“What’s the Eye of Truth?” I wondered in my head.

*It’s an eye only one in ten thousand White Dragon Clan members is born with. It can see the future, the past—even past and future lives! But using it drains massive magic. This dragon princess can’t control it,* the Sacred Eye replied.

*You said it’s trying to contact you? How?* I asked.

*I can communicate with other eyes. This one seems to want to tell you something. Want to know, Master? Though it’ll cost you significant magic.*

*I’ll wait until tonight. I really want to know what the Eye of Truth has to say,* I thought back.

Clearing my head, I turned to Ling Ling—who was still dazed from my forced kiss—and Banas, who was pouting. *Alright, alright. Let’s go eat. I’ll cook today!*

*Brother, are you really letting these strangers into our home?* Ling Ling asked warily.

*They’re not strangers!* Banas pulled out a photo and handed it to her. Lin Ye also glanced at it.

The photo showed four people. On the far right stood a girl with light blue hair and underdeveloped chest. To her left was a tiny golden-haired girl hugging a small boy. That boy was tightly held by a breathtaking golden-haired beauty with heterochromatic eyes and wing-like markings on her forehead.

*T-This…* I stammered, speechless. Beside me, my sister radiated a dangerous aura.

*Yeer, who are they? Hahahaha! Yeer’s so charming! You set so many flags even as a kid! Guess the only way to keep you is to kill you and then myself!* Ling Ling said bitterly, gripping… what?! A cleaver?! Where did that anime prop come from?!

*Ling Sister, it’s not Yeer’s fault! Back then, you only bossed Yeer around or looked down on them! Do you know how hard Yeer tried for your love? How many times they cried for you?!* Banas shouted fiercely, as if defending something more precious than herself.

A crumbling sound echoed in my ears. Ling Ling’s face drained of color. Her legs gave way, collapsing her onto the floor. Tears streamed from her beautiful eyes, soaking the tiles as her body trembled.

Then she sobbed. *Yeer… I’m sorry. So… so sorry. Back then… I treated you so badly… I’m truly sorry… Waaah! Yeer, forgive me? Please forgive me. I’ll do anything. Give up everything. Just stay with me. Forgive me?*

Seeing her unravel, I rushed to hold her. I’d never seen my sister cry like this.

*Don’t cry, Sister. That’s all in the past. Let it go, okay?* I comforted her.

*No! I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I’m a jerk. A useless idiot who only leans on you!* Ling Ling spiraled deeper, lashing at herself.

*Brother, what did she say? Are you… male?!* Banas gasped.

*When did I ever say I was female?* I rolled my eyes at her.

*Yesss! Yeer’s still my Yeer—the one I can mate with to make an entire platoon!* Banas cheered wildly, making me speechless.

*Mr. Lin is actually a guy?! But he’s so cute!* Stella exclaimed.

*Ever heard of “otokonoko”?* Luna explained. *It’s when men, unsatisfied with reality, dress as girls to fulfill… twisted desires.* Her cheeks flushed slightly, looking oddly cute.

*Oh! So proper Mr. Lin Ye has sunk to using himself for pervy thrills? How tragic! Though his dresses are stunning—perfect for that hobby!* Stella shot me a pitying glance.

*Enough! Stop roasting each other one-on-one! This is chaotic enough without you adding fuel!* I snapped at the twins.

*He’s mad! He’s mad! What do we do, Sister?* Stella whispered to Luna.

*Mr. Lin Ye must be terrible with girls. Or… is he secretly gay?! That explains why he wants “otokonoko” despite having such a pretty sister!* Luna gasped dramatically.

I nearly spat blood. *Fine, fine. I surrender, okay?*

*Surrender what? Admitting you’re not an “otokonoko”? Mr. Lin, facing your gay truth is brave!* Luna beamed proudly.

Ignoring her, I focused on Ling Ling. *Sister, truly—I never blamed you. Haven’t you been amazing these past years? The past doesn’t matter. Please stop crying? For me?* My heart ached seeing her tears, a sharp pain tearing through me.

I hadn’t realized I’d fallen for Ling Ling—not as family, but as a man for a woman. I’d hidden behind “blood ties” all this time.

Lin Ye wasn’t dense. He knew Ling Ling and Nan Ling’s feelings. But burdened by the past, he didn’t know how to respond—only passively accepting it.

Yet just now, he realized: he loved this yandere sister.

*No! I’m just trouble for you! Every time you begged me to stop, I hurt you anyway. I must leave. I’d rather die than hurt you again!* Ling Ling bolted for the door.

Panicked, I grabbed her wrist. *Don’t go! Please, Sister! You’re my only family. And… I love you!*

Hot tears streamed down my own face—I hadn’t noticed.

*B-But…* Ling Ling hesitated.

*Slap!* A sharp crack echoed through the Lin home. We all froze. Banas had slapped Ling Ling.

*What… are you doing?* Ling Ling covered her stinging cheek.

*Enough! What more do you want from Yeer? A kowtow?! Seriously! You claim not to hurt him but keep doing exactly that!* Banas yelled.

*But…* Ling Ling whimpered.

*You’re just running away. Fine! Leave! Yeer will be mine alone!* Banas clung to my arm fiercely.

Watching Banas, Ling Ling stopped crying. Seeing my tears, she understood. She rushed to hug me. *I’m sorry! So sorry, Yeer! I shouldn’t have done this. I’ll make it up—everything, past and present!*

*We’re family, right? My only family. Shouldn’t we lick each other’s wounds? No need to cry,* I said softly, stroking her hair.

*Waaah!* She sobbed harder in my arms.

After a long while, we calmed down, standing quietly.

*Hey, Banas… who’s the golden-haired sister holding me in the photo?* I asked to change the subject.

*Her? That’s Sister Aurisia. She likes Yeer too!* Banas replied, composed now.

*Aurisia? That name… Wait! Isn’t she the Empress of the Beast Kingdom?!* Lin Ye gasped.

*Yep! But you can’t fall for her, Brother. You can only love me,* Banas grinned.

*Oh?* Lin Ye shrugged inwardly. The Empress was a mythic figure. Past ties meant nothing now—status and race were uncrossable gaps. And Aurisia liking him? Hah. Only if the world ended tomorrow.

*Yeer, don’t let that woman steal you!* Ling Ling clutched my arm, trembling.

*Don’t worry, Sister. Even if the Empress wanted me, I might not want her!* I joked, trying to cheer her up.

Far away in the Beast Kingdom, Aurisia sneezed. *Huh? I’ve never caught a cold before…*

*Alright, let’s eat! New members joined the family—time to celebrate! I’m cooking chicken legs!* I announced cheerfully.

*Only if they stop flirting with Yeer,* Ling Ling muttered.

*I get to eat Yeer’s cooking? I’m so happy!* Banas beamed.

*Let’s go in, Sister. I’m starving,* Stella said.

*Yeah, Sister,* Luna agreed.

And so, the Lin household grew.