Satina despised Sharan.
If she could, she would erase him from her life completely.
When she first heard she was getting a younger brother at the age of ten, she was ecstatic.
Even though they weren't related by blood, she liked that his curly blonde hair resembled hers.
"Hi, I'm Satina, your new sister starting today."
"Sister?"
Nine-year-old Sharan stared at the hand Satina had extended before asking.
"We're not blood-related. How could you be my sister?"
Satina was left speechless, standing still as Sharan looked at her and smiled.
"Well, if you wish, I can call you Sister."
'Despite his doll-like beauty, he was a child with a vile personality.'
That was the first thought Satina had when she met him.
Sharan was kind and affectionate to his only younger brother and polite to the servants of the mansion.
But he treated Satina differently.
It wasn't that he ever physically harmed her or directly caused trouble. He never dirtied his hands himself.
All he did was subtly hint, and things would happen.
It all began with the maid who had been attending to Satina.
"To take out valuables without permission from the higher-ups is a bad habit. That maid should be sent back home.
When the chef failed to decorate the cake properly, she brought it out to celebrate Satina's birthday.
And for that, she lost her job.
Any servant who showed Satina kindness or warmth was soon dismissed from the mansion.
After two maids were consecutively sent away, the servants realized something.
Sharan hated Satina.
The hierarchy in the House of Duke Bersaebet was clear.
First in power was the Duke, and second was the young lord, Sharan.
At the time, Satina couldn't use her holy power and was looked down upon by the Duke.
It didn't take long for the servants' attitude towards Satina to change.
Her bedroom became neglected, and her meals became humble.
But Sharan remained ever polite to her, regardless.
In the days when Satina couldn't understand why everyone disliked her, she even felt grateful to Sharan for his kindness.
On the day the third maid was dismissed, Satina finally learned, through whispers, that it was Sharan behind it all.
She immediately stormed to him.
"Did you chase her away?"
"Yes, I did."
"Why? What did she do wrong? She did nothing! All she did was use some cold medicine. Is that a crime serious enough to be kicked out of the mansion? It's medicine anyone in the mansion could use!"
"The issue isn't the medicine itself. It's whom it was used on."
"What?"
"She used it on you, Sister."
"Why is that a problem? I had a fever and could've died!"
"If she had used the medicine on herself, I wouldn't have said a word."
Sharan closed the book he was reading, his eyes narrowing as he smirked.
"Everyone in this mansion serves a purpose. But what's your usefulness? Are you particularly skilled? Or do you have noble blood, valuable enough to arrange a marriage with another family?"
"You're just lucky to be here. So, it's only right that you're treated accordingly."
"So, what you're saying is... I'm so worthless that even using cold medicine on me is a waste?"
"If you're upset, it's simple, Sister. Prove your worth or leave this mansion."
Sharan placed his hand gently on Satina's shoulder, whispering softly.
"But a pretty, useless girl like you wouldn't last long outside this mansion."
His eyes softened in kindness, but his blue gaze was icy cold.
Satina was only fifteen at the time.
Even though she was used to being mistreated by her family, the thought of being cast out into the world with nothing was terrifying.
"Why are you trembling? People might think I'm threatening to kill you."
Sharan stroked Satina's soft hair as he spoke.
"So just stay quiet and behave. Understood?"
She didn't want to recall what life was like after that.
Things slightly improved when Satina turned eighteen and proved her value by becoming engaged to the crown prince.
But those years had been nothing short of hell.
***
Name: Sharan Bersaebet
Occupation: Young Lord of House Bersaebet(heir)
Current Status: Mildly interested in the player.
Satina let out a hollow laugh as she looked at Sharan, who had come to visit her.
'I thought it might be the case since he was a capture target in the game, but... Now I understand why I only survive in the normal ending.'
The possible endings with Sharan were obvious.
He'd either kill her for being bothersome, kick her out in the freezing winter to die, or force her into a bizarre arranged marriage.
A landmine that should never be crossed.
'It's just a collection of bad endings.'
What surprised her was that his favorability was at 10.
If there were a -60, that would surely be Sharan's true number.
'Wait a minute. If Sharuan's favorability is at 10, what on earth is -60? Did I attempt to poison him or something?'
She didn't recall trying to kill anyone yet, but maybe she had caused trouble without knowing.
Tap, Tap.
Sitting in front of Satina, who was deep in thought, Sharan lightly tapped the table.
"Sister, shouldn't you focus when someone's speaking?"
"I was a bit surprised that you came to see me so suddenly."
"I heard you almost got poisoned, and as your brother, how could I stay still after hearing that?"
He smiled playfully with his pretty face.
"Really?"
"But Sister, there's one problem. I heard that maid did her job quite well. Isn't it a waste to kick her out just because she tried to poison you? If you permit, I'd like to reinstate her as your maid."
What in the world is he saying?
He wants me to take back the maid who poisoned me.
Is he trying to make sure I die for good this time?
[Heart rate is excessively high. Please be cautious.]
Hearing the system's voice, Satina barely calmed herself.
'Getting upset here would only hurt me.'
She wanted to argue that it made no sense to reinstate someone who tried to poison her but decided against it.
There was no point in trying to reason with Sharan using common sense.
To him, Satina's life was more insignificant than the feed for his horse.
'I need to calmly convince him. Reinstating the maid would be a loss for Sharan as well.'
"If you want to, then go ahead."
At Satina's calm response, one of Sharan 's eyebrows raised.
"Alright then. Since you said so, let's have her back starting tomorrow."
"But won't reinstating that maid put you in danger, too?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"That maid tried to poison her own master and got caught. If you show leniency to someone like that, it could disturb the order of the house."
"And?"
"If you reinstate her, someone might pretend to target me but actually aim to harm you."
Satina licked her dry lips as she spoke.
"After all, there are more people who'd prefer to target you, the young duke, than someone like me who's treated poorly in the house."
"Hmm."
Sharan propped his chin up with one hand, looking at Satina.
"Then wouldn't that be a good thing for you, Sister? If I die, things might get easier for you in this household."
'So you are aware you're being a jerk.'
Satina wanted to shout that she didn't care whether he lived or died.
But doing so might lead to him reinstating the maid, which could mean an immediate bad ending.
Satina knew she wouldn't survive if the maid, who was constantly plotting against her, came back.
So, instead of cursing at Sharan, she smiled kindly.
"But you're my brother."
"Huh?"
"So, you shouldn't bring back the maid, because you might get hurt."
"Oh, I see. You must really hate the idea of bringing her back, considering you went as far as to say something like that."
'Would you want to live with someone who tried to kill you?' she thought, barely holding back her frustration.
"And actually, I can't bring her back anyway."
Sharan spread his hands with a playful grin.
"I killed her yesterday. After all, you can't make a corpse work, can you?"
"What?"
"Did you really think I would bring back the maid who tried to kill you?"
'But that's what you said!'
Satina screamed internally.
"I was just trying to tease you a little, but this turned out better than expected. I didn't think you'd actually believe it."
"Or was it just a lie to get out of the situation?"
His playful eyes looked down at Satina.
She feared what he might do if she said it was a lie.
He might say, "Actually, I didn't kill the maid, and since you lied, I'll reinstate her as punishment."
"No, I was serious."
Thankfully, that seemed to be the right answer, as Sharan smiled in satisfaction.
He was clearly enjoying watching her suffer.
"By the way, we'll need to find a new maid... Should I choose one for you? Or would you prefer to pick her yourself?"
"Do as you wish. I trust you'll pick well."
It didn't matter who Satina chose anyway, Sharan would undoubtedly meddle behind the scenes.
If he didn't like her choice, he'd find an excuse to fire the maid or bribe her with money.
Ding!
[Shar An's affection has increased by 2.]
'Why?'
Satina couldn't begin to guess which part of their conversation had raised his affection.
'Did he find my struggle amusing?'
Sharan smiled mysteriously.
"Since you've entrusted it to me, I feel quite a responsibility. I'll make sure to send a new maid over soon."
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