"Onii-chan, you're injured?"
Novie's eyes widened as she noticed the faint bloodstains on Linen's clothes.
When the black-robed mage had taken over her body, her true consciousness had been bound deep within her own mind. She couldn't remember everything clearly—but flashes of the battle between Linen and her "self" still reached her somehow.
And from those fragments, she understood all too well: the one who had hurt him was none other than her.
Linen's expression didn't change. He subtly shifted, angling his body so the stains were out of sight, and smiled gently.
"It's just a scratch. If that's all it costs to keep my Novie safe, then even if it happens a hundred more times, I'd still do it."
A trace of embarrassment touched his pale, handsome face.
"Oh, right. I still owe you an explanation."
An explanation?
Novie froze, then realized what he meant—the question she'd asked right before she'd lost control, the one about his two female companions.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as anger and shame tangled inside her. Not at Linen—but at herself.
"Forget it!" she blurted out.
Linen's calm, reassuring smile on that blood-drained face made her chest ache.
Even now, he's the one comforting me…
Guilt flooded her heart like a tide.
The person before her had risked his life to save her. He'd been wounded by her hands, yet still smiled as if to ease her mind.
And what had she done in return?
Thrown tantrums. Accused him of nonsense. Tried to make him hurt.
"I'm sorry, Onii-chan… I shouldn't have shouted at you…"
Her voice trembled. She lowered her head, staring at her knees like a child being scolded—until a warm hand landed gently atop her head.
Startled, she looked up into Linen's familiar smile, as if nothing had ever happened.
Her heart eased—until she noticed his hand.
The hand that had always corrected her stance and patted her head was now swathed in blood-soaked bandages, the white fabric dyed deep red.
Her breath hitched.
This too… was because of me?
"Sorry," Linen said softly, withdrawing his hand with a sheepish smile. "You shouldn't have to see something this unsightly."
But before he could pull away, Novie grabbed his arm tightly.
"Why…"
"Hm?"
"Why won't you ever blame me?"
Her blue eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at him, voice breaking.
"It's my fault the cursed sword entered the Academy! I was the one who wanted to join the trial!"
"It was because I didn't trust you enough that the thing possessed me—and because of that, you were hurt!"
She clutched his arm, pleading through the tears streaming down her face.
"All you have to do is scold me! Yell at me, hate me, tell me to go away! So why… why are you still so kind to me?"
But the harsh words she expected never came.
Instead, Linen quietly pulled her into his arms.
"Because you're my only foolish little sister."
His voice was gentle, steady.
"I'm sorry for hurting you. But I promise, this is the last time."
He paused. "Although, there is one thing I should scold you for."
Novie instantly straightened, nervous again.
"White stockings," he said gravely. "They don't suit you. As my head maid, you should stick to black from now on."
"What? That's what this is about—"
She managed to hold herself together for two seconds before bursting into tears again, hiding her face against his chest as she sobbed.
Linen said nothing more. He just held her until her crying slowly faded.
When she finally raised her head again, her eyes were red but clear.
"I'm sorry, Brother. Everything that happened was because of my selfishness. I caused you trouble."
She bowed deeply, guilt heavy in her voice.
In the end, it was her resentment that had given the black-robed mage an opening. His plan had been brutally efficient: using the nameless imperial princess as a puppet to slaughter Eden Academy's elite students.
If even part of it had succeeded, both the Empire's and the Academy's reputations would have been destroyed.
Those already dissatisfied with the Empress would have pounced on the scandal, turning it into endless ammunition.
As for Novie… she wouldn't just lose the chance to ever see Linen again. Her best outcome might've been lifelong imprisonment—if her mother spared her life at all.
The black-robed mage had prepared flawlessly, corrupting the trial's illusions, masking the teachers' perceptions, and choosing a host who would never be suspected.
Unfortunately for him, he'd chosen the wrong opponent.
Linen Norton.
Novie understood now how vast the distance between them truly was.
When she'd first obtained the Holy Sword, she'd thought she'd finally caught up—she'd even dared to challenge him in the Spring Cup. Remembering it now made her cheeks burn.
She half-suspected that mage had tampered with her mind back then too.
As for Elena and Hysteria, she no longer wanted to ask.
Even if curiosity lingered, she trusted her brother's reasons. And honestly… if those girls liked him, what of it?
Her brother was extraordinary—it would be stranger if others didn't chase after him.
Besides, she'd grown up with him. She knew his every habit, his every quirk. Her head start was unbeatable.
All she had to do was stick close to him at the Academy. There was no way she could lose!
…Although, she had heard a rumor about the Flame Rose princess becoming his "star slave." That definitely needed clarification—after all, she was—
"Ahem."
Linen cleared his throat lightly.
"Novie, there's something I might need your help with."
"Onii-chan, just say it!"
Her eyes shone with resolve. For him, she'd do anything.
"It's nothing too serious," Linen said, smiling faintly. "It just concerns Mother."
At once, Novie's expression sobered.
"Sorry, Novie. You know my relationship with Mother has never been… harmonious. And I doubt that'll change anytime soon."
Novie nodded firmly, thumping her chest with a fist.
"Don't worry, Brother. Even though Mother has always treated me kindly, I'll stand with you no matter what. I'm your knight!"
She didn't say it aloud, but the thought crossed her mind: Perfect excuse to stay by his side at the Academy.
"That won't be necessary," Linen said gently.
Her face fell.
"In fact, it's the opposite. I want you to stay by Mother's side in the palace. Don't come to the Academy for a while."
"Huh?"
Her expression twisted in confusion and dismay.
"Yes," Linen said, calm but firm.
Though Novie nodded, her reluctant eyes said everything.
Linen sighed softly.
"I'm sorry, Novie. You have to understand. Even though our empire looks peaceful now, there are still plenty of people waiting for it to collapse. To them, the most terrifying thing isn't the Bloodstained Red Dragon Empress holding the throne—"
He met her gaze, voice lowering.
"—But the thought that someone just as capable might come after her."
Novie's eyes widened as realization—and fear—slowly dawned.
Among the Red Dragon Empress's four children—excluding herself, the nameless princess—though both the Eldest Prince and Princess Quinn were undeniably gifted, it was obvious to anyone that neither could rival their mother.
Only Linen could.
Whenever Novie looked at him, she didn't see their mother's imposing majesty—she saw something even brighter, sharper, more alive.
Even taking her bias into account, she had to admit: it was the truth.
Ever since the Bloodstained Red Dragon Empress Tivira had claimed the throne over the corpses of her siblings, she had reigned supreme—invincible, untouchable. Yet even Tivira's glorious rise and unshakable rule had relied on the hidden efforts and foundation laid by their supposedly foolish grandfather.
Linen, however, had none of that support. Exiled to Eden Academy—his status as an imperial pariah well known among nobles—everything he possessed now, from fame to strength, he had built with his own hands.
And more than that—Linen understood. He saw and acted on things no one else could even begin to grasp.
From the time she was small, Novie had believed that her brother would one day become an even greater ruler than their mother. After everything she'd witnessed, that belief only deepened.
If Mother and Brother could reconcile, it would be the perfect ending—a storybook reunion.
But for their enemies, for the scheming Towers and restless nobles, such a reconciliation would be a nightmare—one terrifying enough to keep them awake at night.
Novie rarely involved herself in politics, but now, listening to Linen and piecing together the situation, she finally understood what he meant.
Ah… I get it now!
In a time like this, Brother and Mother had to appear estranged. But to keep that rift from becoming too real—so that rumors and manipulation couldn't turn pretense into truth—someone had to bridge them.
And who could do that better than her?
The daughter their mother favored most. Linen's one and only sister.
For the first time, Novie felt a serious, almost sacred weight settle on her shoulders.
"I understand, Brother Linen! I'll stay with Mother and always speak well of you!" she declared earnestly.
"No," Linen said flatly. "Quite the opposite."
"Huh?"
"I need you to speak ill of me," he continued, expression perfectly serious. "Make her hate me, resent me, reject every proposal I make. Ideally, she should never want to see me again."
"E–Eh?!"
Her thoughts crashed like waves in a storm.
"Ahem. Anyway, it's a tough mission, so I'm counting on you," Linen said, patting her shoulder with mock solemnity.
Novie nodded, determined but miserable.
Yes—this was much harder. Every insult against Onii-chan would feel like stabbing her own heart.
Seeing her face fall, Linen's gaze softened.
"Novie," he said quietly, "do you remember our childhood promise?"
"Promise?"
Before she could ask, Linen rolled up his sleeve, revealing three long scars carved across his forearm.
She remembered instantly.
Years ago, they'd snuck out of the palace and been ambushed by assassins. Linen had shielded her, taking the beast-form Arcana user's claws across his arm. To comfort her afterward, he'd joked that those scars were "Command Spells"—a symbol of their unbreakable bond.
As his knight, she'd sworn to obey three orders from him, no matter what.
Though she'd agreed eagerly, he'd never invoked the promise—not once—until now.
"Today," Linen said, still holding up his sleeve, "I'm finally going to use those Command Spells. You won't back out, right?"
Novie's lips trembled.
"I… won't."
Even if it hurt, a promise was a promise.
"Good." Linen smiled faintly. "Then I'll use all three at once."
"All three?!" she gasped. "Brother, that's a waste! One's more than enough—"
He pressed a finger gently to her lips, silencing her.
Taking a deep breath, Linen spoke clearly, his words carrying both weight and warmth:
"For my first Command Spell: I wish my little sister eternal happiness, eternal confidence, and that she'll always walk her own path."
"For the second: I wish my little sister never to be burdened by the past. Remember this—you are my precious sister, never a subordinate or a burden."
"For the third…" He paused, then smiled mischievously. "I command you to pass the Eden Academy entrance exam."
He chuckled softly.
"I know you want to stay here, but if someone who isn't a student keeps hanging around, Headmaster Sorgana and Mother will both get annoyed, you know?"
Before he could say more, Novie threw herself into his arms—this time not from sorrow, but sheer joy.
...
A while later, Linen stood at the Academy gate, watching her carriage roll into the distance. After a long silence, he finally allowed himself a satisfied, scheming grin.
This was the best arrangement for everyone.
Once, he might've been glad to have Novie close by. But right now, his dorm already housed Miss Teresia, and his class included both Hysteria and Elena. Balancing his villain act with his big-brother persona was starting to fracture his sanity.
And after the black-robed mage incident, it was clear that even if the palace ignored the nameless princess, their enemies wouldn't.
Keeping Novie near the Empress was safer for her—and convenient for him. Let her "farm" negative affection with Mother while he farmed goodwill elsewhere. Linen couldn't lose.
Besides, constantly managing the affection levels of so many girls was draining. He was starting to feel like a genuine villain.
Farming positive affection for once? Refreshing.
After all these years, if affection points were real, his with Novie must have already exploded past the cap.
At least there'd always be one person in this treacherous world who'd never betray him.
That thought alone made him smile softly.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, a familiar red glow flickered.
The damn system again.
Seriously? It couldn't wait five minutes?
Sighing, Linen tapped the alert. Instantly, a cascade of messages filled his vision.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Supporting character Princess Noraviel has been promoted to Hidden Heroine! Keep up the good work!]
[Warning: Heroine Affection rapidly increasing!]
[Affection rising!]
[Still rising!]
[Off the charts!]
…
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Hidden achievement unlocked: "A Protagonist Who Exists Because of You!"]
[But… was all this truly worth it?]
Linen: "?"
---
T/N: cliffhang also i knew novie was saber!