I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 84
Illein knew that even if she wasn’t skilled in offensive magic, she could still disarm someone if necessary.
With a sigh, she nodded in agreement. The Third Prince, although frowning, stood before the carriage, unable to defy his older brother’s orders.
“Then, lead me inside.”
“…Yes.”
At the Second Prince’s haughty command, Illein nodded and retrieved her wand to open the door.
“The reception room?”
“It’s on the left side of the first floor.”
“And the others?”
The Second Prince sneered as he asked. He had already taken out his wand to check if anyone was inside.
Illein sighed at his thoroughness and replied.
“If it’s Illein, he will be late due to work, and my father and mother will take some time to return from Duke Candelaria’s residence.”
“I see. So that’s why you hesitated to let me in? It really is just the two of us here.”
The Second Prince chuckled as he looked at Illein.
Illein found it curious that he was so unlike Edwin. It made sense, though; Edwin had taken after his mother much more than his father.
Had he resembled the Emperor more, the Emperor might not have found him so difficult to deal with.
“Your Highness, may I prepare tea?”
“No.”
The Second Prince dismissed her with a gesture. As if telling her that she should proceed to the reception room.
Illein felt a sense of unease but knew she couldn’t refuse, so she made her way to the reception room.
As she did, the Second Prince looked around.
His lips twisted in a smirk as he surveyed the modest Thierry mansion.
“There are no decent paintings, I see.”
“…I apologize.”
“Though it may be in decent condition.”
“If something breaks, we’ll fix it. I’ll bring out the tea.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
He waved her off and gestured for her to sit on the sofa.
Illein didn’t know what kind of ability the Second Prince had. He didn’t seem to have the fire affinity like Edwin.
His dark green hair and violet eyes made her wonder if he might be an air mage.
An earth mage, on the other hand, would likely have more brilliant colors—gold or golden-brown.
Although not strictly universal, unusual hair colors often indicated a wind affinity in magic users, though the reason for this wasn’t clear.
The Second Prince seated Illein and then sat opposite her.
“From now on, call me Rodein.”
“I apologize. I cannot address Your Highness by name.”
“Why? You call my brother by name just fine.”
“…!”
Illein widened her eyes in surprise, unable to understand how he knew that.
“Oh, I was just testing. It seems you really do call him by name.”
The Second Prince chuckled and took out his wand. He waved it through the air, causing nearby dishes to move and arrange themselves on the table. He then motioned for Illein to pour water.
Sighing, she made tea using the kettle. The Second Prince then tapped the kettle to boil the water and added tea leaves from somewhere nearby. In no time, the tea was brewed and poured into their cups.
Rodein then looked at Illein.
“Wait.”
Just as Illein was about to touch her cup, he spoke. She was about to check what was in the tea but found herself unable to act due to his presence.
Rodein then took out a vial of truth serum from his pocket, opened it, and poured it into Illein’s cup.
“This truth serum is quite potent. It’s far stronger than what the police department uses.”
“……”
“If you drink it, you’ll have to answer all my questions for the next ten minutes.”
“What do you want from me?”
“You’ll find out what I want once you drink it.”
Illein felt she needed the family heirloom ring urgently.
When she had previously taken truth serum from the police department, the heirloom ring had seemed to reduce its effects.
“I think I need to go to my room first.”
“Why should I trust you to do something in your room?”
“Then come with me.”
“Are you trying to seduce me into your bedroom?”
Illein realized she was about to say something inappropriate. However, if she drank the truth serum as it was, she felt she would be in real danger.
“Why are you so afraid, Your Highness? I’m a water mage, and I barely know any offensive magic. What do you think I could do in my room?”
“It’s precisely because you’re a water mage and can’t perform offensive magic that you’re more dangerous. You’re be top of of the class at Belaine Academy with that ability.”
Illein was taken aback by Rodein’s comment.
“It might be difficult to excel in practical exams with that ability, but it means you have skills that make up for not being good at offensive magic.”
“……”
“There’s no reason for me to be careless.”
Illein frowned at his words. After a moment, she sighed and said.
“Then come with me. I need that ring.”
“What ring?”
“The family heirloom ring. I accidentally left it behind today, and I’m feeling uneasy without it.”
