How to Save My Time-Limited Brother

“Weren’t you two close since childhood, overcoming hardships together? Why are you so wary of him? Do you not trust him at all?”

 

“Lireania, I…”

 

Knock, knock. Their voices were cut off by the sound of knocking.

 

“Who is it?”

 

At Serhen’s sharp tone, I opened the door slightly and peeked in.

 

“Brother, Lady Lireania, I’m here.” I smiled brightly, my eyes curving into a cheerful expression.

 

The two of them exchanged a brief glance before offering awkward smiles.

 

“You weren’t fighting, were you?”

 

“We were just discussing something.”

 

“About Kasion?”

 

The answer didn’t seem convincing at all.

 

Serhen hurriedly intervened. “We were just talking about possibly getting help from the duke regarding the merchant guild matter.”

 

Something felt off. Their gazes were far from genuine.

 

Seeing that I was still squinting at them, Lireania shrugged her shoulders. She was holding a bouquet of blue roses in her arms. When I turned my gaze to the flowers, Lireania smiled softly.

 

“Lord Serhen gave them to me as a gift.”

 

“Aren’t they beautiful? These roses only bloom in the Marquisate Mellin’s garden.”

 

“Yes, really beautiful.”

 

“They are flowers that are never taken outside the family.”

 

As I explained, Lireania’s eyes grew even more affectionate. Her face was so lovely that it made my heart feel warm.

 

Lireania blushed slightly and carefully spoke to me. “Lord Serhen asked me to be his partner.”

 

“Kyaa, so you two are going together?”

 

“Yes, we will. Thank you, Lady Ariel.”

 

As expected. She wanted to go with Serhen as well. She was just trying to give me the opportunity.

 

Lireania briefly buried her nose in the flowers. With her eyes closed, savoring the scent, her face looked so content. Serhen’s smile as he watched her was warm, too.

 

Did they really not fight just now? I looked at them, unsure. Standing side by side, they really suited each other.

 

“Hmm…”

 

But something was still bothering me.

 

“What is it?”

 

Serhen glanced at me, asking. It seemed like there was something he was guilty about. Not just because of the conversation earlier…

 

“Lady Lireania.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Do you prefer a muscular man or one with a more slender build?”

 

Yes, that was it. After seeing Kasion earlier, Serhen seemed to pale in comparison. Not that Serhen was bad, but next to Kasion, he looked a bit lacking.

 

“Huh? I don’t particularly…”

 

“Why? Don’t you think a muscular man could carry you to bed and do everything for a long time?”

 

“Well… that might be true.”

 

As Lireania’s face turned bashfully pink, Serhen’s ears reddened slightly as well.

 

“See, Brother! Lady Lireania would like that too!” I boasted confidently to Serhen. “After all, muscles are a man’s best asset!”

 

“Oh my, do you like muscular men, Lady Ariel? Didn’t you say before that you didn’t?”

 

The sudden question caught me off guard, and I stammered for a moment. Instead, I glanced at Serhen. As usual, whenever this topic came up, his brow furrowed deeply. This time was no different. I needed to answer carefully.

 

“Yes, that’s right. I like a slim body like my brother’s, but men are all about thighs and abs, aren’t they?”

 

“What kind of style? I thought you didn’t like someone like Duke Pertelian…”

 

A small spark appeared in Serhen’s eyes.

 

Was that jealous? If so, then…

 

“Yes, you’re right. I’ve always disliked Kasion’s muscles because they looked too intimidating.”

 

I sprinkled a bit of water on Serhen’s fiery jealousy.

 

“And then?”

 

“But last time, when I was under Kasion, I realized that having a lot of muscles does provide stability. It didn’t hurt my hips either.”

 

“What!?” Serhen suddenly jumped in front of me. “What did you do with that guy? What happened between you two?”

 

“Huh? Brother?”

 

“It’s a misunderstanding, Lord Serhen!”

 

“I should confront that guy. How dare he!”

 

For a moment, confusion ensued. Well, at least I successfully made Serhen more wary of Kasion. He had already been showing signs of disliking him lately.

 

But now I am in bigger trouble. How am I supposed to tell Serhen that Kasion became my partner?

 

* * *

It was the next morning as I finished preparing to go out.

 

“Milady, what should I tell the marquis?”

 

“Um…”

 

Serhen was still in a foul mood after yesterday’s events. The idea of muscle training was out the window once again. Even though I had cleared up the misunderstanding, he was still very upset. I had a feeling he wouldn’t let me go if I told him I was meeting Kasion for tea.

 

It was fortunate that Serhen and Kasion were growing apart, but it was too early for a complete break. And now, it was time to handle Kasion carefully, at least until Serhen got married.

 

“Hmm.”

 

“He won’t be pleased if you say you’re going to the duke’s house.”

 

“Right? Hmm…”

 

“Then how about asking Lady Soler for help?”

 

“No.”

 

It would be more troublesome if they ended up fighting while trying to help me.

 

“Then, is there nothing you need to buy?”

 

“To buy?”

 

“Yes, since you’ll be living independently soon.”

 

“Ah… yes, that’s a good idea.” I smiled, holding Selvia’s hands. “Tell Brother that I’m going to look at furniture and bedding for the new house.”

 

I could probably wrap up the tea time quickly and stop by afterward. Since I had already picked out some things to decorate Serhen’s honeymoon suite, I could just choose from there.

 

“Yes, Milady. But if you’re going to the duke’s place, shouldn’t you dress up a bit more?”

 

“What are you talking about? For whose sake?”

 

“Obviously, for the duke and you, Milady.”

 

I scoffed at Selvia’s nonsense. She must have thought I was going on a secret date or something. But I was going to fight for the future of the Mellin family.

 

“Selvia, even if I dress up, Kasion will only frown his brows.”

 

“Is he the jealous type?”

 

“Why do you keep saying strange things? I’m just going to have tea.”

 

“Isn’t the duke inviting you because he likes you? He probably doesn’t want other men to notice you if you dress too nicely.”

 

What a horrifying thing to say!

 

I glared at Selvia, then headed downstairs. But with every step I took down the stairs, I felt a chill run down the back of my neck. If Selvia felt that way…

 

“What, is he using me now?”

 

Jealousy is such a classic tactic. He must be trying to use me, who is close to Lireania.

 

I needed to be even more on guard.

 

* * *

The garden at Duke Pertelian’s estate was different from ours in many ways. The Marquisate Mellin was full of trees that bloomed in different colors according to the seasons. But here, there were more fruit trees. It must have been due to the practical nature of the first duke, who valued functionality in all things.

 

“Wow, apples! They look ripe.”

 

“These are the apples we send to the Marquisate Mellin every autumn. Would you like me to pick some for you?”

 

The butler greeted me as usual. Kasion, however, was nowhere to be seen at the appointed time.

 

Selvia’s words were clearly nonsense. If Kasion had feelings for me instead of Lireania, would he be acting like this?

 

“No, but where is the duke?”

 

“He’s at the training ground. It seems the knights’ training took longer than expected.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

This was troublesome. I had snuck out without Serhen knowing, so I couldn’t afford to linger too long. Kasion certainly had a variety of ways to inconvenience me.

 

“May I go see him? If he sees me, he might finish up quickly.”

 

“Of course. This way, please.”

 

Following the butler’s guidance, I moved to the back of the building. I passed by familiar scenes I often saw when I visited as a child. The large rock where I always hid when playing hide-and-seek with the two boys was still there, and so was the tall birch tree where I used to swing.

 

“Oh, that swing is still there?”

 

“Yes, the duke ordered it to be preserved, so it’s still in place.”

 

The tree had grown much taller than I remembered. So had I. But the swing seemed smaller.

 

“Can I ride it?” I momentarily forgot I was on my way to see Kasion. The memories of my childhood blossomed in my heart, making me feel warm and nostalgic.

 

“Of course. As the lady, you may enjoy anything in the duke’s estate as you please.” The butler, who had known me since I was a child, was generous with me.

 

Happily, I ran over to the swing. The swing that once seemed to hang high above me now barely reached my knees. The ropes, which had seemed so sturdy, now looked thin. The seat, especially, had become smaller. I even worried if my hips would fit.

 

“Wow, it’s still sturdy.”

 

Though it looked a bit flimsy, the swing still moved smoothly. And since the person swinging it was no longer a child, I swung higher without fear.

 

“Milady, it could be dangerous.”

 

“Yes, I’ll be careful.” At the butler’s warning, I slowed down a bit.

 

I closed my eyes. The gentle autumn breeze mixed with the scent of apples filled the garden. The smell of the red fruits that once filled my tiny hands every time I visited the duke’s estate. The peaceful swaying as serene as when I was a child.

 

If I hadn’t discovered that book, if I hadn’t realized that the world I lived in was inside a novel… Maybe I could have enjoyed this calm, comforting time.

 

“It’s so difficult.”

 

Saving Serhen’s life and not losing Lireania. A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me.

 

I shouldn’t be doing this. I needed to find Kasion quickly, spend the allotted time, and return home.

 

When I opened my eyes with the intention to stop the swing,

 

“Wha…?”

 

The swing had already stopped.

 

In front of me was a sweat-soaked shirt clinging to a body, along with a wide field with six hills and a well-defined path in between.

 

“Kasion?”

 

The man’s gaze, looking down at me while holding the swing’s rope, was somewhat dangerous.

 

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