By Some Unbelievable Twist, I Became the Villainess’s Older Brother - Chapter 16.1
How long had they traveled? The carriage rattled to a stop.
Enoch drew back the curtain and looked out the window. He remembered crossing the artificial bridge before the Imperial Palace, but by the time he came to his senses, they had already reached the palace gate.
A guard looked over the carriage once, then accepted the palace pass offered by the coachman.
Pretending not to see another guard looking through the carriage window, Enoch quietly held his breath. The guard finally nodded and returned the pass to the coachman.
The carriage began moving with another clatter. But it did not travel far before stopping again. The coachman knocked on the small window opening from the driver’s seat.
“Young Duke, we have arrived.”
“Understood.”
Enoch straightened his posture, then glanced down at his clothes.
He was sure the maid had handled everything properly, but his nerves made him needlessly adjust his attire. After taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the carriage.
The instant he did, Enoch noticed someone waiting in front of it. The man who had been awaiting his arrival raised his head.
“Sir Enoch.”
‘…Who is he?’
Though inwardly wary of the stranger, Enoch deliberately acted calm. The man approached him and bowed deeply with proper courtesy.
Enoch did not speak at once. He silently examined the man’s clothes. It was the same servant’s uniform he had seen through the window on the way to the First Princess’s palace.
Enoch looked once at his pleasant, smiling face, then lowered his gaze and glanced at the man’s left foot.
Fortunately, the look lasted only an instant, and the other man appeared not to notice. Enoch soon gave him an easy smile.
“I am Tilen, an attendant serving the First Princess. Her Highness instructed me to bring you to her. You need only follow me.”
“Very well.”
Enoch obediently nodded. The attendant who introduced himself as Tilen turned and immediately led the way.
Enoch quietly followed, taking careful note of the route. After they crossed a wide marble courtyard, a narrow path appeared.
The flowers and butterflies all around suggested it was a garden. Several gardeners were present, but they continued their work without so much as glancing at Enoch as he passed.
After walking for quite some time, they reached what could be called the far end of the First Princess’s palace. Another passage opened there.
The attendant proceeded down the broad passage without hesitation. It felt almost like an underground corridor.
Enoch followed silently. Palace servants occasionally passed them.
Only after they had walked for a long time did light finally appear from the other side. They seemed to have reached the end of the passage.
Enoch could only gape at the enormous, lofty building that soon came into view. After crossing another, slightly smaller courtyard, they immediately reached a door.
This appeared to be the Imperial Princess’s office. The pale-brown door was not especially large.
The attendant turned slightly, smiled at Enoch, then raised a hand and knocked. In that instant, Enoch glanced down at the attendant’s left leg again.
“Your Highness. It is Tilen.”
“Come in.”
The voice was lower and huskier than expected. The attendant stepped aside and nodded to Enoch. With a tense expression, Enoch opened the door and entered the office.
The first thing he saw was the profile of a woman seated on a beige sofa. Her long golden hair fell to her waist and shone dazzlingly like pure gold. She set down her teacup with elegant movements, neither slow nor quick, and turned toward Enoch.
“It has been a long time, Sir Enoch.”
“Yes, it has been a long time, Your Highness.”
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