This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 233

BLR has been completely translated on Patreon

Chapter 233

Translator: Yonnee

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And thus, Reina became an irreplaceable existence for Paul in that way.

Indeed, they had not spent all their time together, but Reina was always there at the turning of the seasons. In every emotional pivot that humans could feel—joy, sorrow, love, and grief—Reina was always present.

Every action Reina took, every element that she possessed, all of it was a sanctuary and healing for Paul, and sometimes, it gave him hope that he too could be ordinary.

Reina was the salvation that pulled him from the swamp of Ailee’s absence; she was, in every sense, Paul’s life itself.

Thus, he mustered the courage to say,

“Reina. I have loved you for a very long time. And now, I think I might be a little selfish.”

As these words fell upon her, her eyes trembled minutely.

“…What the heck are you saying?”

Her face was flushed with confusion, belying her calm words.

‘Do you know?’

That I always smiled in front of you because you said my smile was the most beautiful.

Paul tasted the bitterness at the corner of his mouth as he slowly pushed the words out.

“It’s exactly as I‘ve said.”

I like you because you speak honestly, without holding back.

Even when you are annoyed, the way your face scrunches up is adorable.

Though you act as if it’s a bother, I am so grateful that you partake in the things I like.

When you discover something interesting, your eyes light up, yet you think you have a great poker face—it’s cute.

That’s why I couldn’t help but love you.

That’s what he wanted to say.

But thousands of confessions tangled in his throat, and the only words that sprang forth were utterly simple.

“I like you.”

Just thinking of a life without you makes my eyes burn with tears—I love you that much.

If something were to happen to you, I would turn the world upside down to ensure your happiness—I admire you to that extent.

If we weren’t diametrically opposed by nature, could I have been the fiancé you were looking for?

You might think of me as a friend, but maybe, over time, we could be a good couple? We get along well, and you’re always smiling when you’re with me.

These thoughts whirled in his mind, always bringing a smile to his lips.

And he supported her.

“Since you didn’t want to be engaged to Lehman, Ethan would indeed be a better match.”

But just once.

Just once he wanted to show his true feelings.

“Reina, I love you.”

This was the only chance he had to cross the line with her, and it was the deepest despair he had ever felt.

* * *

“Reina, I love you.”

When the least suitable sentence for Paul flowed from his red lips, Reina’s thoughts screeched to a halt.

‘Love…?’

Paul, loving her? What an absurd notion.

It couldn’t be. Even if she was not adept at noticing others’ feelings, there was no way she could be unaware of her long-time friend’s true feelings.

‘But why would he say such a thing…’

She did not believe his declaration of love.

Yet, she could not find a proper link between his actions and the situation at hand.

At a loss for how to respond, she merely flapped her lips like a goldfish, and Paul took her hand.

“Reina.”

Maybe because there had been a confession.

What was usually an insignificant touch felt eerily intense, causing her to flinch involuntarily, and he hesitated as well.

Paul then carefully unfolded her tightly clenched, pale hand with a gentle touch.

“You might not believe me, but it’s true. I have loved you for a long time, Reina.”

His words were spoken calmly, yet a tingling sensation brushed past the vicinity of Reina’s heart as if her ears themselves could feel.

Before she could fully comprehend that sensation, a ticklish feeling spread across her palm.

Smoke.

“……!”

This familiar situation. A small sigh escaped her lips, just as it had when Paul visited the Palace of the Thirteenth Moon before.

Only then did her thought process start functioning properly.

‘Right. There’s no way Paul would see me as a woman.’

The confession of love was surely a diversion.

Though she wasn’t sure why out of all things it had to be a confession of love, one thing was certain—he was in a situation where he couldn’t speak carelessly.

As her thoughts reached that point, she noticed Paul’s lips quivering belatedly.

‘It seems even Paul finds it troublesome to mention love.’

Right. Of course. It was disconcerting even to hear, let alone for the person speaking it.

Reina blinked as if she had confirmed his intentions.

‘But is there really an artifact that allows eavesdropping in this era?’

She thought there were none…

However, Paul had been very cautious with his words during his previous visit to the Palace of the Thirteenth Moon. Did that mean there were indeed listening ears around?

Thus, she decided to play along with Paul’s act.

“What are you saying? There’s no way you could love me. Why are you acting like this?”

She pushed out these perplexed words while slightly raising her eyebrows—a signal to check if she was correct.

Paul nodded ever so slightly.