How to Save My Time-Limited Brother

“Why can’t you say anything? Is it true? Do you dislike me because I smell bad or something?”

 

I could fully understand the mindset of a young boy teasing his childhood friend. So that’s what it was—the fun of teasing. Watching Kasion’s pupils dilate and tremble was quite entertaining, regardless of the truth.

 

Alright, let’s push it a bit further.

 

“Seriously, you really can’t say anything?”

 

I deliberately leaned my head close to his face. He flinched and moved away slightly.

 

“Stop it.”

 

“But you haven’t given me a reason.”

 

“It’s just a habit.”

 

“A habit?”

 

“Yes, a habit.” Kasion’s eyes were still unstable.

 

“What kind of habit only happens when you meet me?”

 

I scoffed at the absurdity and headed for the stairs. Wearing high heels, I descended carefully, not in a hurry. Naturally, Kasion followed behind me.

 

“That’s dangerous.”

 

“But you’ll just wrinkle your nose because of the smell. If that’s the case, let’s just go separately.”

 

Either way, I couldn’t help but feel irritated. I’m not a skunk, so why hold your breath? If that’s the case, why did you agree to be partners, and how did we dance last time?

 

“Sigh. It’s true the scent from you is the problem.”

 

See, he says I smell bad.

 

It had been a while since I’d attended a ball, so I’d taken a bubble bath and used the finest essential oils. But it was just a subtle jasmine scent, nothing to wrinkle your nose at. And I didn’t even use any extra perfume.

 

“Should I use some perfume?”

 

“No, it wouldn’t help. No matter what perfume you use, that scent won’t disappear.”

 

At his words, I raised my arm and sniffed it. I couldn’t smell anything. Maybe he’s just sensitive from being on the battlefield? But it had been like this two years ago too. He has always liked that since puberty.

 

“It’s not because I dislike the smell, so don’t worry about it.”

 

“How can I not?”

 

“I can just hold my breath. But if you hate it, I’ll be more careful.”

 

Kasion extended his hand again. As promised, he didn’t wrinkle his nose. The crease that had formed on his nose smoothed out, revealing his high bridge. But his reddened ears hadn’t returned to normal.

 

“Alright. Don’t break your promise.”

 

I stuck close to him. Since he said he was suffering because of my scent, I decided to stick to him and bother him. It was payback for all the unpleasant moments I’d endured without realizing it. I relied on him to safely navigate the stairs despite wearing high heels.

 

But do big, broad chest muscles naturally mean a higher heart rate? I could distinctly feel Kasion’s heartbeat thudding through my arm. Yet, judging by his calm expression, it didn’t seem like he was nervous.

 

* * *

Before long, darkness had fallen heavily over the night sky. The largest ballroom in the imperial palace’s center was brightly lit as if to fend off the darkness.

 

The cool autumn weather couldn’t dampen the heat generated by the people gathered in the ballroom. The murmuring grew louder each time a couple entered the hall.

 

“Marquis Serhen Mellin and Lady Lireania are entering.”

 

The announcement of their entrance reached our ears as Kasion, and I waited in the antechamber.

 

Kasion briefly raised an eyebrow at the sound. “The ladies of the social circle will be in a frenzy. Because of the appearance of the future marchioness.”

 

His interest was focused on Lireania, not Serhen. It seemed he still had an interest in her. Calling her the future marchioness made it sound like he had given up on her.

 

“My brother will take good care of her. He must have anticipated this.”

 

I defended them firmly. But it seemed my words only brushed past someone who was eager to find fault.

 

“I hope so.” His reaction was one of doubt.

 

Though Serhen always respected Kasion, I wondered if Kasion viewed Serhen as slightly beneath him. Well, that’s probably why he would eventually betray his trusted friend and try to kill him to steal his lover.

 

“The title of future marchioness will protect her,” I said with a smug smile.

 

Kasion didn’t respond, so it seemed like I had won this round.

 

By the way, when are we supposed to enter? I was starting to think I shouldn’t have agreed to be Kasion’s partner. If I had just gone with one of my family’s knights, we’d be inside by now.

 

A yawn escaped my mouth of boredom.

 

“Are you getting tired?”

 

“Yes, it’s hard being the main character’s partner.”

 

“Once the imperial family finishes their entrance, it’ll be our turn.”

 

“That means more than five people still need to go in.”

 

The emperor did have quite a few children. Four sons, one princess, plus the emperor and empress.

 

“With that little patience, how will you continue to be my partner?”

 

What nonsense.

 

“Exactly. I’ll have to find another partner next time.”

 

In the novel, there was only one more chapter related to such a ball. Was it during the New Year’s celebration next year after Serhen died? So there would be no more occasions for me to stand next to Kasion as his partner.

 

“If you can’t wait, let’s just go.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Honestly, I don’t care about formalities either.”

 

“But you’re the main character today…”

 

Kasion held out his hand. “Does it matter? If you think about it, the emperor is using me to enhance his own achievements, so he’s the real main character.”

 

When I didn’t take his hand, he grabbed mine with his other hand and pulled me forward.

 

“Shall we go?”

 

It was a bit forceful. But if you think about it, his reasoning wasn’t entirely wrong.

 

As I cautiously stood up, he briskly opened the door to the antechamber. We walked closely together down the corridor.

 

True to his word, there were no wrinkles on his nose. His ears, which had turned red, were now calm. He had said my scent was too strong, but now he seemed to have settled down. Maybe he got used to it.

 

“There it is.”

 

Even after two years, he seemed familiar with the layout of the imperial palace as he quickly found the entrance to the ballroom. There, Princess Diana was standing with an ordinary-looking man, ready to enter.

 

“Oh my, Duke Pertelian, it’s been a while.”

 

Diana called out to Kasion in a sweet voice. But Kasion only nodded in response. Then, her gaze shifted to me.

 

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

 

She responded to me much like Kasion had—by lowering her gaze slightly.

 

Wow, I guess being a royal really is something. How can she act all high and mighty? There was only one reason for this. It was because she was the villainess of this novel.

 

At first, Diana, who had feelings for Serhen, treated me quite well. She even made efforts to help me adapt to social circles, knowing I had trouble adapting. But once Serhen’s partner was decided, her interest in me waned.

 

Since she hadn’t caused me any trouble, I didn’t have much reason to antagonize her. The problem lay in the novel’s future.

 

[“What, do you take after your father, throwing your body around carelessly?

“I’ve never done anything to warrant such an insult from you, Your Highness.”

Princess Diana’s hand rose in response to Lireania’s retort. The sound of a slap echoed through the dressing room.

“Clinging to your fiancé’s friend right after he died, were you hoping for the duke from the start and wishing for the marquis’s death?]

 

Yeah, this woman later had a one-sided love for Kasion, right? Diana, the princess, was the one who would hate and torment Lireania for becoming the lover of the two men she pined for.

 

How fortunate. If everything went according to my plan, Lireania wouldn’t have to suffer at her hands anymore.

 

“Duke is so kind-hearted. How kind of you to look after your friend’s little sister, ensuring she’s not left alone today.”

 

As expected, her interest had now shifted to Kasion. But why is she glaring at me? A chilling sensation brushed the back of my neck.

 

“It’s not for that reason.”

 

“Oh my, how gentlemanly. Protecting your partner’s honor too. As expected, Duke is the empire’s finest knight.”

 

Watching Diana praise Kasion while her own partner stood by made my heart suddenly race erratically. Am I doing something wrong?

 

“But it’s not yet your turn to enter, so why are you here?”

 

“We’re going in early.”

 

“Early?”

 

“Yes, my lovely partner finds it hard to wait.”

 

What?! Why attach such a scandalous phrase?! That cold sensation returned to my neck, accompanied by Diana’s gaze.

 

“Then, let’s go.”

 

Kasion led me past the princess and toward the entrance of the ballroom. I thought I heard the sound of Diana stomping her foot in frustration just now.

 

I really have it rough. I’m not even the protagonist, yet I’ve caught the ire of the villainess.

 

“Duke Pertelian and Lady Mellin are entering.”

 

Following the servant’s announcement, I entered the ballroom with Kasion. The bright lights of the ballroom were a stark contrast to the dim hallway, causing me to squint for a moment before my eyes adjusted.

 

The first thing I saw was Serhen and Lireania. They looked incredibly happy. I was definitely doing the right thing. Especially since Kasion, standing beside me, didn’t seem interested in them today. The problem was me.

 

“Oh my, you two look better together than you did with Marquis Mellin.”

 

“Indeed. If you told me they were lovers, I’d believe it.”

 

Those lines were directed at me. Where have I heard them before?

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