I Got Reincarnated As The Ntr Protagonist In An Online Game
Chapter 39: Sus

Chapter 39: Sus

Helen noticed his sudden sweating and tilted her head in concern, her eyes searching his. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.

"Yes, I am," Junior quickly replied, pulling out a handkerchief to dab the sweat from his forehead, trying to appear composed. But his heart pounded like a drum, each beat echoing the fear creeping up his spine.

Rebecca and Susan stood chatting in the hallway, oblivious to the pair approaching. The soft hum of their conversation filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of fresh flowers from a nearby vase.

Suddenly, Rebecca turned her head and spotted Junior walking beside Helen. Her eyes widened, and she shouted, "Brother!" The outburst startled Susan, who quickly followed Rebecca’s gaze and saw Junior and Helen.

Rebecca dashed toward Helen, her expression full of worry. She began fussing over her sister, checking her up and down with frantic hands. "Sister, are you okay? Have you forgotten it’s only been two days since you overexerted yourself?" Her words spilled out in a torrent, but Helen could only reassure her, "I’m fine."

Junior approached Rebecca with a wide grin, lifting her off the ground effortlessly. "How’s my favorite baby sister doing?" he asked cheerfully, his voice masking the unease still gnawing at him.

"I’m fine, Brother! And would you put me down? I’m not a little kid anymore!" she protested, her cheeks flushing a bright red.

"No can do. You’ll always be my precious little sister, Rebecca," Junior teased as he twirled her playfully in the air, her laughter ringing through the hallway.

"Brother!" Rebecca squealed, but she couldn’t help laughing as he spun her around.

Helen and Susan stood back, watching the playful sibling interaction with fond smiles. The sunlight streaming through the windows caught the softness in their expressions. "They’re just as close as we are, don’t you think?" Helen said, glancing at Susan.

Susan nodded, her gaze shifting between the two pairs. "Yes, I agree," she replied with a warm smile, though her eyes lingered on Junior for a moment too long.

---

Once Junior had his fill of teasing Rebecca, he gently set her back on the ground, still grinning. "So, what were you two doing out here? Were you planning to go somewhere?"

Rebecca crossed her arms and smirked, her confidence radiating. "Yes, Brother. I was planning to head to your room, but Susan stopped me from waking you up early, saying it’d disturb your beauty sleep. She convinced me to wait until after breakfast, but then she made another excuse. So, I threw a tantrum and decided to come meet you myself." She shot Susan a smug look, clearly pleased with herself.

Susan’s gaze flickered between Rebecca and Helen, her nervousness palpable. "Sis, I can explain—"

"Susan," Helen interjected, her voice trembling with exaggerated emotion. "I’ve told you countless times that His Highness isn’t the same as before. But you didn’t believe me. You doubted me! That hurts so much..." She let a single tear roll down her cheek for dramatic effect, her lower lip quivering ever so slightly.

"No, Sis! I didn’t doubt you! I’m sorry! It won’t happen again!" Susan cried out, rushing forward to embrace Helen, apologizing profusely. Her arms wrapped tightly around her sister, her guilt written all over her face.

Helen glanced over Susan’s shoulder at Junior, giving him a sly wink and a thumbs-up. Her lips moved silently, forming invisible words only Junior could understand: I got you.

Junior mirrored her gesture, nodding with a thumbs-up of his own. His lips moved silently in reply: Thank you. But inside, his thoughts churned with unease. Helen is terrifying. I’ll make sure never to cross her.

The tension in the hallway eased, but Junior couldn’t shake the feeling that he was walking on thin ice. He forced a casual tone, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Well, since we’re all here, why don’t we grab something to eat? I’m starving."

Rebecca’s eyes lit up, her earlier frustration forgotten. "Yes! Let’s go to the dining hall. I heard they’re serving your favorite today, Brother."

Helen smiled warmly, linking her arm with Susan’s. "Sounds like a plan. Let’s not keep His Highness waiting."

As they walked together, Junior couldn’t help but steal glances at Helen, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. She’s clever, no doubt about it. But how far will she go to protect our secret? The thought sent a shiver down his spine, even as he forced himself to laugh at Rebecca’s animated chatter.

When they reached the dining hall, the aroma of freshly baked bread and savory dishes greeted them. Junior took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He pulled out a chair for Rebecca, earning a grateful smile from her. "After you, little sister."

Rebecca giggled, sitting down gracefully. "Such a gentleman, Brother."

Helen and Susan took their seats across from them, their movements synchronized. As plates were passed and conversations flowed, Junior felt a momentary sense of normalcy. But beneath the surface, the stakes were higher than ever.

Halfway through the meal, Rebecca suddenly turned to Junior, her expression serious. "Brother, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you."

Junior froze, his fork hovering mid-air. "Oh? What is it?"

Rebecca leaned closer, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Have you been keeping secrets from me?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and loaded. Junior’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively glanced at Helen, who was watching him intently. This is it. She knows, he thought, panic rising in his chest. But before he could respond, Helen smoothly intervened.

"Rebecca, dear, don’t tease your brother like that," Helen said with a gentle laugh. "Everyone has their little secrets. Isn’t that right, Susan?"

Susan nodded quickly, her eyes darting between them. "Absolutely. Secrets... harmless ones, of course."

Rebecca tilted her head, clearly unconvinced, but she let it drop. "Alright, alright. Just making sure you’re not hiding anything too exciting," she said with a playful nudge to Junior’s arm.

Junior chuckled nervously, relief flooding through him. "You know me, Rebecca. Always an open book."

But as the meal continued, Junior couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.