I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 38
She thought that she might end up in an arranged marriage.
“Let’s consider that slowly.”
Melias’s words made her look at him. He appeared sincere, and she felt hesitant to respond.
“I also heard about the issue with the Macintosh Viscounty .”
“What? Oh, yes.”
“Macintosh Viscounty has debts to the Wignum family.”
“What?”
“The due date is tomorrow, and I’ll make sure the extension is not granted.”
“What?”
Illein looked at him stunned. He seemed unsure about which part to explain further and continued speaking.
“Macintosh Viscounty borrowed money from our family, using their estate as collateral. The repayment date is tomorrow, and although we had been extending it indefinitely, we won’t this time.”
“What?”
Her repeated exclamations of surprise made him pause. It wasn’t because she didn’t understand.
“I’ve already sent the letter, and my father agreed to proceed.”
He wondered if she was upset, but she didn’t seem displeased, just shocked.
“So, the Macintosh’ estate…”
“It will be transferred to our family until the debt is repaid.”
“Ah…”
Illein wasn’t sure if she should be purely happy about this, but she couldn’t help feeling relieved.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
He regained his composure at her reply and resumed his meal.
So did Illein. She was thankful but unsure of how to express her gratitude.
“Really, thank you, Melias.”
“It’s nothing.”
The rest of their lunch passed peacefully.
During their magical defense class, Illein was paired with Edwin. She sighed as the instructor conjured a large door.
“Today, we’ll be building mental resistance to illusions.”
Illein tensed, realizing that she might have to use up all her newly regained energy today.
“Stand in pairs by each door. When the door opens, you must use your mental strength to withstand it and then close the door again.”
Illein found herself paired with Edwin, standing together in front of the door.
Edwin faced the door, ready for the challenge.
When the students lined up, the doors swung open.
“Ugh…!”
“Eek!”
“Oh…”
While many seemed startled by what they saw, Edwin appeared unfazed. Illein watched him, wondering if he was truly unaffected. He calmly closed the door.
-Click.
The door shut, and he moved to stand behind her.
“That was level one! Now, switch positions and get ready!”
Illein, feeling nervous, took her place in front of the door. As it opened again, she braced herself.
“Eek!”
A dark figure lunged out, and she instinctively screamed. Without realizing it, she clutched Edwin’s outstretched hand.
The moment she grabbed his hand, she realized her mistake. If he senses her absorbing his power, he will realize that she has absorbed his magic tool.
Then Edwin would know she was a woman.
“You…?”
His expression turned serious.
“Ah…!”
Illein was startled by the eerie figure in the doorway, not Edwin.
Edwin, with a grim expression, shut the door behind her.
She felt a shiver run down her spine as she wondered if he had realized her. What if he discovered she was a girl? Would he hold her responsible for living as a man?
The Thierry family had raised her as a man to secure an heir.
But it wasn’t even that simple.
She deliberately lied, and was admitted to Bellaine Academy, the most famous academy of the Ensest Empire.
She was not aware of the weight of her identity being caught because Melias’ reaction was reasonable.
Seeing Edwin’s disturbed expression made her realize the gravity of the situation.
“Next!”
At the defense class instructor’s voice, Edwin released Illein’s hand. Then, as the door opened again…
“….”
He looked at it expressionlessly before closing it again.
“Next!”
Illein’s turn came again.
“Ah…!”
Fear washed over her as she faced the terrifying vision before her.
–Click.
When Edwin appeared, startling her, and she slammed the door shut in her confusion.
Thus, the defense class ended as a dreadful experience for Illein.
When all classes were finally over, Illein felt uneasy, partly because Edwin was unusually awake.
She wanted to escape him as quickly as possible.
“Today’s homeroom is dismissed.”
As Professor Damian announced the end of the day, Illein quickly began packing her things.
“Heading to the library?”
Damon asked, turning to her. She shook her head
“No, you have somewhere else to come with me today.”