I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 114
However, when lunchtime arrived, Illein encountered a small problem. Damon, who had been quiet until now, suddenly asked her to join him for lunch.
“Illein, let’s go have lunch together.”
“Oh, I brought my own lunch.”
“Right, of course.”
Damon considered heading to the cafeteria with her but chuckled when he saw her lunchbox.
“If I bring my own lunch from tomorrow, can we eat together?”
“Sure. But don’t you have friends you usually eat with?”
“They’re everywhere, so it’s fine. I’ll start bringing my lunch too.”
With that, he ruffled Illein’s hair and got up from his seat. Up until this point, everything seemed fine.
“See you later.”
“Yeah.”
The real problem arose after Damon left. She felt a piercing gaze from behind and turned to see Edwin glaring at her.
“E-Edwin….”
“I’m eating with you. Let’s go to the rooftop.”
“Um, okay…. That works for me.”
Illein said this and had to lead the way, walking in front of Edwin, who was watching her with an intimidating expression.
As she stepped outside and walked with Edwin, she suddenly spotted Melias rushing toward her.
Illein was startled by his sudden appearance but also felt the pressure of Edwin following closely behind.
“Illein!”
Melias had a serious expression, as if he was already aware of what had happened in Class 1.
Illein thought it was important to talk to him for a moment.
The issue was Edwin’s piercing gaze still fixed on her from behind.
So, Illein subtly turned her head to give Edwin a look of understanding.
After Edwin nodded, he moved slightly away from her, deliberately turning his back to give her some space.
Thanks to this, Illein was able to greet Melias with a more relaxed expression.
“Melias.”
“Are you okay? Was there any trouble? I just got the details.”
“Me? Oh… I’m fine.”
“You can’t be fine. You look unwell.”
Melias gently pressed his palm against Illein’s cheek with a serious expression. He then looked at her closely to ensure she was truly okay.
“How about you, Melias? Did you do well in class?”
“Yeah.”
He responded while looking like he had some regret.
Illein accurately saw through this. Melias felt uncomfortable that he had only just returned from outdoor class and learned about Illein’s situation late.
He felt a sense of helplessness about not being able to protect her. It weighed heavily on him—a painful burden rooted in his relationship with his mother.
Melias was angry that Illein had faced the police officers without a lawyer. The rudeness of the Second Prince, Rodein, made his blood boil.
At the same time, he reflected on his own shortcomings, feeling that it was his fault Illein hadn’t come to him for help.
“I came as soon as I heard. If I had known earlier, I would have come sooner…”
“No, I’m fine! And everything got resolved well!”
“If I had spoken to my family and had all the police officers who questioned you investigated and reprimanded, then they would have been relieved from your duties…”
“No! Please don’t do that!”
Illein waved her hands in alarm.
It was already over. She didn’t want to stir up trouble again. Besides, Melias’s intense emotions were hard to handle. It was so different from his usual self.
In truth, this unfamiliar side of him that she felt since the dance party, was both nice and burdensome.
Seemingly sensing Illein’s feelings, Melias restrained his excitement and stepped back.
“Illein, if anything like this happens in the future, please call me. I want to help.”
“…Thank you, Melias. But I’m actually going to have lunch with Edwin on the rooftop right now, so…”
As she spoke, Illein subtly glanced at Edwin, who still had his back turned to her.
“…Okay.”
Melias wasn’t one to miss such gestures.
He wanted to say he would join them, but it didn’t feel proper. Yet, regardless, Edwin’s presence was quite irksome.
For some reason, his presence had started to bother him more and more. Of course, he knew Edwin had helped Illein.
Moreover, he was already aware that they had a good relationship, yet that knowledge oddly irritated him.
It hadn’t been this way at first, but as time passed, his resentment seemed to grow, and he didn’t understand why.
Melias tried to act calmly, worried that Illein might catch on to his true feelings.
Yet, his calmness made Illein feel good.
She thought that even if circumstances forced her to marry Melias, it wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Before she knew it, Illein found herself inviting him to dinner.
“Would you like to have a meal together after school?”
“Sounds great. Let’s go to my mansion.”
A fleeting smile appeared on Melias’s face, only to quickly fade again.
