I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 100
As Edwinâs magic mixed with hers, it began to alleviate her dizziness and discomfort, improving her condition.
“You might feel hurt by my words, but you shouldnât dismiss my warnings. I⌔
As he attempted to say more, his voice faltered.
A golden ripple started to shimmer around him, likely due to a magical contract. If a magical restriction was in place, it would naturally be followed by a silence spell.
At that moment, Illein looked into his eyes and said,
“You donât have to force yourself to speak!”
Illein was worried that if Edwin revealed the truth, he might break the magical restriction, which could lead to serious trouble.
Magical contracts often involved life-threatening stakes.
“Then at least tell me why youâre so injured.”
“âŚâŚ”
“Canât you even tell me that?”
He nodded in response.
Illein sighed and answered.
“Is it safe now?”
“I donât know yet. But⌠is Illein safe?”
“Suddenly asking that? Didnât you come here to see me?”
Illein spoke directly, looking him in the eyes.
“I came to see you and to check on Illein.”
“If itâs Brother Illein, heâd be with our parents tonight.”
“Then I must be going to Candelaria Duchy.”
Edwinâs expression relaxed, showing some relief.
“So, are you going to Candelaria Duchy now?”
Illein asked, watching Edwin closely.
He answered absentmindedly, “I guess I should.”
“I donât want that.”
“âŚâŚThen?”
Illein was anxious. If he went to Candelaria Duchy and found Illein wasnât there, he might suspect her.
That couldnât happen.
He was a prince, and he wouldnât know the extent of the serious crimes committed at the Thierry Barony.
Raising a daughter as a son, and even disguising her as a man to send to the academyâif discovered, it would be a grave offense.
“Are you worried about Brother Illein? Perhaps because of the Second Prince you saw before?”
“Did Illein say something?”
“JustâŚ.that he ended up in the same class as that person.”
Illein moved closer to Edwin, but he took a step back. As he distanced himself, she felt her fear of him begin to wane. She matched his distance by stepping closer again.
Once more, he retreated.
Illein approached him again.
“Are you asking if Rodein is a threat to Illein?”
“Yes.”
As he stood still, she took another step forward, bringing them very close. She could almost touch him with just an outstretched arm.
“When you talked about that person, your expression wasnât pleasant. I was wondering if there was something I didnât know.”
Illein slowly reached out her hand and gently took hold of his.
Despite Edwin flinching, he didnât pull away.
“Rodein might be a threat, but there could be other dangers as well.”
As Edwin spoke, he shared more of his magic with her.
Illein felt strength returning to her body with each infusion of magic and didnât want to pull her hand away.
“So, in your opinion, is it more dangerous for me to stay here alone tonight, or for my brother to be with our parents?”
Illein gazed intently at Edwin. He widened his eyes and frowned, turning his head away.
“âŚâŚ.”
“What is it?”
She leaned in, pressing for an answer. Edwin avoided meeting her gaze and looked farther away.
“Is it that you donât think itâs worth answering?”
“Not at all.”
“Then is it that you donât want to talk to me and pretending to be concerned is just too difficult?”
“No.”
“Then are you going to go see my brother?”
“âŚâŚI wonât go.”
Illein laughed softly at his response. She extended her other hand and held out her pinky.
“Promise.”
“âŚ?”
Edwin made a strange expression, sighed and linked his pinky with hers.
“Are you afraid of being alone?”
Illein had never thought about that before. She had spent a long time living alone at the Thierry Barony.
She had been accustomed to living alone even before she started attending the academy.
Given her background, she hesitated slightly at Edwin’s response. However, she feared that if she said otherwise, he might end up going to Candelaria Duchy.
“âŚâŚYes.”
“Thatâs a foolish thought.”
“Why?”
“Being alone is safer than being out there.”
Illein looked at Edwin again, wondering if he was joking.
