Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma

“Hey.”

But really, isn’t it strange?

Even though he’s looking at me with such murderous hostility, it still feels like he’s trying hard to hide something, pretending to be strong.

Maybe it’s because I started keeping a distance from the people here after learning the truth about this world, and so now I feel that way.

That’s why I could stay so calm even in the face of Cassiel’s blatant hostility.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment and didn’t hear you.”

I was just telling the truth, but Cassiel couldn’t hide his face turning red and blue as he gave a curt order.

“…Get out.”

…Well, now.

With that temper, it must have taken a lot for him to finally give the order to leave.

I don’t know why he hates me so much, but at least this means I get to escape from dinner.

I subtly signaled to Hyacine that I would get up first.

‘You stay a bit longer.’

But unexpectedly, Hyacine got up to follow me.

“…His Highness said—”

Hyacine grabbed my sleeve tightly, not letting me go first.

His hand, holding onto my sleeve, was trembling.

“He said he’d arrange for us to join a true noble house, not some vulgar noble family like the Lorraine County, so we shouldn’t worry. But for me, I really don’t see how this place is any different from that place.”

“What?”

“Sorry. We’ll excuse ourselves first.”

With a half-hearted nod, Hyacine didn’t let go of my sleeve, but instead grabbed my wrist and pulled me out.

And as soon as we were out in the corridor, I flinched at Hyacine’s scolding that came pouring out.

“Are you stupid?”

“What? Why—”

“Liliope Ortis.”

It had been so long since he called my name and got angry like this that I felt a little dazed.

“Did you do all that to Ridmun Lorraine just for this? Just to put me here?”

“I… can’t exactly say that’s not true…”

“Did you want to show me how you’re being looked down on like this?”

I shut my mouth tightly.

‘That wasn’t what I intended, but he’s really angry.’

I looked away, not sure how to soothe him, and Hyacine seized the opportunity to vent everything he’d been holding back.

“Listen. Whether I manifest or not, whatever my grade is, if you have to be treated like this because of it, then I don’t need to be in a household like this either.”

“No, you have to. I’m planning to get you enrolled within half a year.”

“Enrolled? So you brought me here for my manifestation? Then at least make a big deal about my name. Why are you just letting them walk all over you? You made such a scene at the Lorraine residence, but here you’re just taking it?”

That’s because I was confident I could handle things at Lorraine. Brondearn is a different story.

Whatever I do here, it’s obvious I’d be subdued in less than a minute.

Knowing this, I was just left dumbfounded, unable to say anything.

Even though I tried to look apologetic in my own way, Hyacine’s anger showed no signs of calming down.

“Anyway, I’ll let it slide just this once.”

Having said that, Hyacine grabbed my other wrist, not the one he’d been holding before, the one with the control stone bracelet.

The wrist that was burned by the unauthorized use of magic.

It seemed the Bureau had given me only basic first aid while I was unconscious, but nothing more.

When Hyacine’s hand touched the bandage, pain shot up again.

“If I ever have to see you treated like this again, I’ll take you and leave this place that very day.”

“Hys.”

“Let’s get this treated first. In a prestigious household like this, there should be medicine lying around somewhere.”

Those words touched me a little.

No matter what, family really is all I have.

When we were little, I stubbornly endured thinking I was the only one who could protect Hyacine, but now, he’s grown up enough to try to protect me too.

That thought warmed my heart.

As Hyacine led me further down the hallway, he asked,

“But why enrollment? Didn’t you always say it’d be best if I never manifested?”

“To be honest, I just have a feeling you’re going to manifest soon… I felt it at the Count’s house. The way mana was reacting and moving toward you.”

“So you were so worried about my manifestation, but then you never even sent a single letter and just showed up out of the blue?”

“That’s because… I was afraid if I got too attached, it would only be harder for you…”

“Stop making excuses.”