I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 86
However, Illein didn’t seem like a monster at all.
Although she was as beautiful and enigmatic as a monster, she was human. She looked fragile, as if a mere touch could shatter her, yet she was also a mysteriously strong and beautiful woman.
This contrast made her unexpected answers all the more puzzling.
“Did my brother say he would kill you?”
“…No.”
“Then why are you so worried?”
“I know. Edwin will definitely try to kill me.”
Rodein frowned at her words.
Illein, or rather Illenas, was the top student at the Belaine Academy and a highly capable individual, excelling in her water abilities while maintaining her top position. Despite her family’s impoverishment, she had managed to earn scholarships and student funds through her own efforts.
Her family’s modest status aside, Illein was clearly a person of considerable talent. There was no reason she would be speaking nonsense.
“Can you read the future?”
“I know the future. Edwin will kidnap me, break my ankles… and kill me. He will make me take my own life.”
As she spoke, tears began to flow from her eyes. She seemed unaware that she was crying. Her clear sky-blue eyes soon filled with tears that streamed down her cheeks.
“Is there not a single lie in what you just said?”
“No.”
“Why do you think you’re telling me everything?”
“Because of the truth serum?”
Rodein began to wonder if she might possess some sort of prophetic ability. Most seers were born with wind abilities, but occasionally, water element users also had the ability to foresee the future.
“Do you need to stay by my brother’s side to survive?”
“Yes.”
To confirm her sincerity, Rodein asked one more question.
“What is your greatest desire?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“I’m asking what conditions you would need to be loyal to me.”
Rodein spoke with the intent of evaluating whether she could be a valuable asset.
Illein was a woman closely associated with the formidable Edwin.
Illein was also attending the academy, and her family was drowning in debt, making her desperately try to avoid a political marriage.
Yet, she was in a situation where she couldn’t distance herself from the prospective marriage partner, Melias Wignum.
“I want to sever ties with my family and become a civil servant in the imperial court.”
“Is that all?”
“Later… if I have the chance, I’d like to live as a woman. I want to experience the warmth of a family…”
Rodein found himself feeling oddly unsettled by the soft nature of Illein’s responses, as if he were asking increasingly weak questions.
“Why? Do you want to build a happy family of your own?”
“Yes.”
Rodein’s sense was that Illein, despite her predicament, seemed less of a formidable threat and more vulnerable than he had initially thought.
“Well then.”
Rodein stood up and began to walk away.
“Let’s end it here for today.”
Illein was completely free of the truth serum effects only about an hour after he left.
By then, the dance party had ended, and everyone had returned to their usual routines.
However, after that night, unsettling rumors began to circulate at Belaine Academy.
Coincidentally, the day of the dance party was also marked by an injury incident involving Damon, and a massive arson had occurred in the capital.
Perhaps because of this…
“Ah, everyone.”
Professor Sharian brought someone into the Class 1’s room and said,
“We have a new student who will be with us for just one semester.”
Everyone looked up from their desks to see who it was. Standing there was the Second Prince Rodein, his expression filled with inscrutable intentions.
His gaze was locked on Edwin, who was glaring back at him with equal intensity.
A tense standoff flowed between the two, but it ended abruptly when Rodein instinctively averted his gaze from Edwin.
Rodein was secretly irritated at himself for avoiding his brother’s gaze, and as he turned his attention forward, he briefly made eye contact with Illein.
Her eyes widened in surprise as if she had just remembered a weakness. This slight shift in her expression improved Rodein’s mood, making him feel a strange sense of sadistic pleasure.
Rodein’s face brightened with a cheerful smile as he addressed the students who were now focusing on him.
“Nice to meet you all. I look forward to your cooperation during my time here.”
Unlike Edwin’s cold demeanor, Rodein had a sharp yet affable presence. It was as if two contrasting impressions—one striking and the other endearing—coexisted.
Due to this unique atmosphere, people would not guess that Rodein and Edwin were brothers unless explicitly told.
While Edwin had a predatory appearance, delivering a memorable blend of intensity and intimidation that made him unforgettable to anyone who saw him, Rodein projected a friendly and approachable demeanor.
His constant smile gave off a sense of warmth, though it was not entirely comforting. Unlike Edwin, he did not come across as overtly threatening.
In short, Rodein’s impression could be summed up as one of quiet charisma.
