I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 81
Illein was aware that Edwin must have noticed the magic she had used to signal him, and she recalled that he might be upset by this method of communication.
After all, he had indeed been concerned enough to pressure the police to ensure her safety.
“Should we hold hands?”
She remembered they needed to hold hands for twenty minutes a day and suggested it.
“I don’t like that look.”
“Why not?”
“You look like Marquis Wignum.”
“Not like Melias?”
“Exactly.”
Illein was puzzled by why Edwin thought she resembled the Marquis rather than Melias, given that she had used Melias’s hair. Yet, seeing Edwin’s expression, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe I’m just relieved.”
Edwin looked at her with a curious expression and seemed about to say something.
But then sighed and continued walking ahead.
“Melias, why didn’t you tell me who your fiance is?”
At that moment, Melias and Damon were engaged in a rather tense conversation.
The two had placed tracking magic on Illenas. They could rush to her aid if she needed help or was in danger.
They were conversing while watching the reaction in a secluded terrace on the first floor. They were surrounded by Silence Magic to keep their conversation private.
“I don’t see what I’ve kept from you.”
“You only mentioned that you had a fiance. You didn’t say it was Illenas.”
“You didn’t ask.”
Melias hadn’t realized how close Illein and Damon were. He found it puzzling.
He wondered why they were so close despite not knowing Illein was actually Illenas and she was actually a woman.
Melias had assumed that their closeness was merely superficial and not significant, and thus hadn’t paid much attention to it.
However, seeing them now, it was clear they were indeed close. And Damon…
“What does it matter to you that Illenas and I are engaged?”
It was clear that Melias was deeply upset by this.
Even though Melias was usually indifferent to people, he couldn’t be indifferent about this.
“Why does it not matter? Illenas and I have known each other since childhood! And she is Illein’s twin sister!”
When Damon said that, Melias felt a strange mix of emotions.
“I know you’re close to Illein. But I didn’t realize you were also close to Illenas.”
“…Well… Illenas is often unwell, so she can’t come out much.”
“Then how can you be sure you’re close? Isn’t Illenas not close to anyone?”
“Isn’t it possible to be close without meeting all the time? Illenas and I talk about many things—her worries, struggles, and so on.”
Melias found Damon’s words unsettling.
Even though it was Melias who said he didn’t care if Illein took a lover after marrying him.
“Tell me exactly what you talk about. Otherwise, I can’t verify if you’re just imagining things.”
Despite the fact that Melias realized how unusual it was for him to question Damon, he didn’t notice it.
“That’s not something I can disclose. If I tell you what Illenas has shared with me, what happens to her trust in me?”
“…”
“Anyway, we have known each other for a long time. We’re almost like…”
“Almost like?”
“Family.”
Melias couldn’t understand why that statement was so grating.
Damon was a decent friend.
He knew how to keep a proper distance, was pleasant, and had a knack for making people enjoy themselves.
People liked Damon not just because he was well-spoken and enjoyable, but also because he had a good personality, even though he didn’t maintain the dignity of the Young Duke.
Melias had once viewed Damon in a similar light.
But not anymore.
“And I can’t acknowledge you as Illenas’s fiance.”
“I’m sorry, but your opinion isn’t what matters here, Damon.”
“Illenas opinion is the most important. Unless Illenas says she wants to marry you, I won’t acknowledge the two of you.”
“We don’t need your approval.”
Melias scowled and glared at Damon.
“Do you really think so? Do you know how I plan to interfere in the future?”
“It’s laughable to think I’d be hindered just because you interfere.”
“Say that when you’ve moved up to Class 1. Unless you score second in the midterms, you’ll remain in Class 2.”
Damon taunted Melias with those words.
Normally, Melias wouldn’t have fallen for such provocations. He would have dismissed anyone who tried to bait him.
But in his current state, Melias couldn’t ignore such provocations.
“Don’t regret those words.”
With that, Melias accepted Damon’s challenge.
