My Brother Has a System

My brother and I traveled through time together.

He got the destined male lead script, while I ended up as a terminally ill unlucky wretch.

Me: "Bro, I'm freaking out, give me a hand."

My brother: "Sis, stop yelling, I'm thinking!"

1

My brother Liam and I crossed over at the same time, but we couldn't figure out which book or era we'd landed in.

The moment I arrived, I was in excruciating pain and couldn't stop coughing up blood.

The cheap father standing nearby sighed and said, "This girl's hopeless. Might as well bury her early."

Liam and I exchanged terrified glances from where I lay on the bed, and then he bolted.

Seriously? That bastard Liam abandons his own sister when things get tough?

Cheap Dad had already started looking for a straw mat to roll me in.

Was my luck really this terrible?

I finally get to time travel, and I'm dead before I even start?

And the worst part—my own brother Liam didn't even care!

If I died, I swore I'd haunt him and tell Mom everything!

Between the pain and the cursing in my head, I eventually passed out.

Well, I opened my eyes again, still in that same rundown hut!

Liam sat by my bed and calmly handed me a bowl of medicine. "If you're awake, drink it yourself."

I bit down hard on Liam's arm. He flinched and almost spilled the whole bowl.

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

Tears streaming down my face, I said, "Liam, I'm not dead!"

Liam blew on the spot I'd bitten and gritted his teeth. "No kidding. I climbed a cliff last night to get you medicine, fell into a ravine, and ended up with injuries all over!"

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

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

"..." I asked, "You... you have a system?"

Liam said, "Yeah, don't you?"

I didn't. So unfair!

Liam crossed over and got a system, but I'm just a sacrificial pawn?

We grew up together, so he knew exactly what I was thinking.

Out of pity, he tried to comfort me. "Don't worry, I've got your back."

I looked at Liam's still-strong body and tested him. "Didn't you fall into a ravine? How come you're not hurt? Don't tell me you triggered some hidden quest and got a century's worth of power from an old immortal?"

Liam rubbed his chin and recalled slowly, "There was an old man at the bottom of the ravine..."

I was stunned from head to toe.

2

Liam's system told him I had a terminal illness. Without a miracle cure, I was done for.

I was furious!

We both time-traveled, so why did Liam get the ultimate male lead script while I was stuck as a sickly loser?

Liam kept rambling about the old man at the bottom of the cliff.

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

This scene often appeared in my childhood nightmares.

Like when Liam came home with top marks while I was at the bottom of the class.

Or during holidays, when the school heartthrob Liam would dump a pile of gifts on me to deal with.

My cheap father was a poor mountain villager with no money to treat me.

So when I seemed better, he decided to marry me off.

One night, I overheard Cheap Dad and Cheap Mom talking about it. Terrified, I ran back to my room, hugged Liam's leg, and cried, "Bro, I'm scared! Help me!"

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

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

Liam shrugged. "Cheap Dad wants you to marry someone. It's not like I can do it for you."

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

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

3

Cheap Dad and Cheap Mom quickly found me a husband.

They planned to marry me off to the village idiot.

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

Liam was sent in by Cheap Dad and Mom to persuade me.

I immediately hugged him and cried, "Bro, what do I do? I can't marry that idiot! I'm supposed to marry Liu Haoran!"

Liam pushed me away in disgust. "Dream on?"

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

Then I hugged him again and kept crying.

Liam sighed and said he'd figure something out, telling me to hold on.

How could I hold on?

That very night, after dealing with Cheap Dad, Mom, and the matchmaker, I tried to climb over the wall and run away.

But the idiot's family, desperate to get him a wife, had people watching my house!

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

The idiot's mother, with her sharp, bitter face, pointed at me and cursed, "I knew you, Big Strong Lin, were up to no good! You took our betrothal gifts and tried to cheat us? Lucky I was smart!"

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

She locked the door, and before leaving, I heard her smugly say she'd fed the idiot an aphrodisiac so he'd have no trouble making a son.

I felt the person on the bed stir, and despair washed over me.

I'd rather have died at the start than be forced to bear a child for that idiot!

Liam, please save me!

4

My red veil was lifted.

Summoning all my strength, I tried to do a kip-up and take the idiot down with me.

Our foreheads collided, and stars exploded in my vision.

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

I was about to curse back—"Are you okay? Eat some plum candy if you are, why bother getting a wife!"—

But the idiot covered my mouth before I could speak.

I stared in terror, trying to struggle, but froze when I saw his face.

The idiot... was handsome?

"Don't talk, or she'll hear us," he whispered, glancing at the door.

Once he was sure it was safe, he turned his handsome face back to me, his warm voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

Uh...

Was it possible he wasn't cursing me just now?

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

Surprised, I asked, "You're not an idiot?"

Before he could answer, fighting broke out outside the door.

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

Liam held a long blade. He looked at me, disheveled on the bed, then at the idiot beside me, equally disheveled.

Then he raised his blade to strike.

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

Liam was skeptical but lowered his weapon.

He led me out of the idiot's house.

Standing on a hill, watching smoke rise from the idiot's home, I shuddered with fear.

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

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

Liam shook his head, unsure, then turned to look at the idiot who had followed us, his eyes full of suspicion.

"Who are you really?"

The long blade glinted menacingly. I 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 a pretty face.

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

There was no way I'd let him die!

I whispered to the idiot, "Don't get the wrong idea. I only said that to protect you. I have no ulterior motives."

"Protect me?" The idiot looked surprised.

Liam, eavesdropping, couldn't help but snicker.

I shot him a glare, then turned back to the idiot with the sweetest smile.

Liam laughed harder. "Clara, you look like a doting mother. Anyone would think you're looking at your son."

Embarrassed and annoyed, I punched him. "Can't you just let me live?"

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

And this idiot was just like those characters!

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 instantly.

Fictional characters really are the best!

Liam rubbed his chin, muttering, "He really isn't an idiot."

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

I was about to respond when Liam grabbed Nine by the shoulder, acting like best buddies, and dragged him into the woods, forbidding me to follow.

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, sling an arm around him, and lead him into an alley.

After that, the guy would always keep his distance.

Liam must have been badmouthing me!

Worried history would repeat itself, I waited anxiously.

When they came out, I grabbed Nine. "Don't listen to my brother! I don't have any weird habits, and I'm not a creep!"

Nine smiled gently. "Why would you say that about yourself, Miss Clara?"

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

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

My heart skipped. "He threatened you to stay away from me?"

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

Realizing how strict ancient customs were, I reluctantly let go.

But I was surprised—I'd misjudged Liam?

Nine 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 burst.

"Clara! You coming, or do you want to be wolf food?"

Liam pulled me to his side, not bothering to hide his hostility toward Nine.

Normally, I'd have kicked him. But because of Nine's words, I let it slide this time!

6

Liam and I left Cheap Dad and Mom behind, heading to the nearest city to start over.

But the journey wasn't smooth.

Mostly because of me.

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

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

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

Liam tied a rope around the wolf cub and handed it to me. Then he lined up the bruised bandits and made them bow to me.

"Greetings, Miss!"

Liam lounged on a tiger-skin chair, his brows raised arrogantly. He looked annoyingly 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 rolled up his sleeves and looked up, his pale face even whiter from exertion. Two strands of hair had fallen loose, giving him a fragile charm.

He caught his breath and asked, "What?"

Uh...

I quietly took the shoe from his hand. "Rest a bit. I'll take over."

My handsome guy was too weak for this kind of work.

But Nine took the shoe back, his eyes firm. "I'm not tired. Clara, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

Then he went back to beating the bandit leader.

I sighed.

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 patted his chest respectfully. "Miss, I won't let you down!"

All the bandits bowed. "Take care, Miss!"

I scurried away, mortified.

I thought the city would be safer, 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 prison.

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

I apologized to Nine. "This is my fault. If they come for you, say you don't know me or my brother."

When the guards came for us, I tried to distance myself from Nine.

But Nine held my hand tightly, as if afraid they'd misunderstand.

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

It was hopeless. Nine really might be an idiot.

But my worry was unnecessary.

After all, my brother had the destined male lead script.

The magistrate's daughter slapped the guards who had arrested us.

"Idiots! I told you to invite the guests, not arrest them!"

Liam stood behind her, smug, mouthing, "Am I handsome or what?"

I wanted to roll my eyes.

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

The magistrate's daughter treated me like a long-lost sister, plying me with food and drink while subtly fishing for information about Liam.

I thought of my arrogant brother and smirked.

Wasn't this the perfect chance to throw him under the bus?

I grabbed my "sister's" hand 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 swooned. "A true man isn't bound by trivialities. If Brother Liam did everything, what would his wife do? Don't worry, I'll handle all the little things."

I added, "And he's a flirt. He's got so many romantic entanglements he can't even keep track."

She beamed. "The more women like him, the more it proves my taste is impeccable. A lively household is a blessing."

I was speechless.

8

I whispered to Nine, "The magistrate's daughter is hopelessly infatuated with my brother."

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

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

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

"Then why did you buy them?"

I remembered Nine often bought things he didn't like, all of which ended up in my stomach.

He just smiled. "As long as you enjoy them."

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

Nine hesitated until I said my arm was getting tired, then he leaned in and took the grape.

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

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

My heart had never raced like this.

Nine looked up. "Have you ever done this for another man, Miss Clara?"

His innocent, pleading eyes were like a puppy begging for affection.

My heart skipped. "No, never! Not even my dad, just my brother!"

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

He explained earnestly, "You're too wonderful, Clara. I was afraid someone might take you from me. I won't say such foolish things again."

I patted his shoulder. "You're overestimating me. I'm not that great. No one's ever fought over me—just the boys who pulled my pigtails."

Those boys always called me nicknames like "Little Sweetie" or "Sweetie Pie."

I'd get mad and tell Liam, who'd invite them to a "private chat" in a dark alley. That would keep them away for a while.

"To me, you're the best," Nine said, gently wiping grape juice from my fingers with a handkerchief. His puppy-dog eyes seemed to pierce my soul.

It hit me—was Nine... confessing?

9

To prevent my illness from flaring up, Liam brought back boxes 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. How else could Liam afford such expensive medicine?

And not just a few—several boxes.

I secretly asked the magistrate's daughter.

She excitedly asked me, "Do you know how to make Brother Liam sell himself to me?"

I was speechless.

So that's why I hadn't seen Liam for days—he'd been making money behind my back.

After Nine's confession, I decided I couldn't just laze around the mansion anymore.

I resolved to become an independent, outstanding woman worthy of being called "the best."

So I pestered Liam to teach me business.

Liam was lounging in a rocking chair, lazily tossing a jade ornament. When he heard my request, the jade fell to the floor with a crack.

"Clara, did the ginseng fry your brain?"

I scrambled to pick up the pieces, insisting I was serious.

Liam pulled me up. "Forget the jade! Watch your hands!"

I protested, "Liam, do you even know business? This is money!"

He kicked the pieces away. "It's worthless."

I pouted, feeling mocked.

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

Compared to Liam, I really was a complete failure.

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

I argued, "That's not true! You can brew medicine, peel grapes, buy delicious food, and fan me just right. I've never napped so comfortably."

Nine chuckled. "Those are trivial things anyone can do."

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

The evening breeze scattered starlight around us.

I felt like I was in a childhood drama.

A beautiful night, two people together.

The next step should be... a kiss from eighteen camera angles!

But instead, Liam's roar shattered the moment.

"Clara! What time is it? Go to bed! Or I'm telling Mom!"

Liam stood before us, arms crossed, ruining the mood.

I awkwardly dragged him away.

Now even Nine, an ancient man, knew that I, a modern adult, had a curfew.

So embarrassing!

10

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

I was surprised. "You're actually letting me do business?"

He said, "I'm waiting for you to make it big so I can live off your success."

Then he handed me a box.

Inside was a box full of jade ornaments.

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

He added teasingly, "And Clara, grabbing broken glass with your bare hands? Trying to bankrupt me with medical bills again? I'm not falling for it."

The frustration I'd felt earlier melted away.

Of course—Liam, who always tricked me out of my New Year's money, wouldn't waste it.

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

In no time, both shops were thriving, with profits doubling.

I proudly patted my chest and told Liam, "Don't worry, I'll take care of this family from now on!"

Liam shot a smug glance at Nine and, for once, didn't argue. "The doctor was right—I've got a soft tooth. I'm only fit for soft food."

I noticed Nine's face darken and quickly reassured him, "You too, Nine. You can have some soft food too!"

Nine's face lit up. "Okay!"

Liam snorted.

11

Liam's shop was barely surviving, so I decided to secretly help him out.

But when I saw the crowd outside his shop, I was stunned.

Compared to his, my shops were nearly empty.

I interrogated the manager, who reluctantly admitted, "Miss, Master Liam's shop is doing much better than yours..."

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

The manager also confessed that the customers in my shops were hired by Liam.

He'd been so thorough to avoid raising my suspicions.

I'd been fooled again.

I really thought I had talent!

The manager tried to console me. "Miss, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just that these people have no taste."

I knew he was just being nice. Might as well admit I was cursed.

A female warrior burst into the shop. "Who's the owner here?"

The manager and I pointed at each other.

She somehow knew I was the real owner and dragged me out.

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

She took me to an inn, where a beautiful, elegantly dressed woman was waiting.

"Miss, this is the woman who's been swindling the young master."

Young master? Money?

I didn't know who she was talking about!

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

The woman sneered. "A cunning one, aren't you? You don't have to admit it now. I'll make you talk."

She nodded at the warrior, who pulled out a dagger.

Great. Torture.

Liam, save me!

The door burst open.

My silent prayers always worked.

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

Nine rushed in, gasping, "Stop, Ten! She's your future sister-in-law!"

Ten: "?"

Me: "..."

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

12

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

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

"Nine, are you sure you want to marry someone so useless? A commoner like her has no right to marry into our family!"

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

Liam shot her a suggestive look. "Oh? Miss Ten is truly full of talents. A humble commoner like me won't soon forget her."

Ten blushed furiously. "How dare you speak nonsense!"

But a sheltered noblewoman like her was no match for Liam's silver tongue.

Soon, she fled in embarrassment.

Liam leaned against the doorframe, his smirk radiant.

"Is that all?"

He turned to me, and the light seemed to dim.

Liam and Nine knelt side by side at the table, heads bowed, waiting for my judgment.

I paced the room in anger.

"You two think you're so generous, huh? Why not just throw the money into the street?"

Liam straightened up with a grin. "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. "Copycat."

He slapped a stack of banknotes on the table. "Here, sis. Ten days' worth of throwing money!"

Nine added his own notes and a jade pendant. "Clara, add another ten days."

Me: "?"

"Sit back down!"

These two weren't just ignoring me—they were competing!

My head was spinning.

13

I knew I couldn't change my cursed fate, so I returned both shops to Liam.

Pride wasn't worth more than money.

I also learned that Nine wasn't the village idiot but likely a nobleman's son.

Nine apologized. "Clara, I hid my identity, but I had no choice. There are things I can't tell you yet. I only wanted to protect you. Please don't be mad or ignore me."

How could I be mad?

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

But in ancient times, social status mattered. Our gap was like the Milky Way separating the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

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 was afraid you'd reject me."

He lowered his eyes, his lashes trembling.

"You have a brother as wonderful as Liam. I doubt any ordinary man could catch your eye."

I found his insecurity both amusing and touching.

I never realized Liam was so impressive.

Nine apologized again, then firmly declared, "I didn't say that to Ten just to protect you. I truly love you. No matter our status, I want to spend my life with you."

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

His sincerity was laid bare under the starlight.

I was happy. And grateful.

For someone who'd never been in love, meeting someone like him on my first try was a blessing.

But I couldn't make him any promises.

It wasn't about feudal rules or social class.

It was because I wasn't healthy.

14

I started coughing up blood again.

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

A reward notice for a cure hung for days with no response.

Liam and Nine decided to take me to the capital for better treatment.

Ten met us at the city gates.

She pouted at Nine. "You never come home no matter how many times we beg, but now you're here for a sickly girl? Do you even care about Father, Mother, or us siblings?"

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

Ten stomped her foot in frustration.

Liam snorted.

Ten glared at him. "What's so funny?"

Liam drawled, "Do you know what kind of woman men dislike most?"

Ten sneered. "Why should I care?"

Liam sighed dramatically, eyeing her meaningfully.

Ten, feeling mocked, ordered her guards to catch him.

Liam dodged them effortlessly, like a gust of wind.

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

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

But Ten was too angry to listen.

"Nine, why are you helping strangers instead of me?"

A squadron of cavalry surrounded us.

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

A richly dressed man descended from a carriage.

Ten immediately demanded his support. "Second Brother, Nine is bullying me with these outsiders! Arrest them!"

Liam stood in front of me, blocking my view. Nine's expression was grim.

Nine had mentioned his ten half-siblings and his strained relationship with them.

So Second Brother probably wouldn't side with him.

Ten looked at me with triumphant disdain.

I knew we were trapped.

But...

My brother had the destined male lead script.

15

Ten was stunned when her Second Brother warmly greeted Liam like an old friend.

Later, Liam told me he'd found "Second Brother" in a pile of weeds behind his shop.

He'd been injured and hunted by assassins. Liam nursed him back to health, and they became sworn brothers.

Liam never expected to save a prince.

"Second Brother" was Prince Xuan.

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

I was stunned too.

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

He didn't realize I had no intention of leaving. I was just shocked that I'd been dating a prince.

This was a story I could tell for years!

16

Prince Xuan housed us in a mansion even grander than the magistrate's.

Grateful for Liam's help, he gave Liam the mansion and offered him a position as his advisor.

Living in the capital's finest district, with a brother in the government and a powerful patron, my status skyrocketed.

But Ten still looked down on me.

Every time we met, she'd sneer, "So what if your brother is friends with my Second Brother? He's just a dog. With your background, Father and Mother will never let you marry Nine!"

Soon after, the Eastern Palace rebelled. The Crown Prince led an army to usurp the throne.

Liam saved the Emperor from the chaos, captured the Crown Prince, and quelled the rebellion.

As the Emperor's savior and the capital's protector, Liam was hailed as a hero.

The Emperor, moved and impressed, appointed him as the Grand General.

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

We went to the palace to pay respects.

The Empress, having heard about me and Nine, held my hand warmly. "Clara lives up to her name—as beautiful as a flower. You and Nine are a perfect match."

The Emperor eagerly agreed. "Shall I grant you a marriage?"

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

17

Liam became an overnight sensation.

Nobles flocked to our house with gifts, almost wearing down the doorstep.

The noble ladies who once mocked me now fawned over me.

They all wanted to be my sister-in-law.

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

I was getting used to it, even bored.

"Liam, can't you tone it down? The house is overflowing with gifts! And I suddenly have a hundred 'sisters' inviting me out every day. I don't have time!"

I barely had any alone time with Nine anymore.

I needed a love life!

Liam ignored my complaints and grew even more flamboyant.

I even received an invitation from the Grand Princess.

The Grand Princess was the Emperor's youngest sister, still unmarried at twenty-five.

She was kind and spared me the formalities. "No need for such ceremony. We're family."

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

The meal was delightful. I liked Nine's aunt.

As I left, she held my hand warmly.

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

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

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

I was speechless.

I thought of you as an aunt, but you want to be my sister-in-law?

Help!

18

To stay with Nine, I took my medicine religiously.

To ease my suffering, Nine learned to make desserts from the palace chefs, staying up all night to perfect them.

But my condition worsened. I coughed up blood more frequently.

Prince Xuan told Liam about a miracle cure in the Southern Barbarian Kingdom.

Liam immediately led an army south.

I grabbed his sleeve, worried. "It's dangerous. Don't go. The other methods Prince Xuan suggested didn't work. What if this one fails too?"

Liam teased, "I heard the medicine is bitterer than ten lumps of wormwood. Are you scared? Too bad—I'm bringing it back for you to try."

He winked, flashed a fist at Nine, and left.

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

Prince Xuan was weaker than Prince Jing, but Liam helped him gain influence while searching for my cure. Now, Prince Xuan was on equal footing with Prince Jing.

After Liam left, Prince Xuan visited me.

"Little 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 uncomfortable under his overly sympathetic gaze.

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

I asked Nine about Prince Xuan.

Nine, clearly jealous, said, "Second Brother is always kind and gentle. But we're half-siblings, so we're not close."

Meaning: stay away from him.

I cupped his face. "I know, I know. I just wanted to make sure my brother's friend is trustworthy."

Nine smiled, his pale cheeks flushing. He was both handsome and adorable.

Nine was so easy to please.

Like a harmless puppy—scratch its chin, and it wags its tail.

I joked about it to Nine.

I expected him to pretend to be mad.

Instead, he leaned in, his innocent eyes locking onto mine. "Then can I be Clara's puppy forever?"

His breath was so hot I could barely breathe.

Harmless? He was lethal.

I was done for.

19

I heard Liam had negotiated with the Southern Barbarian Kingdom and was returning with the cure without a fight.

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

He handed me a brush and ink, smiling. "The Southern Barbarian Kingdom is a threat to our dynasty. Liam was deceived. If we let them grow strong, they'll bring disaster. You're the only one he trusts. You must persuade him."

He wanted me to write to Liam, ordering him to destroy the kingdom.

I was unlucky, not stupid.

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

I lied, saying I'd write when I got home.

But Prince Xuan was too cunning. He wouldn't let me leave until I wrote.

He told his servants, "Send word to the General's mansion. The princess and Miss Clara are close, so she'll stay a few more days."

My heart sank. Prince Xuan was imprisoning me to use as leverage against Liam.

Great. Just my luck.

That night, Prince Xuan entered my room.

He dismissed the servants and closed the door, asking about the letter.

I said I didn't know how to write.

He offered to write it for me, asking for a token as proof.

I felt danger closing in and screamed for Liam in my mind.

But he was thousands of miles away. This time, my prayers might not work.

Prince Xuan pushed me onto the bed.

I tried to fight back, but he saw through my move.

"Didn't expect you to have such a wild side, Miss Clara."

I spat in his face, trembling with fear.

"My brother won't forgive you for this!"

Prince Xuan wiped his face, smiling coldly. "He loves you too much to let you be a widow."

He planned to keep me by his side forever, forcing Liam to serve him.

What a shameless man!

He'd even steal his brother's girlfriend to get what he wanted!

20

Nine saved me.

When I saw him beating Prince Xuan bloody on the ground, I snapped back to reality.

Even Prince Xuan hadn't expected his weakling brother to overpower him.

Nine carried me out of the mansion, and no one dared stop him.

I curled up in his arms as he apologized.

"I'm sorry I was late, Clara."

He was crying harder than I was.

His tears soaked my face.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my forehead to his. "It's okay. I'm fine."

A crying puppy who'd just fought for me—I loved him so much.

21

I learned that Nine was much stronger than he looked.

Growing up in the scheming royal family, he'd hidden his abilities and left the palace to avoid trouble.

But even then, he'd faced assassination attempts.

"They can do whatever they want to me. I don't care if I die. That's my fate."

Nine said, "But if they dare hurt you, I'll kill them all."

I could tell he wasn't joking. He'd wanted to kill Prince Xuan that night but had no weapon.

Prince Xuan was luckier than me.

With Liam away, Nine feared Prince Xuan would try again. He moved...