I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 125
There was something particularly vulnerable about him when it came to Illenas, which felt strange.
When he thought of her as Illein, there was a slight distance, a bit of a barrier, and a cold demeanor that subtly showed care. In contrast, with Illenas, it felt like he was floundering.
Perhaps that was why Edwin seemed to become more oblivious when facing Illenas.
“Why? Can’t you tell me?”
It seemed like even when she subtly teased him like this, he remained unaware.
Edwin furrowed his brow, as if trying to figure out how to respond, while keeping his gaze fixed on her.
“For starters, you don’t socialize, so you don’t know how vicious the social scene can be.”
“What’s it like?”
“That, just walking with me could lead to negative rumors about you.”
“How so?”
“With malicious intent, of course.”
“What if I don’t care about that?”
Edwin widened his eyes at her response.
“That’s…”
“I don’t really pay much attention to what others say. Sure, it might hurt me for a moment if it’s malicious.”
“…”
“But that doesn’t mean I should feel intimidated or not do what I want.”
At her words, Edwin, though flustered, looked straight at her and asked,
“What is it that you want to do?”
“I want to be close to you, Edwin. And I don’t want to hide that.”
As she said this, she naturally took his hand.
Edwin appeared confused.
Yet, as she held his hand and walked, he didn’t pull away.
“Learn something besides lightning magic.”
“Sure! Teach me anything. I’ll work hard at it.”
“…Alright.”
She smiled as she turned to look at Edwin.
Seeing his expression lighten a bit made her pull on his arm and start walking again.
She enjoyed the warmth of Edwin’s body radiating through their joined hands.
Every time his warmth reached her, his powerful magic seemed to wash over her, banishing her fatigue and filling her with energy.
“But still, don’t act so recklessly.”
“I’m a total coward. I don’t often act without fear.”
“Look at the situation right now.” .
“What’s the situation? Isn’t it that you’re worried about me and trying to help?”
He frowned, as if he didn’t know how to respond to her words. Still, he sighed again, as if he didn’t dislike it.
“Maybe I’m just afraid that a situation will arise where I can’t help.”
“Isn’t being fearful a sign of having a lot of knowledge? People who think a lot are usually quite intelligent.”
Illein smiled again as she said this.
“Don’t trust people. Especially don’t trust me.”
“But I feel like it’s inevitable to trust someone who tells me not to trust them more than someone who asks for my trust.”
Edwin looked at her, seemingly taken aback by Illein’s words.
“If you’re trying to get me to trust you now, which will only push us apart, I won’t trust you at all, you know?”
“…You’re very different from Illein.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Illein tends to speak less.”
“Still, being twins, our personalities might be similar.”
Edwin knew that fraternal twins were just siblings.
However, he couldn’t deny that if they had been together for a long time, their thoughts might align.
He was simply distorting the surroundings to ensure that no one could see him holding hands with Illenas.
She found Edwin’s magic fascinating.
Even though he wasn’t a wind-element user, he distorted the area around them as skillfully as Damon.
With that, she headed toward the Thierry mansion alongside Edwin.
“YOU! Why are you only now…!”
Illein was startled by her mother’s loud voice as soon as she opened the door.
“Wh-Who are you?”
Baroness Thierry was about to scold Illein but then froze at the sight of the large man with a fearsome expression standing right behind her.
“Ah! Mother, this is Prince Edwin.”
Illein noticed Edwin naturally withdrawing his hand and then speaking to Baroness Thierry.
“Oh my! I’m honored to meet the little sun of the empire! Dear! The First Prince has come to our home! Dear!”
However, before Edwin could say anything, Baroness Thierry quickly greeted him and called for her husband, who was standing behind her.
With a loud thud, the doors of the main hall of the Baron’s residence swung open on both sides.
“Your Highness! It’s an honor to meet the little sun of the empire!”
Baron Thierry also appeared with a surprised expression, quickly standing beside his wife to greet Edwin.
As Edwin observed the Baron’s handsome face and the Baroness’s stunning beauty, he could understand who Illein and Illenas resembled.
However, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease when he noticed Baroness Thierry frowning at Illein the moment she saw her, as if she was about to say something.
He felt that he shouldn’t let her family know that he recognized Illenas.
