The Story of Dhanvanthri

eleven

Mister Whitey

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"Cavities," Dhanvanthri repeated, tone borderline incredulous but filled with disbelief nonetheless. He touched his own cheek delicately before eyeing his little sister as if cavities were contagious. Then, he dropped his hand and went into thought. How was she getting cavities, did she not brush her teeth properly? Odd. Perhaps she ate too much sugar, what with their father spoiling Athanasia with sweets every time they had a tea party or a meetup.

"I'll tell father to not allow you any more sweet consumption for a while now," Dhanvanthri frowned after he made the decision.

"No!" Athanasia wailed, clinging onto his sleeves. "Big brother, you can't take away my sole reason for living! I crave for sweets, they're my true love!"

Dhanvanthri allowed her to cling onto his body, ignoring her wailing self, he turned to look at Athanasia's personal maid. "Lilian, make sure to keep all the sweets locked up. Especially the chocolate, and share the ones I bought recently between the other maids and the knights' barrack. Athanasia seems to have too many sweets to eat, I'll talk with my father regarding the consumption as well."

"Yes, your highness," Lilian nodded in agreement.

"Big brother!" Athanasia looked horrified. "No!"

Dhanvanthri looked down at Athanasia before pausing, he tilted his head and reached out to pat hers. "Have you... grown shorter?"

"No! You're the one who's growing like a weed!" Athanasia protested.

Dhanvanthri hummed, "Maybe you're growing differently because of the sweets as well." He reached out to pinch her cheeks, "I think they're slightly chubbier than when we first met, you're getting fatter."

"Big brother!"

"Let's go see father," Dhanvanthri announced, turning from the kitchen. Athanasia, who was pretty much ignored this whole time, followed after him sulkily. Dhanvanthri dragged her with him, regardless of her personal opinion, to their father's studies. Better tell his father to reduce the consumption with physical proof, that way, Athanasia can't pretend nothing is going on with those teeth of hers.

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"You're here."

Dhanvanthri entered the room only to be greeted by the usual, frosty welcome. His father sat in the seat with a cup of Lippe tea in hand and an empty table before them. He made a face instantly, somehow it went from him dragging his sister to her doing that to him. He allowed her to drag him all the way over to their father before Athanasia wore that smile of hers once more.

"Papa! Athy and big brother is here!" Athanasia announced, practically running over.

Dhanvanthri made a face when they got closer, somehow catching a whiff of sweet scent in the air. Was it the tea? He didn't remember that disgusting tea having such a taste. Unhappily, he sat down on the unoccupied couch and watched as his sister sweet-talk their father. His father looked down at Athanasia who had her hands on his knees.

"These days, you're just coming and going as you wish," His father commented nonchalantly. "Dragging your brother everywhere you go."

"I just wanted to see Papa-!"

"Athanasia has cavities, father," Dhanvanthri cut into their conversation sharply, still staring at the Lippe tea in disgust. He quickly schooled his features before looking up at their father, "She has cavities. It's best if she doesn't consume any sugar for the time being, least her tea rots away and she becomes known as the toothless princess."