I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 157
“Am I late?”
“Don’t give your magic.”
“Huh? But…”
“Just hold it for now. I came here because I want to feel your warmth.”
Illein noticed that Edwin’s tone sounded more commanding than usual. Yet, strangely, a smile formed on her face at the thought of him being here.
“Why are you smiling?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that… having you in my room… it feels kind of nice, I guess. I must be weird, huh?”
“Yeah, youâre weird. I think you’re crazy.”
“Maybe I am.”
Illein chuckled at his words. She couldnât help but feel somewhat relievedâmaybe it was because she had been so tense with Melias lately.
At the same time, she felt conflicted. She had found Melias’ overwhelming generosity uncomfortable, but thinking about how much Edwin had done for her also made her feel oddly uneasy.
“Why do you look like that? Did you get upset because I said you’re crazy?”
“Heh… Have you ever seen me get mad at you over something like that?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, that’s just a joke.”
Illein said this as she grabbed his hand and led him to sit on the old sofa in her room.
The sofa was an old piece that had been meant to be sold when the Thiery family went bankrupt, but it hadn’t sold because it was second-hand when they bought it, and after a while, it felt outdated and no one wanted to buy it.
She sat him down on it and, since he still wouldnât let go of her hand, she had to sit next to him.
“Let go for a second.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You’re going to run away.”
“Why would I?”
She looked toward one side of the room, then tugged him along while still holding his hand.
“Why?”
“I want to serve you tea. Could you move those things over there with your wand?”
Edwin saw that there was a clean kettle and plates at the end of her gaze, as if she had been preparing to serve tea to a guest in her room at any time.
He nodded in response and, without even taking out his wand, flicked his fingers to bring the items toward them. He then moved the teabags into the kettle.
Soon, Illein had made the water. Edwin, sensing the right moment, heated the water in the cup. The tea leaves began to steep slowly.
“Are you happy that I came?”
“Whereâs this coming from?”
“Youâre serving me tea.”
At that moment, Illein realized she was smiling because she was with Edwin.
“Ah.”
She didn’t realize when she had started smiling. She only knew that, despite everything, it was clear that she was genuinely happy to have him here.
“When did I start smiling?”
“Since you called my name.”
“Ah… I see…”
She felt her face flush slightly.
“I guess I must have been happy that you came, Edwin.”
At her words, Edwinâs expression softened. It was as if the person who had come with ill intentions had been transformed and became docile. He now looked completely differentâcalm and composed.
“Did you learn how to control me, or do you remember everything?”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s with this outfit? Why are you dressed up so nicely, and where did you go?”
Illein paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond to his question. She then noticed that he was looking at the tea in her cup.
As she glanced at her cup, he flicked his fingers and made his cup straight, then raised the kettle to pour the tea into it.
Illein thought to herself, watching him use air magic without a wand, that geniuses are indeed different.
“Well,… I think Edwin is the one controlling me. If you think about it, it makes sense that I smiled as soon as I saw you, doesnât it?”
“That’s interesting. Do more of it.”
“Memory… Well, I do remember. Of course, I remember that youâve been very busy recently. Maybe that’s why Iâm so happy to see you now.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“And…”
Illein watched him glance at the steaming tea for a moment before looking back at her. She felt her heart stir again.
Could it be that she was this happy to see him?
“My outfit was for an appointment.”
“Must’ve been an uncomfortable one. I see you running to me like a dog waiting for its master as soon as I show up.”
“Ah, maybe…”
She felt his comparison was a bit rude, especially when thinking of Melias, but remembering that Edwin often spoke like this in the original story, she let it slide.
“Illein.”
“Yes?”
“Illenas.”
“Ah, yes.”
For a moment, Illein thought he had called her Illein by mistake. But since he corrected himself immediately, she realized it was a misunderstanding.
“I’m not feeling good right now, so comfort me.”
She found it surprising that the reason he came to see her was for that. She slowly let go of his hand.
“…?”
He looked at her with a confused expression.
“I told you to comfort me.”
He said this as he gazed at her with his mad, red eyes. Without thinking, Illein instinctively hugged Edwin.
“It’s okay.”
