Chapter 5

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Contrary to his demure personality, Cedric Royston was the most renowned swordsman in the Erharden Empire. That single fact was how, despite his distinct lack of presence, he’d managed to secure his spot as a male lead candidate.

​In any case, Cedric, who also happened to be the Commander of the Imperial Knights’ Second Division, began visiting our house for absolutely no reason at all.

​The same went for Michael and Alan.

​Even with the buffs of being main characters in the original story, was it really okay for them to have this much free time? I could almost understand one of them using work as an excuse, but all three?

​”Liri. Say ‘ahhh’,” Alan Lowell said, kneeling before me.

​Instead of opening my mouth, I pursed my lips into a stubborn pout. You were here just two days ago for a check-up! Even the national health service only checks you once a year, you quack!

​”No. Don’t wanna.”

​”Liri, if you don’t, your sister will scold this big brother…”

​”Mister.”

​”Right,” he corrected himself with a dejected mumble. “The mister will get scolded…”

​That pathetic expression won’t work on me. How dare you try to sneakily upgrade yourself to ‘big brother’ status?

​I spun around and made a dash for the dessert table. The perks of a child’s body meant I was light on my feet, but my strides were pitifully short. Which, in other words, meant…

​”Not so fast, Liri. We agreed, dessert is after the check-up.”

​…that escape was futile.

​I glared up at Alan, who had blocked my path with zero effort. I was running as fast as my little legs could carry me, so why was I always caught within a few steps? Then again, the man was ridiculously tall. Sighing, I let my gaze wander to avoid his nagging.

​There was Michael, deep in a discussion with Julianne about national affairs. There was Alan, lecturing me. And there was Cedric… knitting?

​Wait a second. Why was Cedric knitting here? Is it really okay for the Commander of the Knights to be doing this?!

​”Oppa.”

​At my small call, Cedric immediately looked up from his work. Since he was the only one in the room I graced with the title ‘Oppa,’ he knew instantly I was talking to him.

​I tilted my head with feigned innocence. “Aren’t you busy, Oppa?”

​Whatever he read into that question, his face went deathly pale. No, I meant it literally. Are you not busy? How on earth did he interpret that?

​”Does… does my being here bother you, Liri?” he stammered, looking like his world was about to end.

​Ah. He thought I was telling him to leave.

​I shook my head vigorously. “No!” Without you, there’d be no one to fix this mess! You bring balance to this chaotic group! Besides, for my sister Lia, you’re the number one husband candidate… Of course, the final choice would be Julianne’s.

​Ignoring Alan’s attempts to get my attention, I plopped down on the sofa next to Cedric, my eyes fixed on Julianne and Michael.

​Michael’s flirtations were so smooth and natural that he was definitely the one to watch. But after observing him a few times, I learned he never crossed the line during their work discussions. Perhaps that was because Julianne’s personality wouldn’t allow it. The moment he’d start to say something like, “Then, why don’t we work on this together…,” she would immediately cut him off with, “No, I think it’s more efficient to handle this part alone.”

​Even as a fake, body-snatching younger sister, I wholeheartedly approved of my sister’s firm attitude.

​For that reason, I never bothered them when they were talking about official business. Alan and Cedric knew better, too. They were well aware they’d get a scolding from Julianne if they interrupted.

​”I like you, Oppa,” I declared. Which was my way of saying he was welcome to come often. I offered him a sweet smile, leaving the rest unsaid.

​Cedric blinked a few times, then a gentle smile bloomed on his face as he nodded. “I like you too, Liri.”

​What a completely harmless smile. It was hard to believe this was the same man who supposedly transformed into a demon with a sword in his hand. He looked like he was born to knit. I glanced at the flawless piece in his hands, not a single stitch out of place.

​”What is that?” I asked. I already knew the answer, of course. I just wanted to stall Alan’s check-up.

​”This is called knitting,” he said softly. “Would you like to try, Liri?”

​He offered me the yarn and needles. I slowly shook my head. My knitting skills were good enough to earn a perfect score in my old school’s home economics class, but I had no desire to show off here. “I’ll just watch.”

​”Alright,” Cedric whispered, that harmless smile never leaving his face.

​The more I looked, the more I was convinced that Cedric was the best choice for my sister. He was so gentle and proper. What more could you ask for?

​I was lost in thought, swinging my legs, when a shadow fell over me.

​”Liri, isn’t it time to finish our check-up?” Alan knelt in front of me again, his smile relentless.

​Why is he so persistent? Can’t he just pretend to do it? I knew it was because of his promise to Julianne and the guilt he felt for not being there before, but still. I hated it.

​I deliberately puffed out my cheeks and shook my head. Even if Julianne asked, I didn’t want to do it. The feeling of magic seeping through my body was just weird! Especially when it went deep inside!

​”Liri, this is the last one for today. The very last one, I promise.”

​”You say that, but you’ll be back the day after tomorrow to do it again.”

​”My, my, how did our Liri get so clever…?” Alan sighed dramatically.

​Whatever. I’m not doing it. I can’t.

​”Liri.” His voice turned firm, his expression hardening as he called my name.

​That won’t scare me, I thought. Who do you think you’re dealing with, an actual eight-year-old?

​I met his gaze head-on, waiting for what he would say next. Whatever it was, I wouldn’t fall for it. Absolutely nothing would convince me…

​”If you do the check-up now,” he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “I’ll bring you a whole cake next time.”

​”…”

​”Without Julianne knowing. And I’ll make sure you get to eat all of it.”

​”It has to be quick!”

​Words wouldn’t move me, but bribery was another matter entirely.

​I immediately opened my mouth wide. A satisfied smile spread across Alan’s face as he nodded. A whole cake. An entire cake, all to myself. I was trusting him for now, but if he lied, I would make him experience a fiery hell. Like, for instance, whispering wicked little things to my sister to ensure he could never get near her again.

​Their romantic futures, after all, rested in the palm of my hand.

​”Just hold on for a moment,” Alan said. He chanted a quick incantation, gathered mana at his fingertips, and sent a stream of it into my mouth.

​Instantly, a cool sensation spread from the depths of my body. It shifted from cool to searingly hot, from a gentle tickle to a sharp, buzzing vibration. I hated unfamiliar feelings. I was just about to scrunch up my face in annoyance when it stopped.

​”There. All done, Liri. You did great,” Alan said, ruffling my hair as he pulled his magic back. He handed me a piece of candy.

​As if a single candy could make up for my discomfort. …I’ll hide this and save it for a day when Julianne puts me on dessert restriction.

​”You have to bring the whole cake!” I demanded, then promptly turned my back on him to resume watching Cedric knit. Alan seemed to have no intention of bothering me further and sat down quietly beside me, gently fiddling with a lock of my hair.

​Cedric’s knitting skills were truly incredible, even better than my own perfect-score-getting abilities. His movements were clean, his rhythm flawless. He really was a knight, wasn’t he? Who else would be so precise, lining up each and every stitch so perfectly? I bet whatever he made would be impeccably structured.

​I was mesmerized by his hands when a sudden thump echoed through the room. It was the sound of Michael organizing his stack of documents.

​That meant the official business was over. Which, in turn, meant Michael’s fiery brand of flirtation was about to begin.

​The moment the sound came from the table, the three of us—me, Alan, and Cedric—rose from the sofa in perfect sync. Excellent. With all of us here together, we can keep each other in check.

​”Unni!” I cried, running straight into Julianne’s arms. She lifted me up effortlessly. My sister was so strong.

​”Did my Liri have fun while I was working?”

​”Yup! Cedric-oppa is really good at knitting!”

​”Is he?” Julianne asked, her emerald eyes widening as she looked at Cedric. In response, Cedric’s eyes went wide as well, and he froze, completely flustered.

​The tips of his ears were turning red. He got like this just from making eye contact with Julianne. But my sister would never notice, would she? Because that was the default setting for every harem female lead: completely oblivious when it comes to romance.

​You guys are in for a rough ride.

​”It seems our Liri has really taken a liking to you, Cedric,” Julianne said.

​See? He was so obviously flustered and she couldn’t even tell. I twisted a strand of her hair in my fingers, shaking my head slightly. This was going to take a while. Which was fine by me.

​”I’m very glad,” Cedric replied, his words coming out in a soft, relieved sigh.

​Now that’s a male lead I can approve of. So proper and nice.

​”Liri, what about the mister?” Alan whined, unable to stand being left out. He sidled up next to Julianne. “The mister brought you cookies, and checks on your health all the time…”

​Ah, you little sneak. You’re just using me as an excuse to get close to Lia.

​I turned my head away from him in a clear sign of rejection. As I did, my gaze locked with Michael’s golden eyes. He was watching me, his stare intense and analytical. When I tilted my head quizzically, his expression melted into a smooth, gentle smile.

​Don’t smile like that. It sends a chill down my spine. You look like you could figure out I’m a twenty-year-old who’s possessed this body.

​”I suppose I’ll have to take up knitting if I want to get on Liri’s good side,” he mused, his voice sweet as honey. It was a clear jab at Cedric.

​So he wasn’t suspicious of me. That was a relief. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

​Still, Michael was definitely the one I needed to watch out for.