I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 152
Melias brought Illein here because he had come to believe that there was no better place than this, whenever he visited.
This was his silent consideration, aimed at easing her mood. However, Illein found it difficult to easily accept his gestures of kindness.
What is easy for one person may become a burden for another.
For Melias, who had lived a life full of comfort and abundance, such gestures of kindness might seem like simple acts of generosity, but for Illein, who had never experienced this level of luxury, everything felt foreign.
“Melias…”
She didnāt want to show it, but she felt uncomfortable. She wanted to speak to him about her discomfort, separate from her gratitude.
“Yes, Illein?”
But the timing wasnāt right.
– Knock, knock, knock.
Just as she was about to speak, a knock echoed from outside, and the door opened. Illein swallowed the words she had prepared, and Melias, understanding her hesitation, sought her understanding and spoke in a low voice to the person outside.
“Come in.”
The door to the room opened, and the attendants efficiently began preparing for the meal. Each attendant brought a bowl of water for hand washing.
Illein followed Meliasās lead and, recalling dining etiquette, washed her hands as well. The water was at a perfect temperatureānot too hot, nor too cold. After washing, an attendant deftly dried her hands with a prepared towel.
As the attendants left, taking the water and towels with them, other staff members naturally began setting up the appetizer.
Melias, now remembering that Illein had something to say earlier, turned to her with a warm expression.
“What was it you wanted to say earlier?”
Illein couldnāt help but feel both fondness and pressure at Meliasās attentive demeanor. She involuntarily forced a small smile.
“Melias, why did you agree to our engagement? Iād like to hear the details.”
Melias, realizing that his previous explanation had been too brief, now understood that Illein hadnāt fully grasped the reasoning behind it.
It seemed that simply mentioning matters related to the dowry had been a mistake. He had thought that keeping things vague would be considerate, but it had evidently missed the mark.
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Melias finally spoke.
“I was too brief before. Hmmā¦ I suppose it all started withā¦. how my father and the Thierry couple came to know each other. As you already know, our family is quite wealthy, and because of that, we hold some shares in the imperial family and own the central bank. The Thierry couple were among the debtors to the bank.”
“Ah…”
Though Melias began speaking as if it were a normal conversation, Illein suddenly felt like she couldnāt breathe.
Her suspicions about her parentsā insistence on the engagement with the Wignum family, possibly because of money, were beginning to become a painful reality, and it was harder to bear than she expected.
She struggled to hide the grimace that was about to form on her face. For now, she just wanted to hear the rest of the story.
“The Thierry coupleās debts were significant, but more than that, they had faithfully paid back their debts for a full decade without missing a single payment. Thatās why our family knew them well and was quite favorable towards them.”
Illein quietly listened to Melias, who continued. The story was just beginning.
“We tried to offer some help to them, not just the Thierry family but many others. Itās a way of showing gratitude to long-term business partners.”
Melias continued speaking, but Illein could sense his unease. He was likely aware that his words might be touching a sensitive nerve for her.
She had wanted to sever ties with her family, and this open discussion of the family’s financial dealings might be pushing her closer to that decision. Melias was concerned that this frank talk might upset her more than he realized.
But despite his worry, Illeinās inner strength was unshaken.
She had suffered enough to develop a resilience far stronger than many young noblewomen her age. Her face was pale, but she forced a bitter smile.
“Then, one day, my father happened to visit the bank and ran into the Thierry couple. Heās always been quite interested in business matters, and while discussing repayment, he heard your name come up. Thatās when the engagement was suggested.”
“Ahā¦”
The truth felt painfully bitter. A surge of disgust and bitterness welled up inside her.
She didnāt even need to read between the lines; it was clear now.
Her parents had sold her off for money, just as she had feared.
She hadnāt expected to feel this way, but she couldnāt hide the disappointment. She couldnāt understand why she kept getting let down.
And yet, she was curious. How deep in debt were they, that they were willing to give up their daughter for money?
Illein couldnāt speak right away. If she knew the exact amount, she wouldnāt be able to treat Melias with ease anymore.
