Threads of Fate

My brother Liam and I crossed over together.

He got the ultimate protagonist's fate, while I ended up as a terminally ill disaster magnet.

Me: "Bro, I'm scared. Help."

Liam: "Sis, quit yapping. I'm helping!"

1

Liam and I crossed over into a book together—some dynasty, some era, who even knew.

All I knew was that the moment I arrived, I was in excruciating pain, coughing up blood nonstop.

The random father figure beside me sighed and said, "The girl's a lost cause. Might as well bury her now."

I exchanged a terrified glance with Liam, who was standing by the bed, and then he bolted out the door.

Seriously, Liam, you absolute jerk. When disaster strikes, it's every man for himself, and you don't even care about your own sister?

The fake father had already started looking for a straw mat to wrap me in.

My luck was just that rotten!

Finally getting a chance to transmigrate, and I was done for from the very start.

Boo-hoo. The most heartbreaking part was that my own brother, Liam, had just abandoned me!

If I died, I'd come back as a ghost and tattle on him to Mom!

I cursed him in my head through the pain, until I finally passed out.

Well, I woke up again—still in that shabby little hut!

Liam was sitting by my bed, handing me a bowl of medicine without a word. "You're awake? Drink it yourself."

I bit down on Liam's arm. He flinched, nearly spilling the medicine.

"Clara, are you trying to murder your own brother?!"

My eyes were full of tears. "Liam, I'm not dead!"

Liam blew on the spot I'd bitten, gritting his teeth. "No kidding. I went to the cliff last night to pick herbs for you, fell into a ravine, and ended up covered in injuries!"

I was stunned. "Liam, you're really tough. You fell into a ravine and didn't die?"

Liam looked at me with utter disgust. "Can't you ever wish me well? I should've chosen 'Sacrifice the Sister for Unlimited Power' when the system gave me the option yesterday!"

"..."

Me: "You... you have a system?"

Liam: "Yeah. Don't you?"

Boo-hoo. I didn't have a system.

So unfair!

Liam crossed over and got a system, while I was just a sacrificial pawn?

Liam and I had grown up together. I could fart, and he'd know exactly what I was thinking.

So, out of sheer generosity, he comforted my indignant self. "Don't worry. I've got your back."

I looked at Liam's still-robust body and tested the waters. "Didn't you fall into a ravine? How come you're not broken? Don't tell me you triggered some hidden encounter and got a hundred years of power from an old immortal."

Liam stroked his chin, reminiscing lazily. "There was an old man at the bottom of the ravine..."

I was numb. Completely numb.

2

Liam's system said I had a terminal illness. Without some miraculous medicine to keep me alive, I'd die.

I was so mad!

We were both transmigrators. Why did Liam get the ultimate protagonist script while I was stuck with a terminal illness?

Liam was still babbling in my ear about the old man under the cliff.

I felt like I was watching a proud rooster showing off its fancy comb.

This scene had appeared often in my childhood nightmares.

Like when Liam came home with the top score, and I brought up the rear.

Or during holidays, when the school heartthrob Liam was too busy going out on dates and dumped a pile of gifts on me to deal with.

My random father here was a poor mountain villager. He had no spare money to treat my illness.

So, seeing that I'd temporarily recovered, he decided to marry me off.

When I got up to use the outhouse one night, I overheard the fake father and mother discussing this. Terrified, I ran back to the room, grabbed Liam's leg, and sobbed, "Bro, I'm scared. Save me!"

Liam's mouth twitched. "I remember the last time you did this was when you broke Mom's fancy face cream and tried to pin it on me, right?"

I batted my big, innocent eyes, trying to use cuteness to salvage our sibling bond.

Liam threw up his hands. "The fake dad wants you to get married. I can't exactly marry him for you, can I?"

I said, "Why not? How do you know if we're in a straight novel or a BL one? What if this is a BL story with two male leads? You'd fit right in!"

Liam covered his forehead. "Clara, shut up!"

3

The fake parents quickly found a husband for me.

They planned to marry me off to the village idiot.

On the day the matchmaker came to propose, I hid in my room and refused to come out.

Liam was sent in by the fake parents to persuade me.

I immediately latched onto him, crying. "Bro, what do I do? I can't marry that idiot! I'm supposed to marry a handsome guy!"

Liam peeled me off with a look of disgust. "Dream on?"

I swore I wouldn't give in. "I don't care! I have to marry a handsome guy!"

Then I lunged at him again, crying.

Liam sighed, rubbing his forehead, and told me he'd figure something out. I just had to hold on.

How was I supposed to hold on?

That very night, after dealing with the fake parents and the matchmaker during the day, I climbed over the wall to escape.

But of course, the idiot's family, desperate to finally get him a wife, had people watching my house all night!

I was stuffed into a sack and taken to the idiot's house.

The idiot's mother had a sharp, bitter face. She pointed at me and cursed, "I knew your father, Big Lin, was up to no good. Taking our betrothal gifts and trying to leave us with nothing? Hah! Lucky I had my wits about me!"

She had me tied up, covered with a red bridal veil, and thrown onto the idiot's bed.

The door was locked from the outside. Before leaving, I heard her proudly say she'd already fed the idiot an aphrodisiac, so there was no worry about him not producing a son.

I felt the person lying beside me slowly stir, and despair washed over me.

If I had to bear a son for an idiot, I'd rather have died at the start!

Boo-hoo, Liam, come save me!

4

My red veil was lifted.

Summoning all my strength, I launched myself at the idiot, ready to take him down with me.

Our foreheads collided, and I saw stars.

I also heard the idiot curse, "Are you okay?"

I was about to curse back—"No, I'm not okay! Why are you even getting married?"—when the idiot clamped his hand over my mouth, silencing me.

I stared in terror, struggling, but froze when I saw his face.

The idiot... was handsome?

"Don't talk. She'll hear us."

The idiot glanced at the door, making sure it was safe, then turned his handsome face to me, his warm tone laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

Uh...

Was it possible he hadn't been cursing me earlier?

I shook my head. The idiot quickly let me go and untied my ropes.

I was surprised. "You're not an idiot?"

Before he could answer, sounds of fighting erupted outside.

Soon, the door was kicked open, and I saw Liam.

Liam held a long blade, looking from my disheveled state on the bed to the idiot's rumpled clothes beside me.

Then he raised his blade and swung at the idiot.

I quickly stepped in front of the idiot, shouting at Liam, "Don't kill him! He didn't try to hurt me!"

Liam was half-convinced but stopped.

He led me out of the idiot's house.

Standing on a hill, I watched the smoke rising from the idiot's house, trembling with fear.

"Liam, those weren't the idiot's family, were they?"

The people who'd kidnapped me were just villagers, but during our escape, I'd clearly seen a group of black-clad fighters moving with precision.

Liam shook his head, saying he didn't know. Then he turned to the idiot, who'd followed us, his eyes full of suspicion.

"Who are you really?"

The blade gleamed dangerously. I quickly grabbed Liam's arm. "Bro, don't be mad at your future brother-in-law!"

Liam: "?"

The idiot: "..."

5

Liam said I was blinded by good looks.

I didn't deny it. I'd never seen a handsome guy like the idiot before.

I couldn't bear to let him die!

I whispered to the idiot, "Don't misunderstand. I only said that to protect you. I don't have any ulterior motives."

"Protect me?" The idiot looked surprised.

Liam, eavesdropping, couldn't help but snicker.

I shot him a dirty look, then turned to the idiot with the sweetest smile.

Liam laughed harder. "Clara, you're grinning like a proud mom. Anyone would think you're looking at your son."

I was both embarrassed and furious. I smacked him. "Think you're funny, huh?"

I'd never been in a relationship. The closest I'd come was doting on my fictional characters.

And this idiot was just like a fictional character!

I was genuinely upset!

But the idiot said, "I think Miss Clara's smile is beautiful."

Liam and I both froze.

The idiot had clear, innocent eyes and a bright, youthful smile.

And he was defending me.

I fell for him right then.

Fictional characters really were the best!

Liam rubbed his chin, muttering to himself, "Guess he's not an idiot after all."

The idiot thanked me again and asked me to call him Nine.

Before I could respond, Liam grabbed Nine by the shoulder, acting all buddy-buddy, and dragged him into the woods, forbidding me from following.

A chilling memory surfaced.

I'd never had a boyfriend, all thanks to Liam.

Whenever a guy talked to me for more than a minute, Liam would appear and drag him into an alley.

After that, the guy would always keep his distance.

Liam must've been badmouthing me!

I was terrified history would repeat itself and my fictional handsome guy would leave me.

But when Liam and Nine came out of the woods, I grabbed Nine and blurted, "Don't listen to my brother! I don't have any weird habits, and I'm not a creep!"

Nine smiled faintly. "Why would Miss Clara say that about herself?"

I couldn't believe it. "Liam didn't say anything bad about me?"

Nine said, "Mr. Liam just showed me his blade."

My heart sank. I grabbed his arm. "He threatened you to stay away from me?"

Nine's ears turned red. "I think Mr. Liam was just warning me not to hurt you."

Remembering the ancient customs about propriety between men and women, I reluctantly let go.

But to my surprise, I'd misjudged Liam?

Nine suddenly added, "Miss Clara, I won't hurt you. And I won't... leave you."

I froze. His gaze was so sincere, my heart felt like it would leap out of my chest.

"Clara, are you coming or not? Want to be wolf bait up here?"

Liam yanked me to his side, shooting Nine a cold look.

Normally, I'd have kicked him. But after Nine's words, I decided to forgive him this once!

6

Liam and I left the fake parents behind, planning to find a new life in the nearest city.

But the journey wasn't peaceful.

Mostly because of me.

First, a wolf cub jumped out of the bushes and chased me like crazy.

Then, a group of bandits kidnapped me, demanding I become their leader's wife.

Liam kicked the wolf cub into submission and wiped out the bandits, but I was convinced I was cursed.

He tied a rope around the wolf cub's neck and handed it to me to walk. Then he lined up the bruised bandits in two rows, making them bow to me.

"Good day, Miss."

Liam lounged on a tiger-skin chair, one brow raised, looking devastatingly handsome.

I turned to Nine. "Doesn't he look like a showy rooster?"

Nine was busy using his shoe to beat the bandit leader, who was already sprawled on the ground. "Wife? I'll show you wife!"

At my question, he straightened up, rolling up his sleeves. His pale face was even whiter from the effort, and a few strands of hair had fallen loose, giving him a fragile charm.

He caught his breath. "What?"

Uh...

I quietly took the shoe from his hand. "Take a break. I'll handle this."

My handsome guy was delicate. I should do the heavy lifting.

But Nine took the shoe back, his gaze firm. "I'm not tired. Don't be scared, Clara. I'll protect you."

Then he turned back to the bandit leader.

I: "..."

Well, he might be weak, but he said he'd protect me.

7

Thanks to Liam, we made it to the city safely, escorted by the bandits.

I handed the wolf cub to the bandit leader for safekeeping.

He puffed out his chest. "Miss, I won't let you down!"

Then the bandits bowed in unison. "Take care, Miss!"

I scurried away. So embarrassing!

I thought things would settle down in the city, but my rotten luck was relentless.

Soon, I accidentally offended the magistrate's daughter's sedan chair.

A group of soldiers grabbed us and threw us into the magistrate's dungeon.

Liam was taken away, leaving me and Nine in the cell, terrified.

I apologized to Nine. "This is going to be rough. I've dragged you into this. If they come for you, just say you don't know me or my brother."

When the guards came for us, I tried to distance myself from Nine, insisting they had the wrong person.

But Nine clung to my hand, refusing to let go, as if afraid they'd think we weren't together.

I looked at his gentle, determined face and couldn't even muster a smile.

It was official. Nine was probably an idiot.

But my worry was unnecessary.

After all, my brother had the ultimate protagonist script.

The guards were slapped hard by the magistrate's daughter.

She stood with her hands on her hips, scolding them. "I told you to invite the guests, not arrest them, you idiots!"

Liam stood behind her, looking smug, mouthing, "Aren't I handsome?"

I wanted to roll my eyes.

Within a day, we were living in the magistrate's mansion.

His daughter treated me like a long-lost sister, plying me with food and drink while subtly pumping me for information about Liam.

I thought of my brother's arrogant face and smirked.

Opportunity to throw him under the bus, here I come!

I took my "sister's" hand and said earnestly, "Don't be fooled by my brother's looks. He's a total slob at home—doesn't shave, doesn't even wash his socks."

The magistrate's daughter beamed. "A real man has bigger things to worry about. If Mr. Liam did all that, what would his wife do? Don't worry, I'll handle those little things."

Me: "My brother has no ambition. He's a flirt, with so many romantic entanglements he can't keep track."

She waved it off. "The more women like Mr. Liam, the more it proves my taste is impeccable. A house full of sisters would be lively."

Me: "..."

8

I whispered to Nine, "The magistrate's daughter is completely gone for my brother. No saving her."

Nine was peeling grapes for me, one by one, piling them into a bowl.

I asked, "Why aren't you eating any?"

He smiled gently, his dark eyes sparkling like stars. "I don't like them."

"Then why did you buy them?"

I'd noticed he bought a lot of things he didn't like. And they all ended up in my stomach.

He smiled again. "As long as you eat them."

I picked up a grape and held it to his lips. "Try it. It's sweet."

He froze until I said my arm was getting tired, then leaned in and took the grape.

My fingers brushed against his soft lips, and I suddenly felt flustered.

I'd fed Liam before, but feeding Nine felt completely different.

My heart had never raced like this.

Nine looked up. "Has Miss Clara ever done this for another man?"

His innocent, pleading eyes reminded me of a puppy begging for affection.

My heart skipped a beat. "No, never! Not even my dad, only my brother!"

Nine apologized, saying he shouldn't have doubted me.

"You're too good, Clara," he said earnestly. "I'm afraid someone will take you from me. I couldn't help myself. I won't say such foolish things again."

I patted his shoulder. "You're overestimating me. I'm not that great. Trust me, the only guys who've ever pulled my hair were bullies. Nobody's ever fought over me."

Those bullies used to call me nicknames like "Little Sweetie" or "Baby Girl." I'd tell Liam, and he'd invite them to a dark alley. Then I'd have peace for a while.

"No," Nine said, wiping grape juice from my fingers with a handkerchief. "To me, you're the best."

His puppy-dog eyes seemed to see straight into my soul.

And I realized—was this a confession?

9

To keep my illness from flaring up, Liam brought back piles of ginseng and rare herbs, telling me to chew on them whenever I had time.

I was shocked. "Liam, did you sell yourself to the magistrate's daughter?"

He tapped my head. "Can't you think normally for once?"

Nine immediately rolled up his sleeves and asked Liam for the prescription.

I still couldn't believe it. Where did Liam get the money for all these expensive herbs? And not just a few—several crates.

I went to ask the magistrate's daughter.

She got excited. "Sister, do you know how I can get Mr. Liam to sell himself to me?"

Me: "..."

So that's why I hadn't seen Liam around. He'd been secretly making a fortune.

After Nine's confession, I decided I couldn't keep loafing around the magistrate's mansion. I needed to become an independent, outstanding woman worthy of being called "the best" by Nine.

So I pestered Liam to teach me business.

He was lounging in a rocking chair, lazily tossing a jade piece. When he heard me, the jade fell with a crack and shattered.

"Clara, did the ginseng fry your brain?"

I picked up the broken pieces, telling him I was serious.

He yanked me up. "Leave it. You'll cut yourself!"

I reached for the pieces again. "Liam, do you know anything about business? Even broken, this is money!"

He kicked the pieces away. "It's nothing."

I pouted, feeling insulted.

That night, I asked Nine, "Do you think I'm useless?"

Compared to Liam, I was a total waste.

Nine said, "I have ten siblings. Each of them excels at something. I'm the only one with no strengths."

I said, "That's not true. You know how to brew medicine, peel grapes, and pick out good food. And your fanning technique is perfect. I've never napped so comfortably."

He chuckled. "Those are small things anyone can do."

"But no one's ever done them for me," I said. "Nine, you're the best in my heart too."

The night breeze scattered the starlight around us, sparkling like diamonds.

I felt like I'd stepped into a romantic drama from my childhood.

Beautiful scenery, a perfect pair.

All that was missing was a kiss from eighteen camera angles!

Instead, we got Liam's roar.

"Clara, do you know what time it is? Get back to your room! Or I'll tell Mom!"

He stood in front of us, arms crossed, killing the mood completely.

I awkwardly dragged Liam away.

Even Nine, an ancient person, now knew that a modern adult like me had a curfew.

So embarrassing, boo-hoo...

10

Liam took me to see the three shops he'd just bought, saying two of them were mine to run.

I was surprised. He was actually letting me try business?

I corrected him. "I'm going to run them properly, you know!"

He said fine, he'd wait for me to make it big so he could live off me.

Then he handed me a box.

Inside was a box full of jade pieces.

Liam said casually, "These fakes look real, but they're worthless. Smash them all you want."

He teased me, "Clara, you're something else, grabbing broken glass with your bare hands. Trying to run up my medical bills again? Trying to get me yelled at by Mom? I'm not falling for it."

The frustration from the other day melted away.

Liam, who always tricked me out of my New Year's money, wouldn't waste money like that.

I discovered that despite my rotten luck, I had a knack for business.

In no time, my two shops were thriving, with profits doubling.

I proudly patted my chest and told Liam, "Don't worry. From now on, I'll support this family!"

Liam shot a smug glance at Nine, unusually refraining from mocking me. "The doctor was right. I've got a soft tooth. I'm only fit for soft food."

Seeing Nine's face darken, I quickly added, "You too, Nine. You can have some soft food too!"

Nine's gloomy face lit up. He nodded obediently. "Mm!"

Liam: "Hmph."

11

Liam's shop was barely scraping by, so I decided to secretly help him out to protect his pride.

But the crowd outside his shop shocked me.

Compared to his, mine looked empty.

I grabbed the shop manager and demanded answers.

He hesitated. "Miss, the young master's shop is doing much better than yours..."

After checking the books, I realized both my shops had been running at a loss, propped up by Liam's profits.

The manager also admitted that the customers at my shops were hired by Liam.

He'd been thorough, afraid I'd get suspicious.

So I'd been fooled again.

I thought I actually had talent.

The manager said, "Miss, you didn't do anything wrong. These people just have no taste."

I knew it was just consolation. Might as well blame my bad luck.

A woman dressed like a warrior burst into the shop. "Who's the owner here?"

The manager and I both pointed at each other.

She somehow decided I was the owner and dragged me out.

I thought, "Great. My pride's shattered, but at least I'm alive."

She took me to an inn, where someone was waiting.

The woman was beautiful, richly dressed, twirling a silk handkerchief in her delicate fingers. Clearly someone I couldn't afford to mess with.

"Miss, this is the woman who's been tricking the young master out of his money."

Young master? Money?

I didn't know anyone, and I hadn't taken anything!

This was a huge misunderstanding!

I quickly explained, "Miss, you must have the wrong person. My brother and I just arrived. We don't know any young masters, and we'd never do anything illegal."

She sneered. "You're a cunning one. Deny it all you want. I'll make you talk."

She signaled the warrior woman, who pulled a dagger from her boot and turned to me.

So they were going to beat a confession out of me!

Liam, save me!

_Bang—_

The door flew open.

I was relieved my mental SOS always worked.

Liam stormed in, radiating fury, and the warrior woman froze.

Nine rushed in too, gasping, "Stop, Ten! That's your sister-in-law!"

Ten: "?"

Me: "..."

Liam's mouth twitched. "Haven't I heard that somewhere before?"

12

From Ten, I learned that not only had Liam been covering my losses, but Nine had also been secretly funneling money from his family into my shops.

Despite Nine's explanation, Ten still looked down on me.

"Ninth Brother, are you sure you want to marry someone so useless? Someone like her, from a common family, isn't fit to marry into ours!"

Nine frowned. "Enough, Ten. Don't be rude."

Liam shot her a suggestive glance. "Ah, so Miss Ten is truly accomplished. A commoner like me is in awe."

Ten's face turned crimson. "You—stop talking nonsense!"

But a sheltered noble lady like Ten was no match for Liam's silver tongue.

Soon, she fled, flustered.

Liam leaned against the doorframe, his smirk radiant.

"That's it?"

When he turned to me, the light seemed to dim.

Liam and Nine knelt side by side at the table, heads bowed, waiting for my verdict. Neither dared speak first.

I paced the room, fuming.

"You two think you're so generous, huh? Throwing money around? Why don't you just scatter it in the streets?"

Liam straightened up, grinning. "If that's what it takes for you to forgive me, sure."

Nine leaned forward eagerly. "Me too! Me too! As long as Clara forgives me..."

Liam scoffed. "Tch. Copycat."

He slapped a stack of banknotes on the table. "Here, sis. Go scatter it for ten days."

Nine added his own notes and a jade pendant. "Clara, make it twenty."

Me: "?"

"Sit back down!"

Instead of listening, they started competing.

Ugh, my head was spinning.

13

I knew I couldn't change my rotten luck, so I gave both shops back to Liam.

My pride wasn't worth more than money.

I also learned that Nine wasn't the village idiot—he was likely the son of a powerful family.

Nine apologized. "Clara, I did hide my identity, but I had no choice. There are things I can't tell you now, for your protection. Please don't be mad or ignore me..."

How could I be mad?

My boyfriend was a rich, powerful nobleman, and handsome to boot. I'd be laughing in my sleep.

But in ancient times, social standing mattered. Nine and I were as far apart as the Milky Way.

I said, "I'm just a commoner. I'm probably not good enough for you."

Nine grabbed my hand, afraid I'd push him away.

"I'm afraid you'll reject me."

His eyes lowered, lashes trembling with emotion.

"You have such an amazing brother like Mr. Liam. Most men probably can't catch your eye."

I found his insecurity both amusing and touching.

Who knew that a top-tier handsome guy like Nine would feel inferior to Liam?

I'd never realized how impressive Liam was.

Nine apologized again, then firmly told me he'd called me his sister-in-law not just to protect me—he truly loved me. No matter our backgrounds, he wanted to be with me forever.

Afraid I wouldn't believe him, he raised his hand and swore to the stars, "I swear by the heavens, I will marry no one but Clara."

His deep affection was laid bare under the starlight.

I was happy. Grateful.

For someone who'd never been in love, finding someone so wonderful on my first try was a blessing.

But I couldn't make him any promises.

Not because of feudal rules or social barriers.

But because I wasn't healthy.

14

I started coughing up blood again.

Liam called every doctor in the city, but none could help.

The reward notice for a cure hung for days with no takers.

Liam and Nine couldn't sit still. They decided to take me to the capital for treatment.

Ten met us at the city gates.

She pouted, grumbling at Nine. "You never wanted to come back before, but now you're here for a sickly girl? Do you even care about Father, Mother, and the rest of us?"

Nine, usually polite and gentle, ignored her completely, helping me out of the carriage.

Ten stomped her foot in frustration.

Liam snorted.

Ten shot him a glare. "What's so funny?"

Liam said lazily, "Do you know what kind of woman men find unappealing?"

Ten sneered. "What's it to me?"

Liam sighed dramatically, not answering, just staring at her meaningfully.

Ten felt mocked. Flustered and angry, she ordered her guards to catch him.

But Liam was too quick, darting through the crowd like a phantom, leaving the guards dizzy.

When she couldn't catch him, she ordered them to grab me instead.

Nine stepped in front of me. "Stop, Ten!"

But Ten was too furious to listen.

"Ninth Brother, how can you side with outsiders against me?"

Just then, a squad of light cavalry surrounded us.

Ten's face lit up. "Second Brother!"

A richly dressed man stepped out of a carriage.

Ten immediately demanded his support. "Second Brother, Ninth Brother and these two outsiders are bullying me! Arrest them!"

I couldn't see Liam's expression, but Nine's face was grim.

He'd told me his ten siblings were all half-siblings, and he didn't get along with most of them.

So this Second Brother probably wouldn't help him.

Ten looked at me with smug superiority.

We were trapped.

But...

My brother had the ultimate protagonist script.

15

When Ten saw her Second Brother warmly greeting Liam like an old friend, she was dumbfounded.

Later, I asked Liam. He said he'd found "Second Brother" in a pile of weeds behind his shop.

The man had been injured by assassins, and Liam had nursed him back to health. They'd become sworn brothers.

Liam said he never expected to pick up a prince.

That's right. "Second Brother" was Prince Xuan.

Which meant Ten was a princess, and Nine was a prince.

I was dumbfounded too.

Nine grabbed my hand again, apologizing, begging me not to leave him.

What he didn't know was that I didn't want to leave him. I was just stunned that I'd been dating a prince.

This was a story I could brag about for three years!

16

Prince Xuan arranged for us to stay in a mansion even better than the magistrate's.

To repay Liam for saving his life, he gave him the mansion and offered him a position as an advisor.

Living in the capital's finest district, with my brother in a government job, rich and connected—my social status had skyrocketed.

But Ten still looked down on me.

Every time we met, she'd say condescendingly, "So what if your brother gets along with my Second Brother? He's just a dog under him. With your background, Father and Mother will never let you marry Ninth Brother!"

But soon, the Eastern Palace rebelled. The Crown Prince led an army to seize the throne.

Liam saved the old emperor from a sea of enemies and captured the Crown Prince, quelling the rebellion.

He was hailed as a hero—the emperor's savior and the capital's guardian.

Moved and impressed, the emperor appointed Liam as the Grand General.

Thanks to my brother, I was granted the title of a princess.

Liam and I went to the palace for an audience.

The empress, having heard about me and Nine, took my hand warmly. "Clara lives up to her name—more beautiful than a flower. You and Ninth Son are a perfect match."

The emperor nodded enthusiastically. "Shall I grant you a marriage decree?"

I didn't care about the marriage. I just couldn't hold back my laughter at Ten's face, cycling through red, green, and purple.

17

Liam became an overnight sensation.

Nobles and officials flocked to our house with gifts, nearly wearing out the threshold.

The noble ladies who used to mock me now fawned over me, all vying to become my sister-in-law.

The competition was fiercer than when Liam was the school heartthrob.

I was getting tired of it.

"Liam, can't you tone it down? Look at all these gifts—the house is overflowing! And I've suddenly got a hundred 'sisters' inviting me out every day. I don't have time for this!"

I barely had any alone time with Nine anymore.

I wanted to date, too!

Liam ignored my complaints, growing even more flamboyant.

I even received an invitation from the Grand Princess.

She was the emperor's youngest sister, only twenty-five, still unmarried due to her high standards and the emperor's indulgence.

She was warm and approachable, excusing me from formalities. "No need to be so distant. We're family."

I was surprised. She'd invited me just to congratulate me and Nine.

We had a lovely meal. I liked her.

As I left, she held my hand, her eyes full of affection.

"Clara, don't call me Grand Princess. It's too formal."

I thought, "Is she going to tell me to call her Aunt?"

But she blushed and said, "If you don't mind, you can call me Sister."

Me: "..."

I thought you were my aunt, but you want to be my sister-in-law?

Help!

18

To stay with Nine forever, I took my medicine on schedule every day.

To ease the bitterness, Nine stayed up late learning from the imperial chef, making all kinds of desserts for me.

But my coughing fits grew more frequent.

Prince Xuan told Liam about a sacred medicine in the Southern Barbarian Kingdom that could cure me.

Liam immediately led an army south.

I grabbed his sleeve, worried. "I heard it's dangerous there. Don't go. Every lead from Prince Xuan has been a dead end. What if this one fails too?"

But Liam just grinned. "I heard it's ten times more bitter than the strongest medicine. Scared? Too bad. I'm bringing it back so you can taste it."

He winked, gave Nine a fist bump, and strode off.

After the Crown Prince's rebellion, the Eastern Palace had no heir.

Prince Xuan was weaker than Prince Jing, but Liam had rallied support for him, and now they were evenly matched.

After Liam left, Prince Xuan came to see me.

"Sister, you're the one Liam cares about most. He asked me to look after you. If you need anything, just tell me."

I felt uneasy. The pity in his eyes was almost overwhelming.

Even if I was sick, we weren't that close.

I asked Nine about Prince Xuan.

Nine looked jealous. "Second Brother is always kind and gentle, but we're not close. We have different mothers."

Meaning I should stay away from him.

I cupped Nine's face. "I know, I know. I'm just worried my brother's friend isn't a good person."

Nine broke into a smile, his pale cheeks tinged with pink. Handsome and cute.

He was so easy to cheer up, like a harmless puppy. Scratch its chin, and it wags its tail.

I joked about it.

I expected him to pretend to be mad.

But he leaned in, his innocent dark eyes fixed on me. "Can Nine be Clara's puppy forever?"

His breath was too hot. I could barely breathe.

Harmless? He was lethal.

I was done for.

19

Rumor had it that Liam had negotiated with the Southern Barbarian Kingdom and was returning with the medicine without a fight.

But Prince Xuan suddenly grew angry and summoned me to his mansion.

He had paper and brush brought out, smiling. "The Southern Barbarian Kingdom is a threat to our dynasty. Liam has been deceived. He's letting a tiger grow strong, which will bring disaster. You're the one Liam trusts most. Only you can persuade him."

He wanted me to write a letter telling Liam to destroy the kingdom.

Ha. I might be unlucky, but I wasn't stupid.

Liam had his reasons for everything. I wouldn't believe an outsider, even if he was Liam's sworn brother.

I lied, saying I'd write it at home.

But Prince Xuan was too shrewd. He insisted I write it there.

He told his servants, "Send word to the General's mansion that the princess is staying with us for a few days."

My heart went cold. He was going to imprison me and use me as leverage.