This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 173

BLR has been completely translated on Patreon

Chapter 173

Translator: Yonnee

RP: Haebaragi_syk

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What on earth was going on that he’s making her think hard about it. Worries flooded her like waves.

‘And he normally doesn’t apologize so easily like this…’

Given how Paul was acting, wasn’t he actually, really facing a serious problem now?

As these thoughts began to settle in her mind, she found it even harder to speak.

Because…

‘I’ve always been like this too.’

From her family issues to her peculiar transformation, she had never properly discussed anything. No, she hadn’t even opened up to others about her problems.

What would happen if someone heard her complicated and confusing story and then left? What if her troubles tired the other person out?

Yes, it was a kind of fear, sometimes even paranoia. She was aware of it. She knew that she couldn’t predict how someone would react until she actually talked to them.

But how could she deal with this deeply ingrained fear?

‘Maybe Paul…’

Reina decided to hold back the sigh that was about to escape and play along with his act.

“…Did you seriously come here just to make me cook you some food?”

As Reina casually continued the conversation, her companion’s face showed a strange expression.

A mix of relief and concern, of feeling sorry and being grateful, his expression was quite complex.

“Isn’t it because Reina’s food is the best?”

Thank you, Reina.

“Really… if you can’t say anything else, well. But don’t force yourself to eat something sweet right now. How about having a light tea instead?”

Alright, I won’t ask anymore.

“So, should we just go out to the garden and have tea, Reina?”

“Yeah. Coincidentally, I have some tea that His Majesty the Emperor gave to me.”

It’s not a huge problem, is it?

When Reina looked at him with a concerned gaze, he shook his head ever so slightly.

But why did even that seem precarious?

“……”

Reina, who had been biting her lower lip for a while, slowly etched a message on his palm.

Instead, if something happens, you have to tell me.

“Alright, I got it, Reina.”

His sudden response made her raise an eyebrow. In response, Paul lightly patted Reina’s head with a nonchalant gesture.

“As you suggested, Reina, let’s try the tea granted by His Majesty.”

“……”

It was clear.

Paul Bohr must be going through something significant.

* * *

After their teatime in the garden, Paul had shared a bunch of rather mundane stories with Reina.

Stories like what classes he would take when he returned to the academy and how now that Reina wasn’t around, he had to attend classes on his own. Normal everyday topics.

Then, as he was about to leave, there was one sentence that Paul wrote on Reina’s palm with his finger. It was clearly not meant to be said out loud, but Reina couldn’t help herself.

It was much too shocking.

Alone now, she vented her frustrations to the empty air.

“‘I’m going to be busy with the ministry’s affairs from now on, so don’t come looking for me for a while…’ What? Seriously, what’s going on with him?”

Paul was clearly telling her to stay away from him for now.

“Haa…”

With all the issues involving Eli, her head was already hurting, and now even Paul was acting like this. Her brows became furrowed.

At a time like this, it would have been nice to have a conversation with Ethan…

“Not to mention the fact that things have gotten cold between us because of the issue with Eli… And he doesn’t like Paul either…”

It was only now that she realized, but she didn’t have a male friend she could comfortably chat with. It seemed she had rushed headlong into a situation without thinking about it.

“Ugh… I really don’t know. Paul, Eli, Ethan…”

As she vented her frustration, Leo, disguised as a servant, silently approached and stood by her side.

“Did you fight, Milady?”

“Oh my gosh! When did you arrive, Leo?”

“I just arrived.”

Seeing Leo approach without a word, she dropped her forehead straight down on the table and groaned.

“We didn’t fight… Just… Ugh, I don’t know. Hey, Leo, have you ever been in love?”

It wasn’t a question filled with great expectations, but the answer that came back was quite unexpected.

“Oh, did I not tell you about it? My second child’s due to be born in about two months.”

“…Cough. What?”

Reina, who had never imagined such news, jumped to her feet and bombarded him with questions.

“What? When did you get married? Why didn’t you tell me?”

At that moment, Vice Captain Zatro sat down and straightened his back with an awkward expression.

“Well, don’t be too upset. We weren’t informed either.”

“But still… It’s mean, really.”

“That’s what I’m saying. This guy says he doesn’t like making a fuss, but just how much of a fuss did he cause by trying not to make a fuss like that?”

“Do you not remember how badly you guys behaved when you learned of Noven’s engagement two years ago?”

In response to Leo’s comments, Reina nodded her head as if she had finally understood.

The third knight order had, in the past, kidnapped the bride of their youngest knight, Noven, in order to ‘celebrate’ his marriage.

Of course, they had treated her with generous hospitality, but nonetheless, at that time, Noven had to travel the entire country to find his bride.

Thanks to this, there was a five-month gap between the marriage proposal and the actual wedding.

“Hahaha, don’t forget how much you fought and toiled to win your wife, Noven!”

“Ohoho, did you hear that, Honey? Don’t forget that I’m a hard-won wife. Alright?”

The sentiment wasn’t necessarily bad, and the bride seemed quite satisfied with the fact that the person who would be her husband had pursued her so ardently…

But anyway, Leo’s reason for keeping the marriage a secret must have been that.

“Tch, it’s not fun to be told only after she’s already pregnant and can’t even have a congratulatory ceremony.”

“I told you not to seek fun from my wife.”

After grumbling under his breath, Leo naturally took a seat in the remaining chair and focused on Reina again.

“So, what’s the problem with His Excellency Gerard?”

Deputy Commander Jatro muttered from across the table once more.

“…Geez. If you’re going to be so formal in the first place, you should have at least asked for permission before sitting down here. If you’re going to act so freely, you should tone down that pompous tone.”

Kicking the grumbling Zatro with his foot, Leo looked at the troubled woman whose eyes would grow warm the moment she’d hear ‘Ethan’ mentioned.

“Is it because of Lord Elijah Jehardt?”