Raise Me, So That I Can Eat You Up - Chapter 12

I followed Benedict into a room. Books were densely packed on large bookshelves. The room looked like a small library.

He silently gestured for me to sit. I quietly sat on the sofa and looked around awkwardly. Benedict casually picked up the teapot.

The sound of pouring tea broke the silence.

Tightly closed lips. An indifferent expression. Slightly furrowed brows.

‘Why is he giving this to me?’

I couldn’t fathom his intentions at all. As I hesitated in front of the teacup, Benedict poured tea into his own cup.

Then he quickly swapped it with my cup and took a sip.

“It’s not poisoned.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’ll get cold.”

Is he telling me to drink quickly? I picked up the teacup with a bewildered expression. As I carefully took a sip, the fragrant aroma of tea leaves spread in my mouth.

‘Oh… It’s delicious!’

What kind of tea is this? When I unconsciously opened my eyes wide and looked at the teacup, I heard a chuckle.

‘Is he mocking me?’

People can be surprised sometimes. When I glared at him with wide eyes, Benedict took another sip and pretended not to notice.

“……”

An awkward silence fell. It was natural since we weren’t on speaking terms to begin with.

Am I the only one uncomfortable with this atmosphere? Benedict seemed unbothered.

He opened a thick book and began to concentrate, squinting his eyes.

It was titled ‘Dragon Encyclopedia’… Wait, dragons?

“Do you know much about dragons?”

“Yes.”

As expected, a curt answer. Is he telling me not to bother him?

But it seemed a bit odd that he was holding the book close and squinting.

“Don’t you wear glasses? I think you used to wear them before.”

“It’s bothersome.”

Benedict cut me off.

‘He seems to have poor eyesight.’

Glasses suited him quite well. Often, people who look good in glasses look completely different without them.

With glasses, he looked intellectual, and without them, his pretty eyes were more visible.

He had different charms both ways.

‘Well, without glasses, his features are certainly more prominent. It does catch the eye.’

He had a delicate nose bridge for a man. His skin, clear to the point of transparency, and silver hair gave him an almost holy appearance.

Especially the line from the tip of his nose to his lips was strikingly beautiful.

‘…Is this the time to be admiring?’

Get a grip. I chided myself for getting lost in admiring his face again.

‘Is he squinting because he can’t see well?’

If so, maybe he’s not really showing contempt. Then, inviting me for tea is, after all, a danger sign?

As my mind was in turmoil,

I met his purple eyes.

“By the way, My Lady… do you prefer non-humans?”

“…Pardon?”

So he’s talking about those kinds of books? Realizing his meaning, my face turned bright red.

‘Right. That’s the image I have.’

I felt ashamed of my momentary self-consciousness.

“I-I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“Trying to explore something new?”

He still treated me like a perverted trash. Well, it’s not like I’ll see the ending anyway. Maybe it’s for the best.

Since it’s come to this, I decided to stick to the concept.

I decided to be a bit more brazen.

“Yes. There’s no dream or hope with humans, right?”

“That… I agree.”

He kept chuckling as if something was terribly amusing.

“But why dragons specifically? There are many attractive non-humans. Like demons, vampires, or werewolves.”

I was a bit flustered by the sudden question.

“I don’t like demons because they shouldn’t become more corrupt. Vampires are out because I’m anemic, and werewolves worry me because of the fur.”

“That’s contradictory.”

“What is?”

“Evaluating such supernatural beings realistically. Are you particularly imaginative?”

“Well, it’s my preference. It’s my choice, isn’t it?”

When I retorted sulkily, he closed the book he was reading with a thud.

“I’m not being sarcastic, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Yes. I’m glad to hear that.”

“I’ll look for good works about dragons. Though they might be rare.”

A female-oriented adult novel featuring dragons.

‘This is going too far, even for me.’

I felt an unbearable sense of sacrilege as I thought of Oscar. I’m not particularly Confucian, but reading such things while raising a hatchling? Isn’t that a bit much?

“It’s okay.”

“But you said you liked them.”

“This time, I’m planning to write and be self-sufficient.”

I had to completely block that smart recommendation. When I said it firmly, Benedict quietly nodded.

“I’m curious about dragons, so can I ask one question?”

“Go ahead.”

Benedict readily agreed. Right, let’s at least get some answers about Oscar before leaving.

“Are dragons carnivorous?”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean, do they only eat meat?”

“It’s a matter of preference, not necessarily. It’s like how you mainly read books featuring slightly flavored large dog-style male leads.”

He probably recommends based on that knowledge, but to mention it so directly. I felt embarrassed as if my weakness had been exposed.

“I’m just asking out of curiosity, but why do you recommend books?”

“You seem to be in deep thought every week.”

“……”

“And you always come around closing time. I was worried something like today might happen.”

Benedict smiled faintly. His slightly twisted lips were full of mischief.

‘Is he teasing me?’

Of course, what he said wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t pleasant to hear face-to-face.

“Here, take this.”

He nonchalantly handed me the book he was reading.

“Isn’t this the librarian’s book?”

“Yes. I’m not giving it to you, I’m lending it.”

“I thought you wouldn’t let me have it just like that.”

“You’re quick-witted.”

I wondered if it was okay to accept this. I was uncomfortable, not knowing what conditions might be attached.

I rolled my eyes and remained silent for a moment. It would be better not to accept it, right?

“I’ll just borrow it from the library next time. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Do you think it will be there next week?”

“Pardon?”

“I like dragons too. And librarians have no limit on the number of books they can check out.”

“……”

“There’s no time limit either.”

Benedict twisted his lips.

“I might just read them all while we’re on the subject.”

Seeing him being spiteful again, it was clear he despised me.

“What do you want?”

“Accurate return.”

“Specifically?”

“Next week. At this time. To me.”

What’s with this attitude? Does he enjoy tormenting me?

“But I’ll be trapped again.”

I glared at Benedict and complained. Benedict shook the key as if to say, what’s the problem?

Somehow, it feels like I’ve fallen into the intelligent harassment of a malicious librarian. My head throbbed.

‘What should I do? I know so little about Oscar.’

Even though he grows quickly, Oscar is the infamous Black Dragon, and information is essential to raise him safely.

As I hesitated, Benedict rested his chin on his hand and stared at me.

“And it’s better to borrow dragon books from me quietly.”

“Why?”

“It’s a sensitive topic for the Imperial family, so they especially manage it unless you’re related.”

“You mean if I borrow repeatedly, I’ll become a subject of special management?”

Benedict nodded.

Being a subject of special management by the Imperial family. Isn’t that the most undesirable development?

‘The conclusion is that borrowing from Benedict is the best option.’

He should have said that from the beginning. I reluctantly decided to agree.

“Alright. But the book seems too thick for just a week.”

“I wonder what kind of masterpiece you’re planning to write.”

“If I’m going to write, I should make it a great work.”

“True. You also have to read the books you borrowed today.”

Right. Thanks for remembering my reading list. I let out a hollow laugh at his kind consideration.

Benedict scratched his chin thoughtfully, then put on an agreeable expression.

“Let’s decide whether to extend it or not then. Next week, at this place.”

He looks like he’s up to something. I must absolutely not extend it. I made a firm resolution.

Regardless, Benedict handed me the Dragon Encyclopedia with a faint smile.

I had finished my tea and achieved today’s goal, so I needed to hurry home.

“Anyway, thanks for the tea.”

I stood up and gave a light bow.

“I’m glad.”

“Well, since I’ve finished the tea, I should get going. My father will be worried.”

“Alright.”

Benedict readily agreed but showed no signs of getting up.

“Um. Aren’t you leaving? I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

I had put Oscar to bed early, so it was hard to expect him to sleep through the night. I needed to get back before he woke up.

And since I had said I would just return the book and come back, my father would be in an uproar too.

I was too anxious to stay any longer.

“You seem to be in a real hurry. You’re even leaving this behind.”

Benedict finally got up and handed me the book package.

Seeing the book wrapper with my name on it, my face turned bright red.

I had almost left behind the erotic novels with my name on them.

“I thought you were in a hurry.”

“Yes. I’m going.”

I was so embarrassed that I walked ahead of him. Despite knowing I was in a hurry, Benedict followed very slowly.

‘Maybe I was too pushy about being in a hurry, after all the help I received.’

Thinking about it, he had opened the locked door, served tea, and even lent me a dragon book trusting me.

No matter how much I needed to maintain an emotional wall, it felt inconsiderate from a human perspective.

I slowed my pace to match Benedict’s steps.

“What kind of tea was that?”

“The one you just drank?”

“Yes. It was delicious. Is it a blended tea?”

“Yes. I imported a small quantity from a merchant. If it’s good, I’m thinking of importing more. I’d appreciate your opinion.”

“The bergamot scent was a bit strong, but the overall harmony was nice.”

“You don’t like the bergamot scent, I see.”

“No, I just thought it would be better if it were a bit more subtle.”

After critiquing the new tea, we had already reached the entrance. I bowed deeply at 90 degrees to Benedict.

“Thank you so much for today. You saved me.”

“Then make sure to return it on time.”

“Yes. I’ll keep my promise.”

Click. The locked door opened, and I went outside.

The sky was already dimming with twilight. As I hurriedly walked away, I felt someone’s gaze and glanced back.

Benedict was standing still in the same spot as before.