The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 3

Primelia von Wertheim—one of the main heroines of Swords, Magic, and Flower Crowns… and the younger sister of the villainous noble, Kraut.

However, at this stage in the story, Primelia isn’t actually my (Kraut’s) sister yet.

She was originally the illegitimate daughter of a viscount. Due to her exceptional magical abilities and striking beauty, she was adopted into the Wertheim ducal family when Kraut was twelve. In other words, she would become my adoptive sister in a few years.

But because of her low birth and natural talent, she immediately caught Kraut’s attention in the worst possible way.

From the moment she entered the family until she met the protagonist, she suffered years of relentless abuse at Kraut’s hands, leaving deep scars on her heart.

…Should I just punch myself in the face? Because I really, really want to.

Kraut’s actions were utterly unforgivable. But the difference now is—before Primelia enters the family, Kraut has already become me.

Me, who adored Primelia.

In other words…

“I can make my favorite character happy with my own hands! This is the ultimate form of devotion!”

Fwahaha! When I first realized I had reincarnated as Kraut, I nearly lost my will to live, but now? Maybe I should actually be grateful.

Yeah, my excitement might be making me sound unhinged, but I don’t care!

…By the way, Heliotrope, you truly are the pinnacle of professionalism, silently enduring your master’s bizarre behavior. Even though your expression is completely twisted in disgust.

You know that awful feeling when you get caught up in the moment, make a fool of yourself, and then later, when you calm down, the embarrassment hits you like a truck?

Yeah. That’s me right now.

I wish I could turn into a clam and never come out.

All that excitement, followed by the cringe, made my throat suddenly dry. The tea in my cup had already gone cold, but at the moment, that suited me just fine.

I chose to sit on a chair this time—because if I sat on the sofa again, I might never get back up—lifted the teacup, and brought it close to my lips.

And then, I saw it.

My own reflection in the tea’s surface.

My hand froze.

“…Master? Would you like me to prepare a fresh, warm cup?”

“……”

Heliotrope spoke with her usual professionalism, but I didn’t have the capacity to respond.

My hand trembled. No—my entire body trembled.

The tea in the cup rippled violently, and drops of liquid spilled onto my clothes.

“A-Ah…”

“M-Master?”

Why didn’t I realize this sooner?

I was busy worrying about death flags, about making my sister happy, about avoiding my scripted fate—but before any of that, there was something far more urgent I needed to deal with!

I set the teacup down, pushed myself up from the chair—this time, I actually succeeded!—and, with all my might, raised a fist into the air.

“I’M GOING ON A DIET!!”

“…Excuse me?”

That reflection in the tea—the first time I had actually seen Kraut’s face since reincarnating.

And that’s when I truly realized the absolute disaster I was in.

A body swollen with layers of fat. A completely round, flabby form—like a failed fusion experiment. Did the mental fusion affect my physical form, too!?

Regardless, there is no way in hell I can meet my favorite character looking like this!

There’s a theory that 90% of first impressions are based on appearance.

What if, at our first meeting, Primelia takes one look at me and thinks,

“Ugh. Disgusting. He’s basically an orc. There’s no way I can call this thing my brother. Lmao, I’m out.”

I’d die. I’d actually die.

…Okay, she probably wouldn’t talk like some internet troll, but the possibility alone was horrifying enough.

For the record, orcs in this world are massive, bipedal pig-like monsters. I haven’t encountered one yet, but if any of them mistake me for one of their own, I swear I’ll wipe their entire species off the map.

Orc-related vengeance aside, I (Kraut) have just turned nine years old. That means I have at least three years before Primelia is brought into the Wertheim ducal family.

By then, I need to lose weight and pull off a dramatic before-and-after transformation so impressive that people gasp, “What an incredible change!”

Come to think of it, Kraut is severely lacking in just about everything.

Academics? Failing.
Combat skills? Failing.
Magic? Failing.
Dignity? Failing.
Decency? Failing.
Education? Failing.
Manners? Failing.
How to treat a lady? Absolutely failing.

In the game, Kraut used to flirt shamelessly with one of the heroines, the second princess. But seriously, did he ever stop to consider his own specs?

A body like an orc, a personality like a goblin… Where did that confidence come from?

As a side note, this world doesn’t have a “status” system.

There is something similar to levels, but when someone gains experience or defeats a monster, they don’t get a neat stat screen—they just start feeling like their movements are a little sharper.

So if I were to try the classic “Status Open!” trick from isekai stories, I’d just end up looking like a lunatic.

Alright. If the game version of Kraut was a villain who made his sister miserable…

Then I, as the new Kraut, will do the exact opposite!

“For my favorite character, I’ll do whatever it takes! I’ll master academics, combat, magic, dignity, decency, education, manners, and how to properly treat a lady! This is the Villainous Noble Son Reform Plan!”

I won’t be a pirate king, but—I will become the ideal older brother!!

Fueled by newfound determination, I burst out of my room at a sprint.

Behind me, Heliotrope followed at a normal walking pace, but I know for a fact she was running in her mind.

…Alright.

Step one: jogging.