I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 65
Willai quickly gave Illenas the bouquet.
“See you later, Lady Illenas! Whatever Master Melias says, he can’t hinder the affection between us!”
Willai shouted confidently, though he was already retreating.
Melias felt a boiling frustration inside. But it somewhat subsided when he saw Illein looking at him worriedly.
“You there.”
“What?”
“Please return these to your friend.”
Melias carefully took the bouquet of roses from Illein and handed it to Maxinon, who nodded fearfully under Melias’s stern gaze.
Sighing, Melias took Illein’s hand, but at that moment,
“What’s this about the two of you being engaged?”
Damon approached with disbelief.
“Is that true, Illenas?”
Illein, now flustered by Damon’s stunned expression, didn’t know how to react. She was usually close to Damon when she was in the Illein form, sharing many personal things. But not as Illenas.
In the first place, she rarely appeared as Illenas.
Perhaps because of that Damon’s sense of betrayal made her more helpless.
She wondered if Damon felt betrayed because she hadn’t told him while she was being Illein. She remembered she had never wanted the engagement, often using her studies to avoid the topic.
She had only recently accepted the fact of her engagement to Melias and had just started to think she should seriously consider him.
Damon’s reaction left her uncertain how to respond.
“Tell me the truth, Illenas.”
Seeing Damon gripping her arm, Illein felt strange. She was confused as he was acting concerned for Illein, not Illenas.
“Damon.”
“Stay out of this for now.”
Damon snapped at Melias. Melias sighed and suggested,
“How about we go to the terrace over there to talk?”
Damon calmed down a bit at Melias’s words and nodded.
Illein felt again how well Damon and Melias got along. Her mind was racing about how to explain everything to Damon.
Damon was a good person. But had grown distrustful due to numerous betrayals and mean deeds he had experienced since childhood.
He rarely forgave those who deceived him.
If they ever grew distant, what should she do?
As she thought about it, Illein was worried about potentially losing her only friend.
She had no friends. Her identity as a woman was a secret, so she had no female friends. As a man, her family’s situation and debts kept others at bay.
To her, Damon was almost the only friend with whom she could have a genuine conversation. Without Damon, there were days at the academy when Illein might not speak at all.
To her, Damon was a precious friend.
As they walked towards the terrace, Illenas’s troubled expression did not go unnoticed by Melias, who felt an awkward tension.
It was different from the irritation mixed with embarrassment she showed around Willai. She now looked visibly pale and distressed.
Melias couldn’t really determine the exact nature of their relationship. At the same time, he knew that Damon was unaware of Illein’s secret and it only confused him more.
Once on the terrace, the atmosphere among the three was strange.
“Melias, I’d like to talk to Illenas alone if that’s okay.”
Melias was familiar with Damon. But he wasn’t sure how he would react in this situation.
“I don’t want to create a situation where Illenas feel uncomfortable.”
He was saying that he refused to leave them alone. Illenas felt a little grateful for his attitude.
“I think I’ll be okay.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but since I’ve never really drunk alcohol, could you possibly get us a light drink?”
Melias frowned as he saw Illenas’s wry smile, that he really wasn’t sure if it was okay for him to leave. Seeing Illein’s look that was asking for a favor, he hesitated.
“I might be back quickly.”
“Take your time. It seems like we have quite a bit to talk about.”
Damon also looked like he had found his composure. But his eyes still had a hint of surprise so Melias felt that Damon might not maintain his composure for long.
“Don’t forget that I trust you, Damon.”
Melias said in a respectful voice yet also hinted at a warning.
Damon managed a bitter smile to Melias’s elegant caution.
Soon after, Melias turned to go back inside to fetch some light drinks for Illein.
Once he was gone, Damon closed the terrace doors and drew the curtains.
He then stood in front of Illein.
