I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 172
Not long after, Edwin arrived.
As soon as Edwin arrived, he immediately noticed that Damon was using magic to help Illein study.
The faint presence of wind magic was instinctively felt by him. Damon, however, was oblivious to Edwin’s gaze and pretended to sleep with his eyes closed.
“Candelaria.”
Edwin observed Damon for a moment before calling him out.
“…Hm?”
Damon, startled by being called by his last name rather than his first, opened his eyes. He looked surprised to find Edwin standing there, unsure why he was being addressed, since they usually didn’t have much interaction.
“Hello, Edwin. What’s up?”
Damon was on guard, thinking perhaps Edwin had called him because he wanted to sit in the seat he was occupying.Â
However, Edwin didn’t seem to care about Damonâs suspicion. After all, his question was simple and straightforward.
Edwin looked between Damon and Illein before asking.
“Is Illein staying at the Candelaria estate these days?”
As he asked, it was clear from Edwin’s expression that he was somewhat displeased. His tone seemed to say that he didnât want to ask this question.
Despite his discomfort, Edwin’s voice was firm, as though he absolutely had to ask the question.
“Why are you asking that?”
Damon, confused by the random question, just responded with indifference. He didnât feel like answering what he considered a trivial question.
“Answer me.”
At the sound of Edwinâs commanding tone, Damon involuntarily felt a sense of pressure. The magic in Edwinâs voice seemed to add an imposing aura, which made Damon feel slightly intimidated.
However, despite that, Damon wasn’t in the mood to be submissive.
No matter how much Edwin was part of the imperial family, he couldnât just pressure the Candelaria Duchy, nor was he planning to yield to such pressure. So, Damon didnât answer the question truthfully.
“Yeah, heâs practically living at our estate these days. Right, Illein?”
He lied without hesitation.
“Uh? Ah… yeah. That’s right. Come over, Edwin.”
Illein, caught off guard, gave a slightly shaky response. She hadnât expected Edwin to ask directly.
“But why are you asking that? Does it really matter where Illeinâs staying?”
Damon then asked Edwin the reason behind his question.Â
He was genuinely curious. He wanted to know why it mattered to Edwin where Illein was living.
“No.”
But Edwin didnât offer an explanation. After giving his short response, he immediately turned and walked back to his seat.
“Just so you know, Illein and I have been close since we were five. It’s very common for him to stay at our estate.”
“…”
“If he isn’t at Baron Thierryâs estate, heâs definitely at our place.”
“Alright, enough. Iâm not curious anymore.”
“Got it.”
Damon chuckled and teased Edwin with a friendly tone.
Illein admired Damonâs personality.
In her opinion, Damon wasnât arrogant despite being from such a prestigious family. He had great social skills, and was someone who could easily make friends, even with difficult people like Edwin.
As she refocused on her book, the room grew quiet again.
After a short while, the bell rang, signaling the start of the assembly. At the same time, Professor Sharian rushed in with a stern look on his face and said,
“Everyone, Student Rodein will not be attending. There has been an unfortunate incident at the palace… His younger brother, the Third Prince, has been found dead.”
In that moment, a conversation that had clearly been erased from her memory suddenly resurfaced in Illeinâs mind.
âSomeone I need to kill, but I donât want to.â
âWho is it?â
âMy younger brother.â
The words from someone who looked like Edwin, talking about eliminating her brother, echoed in her thoughts.
Illein couldnât understand why this came to her now. She couldnât be sure if it was a memory or not, but the voice that clearly replayed in her mind was unmistakably Edwin’s.
Despite never having such a conversation, the chilling voice would not leave her.
She couldnât understand why she thought of Edwin in this situation, but she couldnât shake the unease. Unable to hold back, she asked,
“Professor?”
“Yes, Student Illein?”
“Do we know the time of death for the Third Princeâs death?”
“We donât know the exact time, but I was told he was found early this morning. It was probably… in the early hours.”
As soon as Professor Sharian finished speaking, the sense of dread in Illein grew stronger.
She had seen Edwin in the early hours.
Could it be that Edwin had handled his brotherâs death in the early morning and then come to Baron Thierryâs estate?
It seemed like an absurd thought, yet for some reason, it felt eerily plausible, and she felt breathless. She quickly shook her head.
She convinced herself it was just an unnecessary and delusional thought.
And when she thought about it more rationally, she realized there was no reason for him to do such a thing.
Most of all, the Edwin she had seen was not the type of person capable of such actions.
