Chapter 192
When she came back to herself, she looked at Edwin and said,
“Edwin, what would you do if I were in danger?”
She said this just before closing her eyes once more.
However, she was beginning to realize that even her own memories had gaps. That was why she asked those questions.
Because these unknown blanks in her memory didnât seem like a good sign.
“Iâd risk my life to save you.”
She hadnât expected such words to come from Edwin, who never spoke empty promises.
By morning, Edwin was gone.
Illein didnât feel disappointed that he was gone.
But she was a bit confused whether what had happened last night was a dream or realityâuntil she smelled his lingering, fragrant scent on the bed sheets and realized it was no dream.
Thanks to that, she now woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed.
Her lost energy had been fully restored.
It was the kind of vibrant morning energy she could only feel after a good rest.
“âŚLetâs walk to school together.”
Illein muttered absentmindedly, staring at the place where he had just been.
She couldnât shake the feeling that something was missing. And somehow, she felt a bit sad that he had disappeared so abruptly.
Then, Illein was startled by her own thoughts. Though she had spoken them unconsciously, those words were undeniably her true feelings.
But expressing them openly was another matter. She blamed herself for being careless.
And…
Illein quickly erased the thoughts that came to her mind. Even she thought those imaginings were disgraceful.
Edwin was, as far as she knew, someone who loved men more than women as his romantic interest.
So, she felt that having these feelings for him wasnât something she should be thinking about.
She also assumed that Edwinâs feelings toward her might be some kind of misunderstanding, caused by him seeing her as a man.
The fact that she was originally a woman, and thus could never truly be close to Edwin forever, somehow felt deeply sad.
“Haa, I might as well take the love potion.”
When her mind was tangled and complicated, sometimes simplicity worked best.
Illein recalled a habit she had picked up recently to shake off her complex feelings toward Edwin.
Yet, no matter what, she couldnât erase the emptiness she felt deep in her chest. And a growing sense of vague doubt kept creeping in.
Melias was definitely a good person. And loving him felt like the natural thing to do.
It wasnât difficultâit was very easy. It was also an excellent choice to sever ties with her family, which she had long desired.
And Melias would probably make a good husband. He had been a good person even in the original story.
Even though she knew all this very well, the creeping doubts that sometimes surfaced in her mind were beyond her control.
Illein still wasnât sure if what she was doing now was right or wrong. She tried hard to push away the relentless wave of regret quietly swelling in her chest.
[During the assembly time, please study on your own.]
When Illein arrived at the academy, she was taken aback to see this announcement written on the blackboard.
“Whatâs this…?”
Something like this had never happened during her entire time at the academy.
Of course, it was possible that a professor had some urgent matter and missed the assembly for the first time.
But with the midterms so close, it made no logical sense.
Even if a professor had a personal emergency, considering it was right before the midterms, surely another professor would have stepped in as a substitute.
At least, that was the common sense Illein knew. Because of this, she had an uneasy feeling that something unusual might be going on.
However, since she couldnât confirm anything right then, Illein headed toward her seat.
Thatâs when it happened.
Just as she was about to sit down, a shadow fell across the door of Class 1.
“Melias?”
Because of his tall height, Meliasâs chest was pressed right against the window on the door. Illein immediately recognized the person lingering by the door as Melias.
His distinctive brooch was clearly visible through the window.
Looking puzzled, Illein moved toward the door.Â
Though she had just walked to school together with Melias and had been with him moments ago, she couldnât figure out why he was here now.
Still, she didnât pay it much mind. She figured there was probably no special reason.
It hadnât been long since they parted, so it was unlikely he had any urgent business with her.
Still, with a bit of curiosity and the lingering effects of the love potion, she stepped forward.
“Melias.”
Illein opened the door and quickly greeted, closing the door with one hand. She didnât want anyone else overhearing their conversation.
Melias slightly bowed his head at Illeinâs greeting. But the dark expression on his face looked serious.
Moreover, he seemed genuinely worried about Illein.Â
She tilted her head, confused by Meliasâs change.
