For now I will not see her

40XX

"No matter what happens, I will protect you. Usually, it's the guy who says that to the girl - but ever since we started going out no even long before then. When it came to you, whenever it came to you I always end up so nervous and don't know what to do. Everything's proceeded in a rather strange order and from now on it'll probably go even more haywire than before. It will become more chaotic certainly. But for sure I do love you, that's why you don't have to worry. I won't die".

After saying this, the brunette haired girl brought his head to her chest and embraced it.

---

Year 4023 Mist Kingdom Xiao Household

A man with dark hair woke up, his face covered in sweat. He looked at his surroundings and discovered he was fast asleep on the velvet violet couch on the server.

A deep sigh passed his lips. A dream of the past is it?

As he closed his eyes again, he recalled her again. The girl who he was engaged to since birth and yet after that dreaded accident. He lost her forever. He cannot be forgiven; he can't pay the price for her lost life. Her family members never blamed him. But Lan could never forgive himself for what happened that day.

His name is Lan - the heir to the Xiao household. His father passed away two years ago, so he supposes he should fix that introduction. Now he is the head of his household and considered the third Knight of the Queen's Knights. He gave up his position as the second Knight when his sister Lina graduated from the academy. After all, it was clear as day who was stronger. While she could have easily become the heir to their household. Lina refused and said she wanted to follow him.

When you've been alone and outcasted and isolated for so long, somebody with strong beliefs like his sister Xiao Lina - is the exact person you need by his side.

"Big Brother! Big Brother!"

When he hears a frantic voice, he raised his eyebrow. She seldom yelled like that. Did something happen?

"I'm in the lounge."

Moments later his sister emerged from the door.

This is his sister Xiao Lina, the second Knight of the Queen's guards. Though she always held the ability to become the head. His sister remained traditional on that aspect and said that a guy should take that position.

"What are you doing lounging around here? Miley is back."

Huh?

"What did you say?"

"Miley is back," his sister spelled out.

Miley.

Over the years since the girl left, he tried to replace her. She always told him his feelings for her weren't serious, and Lan knew he could never refute those words. Even though he told the girl he loved her; something seemed amiss with those words. Something seemed empty. So maybe it was precisely like Miley said. Perhaps he didn't have any feelings for her at all.

He didn't know.

"And?"

Lina rolled her eyes and placed her hand on her forehead, she seemed frustrated, "You should go see her."

Lan chuckled, "Isn't the Queen playing another game? I'll act surprised alongside the others during the reveal date. There's an event coming up, so it will most likely be then."

Lina deeply sighed, "Go see her. You were a complete mess when she left."

"I realized my mistakes; it's not like I loved her, so I didn't have to get worked up."

When he thought about it, Lan couldn't help but scold himself. He didn't have to get so worked up over a random girl. So what if she left, so what if he couldn't convince her to stay. It was bound to happen after everything that happened to her.

"Did you go to the grave?" Lan asked.

"Yes, that's why I saw her."

"So, she went."

In the past, the girl couldn't even bear to stand the thought of the death. She couldn't accept it. Lan recalled pacing back and forth in front of her place worried since he often heard her cries or the sounds of objects smashed. During those times all he could do was stand outside her door, even then he couldn't get close because of the flames. If she's able to go to the grave now, then maybe she's recovered a bit. While he has no feelings for her, Lan still felt responsible for what happened before. He should have been guarding her. But Lan was careless. If he was there, then he could have prevented that situation — another death on his shoulders.

"Big brother?"

"I'm all right."

"..."

Lina reached over and brushed her hand over his bangs, "Your sweating a lot, big brother."

"I'm alright; I'll take my medicine."

"I don't think you should rely on those, and that doctor you see. I don't get a good vibe from her."

"Now now Lina, it's the family doctor."

"But--"

Lan shook his head, "It's okay," when he saw her dejected look he pulled her into his arms, "Ssh, I'll be fine. Don't worry so much."

"But Big brother, you-you, you're not getting better," Lina said. The girl was struggling to hold back her tears and after a few minutes, eventually broke down. He continued to pat the girl's back.

.....

When Lina finally calmed down, he made sure she fell asleep. His gaze fell on the girl fast asleep on the couch. A deep sigh passed his lips. What is he going to do about this situation? She's still too attached to him. Even if Miley doesn't kill him to get the antidote, his life span is cut in half. Funny, the girl who caused his shortened life span is also going to be the cause of his other death. That's right, the antidote Miley is searching for involves him. Lina does not know this, however. If his sister knew, Lan understood she would choose to stand beside him and not Miley. He doesn't want two good friends drawing their blades against each other.

If it came to it, he would end it voluntarily. It's not like he's particularly attached to this life of his anyway. So ending it would be no problem for him. The only loose end is Lina, she's grown up now, and he knew that she's more than capable of looking after herself. But, Lan felt uncomfortable knowing he would leave her behind in this world to fend for herself. He has to deal with all the enemies.

However, if Lina knew they weren't really siblings, then Lan wonders if she would bother fighting for him?