[BL] Seducing Male Leads To Survive As A Villain In A Novel-Chapter 354: Offering Help.

"Help?" Eden repeated, curious.

Leo had both hands behind him as he looked around the room. "I’ve heard the news, and I can tell there’s no safe zone for any of you at the moment..."

He hesitated as he stared at them. "So I figured I could maybe be of help," he shrugged. "I could offer you all a place to stay."

They were silent for a while.

"You would do that? And why would your accommodation be a better option for us?" Adrian inquired, arms crossed.

Leo smiled. "I think that’s pretty easy to answer. I’m the only powerful figure around who isn’t openly affiliated with the Wizard of EL."

Leo shrugged as he continued, "I mean, rumor already has it that the great Grand Marquis and the Wizard of EL are on flirting terms. Pretty close, as the rumors have it... so it’s already obvious they’ll also be coming for you," he smiled.

Leo added, "And the two princes of Valencrest aren’t even an option. Their kingdom isn’t too safe at the moment... So... who do you think is the best person to trust here?"

Eden folded his arms while staring at Leo. "And why are you willing to help me?" He slowly walked up to Leo, staring deep into his face. "Have you really fallen in love with me?"

Helen choked while clearing her throat; Adrian stared at the two of them without saying anything.

Leo smiled. "Is that narrative important here?"

Eden raised an eyebrow. "I at least need to know your intention for helping. I mean, it’s not so easy to trust those who aren’t in love with me."

Leo smiled as he leaned his face close, their breath brushing against each other. "Then I guess we’ll go with the narrative of me being intrigued by the great Wizard of EL."

They stayed like that for a while, staring at each other, faces close.

Then Eden suddenly smiled while pulling back. "Okay. I’ll give you the privilege to protect me and prove your love."

Eden didn’t care to understand his stance on admiration. He wanted to translate it as love for him. Even if it came off as him being delusional or so.

It was his fun.

"That’s good then," Leo smiled as he stared at the rest. "There’s not much time left. The last thing I heard was that the Emperor’s guards have already been dispatched. They’ve already begun their search, so soon they’ll be around here."

Leo added, "So I think we need to get going. I’ve already prepared transportation for us, and I believe it’ll be better this way. They won’t find us."

Adrian stared at him. "Are you sure? We have to be certain of any step we’re taking."

Leo nodded with a smile. "You’ll have to trust me, at least. I’m certain of it."

Eden smiled. "He’s the smart one. So I don’t think we need to worry about that; he’s probably thought it through." He turned. "So let’s get ready to leave."

Eden recalled as he stared at Adrian. "What about your brother? Won’t he be coming with us?"

Adrian shrugged. "He doesn’t need to. No one even knows he’s my brother or that we’re related, so they won’t come after him. He’s safe," he explained.

Eden slowly nodded. "Okay then. I see. That’s good. At least he’ll be under the protection of the academy... They won’t search through there."

Adrian nodded. "Yes."

****

They didn’t pack much. They only took the basics and boarded the carriages Leo had prepared.

There were many horses and goods being transported. They hid among these goods while making their way past the capital.

The guards at the city gate tried to stop them. They requested to search, and Leo casually let them.

The guards conducted their search through the goods but couldn’t find anything.

They wanted to make a more in-depth search, but Leo stared at them. "I see you wish to humiliate me here. Huh? Do you think the Emperor would be glad if he heard that? I’m one of his most honored men; he wouldn’t be too happy to hear you treated me like this on my short visit."

He had threatened them before they let him go. They believed he had nothing to do with the Wizard of EL, since his name wasn’t on the list the Emperor had given them.

"You may go," they bowed to the Grand Duke, who was in his carriage, and he left.

Their horses and carriages moved and were soon far away from the city gates.

****

When they were some distance away from the capital city, they all came out of hiding and sat in the same carriage.

Eden looked through the carriage window with a sigh. "I guess it worked."

Leo smiled at him. "I told you it would work. At least for the meantime, we can stay out of their sight."

Eden stared at him. "Are we going back to your place in Valencrest?"

"Probably not. It’s a dangerous place to be. I’m sure they’re already searching there. So it’s not even an option now," Leo explained.

Eden nodded. He looked through the window, staring at the carriage ahead where Elvis and Lysander lay unconscious. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"I wonder what will happen to the Queen. I hope she’s okay," Eden expressed.

"Don’t worry, she’ll be okay for the time being," Adrian assured. "She’s the queen, so the Emperor would think twice before striking. At least he won’t do anything now while he’s mainly looking for you. And before he can do anything, we will have come up with a counterattack."

Eden nodded. "I suppose..."

The atmosphere was quiet again as they continued their journey. Adrian and Leo soon got down and went to different carriages to settle in.

Just as Eden and Helen sat in there alone, a bird flew in through the window and perched on Eden’s finger.

Eden stared at the bird on his finger with a soft smile. "So? Did you find out anything?"