Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 41.1
The sub-male lead needs no reason
Even if it was called disciplinary action, it wasn’t anything too serious.
“Why would he be disciplined…?”
“Uh, well, I heard he talked back to a professor… and objected to the professor’s logic during class…”
“That alone wouldn’t be enough to warrant discipline.”
“R-Right?”
“Hyacinth Ortis, tell me everything. As it is.”
The moment his long-forgotten real name was spoken, Hyacine began inching away from me.
I glared at this punk who had no concern.
Scratching the back of his neck, Hyacine gave up and opened his mouth.
Despite not liking Cassiel, it seemed he’d tried to protect him out of some sense of loyalty.
“They said it started when he objected to the logic of the war history professor. That professor might officially be teaching history, but everyone knows he’s just a war supporter, right? Who doesn’t know he got in thanks to the Crown Prince’s backing?”
“There’s no way just talking back would lead to disciplinary action. There’s something you’re not saying.”
“…Haa.”
Hyacine’s half-hearted attempt to brush it off fell apart completely.
With obvious reluctance, he confessed everything that had happened.
“Right now, with the war in full swing, when someone from a noble family like Cassiel stands up and confidently voices opposition, it encourages those who were quietly harboring resentment to join in.”
“And?”
“So they’re using him as an example, to enforce ideological education. The professor wants to crush him early, in case he becomes a rabble-rouser. How many people would just let a disruptive element roam free on campus?”
Ask him directly if you want the full story.
Having said everything he could, Hyacine didn’t bother to hide how annoyed he was.
And then, he stated clearly,
“You shouldn’t get involved with that man. I heard you made quite the scene in the capital, too?”
“A scene…?”
“What did he say? That he wants to sponsor you? …Don’t tell me he even asked you to become his concubine or mistress or something…?”
I clamped a hand over his mouth before he could run his mouth any further.
“Mmph!”
Peeling my hand away, he shouted in protest.
“What about Acteon? Don’t tell me he just sat there in silence listening to the Crown Prince? If he did, I swear I’m not gonna—”
“Let your imagination run wild on your own time. That’s disturbing… It was a simple offer of sponsorship, and I turned it down. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
Only then did Hyacine calm down.
“Well, if that’s the case… good job.”
“I thought you’d scold me for stirring up trouble again, but you’re surprisingly calm?”
Has he matured?
Not one to miss the chance to tease, I poked at him, and he immediately bristled.
“I’m keeping quiet because of you. You’re smarter than I am. Lippey, don’t mind me and take care of yourself if anything feels off. Please…”
“Oh my. You were anxious while I was gone, weren’t you?”
He should’ve been the one annoyed, but even when I teased him, he didn’t react.
It felt unfamiliar.
To me, Hyacine had always been the younger brother I needed to protect, but lately and though it hadn’t even been a year yet, he seemed different, and that change felt strange.
Maybe he really was worried about me.
Hyacine was afraid I might get dragged down into an unreasonable situation because of him.
I understand why you’re acting like this.
But I can’t allow that.
I still vividly remember when I made that deal with the Duchess. To protect him.
I didn’t want to die, so I decided to change the future I knew.
‘And so, I changed it.’
It wasn’t just because I didn’t want to face that fear of death again.
‘It’s because I didn’t want to let you live a life that broken.’
Hyacine was my reason to live.
My little brother is someone I have to protect.
If it’s to protect the only family I have left, I wouldn’t hesitate to risk my life again. And this feeling, this resolve, is something I could never tell the Hyacine standing before me now.
‘Saying stuff like that because he thinks he’s a burden… what a good kid.’
Flustered now that he had to stay quiet, Hyacine awkwardly tried to change the subject. I gently urged him along.
“Alright, go on. Get to your lecture.”
“I was just trying to be helpful, but you didn’t even listen properly.”
“I did. You told me plenty. I’ll go find Cassiel myself. See you later.”
He looked visibly anxious, probably scared I’d do something reckless again.
Pretending not to notice, I turned away from the direction of the dorms.
It was the path leading to the annex.
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