Capítulo 18: Caught Red Handed
Ethan looked like a deer caught in headlights. He believed his stealth stats were high enough to avoid being discovered while approaching the restricted section. Apparently, the system was mistaken. What else was it wrong about?
Ethan was caught red-handed, and he cradled his arms, hoping the rare books wouldn't be snatched. However, the action was pointless. The boy had emerged from the restricted section empty-handed!
Ethan figured the books had entered his inventory. No evidence meant no crime had happened. But the problem still stared him in the face—the Young Count had been caught near the forbidden door.
The Head Librarian stood fuming before him with two of her assistants.
"You may be the future heir of Cromwell Castle, but the library is my jurisdiction!" Hayden snapped angrily. "So I urge you again—explain yourself! What are you doing near the restricted section?"
Ethan bit his lip with an uncertain look. How did he get caught despite his stealth level being up to the mark?
Suddenly, the boy's eyes caught something unusual. One of the Head Librarian's Assistants wore a thick scarf, hiding most of her head. It was an embroidered woolen accessory, perhaps a reflection of local culture.
Still, something was off about the scarf and its owner. It was warm inside the library, more so in RR3, which had the most oversized hearth for cold winters.
"Miss Hayden… I will answer your question. But could you tell me first—who is this person?"
Ethan pointed towards the scarf-wearing assistant. The Head Librarian raised an eyebrow. "She's Tabitha, my new assistant who joined last week. Why do you ask?"
The boy nodded to himsElf as the cogs in his brain turned. "Was it Tabitha who told you I was lurking near the restricted section?"
Hayden shrugged her chubby shoulders. "Yes, but I don't see the problem, Young Count. It is my assistants' responsibility to see discipline is maintained in the library. Tabitha was just doing her job."
Ethan nodded again and casually stepped towards the scarf-wearing assistant. "Is that so? Then she deserves a reward for her efficient work. Wouldn't you agree?"
The Head Librarian stared back at him in confusion. If the Young Count were indeed guilty of trying to breach the forbidden door, the Countess would punish him according to law.
Of course, as the heir of Cromwell Castle, his punishment would be practically a slap on the wrist. The boy may be grounded for a week, or his sweets rations may be reduced for a month.
Hayden was confused why Ethan wanted to reward Tabitha. The latter had spied on his activities and filed a complaint about him. Wouldn't the boy be vengeful instead?
"I don't understand your intentions, Young Count. But since you cannot explain your actions, I must report this matter to the Countess. She will be the judge and jury."
Ethan shrugged nonchalantly. "Do what you must, Miss Hayden. Regardless, I will reward your employee who did a marvelous job."
The boy fished into his pants pocket and produced a glittering silver coin. Even though the Cromwell family wasn't vastly wealthy, sparing a silver coin was commonplace. It was a spare change for them.
"This is for being committed to your job," Ethan said, offering the coin to Tabitha. The latter was confused by his gesture but extended her hand to accept the reward anyway. Refusing a noble gesture from the heir would be offensive. Moreover, what kind of madwoman would say no to a silver coin?
At this point, the Head Librarian intruded in the transaction. "Are you a savage, girl?" she fumed at her assistant. "When a member of the royal household offers a reward, take off your damn scarf! Haven't you read the codes?"
While Tabitha gave a start, a knowing smile spread across Ethan's face. Last night, the boy memorized all chivalry and courtesy codes from a borrowed library book.
"Civil Code No. 234," Ethan said confidently from memory. "A commoner must not wear any head accessories while accepting a reward from a royal."
Hayden raised her brows, impressed by the Young Count's knowledge of courtesy behavior. She directed a stern gaze on Tabitha. "Remove your scarf, girl! Off with it now!"
The assistant fidgeted in her position with shifty eyes. She finally shook her head to refuse the command. "I… I… can't…"
The Head Librarian was both stumped and infuriated by the girl's behavior. How could removing a scarf be inappropriate, especially since the courtesy code demanded it? It's not that she was asked to strip her clothes. "What's wrong with you, girl? Have you lost your mind?"
Ethan stepped closer to the panicking assistant until they were a few feet apart. "Let me answer that question for you."
With a swift movement, he grabbed Tabitha's scarf and pulled it off. The girl protested the action, but it was already too late. Her hidden blonde hair cascaded down while two tapering, fidgety ears poked out of her head.
Hayden and her other assistant's jaws dropped. "What in the seven hells!" the Head Librarian exclaimed in disbelief. "You're an Elf? How could I have been this stupid?"
Attracted by the commotion, a couple of castle guards rushed into the reading room. Hayden immediately handed over Tabitha into their custody. Elves were banned inside the castle unless the Countess hersElf sanctioned them. The girl had committed a severe crime and would be punished accordingly.
Apparently, Tabitha was a loner Elf from a distant village with the Cromwell Estate. She posed as a library assistant to get close to the Young Count.
Ethan figured out her race on the basis of two observations. First, even though his system assured that stealth stats were high enough to approach the forbidden door, Tabitha saw him. That would mean only one thing—she wasn't a human but an exception—an Elf.
Second, the boy prided himsElf in scrutinizing pretty girl faces. During his perverse scan of the assistant, he accidentally saw Tabitha's ears twitch within the scarf. Combined with the system's contradiction, he had enough evidence to expose the Elf imposter.
"I just wanted him to perform a refloration on me…" Tabitha screamed as she was dragged out of the library, most likely into the dungeons below the castle.
"I apologize for putting your life in danger, Young Count," the Head Librarian said with lowered eyes. "I'll do anything to make up for my foolish behavior."
"I'll encash that favor some other day," Ethan said, dismissing her. "By the way, what is a refloration?"
Hayden waved a dismissive hand. "Please don't mind that perverted Elf's rantings. It is known that a fertile human's seed can heal all injuries of the Elven race. When consumed with the proper rituals, it could even give back the Elf her virginity! Or so she believed."
The Head Librarian nodded at Ethan with reverence before leaving.
"What's going on here?" an approaching voice asked. It belonged to none other than Gwen Cromwell, Ethan's younger sister.
The girl had been watching the scene unfold from the other end of the reading room. Initially, she thought Hayden came to bust her. But the commotion made Gwen curious. After the Head Librarian left, she approached Ethan.
"Have you been causing trouble, brother?" Gwen asked sternly. "I'll tell Mom if you are!"
Ethan turned to her with the express intention to fire back a rude comeback. However, her adorable beauty melted his heart. The boy held back his retort and instead focused on Gwen's rosy cheeks and dainty figure.
"Good morning, little sis. The issue with Hayden was nothing important—just a misunderstanding. Anyway, I have something to share with you. Can we spend some time in private, on the other end of the reading room?"
Gwen turned away with a dismissive wave. "I am busy… Maybe some other time."
Ethan wasn't about to give up so easily. He took a tremendous risk just to get the right books for his objectives. Moreover, only ninety minutes were left until the Devil Curse manifested its effects. Tick Tock!
"I saw the page you tore out of Damsel Weekly magazine," the boy blurted out.
Gwen froze in her tracks but didn't turn around. "I don't know what you are talking about…"
"I also read the notes…" Ethan went on. "About you wanting to grow your-"
The brunette spun sharply and put a hand over Ethan's mouth. Her soft fingers felt like velvet, and her strawberry nail polish sent the boy into aromatic heaven.
"Don't say another word! Please!" Gwen begged, her eyes searching the reading room for potential witnesses.
Ethan nodded, and she slowly removed her hand from her brother's face. "I can help you…" the boy murmured.
"What! No way!" Gwen fired back. "Mind your own business! You don't have to get involved in girly stuff. I shouldn't even be discussing the subject with my own brother! Just forget whatever you saw and leave me alone!"
As Gwen began walking away, Ethan lunged forward and grabbed her arm. He had already prepared a speech.
"Listen… I know you hate me. But I am your brother, and I care about you."
"The problem you mentioned on the DAMSEL WEEKLY page is indeed very personal and a taboo subject. But it is a common problem among girls."
"Moreover, I am willing to embarrass myself to make you happy. Just give me a chance. I need only a few minutes."
Gwen turned towards Ethan with conflicting emotions. How did her jerk brother's personality get reformed so drastically? He always rejoiced in pranking, bullying, and demeaning her. Why did he suddenly want to help her?
"I…" Gwen murmured reluctantly, raising her gaze. As they came face to face, the conviction in Ethan's eyes dealt a blow to her anxiety. Did her brother really have a solution to make her breasts grow larger? There was only one way to find out.
"Fine… I'll listen… Only for a few minutes."
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder