How to Save My Time-Limited Brother

“Brother, are you mad?”

 

In the carriage on the way back home, Serhen had remained silent, arms crossed the entire time. When I leaned in close to his chin and asked playfully, he finally softened his expression.

 

“Ariel, a young lady going in and out of a man’s house this late…”

 

He sounded just like Kasion, nagging and more nagging. I quickly tried to cover his mouth with excuses.

 

“When you weren’t home when we were younger, I used to sleep over at Kasion’s place. If he had any improper thoughts, something would have happened already.”

 

We’ve known each other since our parents’ generation. He had even seen me in diapers, so there was no way he would see me as a romantic interest. Besides, I know his interests lie elsewhere, not with me.

 

“Ariel.”

 

“Brother, shouldn’t you be more concerned about your fiancée? What happened to your date?” I asked, genuinely worried.

 

Kasion was eyeing Lireania so eagerly—how could Serhen spare a thought for me? But since Kasion hadn’t made any overt moves yet, it was tricky to warn Serhen without seeming like I was trying to cause trouble between close friends.

 

“We had plenty of time together. I came after you because you went to Kasion alone.”

 

“You left Lady Soler by herself?”

 

“Lireania was worried about you, so I came instead. She said there was an issue with Kasion?”

 

“I resolved it. Kasion agreed to lend us the priest he was monopolizing,” I said proudly. But Serhen still looked skeptical.

 

“He did? With no other conditions or remarks?”

 

“Yes. I think he doesn’t want to ruin his friend’s wedding. All I have to do is have a teatime with Kasion three times.”

 

Suddenly, Serhen’s face stiffened. I tilted my head, confused. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Kasion hates wasting time drinking tea.”

 

Does he? Well, people’s tastes can change.

 

“I don’t know. He said he wanted to, so I’m letting him,” I replied.

 

Serhen pressed his lips together. He stayed quiet, looking a bit grumpy, and then suddenly said something out of the blue. “Ariel, every man except me is dangerous.” He was dead serious about it.

 

I thought of Serhen’s confrontation with Kasion in the parlor earlier. Maybe he had noticed subtle changes in his longtime friend?

 

I hid my trembling nerves and asked him a question. “Is Kasion dangerous too?”

 

“Of course. As a friend, he’s a good person, but as a man, he’s extremely, extremely dangerous. You can never really know what he’s thinking.”

 

I felt relieved. At least Serhen was wary of Kasion. There was no need for further explanation. If my smart brother was already cautious, that was enough.

 

In the novel, Serhen’s downfall comes from trusting his friend too much and leaving his lover in his care. But it seemed I didn’t need to worry about that now.

 

“Got it, Brother!”

 

I didn’t say anything more and snuggled into his arms. His chest wasn’t as broad or thick as Kasion’s, but it was just right for me to lean into. Most importantly, it was warm, which I liked.

 

“Ariel, you really something…”

 

“I love Brother the most in the world,” I said, rubbing my head against his chest.

 

He stroked my hair gently, just like he used to when we were younger. “Me too,” he replied.

 

“Oh gosh, you too? Brother should have loved Lady Soler more than me,” I said, looking up at him with a pout.

 

Serhen responded with a smile brighter than the morning sun. “She likes you more than me. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have even thought about marrying me.”

 

That’s right—if Lireania cared so much about me, she wouldn’t be swayed by Kasion’s temptations. I’d make sure to keep her close. Now, I just needed to make sure Serhen was in top form, not like a second male lead character, but like the main male lead.

 

“So, Brother.”

 

“Yes, go on.”

 

“It’s time for you to start working out too.”

 

“Working out?”

 

“Yes. You’re the groom now. If you build muscles like Kasion’s, I’ll get to meet my nephews and nieces sooner.”

 

Serhen opened and closed his mouth, seemingly unsure of how to respond to hearing this from his little sister. But he didn’t immediately agree, looking a bit reluctant.

 

To motivate him, I added, “I saw Kasion’s body earlier—his chest, arms, and thighs are so solid. Don’t you think Lady Soler would be more satisfied if you had a body like that?” I couldn’t quite bring myself to finish that sentence with ‘in bed,’ so I just laughed awkwardly.

 

I really couldn’t read the situation. Maybe I’d overstepped. Serhen’s face turned ominously dark.

 

* * *

The next morning, I woke up early and went to Serhen’s room, but I couldn’t find him.

 

“Selvia, where’s brother?”

 

“He left for the merchant company early this morning,” she replied.

 

“What?”

 

I had kindly laid out a workout plan for him yesterday. It was frustrating that he had run away without understanding my good intentions.

 

“Ariel, you shouldn’t say things like that in public.”

 

I only said it because we’re family. It was a bit disappointing that he thought I was just an immature girl who didn’t know better.

 

“Did he at least have his nourishing meal?”

 

“Yes, he ate all of the oyster soup you specifically ordered for him.”

 

“Well, that’s good. At least he ate that.”

 

If I bulk him up with food first, the workout will be more effective.

 

“But, Milady.”

 

“Yes, what is it?”

 

“Why do you have such dark circles under your eyes? The marquis will be shocked when he sees you.”

 

Selvia handed me a mirror. The reflection showed a mess. Dark circles under my eyes, and my skin looked dull overall.

 

“I just… didn’t sleep well.”

 

It was because of the terrible nightmare.

 

Last night, I had a dream about the lines from the novel I heard like an echo at Kasion’s house. It was so vivid that I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t go back to sleep. That’s why I looked so haggard.

 

“It’s nothing,” I said, pretending I was fine. Even though I wasn’t. But if I acted strangely or did anything out of the ordinary, Serhen would definitely notice.

 

Whenever I was sick, everyone in the mansion would make a big fuss about it. So, at some point, I started keeping quiet unless I was seriously ill. Right now, it was just that I hadn’t slept well and felt a bit chilly and tired.

 

“I need to eat breakfast quickly and head to Veloire,” I said.

 

“To see the future marchioness?” Selvia asked.

 

“Yes, we’re supposed to look at wedding gifts today.”

 

Come to think of it, what happened to the necklace Kasion said he would give to Lireania? I hadn’t seen her wearing it. That means they haven’t met again yet…

 

“I’d better go earlier than planned. Get me ready quickly,” I said, suddenly feeling a sense of foreboding. I needed to get there quickly and keep a close watch, setting up a barrier if necessary.

 

“Yes, Milady.”

 

Feeling a sense of urgency, I ate while Selvia got me ready. Once I was prepared to leave, I hurried to the carriage waiting in front of the entrance on the first floor. At that moment, the butler called out to me.

 

“Milady, an invitation has arrived from the imperial palace for the marquis and you.”

 

“An invitation? Ah, is it that time already?”

 

Ten days before Serhen and Lireania’s wedding, the Harvest Festival was scheduled to take place. I had heard that the emperor announced this year’s ball would also serve as a victory celebration for the conquest war. For me, this ball held significance for a different reason.

 

“Yes, will you be attending this ball with the marquis again?”

 

Selvia’s words made my heart feel hollow.

 

[Serhen watched from afar as his lover entered the ballroom with another man. His eyes were filled with conflicting emotions. Meanwhile, Kasion, the star of the evening, arrived even later than the emperor, holding his partner’s hand, Lireania. The blue sapphire necklace Kasion had given her sparkled on her neck, perfectly complementing her radiant smile.]

 

The lines from the novel flashed through my mind.

 

“Absolutely not!” I exclaimed, my face going pale as my heart raced.

 

Selvia scratched her head, puzzled by my serious reaction. “Ah, right. Now that Lady Soler is his fiancée, he’ll attend with her, won’t he?”

 

That’s how it had to be.

 

The first dance at the Harvest Festival was what watered and nurtured the seed of Kasion’s obsession.  And it’s the first dance of the female lead. The man who misses out on that will inevitably remain as a supporting character for life.

 

“Of course, her first dance must be with my brother,” I said, clenching my fist.

 

* * *

Around lunchtime, the carriage stopped in front of the Veloire boutique. I took a deep breath as I stepped out of the carriage. I just had to make sure to secure the first dance later.

 

I tried to keep a positive mindset—until I saw the black panther crest on the carriage parked outside the boutique.

 

“What the…?”

 

It was the carriage of the Duke of Pertelian.

 

Has someone beaten me to it?

 

Normally, that man didn’t even ride in carriages, but now he had come in one as if it held some special meaning. It wasn’t even the day to choose partners in the novel yet.

 

Panicking, I hurried toward the boutique. Once inside Veloire, I headed straight to where I thought Kasion would be.

 

“…If you do it that way, I don’t think he’ll stay still.”

 

It was Kasion’s voice, coming from the room reserved for VIP clients.

 

I softened my footsteps and approached the source of the voice. They were talking openly, without any attempt to lower their voices, so I could hear everything.

 

“Don’t worry. Just follow my advice,” Lireania’s voice responded.

 

What question was she answering?

 

“Are you sure about this?”

 

“He’ll understand.”

 

“This will be very helpful. Thank you.”

 

“Don’t mention it. I’m glad I could be of help.”

 

Why were they getting along so well? A chill ran down my spine, the same unsettling feeling that came when I was boiling with anger only to cool off suddenly.

 

Lireania, whose job involved dealing with people, was always kind and friendly. But this world-renowned cold-hearted man was laughing and talking with a woman he wasn’t even close to. It was a scene I’d never seen before, not even as the woman closest to Kasion in society. My heart pounded erratically, like a racing horse.

 

The first thing to do was to separate them. But if I barged in like last time, Kasion would undoubtedly scold me. That left me with only one option: pretend to fall.

 

“Aack! Ow!”

 

I screamed first, then pretended to trip on the carpet. Contrary to my expectations, my body didn’t move as I wanted. My feet tangled, and I ended up flying across the hallway. I probably would end up with a bruise on my knee.

 

But then…

 

“Ariel!”

 

That day, I realized just how impressive Kasion’s muscles really were.

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