A New Life As A Extra Villain [BL]

Chapter 5: A Brother's Warning

From this chapter on, he will be called Edward.
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As Edward exited the dining hall, the heavy doors groaned shut behind him, sealing the weight of the morning's tension inside. Or at least, that's what he wanted to believe. The echoes of Lawrence's cutting words still reverberated in his mind, each syllable like a thorn pricking at his composure.

He moved through the corridor, his steps muffled by the plush rug beneath his feet. Sunlight streamed through the towering arched windows, painting intricate patterns on the polished marble floor. The estate was beautiful, no doubt about it, but its opulence felt oppressive. Every detail screamed wealth and power, but to Edward, it only whispered, You don't belong here.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that was... fun," he muttered under his breath, sarcasm barely masking his unease. "Just a casual breakfast where everyone's silently rooting for me to trip over my own feet-or, better yet, disappear."

The air was cool, the kind of crisp that might have been refreshing under different circumstances. But Edward's thoughts were anything but calm. The breakfast scene replayed in his mind like an unwanted highlight reel.

Lawrence hates me. Helen's terrified of me. And Father? He let out a dry chuckle. I'm probably just an unmarked tally on his 'list of failures.' Fantastic.

His self-deprecating musings were cut short by the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Steady. Deliberate. Closing in from behind.

Edward's heart skipped a beat. He didn't need to look to know who it was.

"Edward."

The single word cut through the quiet like a blade. Edward stopped mid-step, his shoulders tensing instinctively. Of course. Lawrence. Because why wouldn't he want to make my day even better?

He turned slowly, schooling his features into something resembling calm. Lawrence was already closing the distance, his dark eyes glinting with barely concealed disdain. His posture was as rigid as ever, his presence radiating authority and judgment in equal measure.

"Lawrence," Edward said, his tone carefully neutral. "Something I can help you with?"

Lawrence didn't answer right away. Instead, he stopped just a step too close, his sharp gaze sweeping over Edward like he was peeling back layers, searching for weakness.

"Whatever you think you're doing," Lawrence began, his voice low and deliberate, "it's not working."

Edward tilted his head, feigning innocence. "I'm not sure I follow."

"Don't play dumb," Lawrence snapped, his words laced with venom. "You think you can just stroll back in here, act like nothing's happened, and everyone will forget? That Father will forget? That I'll forget?"

Ah, the lecture. Right on schedule. Edward resisted the urge to roll his eyes, instead keeping his expression blank. "I don't expect anyone to forget," he said evenly. "I'm just trying to... get through the day."

"Get through the day?" Lawrence's sneer deepened. "That's all you've ever done. You drift through life, making mistake after mistake, and the rest of us are left cleaning up after you."

Edward's jaw tightened. His fingers curled into loose fists at his sides. Great. Blame me for everything. Because obviously, it’s Edward’s fault the sun doesn’t shine bright enough. But he kept the remark to himself.

"You might have Father fooled for now," Lawrence continued, his eyes burning with anger, "but don’t think for a second that I’m not watching you. If you so much as look at Helen the wrong way, I’ll—"