I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 116
“Finish that quickly and try this too. I’m really good at cooking!”
She said this, skillfully dodging Edwin’s concerns.
“Listen carefully. A noble lady shouldn’t be out with a man in the early morning. If that gets out, you won’t be able to get married.”
“If I can’t get married, then I just won’t. I’d rather live alone than marry someone I don’t even like.”
As she spoke, a strange feeling tugged at her, as if Melias was somehow involved.
“That’s a foolish thing to say.”
“Isn’t it foolish to be so forward then?”
“…A fool who talks too much is a problem.”
Edwin felt oddly troubled by how he couldn’t win an argument with Illenas.
It was understandable that he felt this way. He remembered how timidly she had spoken the first time they met.
The reason Illein was speaking so well now was clear.
In the past, she had been too scared of Edwin to speak freely.
But now, her fear had transformed; it wasn’t entirely gone, but she felt more at ease.
After frequent interactions with Edwin, it was revealed that he was quite different from the image she had in her mind, making it easier to talk to him.
This change allowed her to express her thoughts more easily. That’s why Edwin believed her confidence had increased.
“Do you have time to bake bread in the morning?”
“I use magic to handle it. Once you know how to make it, setting it up isn’t hard. I just wash up, change, and check on it then.”
“Do you usually make Illein’s things?”
“It varies, but I mostly prepare meals.”
“What about Illein?”
“He usually handles the cleaning.”
“…I see.”
Edwin watched as Illein handed him a croissant.
The croissant was split in half, filled with cheese, ham, and vegetables. The aroma was delightful, and it looked delicious. Plus, it seemed the food stayed warm thanks to the warming spell on the lunchbox.
Edwin watched her in amazement. How could she be so meticulous in preparing everything?
“But what about you, Edwin? If you’re not having lunch with me, what will you do?”
“I won’t eat.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I don’t need to.”
“That’s not an option!”
Illein had often seen Edwin avoiding meals, but she assumed he would just go down to the cafeteria and buy something. But starving…..
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Why would anyone skip a meal? Everyone eats to survive.”
“I told you I don’t need to.”
“Who doesn’t need to eat? I’ll tell my brother to pack lunch for Edwin too!”
“…Why?”
“Because you’re starving!”
As she said this, she was waiting for Edwin to refuse her insistence. But he didn’t outright reject her this time; he merely expressed it in a roundabout way.
“That might be a bit of a hassle.”
“Why? I’ll do all the prep!”
“It’s taking away your morning time.”
“It’s my morning, though.”
Edwin felt extremely flustered by the situation. No matter what he said, it seemed completely ineffective, and that was somewhat alarming.
“I was worried you’d be tired.”
“I’m not tired.”
“…Alright, then.”
He answered without realizing it, only to regret it immediately.
“Then I’ll be counting on you to take care of my brother from now on.”
“…Okay.”
“Actually, that’s my goal. I want you to get closer to Brother.”
“…That might be a bit difficult.”
“Why? You’re already close with me.”
“I’m not close with you; I’m just worried about you.”
“Oh, but that means we’re friends! I feel like we’re already really close.”
“I don’t feel that way.”
Edwin used a stubborn tone on purpose, but it felt awkward. Illein thought he resembled a hedgehog, deliberately trying to keep others at bay.
“That’s my feeling, though. My feelings are mine to manage, not yours.”
“….”
So she took another step closer. She felt an inexplicable urge to tease him a little, pushing the limits just for fun.
“Just like what Edwin can control is only Edwin’s own feelings.”
“Well, I can’t just do whatever I want with my feelings.”
Fortunately, Edwin didn’t strongly oppose Illein’s insistence.
“Still, it’s a bit easier for you to manage, isn’t it?”
“Why don’t you…. talk a little less?”
Edwin felt like he was getting caught in a web of conversation, yet he could only respond like that. Illein found his expression strangely cute and smiled without realizing it.
“If you finish all this, I’ll think about it.”
“…Alright.”
Edwin realized he couldn’t win this verbal duel. So he nodded, somewhat resigned to the idea.
