I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 81
Illein was aware that Edwin must have noticed the magic she had used to signal him, and she recalled that he might be upset by this method of communication.
After all, he had indeed been concerned enough to pressure the police to ensure her safety.
“Should we hold hands?”
She remembered they needed to hold hands for twenty minutes a day and suggested it.
“I donāt like that look.”
“Why not?”
“You look like Marquis Wignum.”
“Not like Melias?”
“Exactly.”
Illein was puzzled by why Edwin thought she resembled the Marquis rather than Melias, given that she had used Melias’s hair. Yet, seeing Edwin’s expression, she couldnāt help but smile.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Iām not sure. Maybe Iām just relieved.”
Edwin looked at her with a curious expression and seemed about to say something.
But then sighed and continued walking ahead.
“Melias, why didnāt you tell me who your fiance is?”
At that moment, Melias and Damon were engaged in a rather tense conversation.
The two had placed tracking magic on Illenas. They could rush to her aid if she needed help or was in danger.
They were conversing while watching the reaction in a secluded terrace on the first floor. They were surrounded by Silence Magic to keep their conversation private.
“I donāt see what Iāve kept from you.”
“You only mentioned that you had a fiance. You didnāt say it was Illenas.”
“You didnāt ask.”
Melias hadnāt realized how close Illein and Damon were. He found it puzzling.
He wondered why they were so close despite not knowing Illein was actually Illenas and she was actually a woman.
Melias had assumed that their closeness was merely superficial and not significant, and thus hadnāt paid much attention to it.
However, seeing them now, it was clear they were indeed close. And Damonā¦
“What does it matter to you that Illenas and I are engaged?”
It was clear that Melias was deeply upset by this.
Even though Melias was usually indifferent to people, he couldnāt be indifferent about this.
“Why does it not matter? Illenas and I have known each other since childhood! And she is Illeinās twin sister!”
When Damon said that, Melias felt a strange mix of emotions.
“I know you’re close to Illein. But I didn’t realize you were also close to Illenas.”
“ā¦Wellā¦ Illenas is often unwell, so she canāt come out much.”
“Then how can you be sure you’re close? Isnāt Illenas not close to anyone?”
“Isnāt it possible to be close without meeting all the time? Illenas and I talk about many thingsāher worries, struggles, and so on.”
Melias found Damonās words unsettling.
Even though it was Melias who said he didnāt care if Illein took a lover after marrying him.
“Tell me exactly what you talk about. Otherwise, I canāt verify if youāre just imagining things.”
Despite the fact that Melias realized how unusual it was for him to question Damon, he didnāt notice it.
“Thatās not something I can disclose. If I tell you what Illenas has shared with me, what happens to her trust in me?”
“ā¦”
“Anyway, we have known each other for a long time. Weāre almost likeā¦”
“Almost like?”
“Family.”
Melias couldnāt understand why that statement was so grating.
Damon was a decent friend.
He knew how to keep a proper distance, was pleasant, and had a knack for making people enjoy themselves.
People liked Damon not just because he was well-spoken and enjoyable, but also because he had a good personality, even though he didnāt maintain the dignity of the Young Duke.
Melias had once viewed Damon in a similar light.
But not anymore.
“And I canāt acknowledge you as Illenasās fiance.”
“Iām sorry, but your opinion isnāt what matters here, Damon.”
“Illenas opinion is the most important. Unless Illenas says she wants to marry you, I wonāt acknowledge the two of you.”
“We donāt need your approval.”
Melias scowled and glared at Damon.
“Do you really think so? Do you know how I plan to interfere in the future?”
“Itās laughable to think Iād be hindered just because you interfere.”
“Say that when youāve moved up to Class 1. Unless you score second in the midterms, youāll remain in Class 2.”
Damon taunted Melias with those words.
Normally, Melias wouldnāt have fallen for such provocations. He would have dismissed anyone who tried to bait him.
But in his current state, Melias couldnāt ignore such provocations.
“Donāt regret those words.”
With that, Melias accepted Damonās challenge.
