I have a very, very busy big brother. He is the crown prince of the Drakseid Kingdom, and I am his sister, the first princess. My name is Judy I. Drakseid, and I am four years old.
Big brother is always busy with reform stuff, training, and studying. He stays in a garrison with his friends for months after months. But he always makes time for me. He carries me on his back when I'm tired. He tucks me into bed and stays until I fall asleep. He's mine.
He helps me study. He celebrates my birthday and our festivals. Even though he's so strong and important, he never forgets about me.
I love my big brother. When I grow up, I will marry him. And then... we'll rule the continent together. No one will take him from me.
I always thought no one could compete with me. But then my brother brought another girl home to our castle.
She's beautiful. Prettier than me. Cu—no, not cuter than me! Damn you, thieving cat.
I waited so patiently for him to come back home from the war. I was so happy when I heard he was coming back. But when I saw that white-haired devil standing next to him, my happiness shattered.
She's always with him. Holding his arm. Laughing at his jokes. He still talks to me, but… he's softer with her. Sweeter. More… lovey-dovey. I hate it.
My chest tightens when I see her holding his arm. My fists curl. My face gets hot. I want to pull her away. I want to rip her off him.
The time I used to have alone with him is disappearing. She's always there, smiling at him, whispering to him in a language I don't understand.
Sometimes I sit next to him during dinner, but she sits on his other side. And then they start talking to each other like I'm not even there. My heart races, my hands dig into the tablecloth, and I want to flip the table over. Make the plate's crash. Make them stop.
This is all Diana S. Sapphire's fault. She can go flirt with her own brother—or jump off a tower for all I care.
I hate her. I hate her so much. But it's okay. Big brother is mine. And if she doesn't get that… she'll understand soon enough. Big brother is mine.
Five days since big brother came back from the war. Two days in the capital. And now… they're on a date.
My chest tightens just thinking about it. I should be the one spending time with him, not that white-haired devil. But it's fine. I'm not upset. Not even a little bit. I'm just following them to protect my brother from her… succubus nature.
"This is a bad idea, Your Highness," Maria, one of my maids, whispers behind me.
"She's right," adds Sarah, my other maid. "If the prince catches you…"
"Shh!" I hiss. "They'll hear you!"
Maria and Sarah exchange looks but wisely shut their mouths. Good. Now I can focus on the mission.
I peek from behind a fruit stall, clutching a bright red apple to my chest as I watch my big brother laugh at something Diana said. He looks… happy. His eyes are soft, and his smile is wide. I don't like it.
Diana clings to his arm like some kind of leech. Or maybe a barnacle. Yes—a white-haired barnacle.
They're walking toward the market square now. I duck behind a cart of cabbages and motion for Maria and Sarah to follow.
"She's dangerous," I whisper. "I can feel it."
"She's the first princess of the Sapphire Empire," Maria mutters. "It's… kind of her job to be dangerous."
"I don't care if she's the queen of the universe," I growl. "Big brother is mine."
Meanwhile…
"See that?" gestures my brother towards a large marble building with tall windows and a red cross above the entrance.
Diana's eyes widen. "Is that… a temple?"
"No." my brother grins. "It's a hospital."
She tilts her head. "A… hospital?"
"It's a place where healers work together to treat the sick," explains my brother. "Instead of waiting for an expensive healer to come to you, you go there. We have specialized wards for different kinds of injuries and illnesses, and patients are treated based on urgency rather than rank."
Diana's mouth falls open. "That's… incredible. Though they looks familiar to me."
"It's helped lower disease and mortality rates in the capital," my brother adds, puffing up his chest slightly.
"Oh, great," I mutter from behind a stall. "He's showing off again. Why does she get to see it first?"
Maria clears her throat. "It's probably because she's a foreign princess."
"So?" I scowl. "I'm his sister. I should get priority access."
"Maybe you could ask him to take you on a tour," Sarah suggests helpfully.
I shoot her a glare. "I shouldn't have to ask. I'm his sister."
And back to the date…
"See the fountains?" Rhydher says, gesturing toward a row of elegant marble structures where crystal-clear water spills over intricate carvings. Children laugh and play nearby.
"The water comes from underground channels," he explains. "We set up a system that draws water from the nearby river and filters it through stone reservoirs. The pressure system allows it to flow freely throughout the capital."
Diana's eyes are practically sparkling. "So that's why the streets are so clean!"
"Yes." Rhydher nods. "We also established a sewage system beneath the city—waste is directed away from the main streets and into underground tunnels, where it's processed and used as fertilizer for farmland."
Diana claps her hands. "That's amazing!"
Brother looks proud. Too proud. I don't like it.
"Oh, wow," I say, leaning toward Maria. "A sewer system. So impressive. It's not like he personally dug the tunnels himself."
"Actually, he did help plan the layout," Maria says.
"…Shut up, Maria."
They stop at a stall where a bunch of kids are trying to knock down wooden bottles with beanbags.
"Oh, oh!" Diana grins. "Let me try!"
"Here." The stall keeper hands her a beanbag.
Diana throws it… and misses completely.
Brother laughs. "Not bad."
"Not bad?" I hiss. "She missed the entire target!"
Diana pouts. "I'll try again!"
Rhydher steps behind her and places his hand over hers.
HE'S TOUCHING HER HAND.
My apple almost slips from my fingers.
"See?" brother says softly, guiding her hand. "You just have to steady your wrist…"
Diana throws. Three bottles topple over. She beams at him.
"Oh, please," I mutter. "Anyone could have done that."
"Do you want to try?" Maria asks.
"No!" I snap. Then, after a moment: "Fine."
I march up to the stall.
"Ah, young lady! Want to give it a shot?" the stall keeper says.
I grab a beanbag. Lock my target. Steady my wrist.
Big brother's watching…
I throw it.
All the bottles fall down.
"Whoa!" the stall keeper exclaims. "We've got a natural!"
Rhydher raises an eyebrow. Diana looks over and frowns.
"Of course I'm good," I mutter, brushing imaginary dust off my sleeve.
"Nice shot," Big brother says with a smile.
My heart soars.
Diana smiles too. I don't like it.
My disguise is perfect. They don't know it's me.
We continue to follow them through the market. Maria and Sarah are dragging their feet now, but I'm not tired.
Diana suddenly glances over her shoulder.
Her eyes meet mine.
My heart stops.
Big brother follows her gaze and spots me. His brow furrows slightly.
Oh no. He's going to call me out.
He turns back to Diana without saying a word.
Diana smirks.
"Oh no," I whisper. "She knows."
"She knows you're following them?" Sarah asks.
"No." I clutch my apple closer. "She knows I'm winning."
Big brother suddenly holds Diana's hand.
HE'S HOLDING HER HAND.
I nearly drop my apple. My fists clench. My chest tightens.
"Relax," Maria says nervously.
"I am relaxed," I growl. "Completely relaxed."
"He's holding her hand," Sarah whispers.
"I CAN SEE THAT."
Big brother is mine. He always will be.
I knew it.
I knew that white-haired barnacle was dangerous.
And now… she's dragging my brother to the bathhouse.
Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable. I have to stop this. But before I could move—
"Oh my, what do we have here?"
I freeze.
A hand grabs me by the collar and effortlessly lifts me into the air. My legs flail helplessly.
"Caught red-handed," a smooth, teasing voice says.
I turn my head and stare up at the smiling face of Mary J. Holst.
"Wha—what are you doing here!?" I squeak.
Mary tilts her head, her long chestnut hair cascading over her shoulder as she studies me with those sharp emerald eyes.
"I could ask you the same thing." Her smile sharpens. "Little princess… are you spying?"
"N-No!" I lie. "I was… conducting a security check!"
"For what?"
"For… threats."
Mary raises an eyebrow. "Threats?"
I point toward Diana, who is currently laughing at something Rhydher said. "Her."
Mary's eyes glitter with amusement. "Ah, I see." She sets me down gently, her hands resting on her hips. "Shall we join them?"
My eyes widen. "What?"
"Oh, don't worry." Mary's smile turns wicked. "I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you."
"Wait, wait—!"
Too late. Mary grabs my hand and starts dragging me toward them.
Meanwhile…
"Judy?"
I freeze as big brother's eyes meet mine. Diana's eyes widen briefly before her smile returns.
"Were you following us?" he asks, tilting his head.
"No!" I protest. "I was… just passing by!"
"Right," Mary hums. "Just passing by behind fruit stalls, behind the cabbage cart, and through two different alleyways."
Betrayed. I've been betrayed.
"You could've just joined us," Rhydher says, his tone light.
"I—I didn't want to bother you!"
Diana chuckles. "You're not bothering us."
I narrow my eyes at her. That's what she wants me to think.
"Since we're all here," Mary says, her tone dangerously playful, "why don't we visit the bathhouse?"
My head snaps toward her. "What?!"
"Oh, that sounds like a great idea!" Diana beams.
"Perfect." Mary's gaze sharpens. "Come along, little princess."
I want to protest. I really do. But Big Brother is smiling. And if Diana is going…
I'm not about to let that barnacle outshine me.
The bathhouse is massive. Polished marble floors. Steaming pools of crystal-clear water. Gold-trimmed pillars stretch toward the high ceilings. Light filters through frosted glass windows, casting soft patterns across the water's surface.
"Whoa…" Diana breathes, taking it all in.
I scowl. I'm not impressed. I've seen better. Probably.
Big brother steps toward the men's side. "We'll meet you when you're done," he says.
"Have fun," Diana says sweetly.
My chest tightens.
He's leaving me with her.
Mary sighs. "Shall we?"
I glare at Diana. She smiles back.
We enter the women's side of the bathhouse. A soft cloud of steam rises from the water, carrying the faint scent of jasmine and lavender.
I slide into the pool, sinking into the warm water. Diana slides in next to me. I shift away slightly.
She shifts closer.
"What are you doing?" I snap.
"Nothing," she hums. "Just relaxing."
I narrow my eyes.
Diana leans back against the edge, her white hair fanning out across the water's surface. Her skin practically glows under the soft light.
I sit up straighter.
"Are you staring?" Diana teases.
"No!"
Diana stretches, the movement emphasizing her toned figure. "This water is so relaxing…"
My gaze flickers toward my own body.
Okay, maybe she's a little…
No. No, I'm cuter. I'm definitely cuter.
Diana smirks.
"Oh, you think you're better than me?" I scoff.
Diana's eyes glitter. "In what way?"
I sit up straighter. "Body, of course."
Diana laughs. "Oh? Shall we compare?"
She shifts closer, sitting upright, her chest rising just above the waterline.
I mimic her, lifting my chin. Our eyes meet.
"Well?" Diana asks.
My fists curl under the water.
She's taller. That's cheating.
But before I can speak—
"Well, well… what's this?"
Mary enters the pool.
Time slows down.
Mary's figure is… unfair. Smooth curves. Perfectly toned waist. Long, graceful legs. And her chest—
WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE!?
Diana's eyes narrow.
My jaw drops.
Mary stretches, her body glistening from the water. She sinks into the pool with a content sigh.
"Ah… this feels nice," Mary hums.
Diana lowers herself deeper into the water.
I follow suit.
Mary smirks. "Why are you two suddenly so quiet?"
I sink until only my eyes are above the water. Diana does the same.
"Not so confident anymore?" Mary teases.
Diana glares at her. I glare at Diana. Diana glares at me.
"Cheater," I whisper.
Diana's mouth twitches. "Agreed."
Mary chuckles. "My, my. How cute."
I cross my arms. "This isn't over."
Diana's smile sharpens. "No, it isn't."
We get out after a while.
We dry off and step back into the changing room.
Mary is already dressed, combing her long chestnut hair. Her emerald eyes glint as she looks toward us.
"Well," Mary hums, "that was fun."
"Fun?" I grumble.
Mary winks. "It was for me."
Diana presses a hand to her temple. "It's not fair…"
"You can't compete with that," I mutter.
"Agreed," Diana sighs.
We both glare at Mary. She smiles.
"Jealousy is a terrible disease, ladies. Unfortunately… there's no cure."
I hate her.
But also… I think I respect her.
Mary finishes brushing her hair, her smile sharp and knowing.
"Well," she says smoothly, "I'll leave you two to recover. You both… need it."
Diana scowls. "That's not very fair."
"Life isn't fair," Mary hums, turning toward the door. "Besides…" She tosses a playful smile over her shoulder. "You're young. You'll grow."
Diana bristles. My eye twitches.
Grow?
Mary strides out of the room with the grace of a queen. The door closes behind her with a soft click.
Diana sinks back onto the bench, letting out a heavy sigh. "She's impossible."
"She's a cheater," I mutter.
Diana's mouth twitches. "Agreed."
We both sit there for a moment in silence.
"…We'll get her next time," I say.
Diana raises an eyebrow. "We?"
I lift my chin. "Temporary alliance. Just until we take her down."
Diana's smile sharpens. "Deal."
We shake hands.
I hesitate. Then I add, "And once we win, we go back to being enemies."
Diana chuckles. "Of course."
The door opens.
"Are you two coming?" Rhydher's voice calls from outside.
Diana stands gracefully. I jump to my feet.
"I'm walking next to him," I declare.
"Not if I get there first," Diana shoots back.
We both bolt toward the door, practically shoving each other out of the way.
Behind us, Mary's soft laughter echoes through the room.
This isn't over.