I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 135
It was disheartening to see how their attitude shifted the moment Melias’s name was mentioned, after they had just been violently reprimanding her for expressing her opinions.
“So, of course, itâs natural that you need to study to fill the dam of the Wignum Marquisate.”
“True⌠if that’s the case. Hmmm⌔
Baroness Thierry nodded in agreement. Illein lowered her head, wishing for all of this to end quickly.
“I will verify if this is true.”
Seeing her father speaking as if he was testing her again made Illein scoff.
“Go ahead.”
She said that while trying to ignore the pain from her swollen cheeks.
“Whether you check or not, itâs the truth.”
With that, she stood up. She thought it would be better to sleep in the next room.
“Must it be that you need to be first?”
“Yes.”
“What if the prince happens to be first?”
“Well, even so, I must at least come in second.”
When Illein replied coldly, Baron Thierry and his wife exchanged glances and spoke.
“Can you ask the prince to let you come in second?”
“Hah!”
Illein felt a surge of anger at her mother’s audacity, especially since she had just faced a similar situation with Edwin.
“I was getting close to him for that, and you ruined everything.”
“What? What kind of word is that?”
When Baroness Thierry shot back, Illein sighed.
“Whatever I do from now on, don’t take an interest. Iâll be marrying into the Wignum family anyway.”
Saying that felt utterly miserable.
“Make sure to keep your purity intact!”
“Iâll manage without you saying it. So, just stop.”
As Illein said this, Baron Thierry sighed and continued.
“This is all for your benefit. Where else could you find such a good match? Even if they donât provide a dowry, canât you at least trust that person?”
“⌔
“Besides, the Wignum family is a powerful one in the capital. Theyâre central nobility and own a bank.”
“⌔
“There are even rumors that they fund the Emperorâs political activities. If you marry into such a family, you wonât have to live in subservience anymore.”
Illein’s expression grew colder with each word.
“Didnât you get enraged at the Macintosh family before? If you became the Marchioness, then Willai is nothing. You can trample over him.”
“⌔
“So remember this: if you want to live like a human, you must marry into the Wignum family.”
Baroness Thierry unconsciously rubbed her slightly protruding belly and sighed. Inside it was the real son who would replace Illein.
“Right, and think about the family too. Youâll soon have a sibling, wonât you? Do you realize how much effort weâve put into feeding, clothing, and housing you?”
“⌔
“That doesnât come for free. So, if you have any sense of shame, you should treat us well. Do you know how hard we worked to secure such a good match for you? Youâre so ungrateful.”
“⌔
“Letâs all be on good terms. Youâll become Young Marquis Wignumâs wife, and our son will become Baron Thierry.”
Illein couldnât help but scoff at those words.
“What if Mother has a child? Who will take care of it?”
“Hmmm, well.”
Baroness Thierry mistook Illeinâs mention of the baby in her belly as a sign that her anger was subsiding.
In reality, Illein was feeling absurd about her own situation, which made her words even more pointed.
“By then, itâs likely before graduation, so⌠for a while, I suppose Mother will take care of it?”
“For a while?”
“Of course! Mother has to work at the Candelaria Duchy.”
Seeing the Baroness smile made Illein laugh in disbelief.
“And since youâll be the Wignum lady, either youâll take care of the baby or ask them to find a nanny.”
“⌔
“Oh, didnât you mention thereâs a graduation exam?”
“Yes.”
“How important is that? If you can continue as a scholarship student even if you donât pass the exam, isnât that impressive?”
Baroness Thierry looked at Illein as she spoke.
“Failing the graduation exam means youâll have to repeat the fourth year.”
“Really? You canât be serious that youâre not confident about the exam?”
“⌔
Illein had to fight the urge to sigh at those words. However, no matter how hard she tried, a sigh still escaped her lips.
Even the tears of grievance that had once emerged felt futile now.
“You know, Iâm saying this just in case.”
“⌔
“If you canât become the Wignum lady, youâll end up as the second wife of Count Ventila.”
“….Mother, not that!”
“Right, that was the original plan. But then we received word from the Wignum family first.”
“Indeed, Count Ventila showed interest in you first. All he wanted was your youth; no other conditions were necessary.”
Illein felt all remnants of affection she had for her family slip away completely.
