I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 136
“If itâs Count Ventila, five of his wives are all dead.”
“Thatâs right.”
“Four of them were murdered, and they couldnât find the culprit.”
“That must have been an accident.”
“I donât know how an accident could happen that way. All the deceased conveniently died from asphyxiation.”
Illein wasnât completely ignorant of the rumors circulating in the capital, especially not the terrifying ones.
The reason Count Ventila hadnât been investigated by the security bureau was that most of the families of the women he married were insignificant, and theyâd keep quiet as long as they received moneyâeven if their daughters ended up dead.
On top of that, Count Ventila’s brother was the chief of the security bureau.
“So it must have been an accident. Surely, a nobleman of such high status wouldnât kill them, especially after marrying them? Besides, once a noblewoman marries, she essentially becomes property of her husbandâs family. Criticizing that arrangement would disqualify her from being a noblewoman!”
Every time Illein heard her mother say such things, she felt a wave of nausea rising.
“Sure.”
She walked toward the door, as if indicating that she no longer wished to converse.
Continuing the conversation would lead to nothing but her own misery and suffocation.
Her ultimate goal was clear: to leave this place.
* * *
“Have you been crying?”
“âŚAh!”
Illein found herself looking at the grandfather clock, which indicated it was 3 AM.
“Edwin?”
“Yes, itâs me.”
She grasped his hand, using the excuse of needing to share her magic, and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Whatâs wrong? Who upset you?”
Strangely, she couldn’t hold back her tears at his words.
“You came early today.”
“Who made you cry?”
As he tried to pull her away to see her face, she looked down to avoid his gaze. But he grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Who is it? Iâll take care of it.”
For a moment, his words seemed so sincere that a chill ran through her heart.
“So just tell me who it is.”
She couldnât take her eyes from his wild, red eyes.
“Just stay still.”
Illein said this as she held Edwin even tighter. When she attempted to use her magic, he held her hand and said,
“Wait! Donât give me any magic for now.”
“Why?”
“Let me give you some instead. You look exhausted.”
Surprised by his unexpected words, Illein widened her eyes and stared at him.
Edwinâs sudden concern felt like a balm to the wounds in her heart.
“Why? You donât like it?”
“I donât dislike it.”
Illein shook her head.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just because. Youâre looking at me too.”
She wanted to express her gratitude but felt shy and lowered her gaze instead.
“Iâm looking because youâre beautiful. So beautiful.”
“Pfft, Edwin, just look in the mirror.”
Illein pouted, unconsciously fiddling with the ring around her neck.
Maybe it was because she remembered arguing with her parents about being alone in a room with Edwin that made her feel uneasy in her current form as Illenas.
“Why would I look in the mirror? I should be looking at you instead.”
Seeing Edwin smile while looking at her gave Illein a strange feeling.
So when Edwin wrapped his strong arms around her again, she felt a mix of relief and anxiety.
She was intrigued by this duality of emotions. How could such opposing feelings arise at the same time?
“Are you sure you donât want my magic?”
“I want to focus on comforting you right now.”
Illein raised her head slightly at Edwinâs words. His smile made her feel oddly uneasy.
“You look a bit wicked when you smile.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but it draws me in.”
“What do you mean?”
“I donât know. I think Iâm just really happy and grateful that you came here. It means so much to me⌠so much.”
Tears started to well up in her eyes.
“Who on earth made you cry?”
“I donât know.”
“If you donât tell me, I might find a way to make you confess.”
“Are you going to do something bad to me?”
Edwin gave a mysterious expression at her words. He rolled his eyes and then chuckled.
“Well, I could.”
That made Illein smile.
“Oh, youâre just joking. I know youâre not that kind of person.”
Feeling moved by his comforting presence, she hugged him tighter.
Edwin seemed startled for a moment, then hugged her back just as tightly. He inhaled the scent of her hair and said,
“Who is it? Is it someone you canât talk about? Are you afraid Iâll kill them?”
“Yes.”
“Yes for which question?”
“Everything.”
“Oh no.”
He found her warmth oddly awkward, yet he melted into it like a gentle beast.
“Hold me tighter.”
“This is as tight as I can hold you.”
“Oh, right, you said you donât have any strength!”
He shared his magic with her.
“AhâŚ.”
The sudden powerful magic made Illein feel dizzy.
