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

This was a situation he had never imagined. As though the cold sweat running down his back were not enough, beads of sweat now began springing up all over his body. His shirt clung unpleasantly to his skin.

Adelio stared at him from inches away with an indulgent expression that seemed to say he should hurry up and say something, and Enoch thought he might die of fear. If he could, he wanted to throw open the carriage door and leap out immediately.

That was how chilling Adelio looked just then.

His mouth went dry with anxiety as Adelio continued staring fixedly at him with a languid expression.

Then a strange look suddenly crossed Adelio’s face. His expression gradually relaxed, and he seized Enoch’s face, small enough to fit in one hand, before examining him from head to toe.

Enoch’s face had gone pale, and sweat had even gathered on his forehead. Adelio wondered if he was truly that nervous. Even his chin seemed to be trembling faintly at a glance.

Adelio sneered inwardly.

Why? Because you’re afraid of me? Terrified?

Hmph. It seems you at least know what you did wrong.

Adelio released Enoch’s chin.

Then he wiped away the cold sweat on Enoch’s forehead with his fingertips. Clear beads of sweat dampened his callused, snow-white fingers.

“You’re even sweating. How admirable. Your body seems well aware of what you’ve done wrong. Isn’t that so?”

Enoch caught the fingers brushing his chin in both hands and pushed them away, pressing himself into the corner of the carriage. Adelio extended both arms and planted his hands on either side of Enoch’s head.

They were positioned so that one slight tilt of Adelio’s head might cause a serious accident. Enoch had no choice but to draw his neck in as far as possible.

He couldn’t help it even if the posture ruined his neck. For now, this was the best he could do.

After hesitating, Enoch eventually held both hands out in front of him. Adelio gave them a displeased look, as though asking what he thought he was doing.

Of course, Enoch did not lower them. For now, he would call it a defensive barrier.

“First… First, please calm down, Your Highness.”

“Hm? Weren’t you planning to keep quiet from the start? So I thought I might do as I pleased too.”

“I was going to answer… And please… move aside. You’re heavy.”

Adelio, who had been resting half his weight on Enoch, blinked. Then his eyes swept over himself and Enoch, who sat as though pinned beneath him.

At the sight of Enoch looking as pitiful as a rain-soaked cat, Adelio let out a breathy laugh and leaned back. Only after the pressure bearing down on him disappeared could Enoch finally breathe a little easier.

Watching Adelio’s mood, Enoch slowly pulled himself upright from where he had practically been lying down. Though he remained wary of Adelio, he folded his arms across his chest and tried to act unconcerned.

It was the ideal position from which to thrust both hands out and stop him if Adelio approached again.

After glancing at Enoch, Adelio straightened his clothes, lightly patted his jacket, then slapped his own thigh twice.

Enoch frowned at the incomprehensible gesture.

“What are you doing?”

“Why? Wasn’t your seat uncomfortable? If it’s truly that uncomfortable, I thought you might sit here for a while. We can finish our conversation while you’re seated.”

Adelio patted his thigh again as he spoke. Enoch’s expression turned cold. Too dumbfounded even to answer, he whipped his head away.

But just as Enoch inwardly muttered that the man was truly infuriating, his eyes flew wide when he suddenly felt himself being lifted into the air.

“U-Uhh…?”

He hurriedly looked around and found himself seated with his body pressed close beside Adelio’s thigh. Adelio had abruptly reached out and forced Enoch to sit beside him.