Caro sat in Arnold’s lap as the carriage rolled slowly forward. Her gaze swept over Arnold’s “underlings.” Seeing their expressions, a mischievous smile curled her lips. She leaned back, pressing the subtle curves of her still-developing figure flush against him. The girl’s sweet scent filled Arnold’s nose—and a certain part of him inevitably… swelled.

“Arnold~” she whispered, voice low enough for only him to hear. “Look, all your guys think I’m into you~ Seriously~ Our little secret stays between us, right?”

*Don’t say things that invite misunderstanding!*

Just then, Caro felt something press against her. She shifted her waist slightly—and realization dawned. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Feigning calm, she smirked. “Oh my~ Boys will be boys, huh? Even my flat chest catches your interest? You’re not a virgin, are you?”

“…” She’d hit the mark.

Feeling oddly insulted, Arnold blurted, “How could I be!”

“I thought so~” Caro’s smile turned sly. “So—you’re a lolicon? Ew~ Gross. If you are, I’ll keep my distance. Too dangerous~”

Arnold felt stung—again.

This topic was a trap. He leaned close to her ear, breath warm. “Why’d you follow me?”

His whisper tickled her ear, but her eyes lit up. “There’s a juicy story brewing here~ Arnold! As your brother, skipping out on me? Do you doubt your Bard? Planning to enjoy the fun alone, huh?”

“…” Arnold sighed. He’d known this was her motive the moment her eyes sparkled.

“Caro, this is serious business! Important!”

“Only the important stuff interests me! A big scoop—you’ll crash the Fanlin House banquet as the False Hero and snatch Miss Mistie from her forced engagement, right?”

Arnold froze, staring in disbelief. “H-how did you know…?”

“Classic trope! This is *the* classic trope! Ah… Real life unfolding like this—I’m hooked! Not fiction, not a novel—it’s *you*, my brother, doing something this cool~” A flush of delighted awe spread across her face.

*She gets thrilled even predicting the plot? Bards really are something else…*

“Ugh… That guy’s just kinda handsome! First Miss Hua shoves him captain, then a cute cake-shop girl throws herself at him! Why can’t *I* be that guy!”

“The shop owner wasn’t bad either. Maybe swing by after work? See if she’s still there…”

“Oh~ You’re not half bad yourself!”

Arnold’s men watched him pressed close to the cake-shop girl, whispering enviously.

“So your ‘friend’ visit… is it *her*?”

“Hua Fanlin.”

Caro’s eyes widened. “No way? She hunted you down like you were public enemy number one!”

True—but Arnold still felt a sting. “Hua Fanlin is a woman of integrity. Her anger… probably came from disappointment.”

Caro scoffed, having overheard the men. “Disappointed enough to *use* you? I don’t buy this ‘integrity’ act~”

“She has burdens. She fought hard to lead the Golden Lily Knights. This engagement was arranged long ago. If she acted, she’d risk ending up like I did.”

Caro tilted her head, eyes deep as still water. “So you can? Labeled False Hero—fine, play the part. But… do you *like* Hua Fanlin? That’d make sense.”

*Liking her? Absolutely not! If Caro gets the wrong idea…*

“I don’t like her. At all,” Arnold said firmly. “Someone else holds my heart.”

“Then why help her?”

“She can’t act herself…”

“Lack of resolve?” Caro’s gaze sharpened. “You call her noble. I call her hypocritical~ Want her sister free? *Act*. Want family honor? Stay silent. This ‘have it all without sacrifice’ attitude? Infuriating. Let her have her perfect ending.”

Arnold opened his mouth—but had no words.

Caro pressed on. “You take the villain role. She ‘hunts’ you later—mends ties with the family, saves her sister, preserves Fanlin House’s pride. After all, *you* ‘kidnapped’ her. Even the Sword Saint might fail to stop you. Perfect, isn’t it?”

“So the plan’s bad?”

“Oh, it’s *perfect*! Classic trope. Everyone wins… except *you*, the one sacrificing everything~”

Her eyes turned earnest. “You’re my brother. I won’t let you get screwed. Unless Hua Fanlin pays up—assets, body, whatever. Honestly? For risking a noble house’s wrath, having both sisters serve you still feels short. Women without real feelings? Just for fun.”

*How can she say such shamelessly crude things with such sincerity?*

“Wait, I’m not *that* desperate…”

“Which proves how hypocritical she is. I owe her a little kindness too—so yeah, I’m no saint talking behind her back. But for my brother’s sake… You’ll do it anyway, won’t you?”

Arnold nodded.

“No wonder you got dumped,” Caro murmured. “…I can’t stop you. Truth? I’m excited too! Can’t wait to see it. Just… don’t get sold and count the money for them. Know your choices. Know the cost. Don’t drown your sorrows again like last time.”

*This kid…*

Arnold ruffled her hair.

“Jerk!” Caro elbowed his chest—zero damage. She shook her head fiercely. “Don’t pat my head! I won’t grow taller! Damn it, I still wanna develop!”

*Develop?*

Arnold sighed. “Harsh truth time, Caro.”

“Hm?”

“Height… stops changing after class awakening.”

“…?” Her pupils dimmed. “W-what?”

“Girls usually finish developing *at* awakening. Boys catch up shortly after. Post-awakening? Only weight, muscle—things like that change.”

“So… I won’t grow taller?”

“I’m afraid not.” Arnold’s gaze accidentally dipped—down her smooth neck, toward the faint swell visible through her collar. *If I tilt my head just a bit more…*

He shook himself clear. *Good grief. Underdeveloped or not, she’s dangerously distracting.*

Devastated, Caro cried, “I liked my figure! No hassle, no unwanted attention—unless you’re a lolicon or into flat chests! But *height*?! Stuck seeing the world from 1.45 meters forever? NO!!!”

Then—a resolve: *Heels. Five centimeters minimum. Maybe ten later.*

*1.55 rounds to 160. Not short.*

The thought lifted her mood. Heels were hard… she’d never worn them. But if height was fixed? Training began now.

Amid her gloom, a grand mansion appeared ahead—

Fanlin House had arrived.