This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 168
Chapter 168
Translator: Yonnee
RP: Haebaragi_syk
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‘Why in the world…’
Of course, he wasn’t the type to rely heavily on others either, but… She remained so resolute that even he, known as the ‘Cerulean Freak’, felt bewildered.
Day by day, he repeatedly felt such frustrations and… before he knew it, he had reached the stage of bargaining with people.
“Very well. However, um, please don’t demand sensitive information from me.”
“Alright. Just pass along information that could threaten Reina’s safety, according to your judgment.”
“Understood.”
It was a somewhat underhanded and lowly method.
However, at the moment, Vice Captain Zatro of the Red Thorn Knights was also concerned about his ladyship’s excessive independence. So, in a way, this was more of an ‘alliance’ to protect Reina Chantla rather than ‘bribery’.
Rationalizing his actions this way, Ethan checked the memo his secretary had written.
[ Heading to the slums at around two o’clock in the afternoon today. Planning to search for new talent. ]
Two o’clock… that’s about half an hour from now.
“I’m running out of time.”
Ethan quickly burned the memo to get rid of evidence and changed into his formal attire. Then, he asked the attendant standing behind him.
“Has the Elder Council arrived?”
“Not yet, Your Excellency.”
Today was the day that major figures from the aristocratic households, including the elder council, were gathering at the Liam Duchy’s townhouse—and the main agenda of the meeting was the relationship between Reina Chantra and Ethan.
Officially, the purpose was to begin discussions about their relationship.
“Since they’re basically coming in with a white flag…”
There was no need for him to make an effort to please them.
With his cufflinks properly fastened, Ethan looked at the attendant with a dignified expression.
“Tell them I’ll be a bit tardy due to some business.”
“Understood.”
With a reply that left no room for further discussion, Ethan walked away with a graceful stride.
However, just a few steps later, he stopped once again.
What if he’s late and the topic comes up at the meeting? Maybe they should be informed that it’s related to Reina.
“…Only if the topic comes up.”
“Yes.”
As a matter of fact, since Ethan was such a rational and thorough individual, there was no need for anyone to question his tardiness or absence. Both Ethan and the attendant knew this well.
So, to put it another way, the reason he added those words was to hint at his affectionate yet childish intention to imply his and Reina’s intimate relationship.
But sadly, his excited heart shattered into pieces soon after.
* * *
“Let’s go together. I think I’ll be less scared if you’re with me.”
The moment Ethan spotted his lover in the slums as she spoke these words, the sentence sounded infinitely cruel to him.
‘The external appearance she has is different from Reina’s…’
But the melodious tone of her voice, one he could recognize even with his eyes closed, was unmistakably that of ‘Reina Chantra’.
And that made it all the more despairing.
“Really?”
To the sinister question coming from that white wolf scoundrel, Ethan responded with a dangerously icy glare.
Don’t say yes, Reina. Please, don’t say so.
It felt as though the words were lodged at his throat.
But cruelly, she nodded with a gentle smile.
“Yeah.”
Just why the hell.
She was his lover, so why, in this situation, was she relying on someone other than him? She hadn’t even informed him of this dangerous trip to the slums, only that low-life bastard.
Initially, he felt indescribably relieved that he had found solace in the silence that Reina brought to his life—in the fact that he couldn’t hear the echoes of her thoughts. However, now, he was consumed with the need to know the thoughts she had in her mind right at this moment.
A myriad of questions surged within him, wanting to pass through his throat and be shouted to the world.
But among these questions, none at all managed to escape into the air. Or rather, they couldn’t.
“Noona, shall we go then?”
“…Yes.”
In the way that she reacted, Ethan slowly gleaned the guilt that she was feeling—in the way that she answered and the way she schooled her features.
She lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip. In his mind, the situation was quickly painted.
‘…It’s a one-sided approach from that bastard’s side.’
Reina had such a gentle heart, and it seemed she couldn’t push away the black-hearted wolf who was approaching her with impure intentions.
Ethan didn’t know how that guy was aware of Reina’s thoughts, but the guilty smile of Ethan’s beloved made it clear.
As the conclusion dawned on him, a different kind of anger surged through him than before.
‘Really… annoying.’
He observed the exchange of glances between Reina’s entourage and Elijah Jehardt, as if they were discussing something covertly.
A pitiful sense of relief washed over him. And, at the same time, hollow laughter escaped from the core of his being.
‘I… underestimated that wretched wolf.’
It was a mistake to think that he was the only one who had thought of buying out all the people surrounding Reina.
He closed his eyes slowly, contemplating the situation.
It’s undeniably true that the precious lady they were guarding was constantly being surrounded by those who would lay waste their own lives and dedicate everything for her without a second thought.
The question was, how should he handle this crisis.
‘Paul Bohr… Let’s set him aside for now.’
He couldn’t stand that audacious fox either.
He needed to consider his options carefully.
Ethan’s pulse slowed as he wrestled with the decision. Should he approach Reina now and snatch her away from Elijah? Or should he step back and observe?
A suffocating silence enveloped him. Then, as if a decision had been made, he raised his hand with a cold expression.
His form gradually blurred.
Then, a moment later.
All that remained in the corner of the alley where he stood was a lingering murmur.
“No other choice but to eliminate.”
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