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

Enoch, however, only grew cold at Adelio’s unconvincing performance.

“Enoch Laochenes.”

Adelio sighed quietly and called his name again. Enoch, who had been watching for a chance to flee, flinched at his sudden seriousness.

Why was he suddenly so grave?

“…Yes?”

But Adelio did not answer. As his silence stretched on, Enoch scooted a little farther back.

Even if he got off the bed, with Adelio this close, would he be able to shake him off before reaching the door…? Taking advantage of the brief respite, Enoch’s eyes darted as he considered one possibility after another. Then his body abruptly trembled.

Adelio was idly stroking his knee.

His grip was not especially strong, but his face was ice-cold. The atmosphere made it seem as though the instant Enoch tried anything foolish, Adelio might apply force and shatter his knee in one stroke.

Suddenly frightened, Enoch licked his dry lips.

At that moment, Adelio placed a hand on the inside of Enoch’s leg and spread his legs apart. Startled, Enoch immediately tried to slap his arm away, but it did no good.

In the end, Adelio forced himself between Enoch’s legs. Gripping Enoch’s legs, he pulled him sharply forward, then shoved him backward.

Enoch’s upper body sank into the sheets. He tried urgently to get up, but Adelio placed a hand on his chest and lightly pressed him down. It wasn’t much force, but it was enough to keep Enoch from moving.

Enoch stared up at Adelio with trembling eyes. This time, he was genuinely afraid.

“Wh-what are you doing right now!”

Adelio looked down at Enoch and tilted his head.

“I truly and sincerely worried about you. Do you understand me? I clearly told you that someone in the Imperial Family was behind it. And I know the First Princess’s true nature better than you do. Once that girl takes an interest in something, be it an object or a person, she never lets it go.”

Adelio leaned close to Enoch and whispered. Feeling his breath near his face, Enoch bit his lip.

As if Enoch hadn’t known that. But he couldn’t continue refusing her invitations. If he had kept refusing, he would only have backed himself into a corner.

Besides… Swallowing quietly, Enoch calmly placed a hand on Adelio’s face. Adelio narrowed his eyes and stared at him.

“How could I not know? I know as well.”

“You know? Ha. What could you possibly-”

“Neyra Hasgen.”

“……”

“Your Highness told me about her. And Neyra Hasgen lives in House Laochenes. Would that not mean my every move is being reported to whoever stands behind her? So while the First Princess was distracted, I deliberately tested her. Then information known only to my family came from her own mouth.”

“What information?”

“The wound on my forehead. The family physician told me that if I applied the medicine properly two or three times a day, the wound would heal within two months without leaving even a scar. But when I acted as though the wound hurt, the Imperial Princess repeated those very words. How else could she know such a minor detail?”

Adelio listened silently and narrowed his eyes slightly.

“The scar on your forehead? This one?”

“Yes.”

Enoch nodded when Adelio glanced at his forehead. After a brief silence, Adelio extended his hand and gently pressed the edge of the bandage placed neatly over the wound.

It was nearly healed already, so the pressure didn’t particularly hurt. But his uncharacteristically delicate touch made Enoch feel somehow awkward, and he gently pushed Adelio’s hand away.

“What are you doing?”

“I wondered if it still hurt.”

“It doesn’t. So much time has passed. How could it still hurt?”

“Hm. Then your behavior before Isabel was a lie.”

“Yes. I wanted to be certain.”