I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 184

“What are you doing?”

Someone appeared directly beneath the radiant moonlight that flooded the space, almost as if a shadow had suddenly risen from the ground. The entrance was so striking that it felt special.

“Edwin?”

As Illein’s eyes widened upon seeing the man reflected in the moonlight, her mind raced. 

How on earth did he get here?

But then, seeing him smile as he looked at her felt strangely out of place. Illein froze for a moment.

Could it really be him? The last time she saw Edwin, he was unconscious, having collapsed. 

It was only the day before that he had opened his eyes with her help. Even if the imperial family’s healers are exceptional, could he really be up and moving around in just a day? 

And beyond that, considering the princes had been murdered, how could Edwin just walk into this place so easily?

There were too many contradictions in the story. She couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

Despite that, seeing him made her heart race uncontrollably. It was as though the love potion she had taken was affecting her again, and it was hard to think straight. 

Her reasoning felt like it was slipping away. Struggling to control her impulsive emotions, Illein asked.

“Are you okay?”

He smiled at her question.

“I’m fine. So, just calm down for now.”

Then, with a twisted smile, Edwin spoke.

“All the princes will be dealt with soon. What will you do then?”

“…What?”

“If you come to my side, I’ll spare Edwin.”

At those words, Illein’s face froze.

“Edwin?”

Illein spoke in a trembling voice.

“Yes?”

“Edwin, why… are you referring to yourself as someone else?”

Theodore smiled brightly at Illein’s words.

“Don’t you know? You understand exactly what I’m saying.”

The look in his eyes made Illein feel like her heart was about to stop. Her mind went blank for a moment, and she couldn’t think of anything. She had no idea how to react.

Every person has a unique magical aura, and Illein was skilled at sensing and identifying it. That was why, despite the words being spoken, she couldn’t fully grasp what he was saying. The magical aura she felt was unmistakably Edwin’s.

So why was this happening?

A wave of intense fear washed over her.

“Illein, why are you trembling?”

The intense danger she felt from his smiling face made Illein feel like she was losing control. Moreover, the moment she showed fear, he immediately expressed his displeasure.

When confronted with a fear too overwhelming to handle, a person loses their sense of reason.

Illein couldn’t think rationally, just as if her mind had been completely overtaken by the intense situation.

She could hear the words clearly, but they didn’t make sense in her mind.

It was as if the words echoed in her ears, leaving no trace of logical thought. A strange sensation gripped her—a feeling that the situation was real, but it didn’t seem real at all.

The innocent smile on the person in front of her felt even more alien in that moment. Vaguely, a memory of Edwin flashed through her mind.

Then, she realized why this felt so strange to her.

Edwin never smiled like that.

Edwin’s expression was usually full of concern or suspicion, always watching others with guarded eyes. He was never someone who smiled so genuinely.

The Edwin that Illein remembered wouldn’t be able to make such a laughter

At that moment, doubt turned into certainty.

The person in front of her was Edwin, yet he wasn’t. The magic aura, the feeling, the shape—all pointed to Edwin, but it couldn’t possibly be the same person.

Illein felt an overwhelming urge to scream and run away. But she couldn’t.

As soon as their eyes met, everything stopped. She wanted to look away immediately, but an invisible force held her gaze. It felt like she was being consumed by his gaze.

Then, unexpectedly, the person—Edwin—hugged her.

Her heart sank with a loud thump.

All she could hear were the frantic beats of her own heart and his harsh breathing.

“Illein.”

At that moment, he whispered her name softly.

“Yes?”

“I came here to see you today. I want to do something nice for you.”

As he said that, he hugged her even closer. 

His lips, brushing against her head, felt warm. Every time his breath brushed her ear, she felt an uncomfortable shiver. 

It was as if she was doing something wrong, and the thought unsettled her.

“What kind of nice thing?”

“The midterms will disappear.”

“What?”

“They’ll be replaced by a practical exam instead.”

Illein was startled and tried to pull away from his arms. But he held her tighter, laughing softly.

She couldn’t escape his grip.

“How do you know that?”

At Illein’s question, he smiled faintly.

“Illein, I remembered how much you care about your grades. The exams will change, so…”

He then grabbed her hand, spreading her palm open.

He pressed his magic wand against her palm.

She was watching as he drew something on her palm.