My Sister is the Main Character

Episode 1

Chapter 1 : The Beginning of Everything Was My Sister’s Vow to Stay Single

– Your imprisonment will save the world.

– …W-why?

– Because as long as you’re here, I won’t have any thoughts of destroying the world.

– ……

– And the opposite… surely, you understand without needing to think about it? You have a sister who’s more precious than life itself.

It was a novel I had read out of boredom one day, something to keep me entertained during my commute.

The plot revolved around the male lead engaging in all sorts of bizarre acts to imprison the female lead.

But who could’ve known that one day, I would suddenly reincarnate into that very story?

…The novel’s title was The Tyrant’s Cage.

The female lead, Callisto, a duke’s daughter, is summoned to the imperial palace before she inherits her title, only to be kidnapped and imprisoned by the male lead.

Amidst his obsessive and deranged actions, the female lead eventually manages to escape.

Later, she returns as a saint, reforms the male lead, and saves the world.

‘I deeply regret ever enjoying this trashy novel just because I found it spicy.’

And I? I was reborn as Helena, Callisto’s younger sister.

In the story, Helena harbored an inferiority complex toward her older sister and intentionally allowed herself to be taken hostage by the male lead to prolong Callisto’s imprisonment, effectively playing the villain.

…The moment I regained my memories of the book and my reincarnation was at our parents’ funeral, when I was just nine years old.

— Oh, you poor things. Don’t you need a guardian?

At the time, our greedy relatives were eyeing the wealth of our duchy.

‘I have to pull myself together!’

I managed to persuade my grieving sister to prevent those greedy relatives from becoming our guardians.

Fortunately, our only unambitious uncle appeared just in time and took on the role of our guardian.

Thanks to him, I was able to avoid the first trial in the original story: being left out on the streets.

From then on, I had only one goal.

‘Prevent my sister from being imprisoned!!’

First, I decided to instill the idea of proper men in my sister.

— Sis, what do you think makes a man a good man?

— Hmm?

— Can you repeat after me just once? There are three things to remember about men: modesty! Shyness! No obsession!

— No… no obsession…?

Early education was a success.

If only this had made everyone happy…!

“This is an urgent matter, Rodemin.”

The sound of footsteps echoed down the grand hallway as I headed to my office for an emergency meeting with my aide.

Seating myself at my desk, I handed a document to Rodemin without even glancing at him.

“My sister has left.”

Rodemin’s mouth fell open, but he quickly composed himself.

“So, she really… .”

“Yes. She declared she’d never marry and left to become a holy knight.”

I looked wistfully at the sky.

I began recalling all the words my sister had said over the years, ones I’d brushed off as idle musings…

— …It’s always adults and men who bully our family.

— …Out of nowhere?

— Yeah. That’s why I’ll become stronger than anyone else so that no one can touch our family. Helena.

…I had no idea.

I didn’t realize that it was me, with my naturally frail body, who had become the target of our enemies.

I’d been kidnapped several times but managed to escape thanks to my wits and our uncle’s help.

I had no idea that my cheerful sister had been so deeply worried about me.

Above all… I hadn’t realized that she’d come to harbor such distrust toward men!

Rodemin, oblivious to my thoughts, marveled aloud.

“Wow, after training so diligently day and night, she’s given up not just marriage but even the duchy’s succession.”

“……”

This was, quite literally, a complete disaster.

In the original story, my sister hadn’t been able to realize her talent with the sword, while I had a knack for administration.

I’d thought we could complement each other and make it work.

But who could’ve predicted this turn of events?

I clenched my hands tightly.

I suddenly remembered what my sister had said, holding my hands tightly before she left.

— After observing over the years, it’s clear that the one with the true qualities of a duke isn’t me but you, Helena.

Though my sister’s personality had changed drastically from the original story, one thing remained constant:

Her integrity and stubbornness.

— So, I hope you’ll continue leading House Acrux as you are. And I, as a holy knight, will complete my knighthood and become your sword!

Her eyes had sparkled as she said this, her face full of vitality. I couldn’t stop her anymore.

This was something my sister truly wanted!

If forced, what would make me different from the villainous male lead of the original story?

That’s how much I loved my sister.

So, despite this outburst of resentment, I could still smile at the end and tell her:

— Alright, I understand. Have a safe trip.

And then, I made up my mind.

I would create a more perfect foundation during her absence.

‘At this point, I might as well conquer everything…’

The bad guys targeting the male lead and Acrux included!

Anyway, that’s how things were.

As I remained silent, Rodemin, who had been watching me, cautiously asked:

“…So, what will you do now?”

“What else? I’ll take my sister’s place as the Duke of Acrux, of course.”

Both my sister and I were of age now, and we couldn’t leave the ducal position vacant any longer.

Nothing good would come from delaying the succession.

‘That incident is going to happen soon.’

I considered bringing in a husband, like my sister did, but I already had another plan in mind.

A few days later, I ascended to the position of Duke.

It wasn’t part of my life plan at all, but that’s okay.

Even if I ended up at the Imperial Palace, I was confident I could protect myself around the obsessive, imprisoning male lead.

The next day, I informed the Imperial Palace of the new Duke’s appointment.

As expected, they reached out immediately, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

It was the first event that would later lead to my sister’s confinement.

The Duke of Acrux is to serve as the Crown Prince’s aide for one year.

It was an order to become the secretary of the unruly Crown Prince, who would one day become a tyrant.

A dark room.

The floor was littered with scattered documents. The room’s owner, who usually valued tidiness, was sprawled lazily on the sofa.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

A sword was in his hand, its blade soaked in blood.

The chamberlain, bowing deeply beside him, spoke.

“In a week, a new Duke from Acrux will arrive. They are scheduled to serve as your aide.”

“Ah, so it’s Acrux’s turn already?”

Some said his voice was as beautiful as if it had descended from the heavens.

However, what the chamberlain witnessed was the hellish scenes this beautiful Crown Prince created.

“It seems we’re getting a new face in this palace,”

Jackal muttered indifferently, as if it were someone else’s problem.

“There’s no way my father won’t intervene… I’ll have to clean up corpses again. Don’t you think so?”

“…My apologies.”

The chamberlain was certain that the new Duke would end up dead at the Crown Prince’s hands.

Crown Prince Jackal Anthos was infamous in the Imperial Palace for his eccentric behavior.

Outwardly, he boasted a face so beautiful it seemed sculpted by the heavens.

Many, captivated by his enchanting smile, desired and pursued him like moths to a flame—only to meet their deaths.

Enemies were no exception.

Typically calm, he would suddenly take up a sword or, on some days, lock up his cherished subordinates as if imprisoning them.

Rumors even traced back to his childhood, claiming he had starved his nanny to death with his own hands.

His obsessions were diverse.

One day, it was a cute cat; another day, it was an unusually shaped treasure.

However, the fact that only one cat had survived among his obsessions sent chills down the chamberlain’s spine.

The man chuckled languidly.

Then, for a moment, he fell silent, staring at the floor as if lost in thought.

“The new Duke—what’s their name?”

“‘Helena Acrux,’ Your Highness.”

At the mention of that name, the man paused for a split second. He then abruptly sat upright.

“Helena?”

“Yes.”

A peculiar expression flickered across his beautiful face.

“As I thought. Is it really… her?”