Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

The cheerful chirping of sparrows danced with the sparkling sunlight filtering through the curtains. On any ordinary day, this would have jolted me awake, scrambling to check the clock in a panic.

But today? Not quite ordinary.

“My adorable little Lili.”

Time to wake up, sleepyhead.

A voice as clear and gentle as a tinkling bell whispered into my ear, pulling me from slumber.

I rubbed my eyes lazily, pretending to stir, and slowly lifted my lashes. As my vision sharpened, an unfamiliar yet strikingly beautiful woman smiled down at me, her expression warm and inviting.

“You little sleepyhead.”

She pinched my cheek lightly—not enough to hurt, but enough to make me feel the soft, squishy give of my own skin. My cheeks were surprisingly plump, like fresh mochi.

“Good morning, Sis…”

You look unbelievably stunning today, as always.

I beamed up at her with the brightest smile I could muster.

The woman before me was Yulienne Blanchet, affectionately known as Lia. She was the sole daughter—or nearly so—of a prestigious count’s family, the top graduate from the renowned Delir Academy, and…

The heroine of this world.

***

To cut a long story short: I’d been isekai’d into a novel.

Cliché? Overdone? I know, but it happened anyway.

Honestly, I never dreamed something like this would hit *me*. No tragic accident, no despair-driven choices. I was just killing time during a free period, rereading a friend’s novel to spot plot holes, when I dozed off mid-chapter. That’s it—nothing dramatic.

Next thing I knew, I opened my eyes in a completely different world. Specifically, the one from the book I’d fallen asleep reading.

‘Lilianne!’

I thought I’d just had a good nap, but suddenly I was surrounded by Western-looking strangers. For a moment, I figured I was still dreaming.

Pinching my cheek? Ouch—that hurt way too much for a dream.

If this wasn’t a dream, then… reality?

“…Who are you?”

The instant those words left my mouth, their faces turned to pure shock.

Lucky for me, the original owner of this body had been bedridden for months, so they chalked it up to lingering side effects. I played the amnesia card like a pro, milking it to gather every scrap of info about this place.

Yulienne Blanchet—name, appearance, everything matched the novel’s heroine. Delir Academy, the world-building details… it all screamed confirmation: I was inside the story.

Back to the point: the body I’d possessed was Lilianne Blanchet, Yulienne’s little sister.

And not just any sister—a baby sis over a decade younger, the absolute youngest.

“Lili, you have to eat your carrots too.”

My now-big-sis Yulienne gently chided me.

I’d been absentmindedly picking them out, apparently.

I nodded enthusiastically and flashed a goofy grin.

“Okay, Sis!”

Truth be told, I don’t mind carrots at all.

I scooped up a bite of the finely chopped veggies with my spoon. Yulienne—Lia—smiled contentedly, pleased with my obedience.

Mid-chew, I paused, staring at her in awe.

Wow, she’s seriously gorgeous.

Why’d I have to end up as her sister…?

If I had to possess someone, why not the male lead…?

‘Wait, that’s the problem, isn’t it?’

I furrowed my brows slightly.

This novel, starring Yulienne Blanchet as the heroine, was a reverse harem romance fantasy. The blurb promised rom-com vibes, but the real issue? The original male lead was a total jerk.

Sure, he was all charm and devotion before marriage—had to compete with those other stellar candidates, after all.

But post-wedding? He abandoned and scorned Yulienne over some ridiculous misunderstanding, only “realizing” his love after it cleared up. And get this—he even fooled around with other women in the meantime.

Can’t even trust his own partner, yet he struts around as the hero? No way!

I absolutely refuse to let this marriage happen!

“Lili, even if you don’t like carrots, you have to eat them. We can’t have you getting sick again.”

Mistaking my frown for veggie aversion, Lia put on a stern face.

“Mm-hmm!”

I relaxed my expression and grinned ear-to-ear.

No matter what, I’m blocking that wedding.

Since I’m here, I’ll protect my sis myself!

***

Yulienne Blanchet had four close male friends. Or, as the novel put it, four prime male lead candidates.

Even five years post-Delir Academy, they were all still faithfully single, pining away.

The original male lead, Robain Clione, was one of them.

Why bring this up now?

“Robain, it’s been ages.”

Because the original male lead himself had just shown up at the Blanchet estate.

Yep, this was how the novel kicked off.

In the original, Robain used his family succession issues as an excuse to ask Yulienne to pose as his fiancée temporarily.

That was the very first scene.

And right now? We were smack in the prelude to it.

I lounged on the reception room sofa, swinging my legs playfully.

Of course, the original Lilianne never appeared in this scene.

Heck, Lilianne barely appeared in the novel at all—just occasional mentions in Yulienne’s inner monologues, like “Lili would have loved this.”

The story mostly unfolded at Robain’s estate, so that made sense.

But if you’re isekai’d into a book, isn’t it your duty to twist the plot?

“…Is that your sister?”

Robain glanced my way, curiosity piqued.

“Oh, yes. Lili, say hello.”

Yulienne stroked my hair lightly.

I straightened up, batting my lashes innocently, and chirped,

“Hello, Mister.”

“Mister…”

His eyebrows twitched subtly, golden eyes flashing with bewilderment.

What? With over a decade’s age gap, you expect “big brother”? Get real.

“I’m Lilianne Blanchet, and I’m eight years old.”

Eight plus my original age, but whatever. This world uses full years, right?

I smiled sweetly.

Robain blinked a few times, then murmured dazedly,

“Your sister… she looks just like you.”

“Nah, Lili’s way cuter.”

“No, she’s mature for her age, like you. So… yeah, cute. Adorable.”

He nodded slowly, as if entranced.

Oh, suddenly smitten with my cuteness? I rolled my eyes inwardly and looked away.

His reaction wasn’t surprising—Lilianne was objectively adorable.

As the sister of the world’s ultimate beauty, Yulienne, how could she not be? Genetics don’t lie.

Fluffy pink hair like cotton candy, round silver eyes, delicate features, and those pinchable chubby cheeks.

She’d win hearts anywhere. I’d even spent minutes admiring my new face in the mirror.

Still, nowhere near Yulienne’s level.

I snuck a glance at Lia beside me.

She’s stunning. Way too good for a guy like him.

“I don’t think I’ve heard about you having a sister.”

“I could’ve sworn I mentioned her a few times.”

She smiled lightly, a hint of disappointment in her tone.

Nice— he’s fumbling without my help.

In the original, no sister talk here, but my presence was already derailing things.

Twist more! Warp it beyond repair, so Sis can escape this guy’s clutches!

“…Sorry, must’ve slipped my mind.”

“No worries. I didn’t bring her up often.”

Yulienne lifted her teacup gracefully—even that motion was breathtaking.

Robain stared, utterly mesmerized.

Stop gawking, you. You’ll bore a hole in her face.

“Anyway, what brings you here so suddenly? Your letter said nothing.”

“Well, I have a favor to ask.”

His gaze flicked to me, cool and appraising.

Can’t talk with the kid here, huh?

I innocently kicked my feet and munched on a cookie.

He sighed softly and continued,

“It’s a bit awkward with your sister around…”

“What is it?”

What else? A fake proposal disguised as a request.

I crunched the cookie loudly.

The world is vast, full of better people—why did Yulienne end up choosing Robain, who couldn’t even trust her?

Piecing together the novel’s hints and my friend’s character notes, it boiled down to one thing: Yulienne obsessed over “firsts.”

Her unbroken streak as top student at the academy? Tied to that.

And Robain? He was the first of the four to confess his feelings.

That probably swayed her big time.

But what if her absolute top priority—me—inserted herself?

Her one and only little sister, fresh from months of illness. Yulienne’s sibling love was unmatched; she’d even ditched all external duties and shooed away servants to care for me personally.

In this world, women could thrive in politics too. A top Delir grad like her? She’d be welcomed anywhere.

I grabbed another cookie, blinking innocently.

Meanwhile, Robain bit his lip and reluctantly spilled,

“It’s about the succession.”

“Succession?”

“My father’s old-fashioned. He won’t pass the title until I’m engaged.”

He frowned, spilling his contrived tale.

Hearing it live? What a lame ploy.

“So, could you pretend to be my fiancée for a bit? It’s just a contract. I’ll give you anything you want. You only need to stay at my estate temporarily.”

Hilarious. Engagements *are* contracts. And “stay at my estate”? Yeah, right.

I snapped my cookie in half, smirking inwardly.

Time to shine.

“Sis, Sis.”

I tugged her sleeve gently. She looked down with warm eyes.

“Lia Sis, what’s an engagement?”

“Um, Lili, it’s…”

“It’s a promise between a man and woman to be together forever.”

Robain jumped in, thinking he was helping.

Whatever.

I widened my eyes in feigned shock and turned to Yulienne.

“So, Sis, you won’t live with me anymore?”

“No, Lili. It’s just…”

“But Mister said ‘my estate.’ Does that mean I won’t see you?”

“Lili…”

I don’t want to be apart from Sis, even for a moment…

I gave her my best about-to-cry face. She waved her hands frantically.

I upped the pitiful stare.

Still going? Really?

“Are you leaving me behind…? I won’t see you for so long again…?”

“No, Lili!”

My final blow hit; she cried out, sounding even sadder.

Probably remembering her academy days away from home.

I felt a twinge of guilt for manipulating her heart, but *him*? No chance.

Compared to a lifetime of misery, this was nothing. I knew the future—I couldn’t push her into that pain.

The world has plenty of good people!

“I’m sorry, Robain, but I can’t help with your request.”

Yulienne hugged me tight as she spoke.

Robain looked stunned, eyes darting between us.

Staring won’t change a thing, buddy.

“But, Lia… it’s just temporary…”

That “temporary” is when you hook her!

I burrowed deeper into her arms, defiantly.

Our kind-hearted Sis stroked my hair but stood firm.

“Right now, I need to focus on my sister. She’s been unwell, and she’s shy around others—no one else can care for her like I can.”

“I could hire a nanny…”

“I only want Sis…”

“See, Robain?”

Sorry for the trouble coming all this way.

She rejected him again.

Perfect timing to exit. I clung to her neck, whining.

“Sis, I feel sick. Let’s go to my room. My head’s spinning…”

“Oh no. Sorry, Robain, we have to go.”

Yulienne scooped me up and stood. Robain still gaped, switching between us.

Try as many times as you want—I’ll block them all.

Leaning on her shoulder, I stuck my tongue out at him.

Hands off my Sis.