This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 167

BLR has been completely translated on Patreon

Chapter 167

Translator: Yonnee

RP: Haebaragi_syk

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“Ethan!”

Along the stone-paved path leading to the palace, a cheerful voice rang out. Ethan, upon spotting Reina, stopped in his tracks as usual.

As Ethan hurried to finally reach the woman he loved, dododo, Reina also rushed to meet him halfway. And, with her lips slightly pursed, she pouted as she spoke.

“It’s a shame that we can only meet by chance now that we’re not working in the same ministry. I thought I’d die while waiting to see you. Do you have to go in right now, Ethan?”

“I have some time to spare. And you, Reina?”

Reina gave a gentle smile.

“I’m the head of the Bureau of Efficient Technology. I can go in whenever I want. How about we take a walk together?”

Without a verbal response, he naturally reached out and held her hand. Reina, glancing around, buried her face in his broad bicep and relaxedly murmured.

“I’m so happy like this, Ethan. Today, I thought my head might explode if we kept going like this. But meeting you makes me feel like I can finally breathe again.”

After exhaling a faint grumble, Reina raised her head to look at him.

But something was off. His reaction upon returning was the same as yesterday, but his demeanor seemed oddly devoid of energy.

“I see.”

‘Hmm… What’s the matter?’

Now that she looked closely, his expression didn’t look all too bright. Could it be that he was having a hard time adjusting to the Ministry of Human Resources after finishing his temporary assignment at the Ministry of Health?

‘But all the central figures there are members and vassals of House Liam.’

It’s not as if Ethan would get stressed out about other people from the beginning. If he was going to get stressed out, it would be about something he cared about.

‘But why does he look so displeased?’

Reina was lost in thought about Ethan’s state.

At that moment, a soft voice reached her from above her head.

“Your hands are cold, Reina. You promised that you wouldn’t overwork yourself.”

Worriedly, Reina’s doubts were dispelled by the tender reiteration of his request.

“It’s because it’s cold today. Ever since the Bureau of Efficient Technology got fully staffed, I haven’t been overworking myself, you know?”

“……”

In response to Reina’s answer, his face darkened once again.

Reina smoothly changed the subject.

“By the way, how’s your work in the Ministry of Human Resources going?”

“Nothing’s difficult for me. I already understand what I’m supposed to do with my given tasks.”

“……”

Then, really. What’s the matter?

She still wasn’t fully sure just a while ago, but now, it’s clearly obvious that Ethan was being curt and brusque with his answers.

“Um… I see.”

What could be the matter? While holding back her inquiries, Reina put on a warm expression.

Ethan had always been straightforward with Reina. If he wasn’t mentioning something, it might be a concern he didn’t want to share. Just like how she herself had used to be. So, she decided not to pry and just give him space.

“Oh, Ethan! I went to the slums last weekend.”

As if to lighten up the atmosphere once more, Reina switched to a new topic, causing his steps to slow down a bit. Hers followed suit.

“…I see.”

“Yes. There were children I had been keeping an eye on. But the situation in the slums is worse than I thought.”

She mentioned this to him before.

The inherent contradiction carried by the dragonfolk and the Pluntria Empire.

Visiting the slums this time, Reina witnessed the stark reality with her own eyes.

“I was already aware of it beforehand, but I realized again just how indifferent the imperial government is to the weak.”

Since the country in itself was rich, one would think that less people would be living beneath the poverty line and that basic necessities would at least be available to most people. But, again, even if this was a rich country, the distribution of riches was evidently not equal.

“Especially the powerless children, they’re trying to survive miserably under neglectful parents.”

This was a result of the deeply ingrained ‘survival of the fittest’ principle deeply engraved upon the genes of the dragonfolk.

Even though the imperial family became more human to some extent and had provided the weakest with a minimal chance, it was ultimately believed that seizing that opportunity was an individual’s responsibility.

However… if you’re young, if you lack strength, if you have unfavorable circumstances… what then?

Such excuses didn’t hold. From the moment the smallest opportunity was provided, they had to seize it with determination.

If they failed and fell into obscurity? It was considered the individual’s fault, not the empire’s.

This was how the empire was currently being run.

Reina, who had firmly grasped Ethan’s arm, stopped in her tracks.

“Ethan… I want to make the world a slightly better place. It feels like that’s what I should be doing from now on.”

She kept tapping the back of his hand throughout. He kept silent.

“Even if you can’t fully understand why I’m doing this, you’ll stay by my side, right?”

“Of course, Reina. I’m always on your side.”

It felt somewhat like bowing down, but his response made her feel better. So, humming softly, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Or, she intended to. If his hand hadn’t blocked her arms.

“Huh?”

In response to an unexpected resistance, she lifted her face to look at him. That’s when she finally saw his expression clearly.

“E…than? Why, why are you like this?”

His deep eyes seemed cold for some unknown reason. His piercing gaze and artificial smile created an eerie feeling.

“Reina.”

At the sound of his low voice calling her name, she unconsciously let go of the fabric she had been clutching. Ethan seemed to be trying not to let go of her hand.

He asked in a low voice.

“Did you go to the slums alone?”

* * *

Three days ago—

“Your Excellency, while you were at the palace, a message arrived from Sir Zatro, the vice captain of the Red Thorn Knights.”

Ethan, who had left early due to a family event, abruptly paused as he changed his clothes.

For Reina Chantra, who wouldn’t cause him pain even if she were to burrow into his heart, he would do anything. However, unfortunately, he had no idea how to assert his love for her.

Back then, he thought it was because they weren’t official yet when they had yet to define the relationship.

But that wasn’t the case.

Even after they had officially become lovers, and even after they had pledged their futures to each other, it’s the fact that…

Reina never relied on him.