By Some Unbelievable Twist, I Became the Villainess’s Older Brother

On the day of Zyla’s unexpected declaration, Enoch had immediately followed her and repeatedly offered the not-quite-excuse that he absolutely did not like Neyra.

But despite Enoch’s pleading, Zyla snorted as though she couldn’t hear him and refused even to look his way.

At first, Enoch hadn’t considered the matter especially serious. In other words, he assumed that by the next day, Zyla, who had a somewhat simple side, would have forgotten it.

But no such luck. As though her memory had suddenly improved, Zyla continued ignoring Enoch for quite some time after that day.

That wasn’t all. Whatever happened, she glared sharply at Enoch over every little thing. No matter how hard he tried to explain, she would not properly listen… She even ignored him rather than answering!

Zyla had never once treated him that way, so whenever she did, Enoch was too startled to react properly.

Only then did he grasp the seriousness of the matter. With deep repentance, Enoch thereafter made persistent and relentless efforts to soften Zyla’s heart.

Not only did he make his speech and actions even gentler and kinder, but he also showered her with gifts as he cajoled and soothed her. Only then did the eight-year-old’s heart begin to thaw.

Exactly three days passed. To someone else, it might have been only three days, but Enoch was thoroughly exhausted. Fortunately, the girl who had been colder than the winter wind returned to adoring her brother.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a tug on his arm. When Enoch lowered his head, he saw Zyla holding his sleeve.

“Zyla?”

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Hm…?”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. Of course.”

His absent-mindedness had apparently worried her. Reassured by Enoch’s answer, Zyla released his cuff and picked up her fork again.

The Duchess, watching the close siblings fondly, elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Enoch. Even if you meet someone you don’t recognize, do not be too alarmed. Did your adjutant, Sir Henry, not visit a few days ago? He said he would help you at your side, so ask him whenever there is something you do not know.”

“Honestly, my dear. Can you not trust our son? I’m sure he will manage perfectly well on his own.”

“As a parent, am I not allowed even this much concern? Are you not worried about Enoch?”

“Why would you say such a thing? Naturally, I am worried as well. But you are interfering too―”

“What did you say? Interfering? In-ter-fer-ing?”

“N-no… That is not what I meant…”

Duke Laochenes, who had misspoken, broke into a cold sweat with a stricken expression. Raising her brows sharply, the Duchess launched into a rapid, almost entirely one-sided barrage.

Struck by the barrage again and again, the Duke’s body gradually shrank. Unlike when he first began speaking with his shoulders squared proudly, he soon hunched deeply and floundered as he tried to calm his wife.

The sight was somehow amusing, and Enoch had to swallow his laughter. Their actions and words contained profound faith in and love for their child, Enoch Laochenes.

He had keenly felt it while living with them for the past month, but Enoch truly seemed precious to them. Zyla did as well. The couple sincerely loved both their children.

Perhaps because of those thoughts, his mouth suddenly felt bitter. He liked them, yet he had been reminded again that he was ultimately no more than an intruder occupying Enoch’s body.

Enoch sank into thought, needlessly prodding his meat with his fork.

Was this because he hadn’t been properly loved as a child? But he could hardly have asked his grandmother, who struggled even to raise him alone, for the love he had never received from the father who abandoned him.