The novel, A Golden Crown for My Beloved, was the last novel she binge-read on her phone before saying goodbye to her previous life. It was one of those cliché stories she secretly enjoyed.
The illustrations of the male lead and the second lead were so handsome she clearly remembered fangirling over them.
It was a tale of forbidden love.
Lea was a girl from a fallen kingdom in the north, surviving on her own after her village was brutally attacked and forced to surrender. Her homeland eventually fell and was conquered. Many refugees fled to neighboring territories that were now under the Aethelgard Empire.
But Lea was different. As a talented young mage, she managed to survive on her own, wandering from city to city.
Just a teenage girl, alone in the world.
Eventually, she was adopted by the Valeria Baron household. Perhaps it was her first step toward her true goal: making the Imperial family pay.
When she became old enough to attend the Imperial Academy, she met the cold Duke of the northern territory of the Aethelgard Empire, Nikolai von Solari. Despite the odds, their tale of forbidden love slowly began to bloom.
But there was one problem.
Princess Veronica von Aethelgard.
The male lead's childhood friend had secretly been in love with the Duke for years, and she was dangerously obsessed and manipulative.
In the original story, the downfall of House Valeria and Clara's eventual execution all stemmed from the princess's schemes.
Clara's plan was simple: befriend the villainess and find her a new boy to obsess over. Maybe one of the heroine's future admirers. Honestly, any man would do.
But how was Clara supposed to get close to the villainess?
Fortunately for her, the royal family had a long-standing tradition. Members of the Imperial family were homeschooled and forbidden from attending the academy, despite its prestige. The Imperial family rarely made public appearances, partly to avoid assassinations and partly to maintain their mystique and authority.
Princess Veronica had once tried to pull some strings to attend the academy with the Duke, but the imperial advisors were far too stern and cunning.
After all, how could they break a centuries-old imperial rule… for a man?
Exactly.
Because of this, the future heir of the Solari Duchy and Lea's love story bloomed peacefully at the academy, without the princess interfering.
Knowing this, Clara came up with a plan.
The Imperial family was currently searching for qualified tutors.
Tutors who could also… handle the princess's attitude.
The thing was, many of the previous tutors couldn't handle the princess's attitude.
All sorts of scandalous incidents had driven them away. Clara had only heard the details through rumors, but apparently the princess had a habit of pulling elaborate pranks on her tutors or subtly manipulating situations for her own amusement. She once changed a tutor's hair color overnight, shrank a prized vase to the size of a teacup, and even made rooms appear upside down just to watch them panic.
None of it was outright improper- Princess Veronica was far too intelligent and sophisticated for something as crude as childish tantrums- but somehow, by the end of their appointments, even the most accomplished scholars would leave the palace looking utterly defeated.
Still, Clara wasn't the slightest bit scared.
This was her survival we were talking about. She was about to make a risky move to protect the people she loved.
While taking a walk through the market one afternoon, she noticed something familiar posted on a wooden notice board.
The 37th Imperial Recruitment Notice.
The empire was once again looking for a new tutor for the princess.
The salary was insane. When converted into real-world currency, it would probably be equivalent to earning millions a month. Yet despite the outrageous benefits, most tutors fled before lasting even a week.
I wonder why.
It was the newest gossip in town. Many people who didn't know about the princess's reputation were blindly excited about the opportunity.
Of course, the process wasn't simple.
Applicants had to take an exam with over a thousand questions. Only those who achieved the highest scores would qualify to become the princess's tutor. On top of that, there was another requirement.
The candidate had to be a noble.
Sheesh, so strict for what!
Then again, on second thought, it made sense.
In the future, when the princess turned eighteen, she would debut in high society. She has to be a properly educated woman by then. During that debut, she would subtly signal to the nobles that she intended to pursue an engagement with Nikolai.
Right now, the princess was only sixteen.
Which meant I had roughly two years to prevent that future from happening.
****
The Valeria family ate in comfortable silence. The Baron sat at the head of the table, and Lea and Clara faced each other across the polished wood.
Lea was now fifteen, a year having passed since she became part of the family. They were close- so close that protecting her had become one of Clara's most personal motivations.
"Father, I have something to tell you," Clara said, her voice calm but deliberate.
"Speak," the Baron replied, his fork pausing mid-air.
"I want Leanne to attend the academy."
"The academy? You mean-"
"Yes," Clara interrupted gently.
The dining room stilled. In the original novel, Clara had to throw a tantrum to fulfill her dream. The Baron had hesitated, agreeing only if Lea went as well. This moment was vital; the story couldn't proceed without it.
"Lea is talented, but her talent would surely blossom more with the guidance of professionals," Clara added, her eyes fixed on her sister.
"W-wait, sister-" Lea began, but Clara held up a hand.
"Clara, I know you're being a doting sister, but-" the Baron started.
"I know we don't have the money for it," Clara continued, "which is why I also intend to tell you about something else."
"Which is?"
"I intend to become the princess's tutor."
Silence fell like a heavy curtain. The Baron looked at Clara as if she had grown a second head.
"Clara-"
"Father, I meet the qualifications. You know how hard I've been studying. And the salary alone is enough to pay for Lea's tuition and maintain the needs of the Baron household."
The Baron leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, eyes narrowing in thought. Clara could almost see the cogs turning in his mind. He was weighing ambition against danger, opportunity against the whispered rumors of Princess Veronica's impossible temperament.
Finally, he exhaled, a slow puff that seemed to carry the weight of decades of cautious decision-making.
"The Imperial Palace… it is not just a place, Clara. It is a battlefield of politics, influence, and more than a few schemes. If you are to tutor the princess, you will be walking into a nest of vipers. One wrong move-"
"I understand, Father," Clara said firmly. "I've studied her reputation. I know what I'm getting into. But this is the only way to keep Lea safe and give her the life she deserves."
The Baron's gaze softened slightly as it fell on Lea, who was quietly watching her sister with wide, hopeful eyes. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well, Clara. If you are determined, I will support you. But remember, this is no ordinary task. Guard your wits as carefully as you guard your heart."
Clara smiled faintly, the corners of her mouth turning up with a mixture of pride and mischief. "I will, Father. I promise."
Mission accomplished.
She turned to Lea, expecting a hug or at least a "Thank you, best sister ever!" Instead, Lea was staring at her plate, avoiding her gaze and… pouting? Her bottom lip stuck out just a tiny bit, and she looked genuinely annoyed.
Wait, what? Clara's brain screeched. I just secured your education and signed up for what is basically a death-trap job! Why are you pouting? Is she mad I didn't ask her first?
Later, in their shared room, Clara finally spoke.
"Lea, seriously, what's with the face?" she asked, flopping onto her bed and crossing her arms.
Lea fiddled with the hem of her sleeve, her eyes downcast. "I… I just… I feel guilty."
"For what?" Clara prompted, tilting her head.
"You´ve given me so much," Lea murmured. "And you… you just decided everything on your own without telling me. I… I should've been part of it. We're going to be apart now. The academy, the Imperial Palace… it's all so far."
Clara blinked. Ah… so that's it. She's worried we won't see each other.
"You… you're worried we won't see each other?" she asked gently, sitting up on the edge of the bed.
Lea nodded, biting her lip. "It's not that I don't want this. The academy- it´s- it´s a great opportunity. I just… I want to stay close to you. You're the only family I have left, Clara."
Clara's chest tightened. She had been plotting to survive and protect her sister, and here Lea was silently fretting, worried for them both.
"Lea," Clara said, leaning closer, "I didn't tell you everything because I wanted to make sure it worked. But I swear, no matter where I am- Imperial Palace, academy, whatever- nothing will stop me from keeping an eye on you. You're not losing me. Not ever."
Her lips quivered, and she finally met Clara's gaze. "Promise?"
"Promise," Clara said firmly, giving her a little nudge with her shoulder.
A small smile finally crept onto Lea's face.
"Best sister ever," she whispered.
I better start imagining every prank she can throw at me, Clara thought, already bracing herself for the chaos Princess Veronica was sure to unleash. Hair dye, shrinking potions, invisible floors… I'll survive, or die trying. But Lea… she won't get hurt. That's the main thing.
Lea giggled, and for a moment, the looming Imperial Palace, the scheming princess, and Clara's impending "death-trap" job felt… manageable.