#3.
“W-What? I’m being sincere!”
“Is the word ‘cute’ that Ronnie knows different from the one I know…?”
“Um… No? I-I think it’s the same?”
Ahh! I keep getting flustered in front of Allen.
I started sweating coldly as the awkward atmosphere refused to improve.
I still couldn’t understand why Ronnie used to torment such a lovable Allen. Though he still had traces of childhood, he was quite tall for his age.
That soft silver curly hair Ronnie always touched felt incredibly pleasant.
This was dangerous. Even though Ronnie is currently thirteen, I—Kim Sohee, a 28-year-old adult—am inside this body. This age gap is enough to land me behind bars.
“To see Ronnie smile… The sun must be rising in the west, my dear.”
“Truly. I used to worry about how expressionless she was, but now she finally looks her age.”
Mother and Father looked deeply moved. Especially the duke—who had the same black hair and navy-blue eyes as Ronnie—wore an unexpectedly gentle expression.
Though he was endlessly soft toward his wife, he was a strict father to his children.
That’s why Gale was usually the one getting scolded, while Ronnie received all the praise. Of course, the duke had no idea Ronnie was misbehaving behind the scenes.
He was clear-cut with rewards and punishments and didn’t choose his heir based on gender. Gale and Ronnie both took successor classes, and in the end, Ronnie became the heir.
Unfortunately, that result only fueled Ronnie’s cruelty.
“Who are you?! The sister I know was never this kind to that guy!”
“Allen hyung.”
“I’d never be nice to some mutt like—!”
“Allen hyung.”
“Even if it’s my sister—!”
“Allen hyung.”
“Ugh…! I… I hate you, sis!”
I smiled coldly and deliberately enunciated “Allen hyung.” Gale, overwhelmed, burst into a tantrum and stormed out of the dining room.
I wasn’t sure if that personality was a blend of Mom and Dad or a mutant gene. Still, it was kind of cute how he couldn’t even argue back properly.
Maybe because he was still a kid. In the comic, five years from now, he enters the magic academy and torments Allen relentlessly, which made him seem insufferable.
But seeing young Gale now made me think his personality turned out this way because he grew up sheltered under his sister’s skirts.
I chuckled quietly as I looked toward where Gale had run off. Allen was staring straight at me. When I met his gaze, he instantly turned back to focus on his meal like nothing had happened.
Chapter 2: Adapting to the World of the Comic
It’s been a month since I came here. More than enough time to accept that this isn’t a dream but reality. No dream lasts through eating, sleeping, and… well, you know.
For a month, I endured successor lessons with Gale. Why was I doing this academic stuff I never even attempted back in the real world?
Thankfully, having worked as an assistant for the author helped a lot. I basically had the worldbuilding memorized, so studying wasn’t that hard.
Gale, on the other hand, was too young to sit still and concentrate. He frequently skipped classes and didn’t seem interested in becoming the heir.
I decided that since I was born as Ronnie Sharligen anyway, I might as well live as I please.
After all, I had no idea why I ended up here or when I’d return.
I’d already been spoiled on the ending that hadn’t even been released. So as a reader, I figured I might as well make Allen happy while I’m here.
But to do that, I couldn’t waste time drowning in these daily heir lessons. In five years, Allen will break off our engagement and head to the magic academy.
Ronnie, who has zero magical talent, couldn’t possibly follow him there.
If not the magic academy, I had to at least get into the attached art school. That was the only way to stay involved in the original story.
So instead of succession classes, I needed to focus on arts subjects. My background in art might actually help here.
After observing Allen for a month, I realized that although he acted kind toward me on the surface, he was secretly on high alert. Probably because he was hiding his true self.
Having grown up as an illegitimate child, he’d seen his share of filth. Of course, he wouldn’t have a cheerful personality. But he was probably keeping it hidden because Ronnie was still useful to him.
In the comic’s plot, everything changes once he enters the academy—that’s when the engagement ends, and his kindness toward Ronnie vanishes.
Still, I didn’t want to fall out with Allen. I doubted this world was truly influenced by the comic, and I figured nothing would change what had already been published in the print volumes.
Besides, who knows when I’ll go back? I couldn’t pass up the chance to get close to my favorite character in person.
To stay by Allen’s side, I had to prove I was a helpful friend over the next five years. So succession classes? Those were Gale’s job, not mine.
“Gale, get up. You have to study.”
“Ughhh. Why are you doing this to me, sis? You be the heir!”
I pulled away his blanket and opened the curtains. Gale pouted and glared at me. It was late, and he was still sleeping?
Nobles really do live a privileged life.
“Don’t dump everything you don’t want to do on me.”
“You were the one working hard to become the heir until now! It was all for appearances anyway. Why are you acting like this now?! …I really don’t want to be the heir. I hate social events.”
Watching him protest so stubbornly, I changed tactics. I put on a sad expression and lied.
“Gale, I thought you were a kind little brother who cared about me. But now I see you’re just ungrateful and selfish.”
“S-Sis…”
“Yes, I’m your sister. And like I said before, I want to become an artist. But what do you think will happen if you don’t take these heir lessons seriously?”
“T-That, uh…”
“I’ll probably have to give up painting and live my whole life as a reluctant heir. Yeah, Gale. If that’s what you want, I’ll just throw away my dreams. Maybe I expected too much from you. I’m really disappointed.”
“F-Fine! I’ll do it, okay?! I’ll do it!”
Gale, whose pupils were practically shaking, shouted and ran off to the shower.
‘Success.’
I smirked like I’d never been upset. After a month of observation, I’d concluded that Gale Sharligen—the minor character—was a full-blown siscon.
Maybe he tormented Allen with childish pranks not because he was evil, but because he was jealous of the attention I gave Allen.
For someone like that, the biggest weakness was disappointing his sister.
I knew that perfectly. Handling Gale was no trouble at all.
I headed straight for Allen’s room. But he wasn’t there.
“Where’s Allen?”
“He went out early this morning.”
His room was empty, and even the maids didn’t know where he went.
Allen was currently living with the Sharligen family—not because Ronnie asked, but because it was the empire’s tradition.
In the Ron Empire, it was customary for engaged noblemen to live with their future bride’s family for a certain period before the wedding, to learn about each other’s households.
This system was a blessing for Allen, as it helped him escape the nightmare that was the Romanite household.
Usually, the engagement period lasted at least a year before marriage.
But since Ronnie and Allen got engaged so young, even after five years they hadn’t married—and wouldn’t for another five.
“Well, I guess I’ll go look for Allen?”
I already knew where he went every morning. Even during his time at the academy, he used to practice swordsmanship there every morning.
Although he had extraordinary talent in magical control, he had to hide it at the Romanite estate.
They feared that if people learned an illegitimate child had talent, he would be subjected to even worse bullying. So in a way, getting engaged to Ronnie was a lucky break.
Thanks to that, he could practice swordsmanship freely, away from his family’s eyes. In the past five years, he’d likely gotten pretty skilled with his mana.
I tied my black hair high and changed into comfortable clothes. I also made sure to pack the artifact Leo gave me for self-defense.
While the maids were busy with their chores, I snuck out and rode a horse beyond the castle gates.
Allen had been avoiding me for the past month. Other than at dinner, I never saw him.
But not today. Today, I’d find him and get closer to him—no matter what.
According to the comic, the training ground should be where he’d go. I planned to search for Allen while also sightseeing around town, which had me quite excited.
I’d been getting bored of life in the castle, anyway.
Despite the early hour, the city beyond the castle walls was lively and bustling. I dismounted and wandered the streets, amazed by the fruits and foods I’d never seen before.
Fruits here were huge and appetizing. The sweet aroma made my mouth water. I bought a few strawberry-sized apples—or were they apple-sized strawberries?—and took a bite of one while strolling through town.
Everything was so vivid, it was hard to believe I was in a comic world. The people passing by looked no different from those in real life.
Just as I thought about giving the remaining strawberries to Allen and Gale, I bumped into someone.
