I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 132
Edwin was sharp as a needle and as cold as ice. It was surprising to see him think of someone else in this way.
“Why do you allow only the first place to receive all the benefits?”
“Pardon?”
“Itâs not like the academy is lacking in funds.”
“Oh, Your Highness.”
The Chairman chuckled at his words.
“Maintaining the advantages of being first is necessary. Student Illein Thierryâs family isnât particularly impressive. But what if he graduates while maintaining his top position?”
“⌔
“The imperial family seeks out talented individuals, and Student Illein is already capable. His water attribute is even rare. Though that attribute isnât very useful, still⌔
The Chairman gazed steadily at Edwin as she spoke.
“Perhaps this pity might even feel humiliating for him.”
“Even so, he can seek understanding when the time comes. I donât want to burden him with this situation now.”
Edwin stood up as he said this.
The Chairman smiled again at Edwin.
It felt as if her master had grown significantly, no longer appearing like a child, but instead caring for his subordinates.
“Well then, thank you for your efforts.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Edwin said this and left the Chairman’s room.
When Illein saw Edwin leave, she felt a wave of discomfort at the thought of her parents waiting for her.
Did they take a leave from Duke Candelariaâs residence? They hadnât returned until late at night, seemingly waiting for Edwin to leave completely.
Once he departed, they stormed into Illeinâs room.
â Knock, bang!
Illein tried to pretend she was asleep but realized the door had already swung open with a sigh.
“Whatâs going on?”
“Illein, no matter how much you disguise yourself as a boy, it doesnât make sense for you to be alone with a man in a room!”
Illein found them utterly tiresome. All she could think about was wanting to escape this house as soon as possible.
“Why did you bring the prince?”
“Right, do you have any ulterior motives? If so, wake up from that dream! To the imperial family, youâre just a plaything!”
“What⌠do you mean?”
Illein was taken aback by her parents’ words.
“Are you keeping your purity intact? You know that if you canât maintain your purity before marriage, neither a man nor a woman can get married, right? If thatâs the case, speak up immediately!”
They couldnât say anything to Edwin. Illein found her parents’ behavior laughable.
“And if I did?”
Uncharacteristically, she felt a rising sense of defiance, enough to spill out her thoughts.
“What?”
Baron Thierry approached her, his face flushed with anger.
â Slap!
He immediately struck Illein across the cheek.
“Is that what you have to say right now?”
Surprisingly, Illein didnât feel much pain from the slap; she only felt a surge of defiance.
She had always tried to avoid such conflicts.
However, lately, it has become increasingly difficult. From the incidents at the academy that surrounded her to the sudden engagement issue, nothing felt comfortable.
It was as if all the energy she had accumulated recently had been expended. Illein had surpassed the breaking point where she could endure.
Because of this, she found it hard to tolerate her parentsâ selfish comments regarding the engagement issue as she had in the past.
Even though she knew that rebelling would only exacerbate the conflict.
â Slap, slap, slap!
Baron Thierry continued to hit Illeinâs cheek without pause.
The Baroness sighed inside, thinking how unfortunate it was that her husband would choose to hit the face specifically.
She worried for a moment that a bruise would appear on Illeinâs face, especially with the engagement approaching.
Then she remembered Illein’s healing ability.
Those kinds of injuries wonât become serious. She reassured herself.
So, she didnât intervene while Baron Thierry kept striking Illeinâs cheek.
In fact, the Baroness secretly thought Illein deserved it. After all, her words had crossed a line.
“If you have impure intentions towards the Prince, you should stop. You wonât find anything good from getting involved with him.”
However, she also felt the need to step in and start gently advising Illein.
“You might think you can have the Princeâs child, but as soon as you do, youâll be discarded. You have no idea how many women have been treated like mere toys and then thrown away.”
“âŚâŚ”
And that was indeed the truth.
Historically, there had been far too many such cases.
Illein knew this, which was why she couldnât immediately refute the Baroness’s words.
“Of course, His Highness may not be that kind of person⌠but still, it wonât end well for you. Youâre likely to be very unhappy. Plus, His Highness is rumored to be a monster⌠though I didn’t realize he was that handsome.”
The Baroness believed she had made her point clear enough for Illein to understand, so she cautiously brought up the most crucial issue.
