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

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READ ONLY AT VANISHINTOFICTION.COM

Trickle. Only the sound of tea filling a cup echoed quietly through the office.

The First Princess gazed down at the steaming tea and lightly ran a finger along the rim of the cup. The tea hadn’t cooled at all and was hot rather than merely warm, but her expression remained calm as though she felt nothing.

Tilen, who had listened to the conversation between the First Princess and Enoch without speaking, glanced at her. After finishing pouring her tea, he dropped into the seat Enoch had occupied moments ago.

The First Princess said nothing even at the sight. Looking uncomfortable, Tilen undid the buttons fastened tightly to his throat one by one, then poured tea into the cup Enoch had used.

He tossed back the full cup and sank into the sofa with a more comfortable expression. Only then did the First Princess look at him.

“Felix. You truly have no refinement.”

The attendant who had introduced himself as “Tilen,” or rather, Felix, the First Prince and the First Princess’s full younger brother, smiled at his sister’s words.

“Sister. My lack of refinement is not what troubles you now, is it?”

At the mocking question, the First Princess arched her brows in irritation and glared at him. But even at her reaction, the First Prince merely smiled.

Her chest tight with frustration, the First Princess emptied her cup in one swallow. As the drink, hot enough to burn, passed down her throat, her surging anger seemed to subside somewhat.

“You suffered quite a blow this time, so it will not be easy next time either, will it? Haha!”

“Have you come to provoke me?”

“Oh, of course not. I am merely concerned about you, Sister.”

“Hmph. Is that why you put on that ridiculous servant’s uniform and received Enoch Laochenes?”

“You wound me when you say it that way. I did all this for you in the end. Did you not tell me yourself that confirmation was necessary? …But Sister.”

The First Prince paused, tilted his head, and smiled inscrutably.

“What exactly must you confirm? Why will you not tell even me, your own brother, precisely what it is?”

“That is none of your concern. You need only do as I say.”

The First Princess spoke firmly and snorted. Did he think she couldn’t see that he had acted more for his own amusement than for her sake?

Even then, recalling her conversation with Enoch made heat rush to her head. She had summoned him to threaten him, yet a handful of words had reversed their positions so completely.

How dare a mere Duke’s son threaten the First Princess with such ridiculous remarks that were not quite threats. At this rate, even hearing the words culprit or poison in her sleep would send her into a fit.

Grinding her teeth, the First Princess glared. The First Prince watched her changing expression with interest, then spoke.

“In any case… Enoch Laochenes was nothing remarkable. He didn’t even notice who I was. Since the Saint had taken an interest in him, I expected something different… Is there truly any need to draw such a person in, Sister?”

“…Ha. Do you truly believe he didn’t notice?”

“Pardon?”

“He had already realized who you were long ago.”

“…Since when?”

“How would I know? There was something unusual in the way he looked at you from the moment he entered the office. Moreover, every time we spoke, he turned his gaze toward you and repeatedly glanced at you to watch your reaction. And above all… your left leg.”

Lowering her gaze, the First Princess looked at Felix’s left leg. He unconsciously drew the foot back, then smiled broadly as though nothing were amiss.