map?"
"No, I think you said it was an institution, right?"
The parents insisted that they were right. Of course, they both heard it wrong.
'...I should have written it down.'
By paying attention to the pronunciation... No, I don't think it would have worked.
Since, I don't think there's a word here that says Earth.
Then where the hell are we?
With her head down in despair, Irene's brother, Benjamin Webber, who was only five years old, approached her.
The boy held out his chubby, pure-white hand.
'What about your hands?'
As Irene thought so and looked at him, the boy smiled sweetly, curling his blue eyes which resembled the water.
With his lovely smile, Irene held his hand as if possessed.
At that moment, despite the fact that I didn't know where this place was, I could definitely realize one thing.
'Ah, even if I'm born again, I'm a fool.'
Benjamin took Irene to the library. The count Webber's library contained several books, and Benjamin took out the largest atlas and unfolded the first chapter.
The map was much more sophisticated and scoped than the map on the wall.
Oh my, the kind older brother seems to have understood Irene's shouting 'Earth!' as a meaning 'I want to see the map.'
So he brought me here to show me a better map.
Oh, that's really so sweet.
You're a kid, too. How can you be so good at taking care of your younger sister?
"Irene, can I explain?"
"Yes."
The two children sat side by side on the footstool near the bookshelf and were close enough for each other's shoulders to touch.
Benjamin spread the map out so that Irene could see it well.
It was much more sophisticated than the one outside, and it even depicted the change in borders of the era.
"This is the capital. We're here."
A small finger pointed to the middle of the map.
"The capital is here..."
When Irene followed, Benjamin stroked her head.
"Irene is a good and smart girl."
I can't believe you even told me that when I just repeated the words.
This... feels strangely good.
I think I'm going to get addicted.
Benjamin's explanation continued, as he worked hard to show the arrows and year chart on the map.
"So the extent of the Terence Empire is from the upper stream of the Sears..."
The Terence Empire? Among Benjamin's explanations, Irene heard the name of a familiar country.
It was definitely a name she knew. I couldn't have been mistaken. This is...
While she had reasonable doubts, Benjamin's explanation continued.
"This is the Terence dynasty who rules the country."
"Ah!"
I remembered.
Why did I just think of it? That's how fanatic I'd been.
The Empire of Terence, Terence dynasty?
All of them appeared in the romance fantasy novel "Lend Me Your Heart", which she was a fan of.
'If so.... Is this inside the novel?'
So what am I in the original novel?
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't think of anything about 'Irene Webber'.
There was a great possibility that she was an extra that barely appeared or a character that didn't even appear. I could be sure because I've read it many times.
That's a good thing. It means that I can live a normal life even though it's the world in the novel.
But why does the name Webber keep giving... a familiar feeling, ominously? Where did I hear that?
That's what I was thinking, and one of the new explanations of my older brother was leading to the history of the dynasty.
"So, after Prince Elvin Manuel, rise in the future."
There's nothing this child doesn't know.
"He'll be the Crown Prince. By then, Irene will probably be able to come with us to the palace."
Irene shuddered at the word Crown Prince. The puzzle is completed.
Elvin Manuel Terence, Crown Prince!
Isn't he the main character?
And like fate, the great event of the Crown Prince flashed through her mind.
[You don't have to worry, because I have a competent aide named 'Benjamin Webber'.]
[What's the problem? I have an excellent aide named 'Benjamin Webber'.]
[Don't worry, 'Benjamin Webber'. I'll make sure to come back and do my work faithfully.]
Benjamin Webber, the icon of heavy labor!
Irene looked at the angelic boy who turned pages beside her.
This older brother, who always cares about Irene and takes care of her, will be the victim of the vicious boss... No, he will be the Crown prince's aide?!
"Irene?"
No, I hate it.
How can I tell this lovely brother to go through such a sad thing? Irene looked back at Benjamin in a half-hearted way.
"...I hate it."
It would be nice if I could explain something properly.
She can't even draw it, so the only thing that comes out of her mouth was this. Perhaps Benjamin didn't even understand what she was saying.
Nevertheless, the boy closed the book and hugged his younger sister tightly.
"Is that so? If you hate it, let's not do it."
Patting and delivering words were so sweet that Irene leaned her little forehead on her brother's shoulder.
If you hate it, let's not do it.
If someone had told her these simple words in her past life, would something have changed?
I don't know. It is a problem that cannot be solved anymore.
"Yes, I hate it."
I hate life being eaten by work. She knows the horror better than anyone else.
'Therefore.'
So that my brother doesn't get hurt like that, so that he doesn't lose anything precious because of work.
'I'll help you.'
My gentle brother.
***
From that day on, Irene decided to keep Benjamin by her side.
When she woke up in the morning, she looked for Benjamin first and spent most of the time with him just before she fell asleep again. At some point, when Benjamin woke up in the morning, he started looking for Irene, too.
After some time passed, Irene finally began to see the letters correctly.
I didn't study separately.
However, when I was reading a book with Benjamin, I naturally discovered certain aptitude.
'Is this why they ask you to study when you're young?'
Since my head was soft, I was able to memorize it quickly. Of course, it didn't mean that studying was good though.
And then, one day.
Irene secretly held a colored pencil in the corner and grunted, struggling with her small muscles.
Benjamin came close because he wanted to help her, but Irene quickly ran away.
"Don't come... brother."
She said it in a troubled voice.
Benjamin was a little disappointed, but he agreed to respect Irene's words.
And a moment later, a tearful Irene came back with a piece of paper in her hand.
"It's not working."
"What?"
When Benjamin asked, Irene held out a white paper to him in silence.
As he unfolded, there was a "Benjamin Webber" written on it over and over again.
Although, the words were not written properly, no one would point that out, in a situation like this.
Benjamin looked in amazement, alternating between the letters and little Irene.
"Did mother teach you how to write?"
{Shake head}
"Then, Father?"
{Shake head}
"Then?"
Irene stared at Benjamin.
"Older brother."
"Me?"
{Nod}
"Ah..."
Benjamin finally understood one thing. Irene saw the name in Benjamin's notebook and tried to write the same thing.
If so, maybe some of the words could still be read. Even if it's difficult to understand.
"Irene's first handwriting."
Benjamin lowered himself to make eye contact with Irene.
"...It's my name." There was a strange feeling coming in. I didn't really want a reward for taking care of my younger sister, but it felt like I received a great gift.
But Irene didn't look good as if she wasn't satisfied yet.
"But it didn't work out."
"Well done. You did a great job, Princess of Webber."
Benjamin kissed the little child's forehead lightly.
