Only Fools Would Fall For You

"I'm dying, and nothing can change that," I said, my words stirring another wave of tears in the cramped room.

"I'm not ready... and you're not ready, are you?" My partner, the one I've been with for the last three years, cried out, his voice breaking.

"Oh, I'm ready," I replied, trying to mask the depth of my exhaustion. "I've been in so much pain for so long. Maybe it's finally become as unbearable for me as it is for all of you." The room erupted in laughter at my attempt at lightening the mood, and despite everything, I felt a warmth in my chest.

"Move on, and party hard when I'm gone," I added with a playful smirk, causing my friends to nod and hum in agreement. "Don't get too wild, though. And don't forget to leave me a shot for when I'm not here."

My eyes drifted to the side, where the one who hadn't stopped crying still sat.

"Ugh, I thought you were the strong one in this relationship," I teased, gently rubbing his hand. "Where's that fire gone?"

He met my gaze, tears still in his eyes but now burning with something else. "I'm still the man, and I can cry when someone important is leaving me."

"Ah, there's that fiery look!" I said with a grin, poking his cheek. The room seemed to warm with a lightheartedness that lingered for a moment.

"Promise me you'll take care of him when I'm gone," I said, looking to the one closest to me.

"You know I will." He gave my fingers a gentle tug.

"What?"

"Only fools would fall for you."

I chuckled, despite the lump in my throat. "Ha, you're right about that. Now, let me rest. I'm so tired."

As my eyes fluttered shut for what would be the final time, I felt the familiar weight lifting from my chest. A final warmth touched my hand—tears.

It was hot when I woke, the air thick with the smell of heated sand and spoiled fruit. My mouth felt dry, as if it were lined with sandpaper.

"What part of the timeline am I in now?" I asked aloud, confusion clouding my thoughts.

[You are currently at the beginning of your kingdom's fall, 13 days before your half-sibling, Taru, convinces over a third of the slaves to revolt. He flees to the Ma'Hao Kingdom, only to be captured and tortured to death on suspicion of espionage.]

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" I demanded, frustration rising.

[As Taru is not considered important enough, this information was deemed irrelevant.]

"I find it vital," I countered, "Tell me how he managed to incite the revolt."

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[Taru's mother, born a slave, was taken by the Emperor as a bedmaid. After bearing his child, the Emperor lost interest and cast her aside. She lived forgotten, but the servants believed she was abandoned and withheld the allowances meant for her. Taru's mother died when he was eight, from malnutrition. At nine, he was caught stealing food, which brought him to the Emperor's attention. By then, the seed of hatred was already planted, and Taru blamed the royal family for his suffering.]

I felt my throat crack as I attempted to speak. I reached for the water beside the bed, swallowing it too quickly. The sharp pain as it went down made me wince.

[Host has ingested a Goddess Tear. Initiating absorption.]

I froze, confused, as the system's cheerful tone echoed in my mind.

[Goddess Tear - Item - Type: Purifie - Grade: D - Bound. An ancient relic, purifies the body, strengthens the constitution, and grants immunity to minor poisons and illnesses.]

Stunned, I asked the system how the tear had found its way into my water. It was then revealed that the original body's mother had placed the artifact in secret, hoping it would heal him.

[You're lucky to be so fortunate!]

"Lucky?" I muttered. "What do you mean?"

[You've already acquired a bound item! These attach to your soul and follow you through worlds.]

I tried to process the information, my mind still fuzzy. But I didn't have much time to think. The door opened, and I heard the soft murmur of voices. My gaze turned toward the woman who entered—a striking beauty. Her deep, glistening dark skin and mesmerizing greenish-blue eyes set her apart. Her elegance was undeniable as she carried a basket of fresh fruit, but the moment she saw me, she dropped it, rushing to embrace me tightly.

"Oh, my baby, I was so afraid I was going to lose you, too!" She wept, her voice filled with raw emotion.

Understanding the depth of her pain, I gently caressed her back as she cried, trying to soothe her.

"Ma, I'm okay now," I whispered softly. "Thank you for caring so much."

She pulled back, surprised, her hand reaching to check my forehead, then touching her own, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "I never knew my boy could speak so sweetly."

"I'm not sweet," I protested, though I could feel a smile tugging at my lips. "I just don't want to make you worry anymore."

This revision tightens the language and clarifies the emotional beats, enhancing both the humor and the tender moments between the characters while maintaining the core sentiment of your original.

The warmth of my mother's embrace lingered as she pulled away, but the weight of what I now knew settled heavy in my chest. The system's rules were clear: I cannot share the knowledge I've acquired. If I did, there would be consequences, not only for me but for those around me. The more I thought about it, the more suffocating the silence became.

"Ma..." I began, but the words felt like they were caught in my throat, trapped by the weight of the secrets I couldn't share. She smiled at me, so full of love and concern, and I forced a smile in return, pretending I was the same child she once knew. But inside, I was someone else entirely.

My mind raced. I know the kingdom's fate, I know how everything will fall apart... but I can't tell anyone. I can't warn them. I can't change things directly. The system requires me to solve the issues on my own, using the tools available within the parameters of my new life. No direct interference. It felt wrong, like I was bound by invisible chains, but I had no choice. I was playing a game with rules I couldn't break without consequences.

"I'm fine," I told her again, though I wasn't. "You should rest. You've been worrying so much."

Her face softened, but she didn't seem convinced. "You still look so pale... You've been through so much already, my dear."

"Just a little tired," I said quickly, forcing myself to sit up straighter. "I'll be alright."

She didn't seem convinced but didn't argue. Instead, she kissed my forehead, a gesture that brought back memories of a time when things felt simpler—when I was a child who had no knowledge of the future, no burden to bear.

As she left the room, I felt a tightness in my chest. There was so much I needed to do, but I couldn't even tell her the truth. I could see the threads of fate unraveling, but I was powerless to stop them by telling anyone what I knew.

The system's voice echoed in my mind again, breaking through the fog of confusion.

[Current Mission: Prevent the destruction of the Ah'Orora Kingdom. Side Mission: Help Your Family's Internal Conflict. Side Mission: Punish the Female Lead. Side Mission: Help Calm the Slaves Before They Revolt.]

The missions were simple in name, but the path to accomplishing them was anything but. I must stop the revolt, prevent the destruction of the kingdom, deal with my family's conflicts, and somehow punish the woman who will cause so much suffering—all while never revealing what I know.

I pressed my palm to my forehead, trying to focus. It's not just the revolt. Taru's death... it's coming, and it will have catastrophic consequences for all of us. The slaves will rise, they'll be slaughtered, and then the kingdom will fall.

But how could I prevent it? The more I thought about the future, the more I realized how delicate everything was. The threads of fate seemed interwoven, each choice I made setting off a cascade of events. I can't make mistakes. I can't allow this kingdom to fall, not like this. But I can't do it alone, either.

The first step was clear: I needed to get closer to the slaves, understand their grievances, and see if there was any way to avert their revolt without the violence that would come from it. But how would I, a prince, gain their trust?

The second mission—helping resolve the internal conflict in my family—was just as complex. I'd have to navigate the delicate power struggles between the princes and the queen, and without anyone knowing that I had knowledge of the outcome, it would be like walking on a tightrope. I needed to outsmart everyone, and the risk was high.

But above all, I had to deal with Taru. How could I stop him from becoming the catalyst for everything falling apart?

I knew I couldn't face this challenge with just the knowledge of the future. I would need to adapt, to learn, to use the system's gifts to my advantage. The Goddess Tear had already made a difference in my health, but there were more traits to choose, more tools at my disposal.

I glanced at the list of traits again. So many things I could do, if only I was brave enough to make the right choices. The system had already given me what it considered "recommended" traits, but I knew I had to be cautious with my selections. Each choice could be a game-changer.

[Recommended Traits: Luck, Photographic Memory, Serene Mind.]

Luck, I could see the value in. It would help me when things didn't go according to plan, giving me the edge I needed to turn the tides. Photographic Memory would allow me to retain every detail, every moment that could be crucial later. And the Serene Mind—I would need it to survive the chaos of the world I was trying to reshape.

I took a deep breath, my hands hovering over the selection. This was the moment where my fate would shift again.

"I'll choose wisely," I muttered to myself, closing my eyes for a brief moment before committing. No turning back now.

I selected all three recommended traits, feeling the energy of the system pulse through me as they locked into place. I opened my eyes, a sense of clarity sweeping over me. I was ready.

But the problem was still there, gnawing at me—I couldn't tell anyone what I knew. My mind, sharper than before, began to churn with possibilities. There must be a way to change things without revealing the future.

The kingdom was at a precipice, and it was up to me to find a way to keep it from falling. But every move I made had to be calculated, every word carefully chosen. I couldn't trust anyone, not yet.

I would have to do this alone.