Chapter 51: Secret(1)
Chapter 51: Secret(1)
"Hum~ hum~ hum~"
Marie, a beautiful girl with snow-white hair, was humming a cheerful tune as she walked down the street. Her stride was bold and confident, a far cry from the dignified poise expected of a noblewoman.
She was also cradling a book to her chest as if it were a precious treasure—the newly released Volume 9 of The Biography of Xenon.
‘I was so lucky.’
The Biography of Xenon boasted such phenomenal popularity that it would sell out within an hour of a new release. Rumor had it that the moment the publisher announced a release date, a literal war broke out.
People would hire others to wait in front of bookstores all day, and issues like hoarding and even fraud were becoming common. It was a mess in more ways than one.
Fortunately, various nations recognized the severity of the situation and imposed strict punishments, putting an end to the scams. However, the crowds waiting in front of bookstores remained. Since waiting in line wasn't illegal, there was no way to stop them.
Of course, they also strictly enforced a one-copy-per-person rule. To uphold this, magical technology for identity verification was even invented. If Isaac ever heard about this, he would likely find it absurd, but currently, he couldn't care less.
Despite these measures, The Biography of Xenon continued to sell out instantly. Even for Marie, the daughter of the Rekilis family, buying a copy herself was nearly impossible unless she sent a servant or asked her family for a favor.
‘I won't have to ask Dad for help this time.’
But this time, things were different. Since the sales of The Biography of Xenon had exceeded all expectations, the publisher had decided to go all out.
They had already been grinding every printing press they owned like a factory to churn out copies, but even that had its limits. So, they established a brand-new, large-scale printing house and introduced new technology.
Thanks to that, even commoners could easily obtain the book that was once difficult for nobles to find. Even if it sold out on the first day, the shelves would be restocked within three days.
‘To think I bought the very last copy. I couldn't be luckier.’
Marie hugged the book tight, a blissful smile spreading across her face. She had missed out on the first day due to a mistake, but when she visited the bookstore three days later, there was exactly one copy left sitting lonely on the shelf.
She had been so nervous that she almost lost it to someone else, but she managed to snatch it up just in time. Her competitor had given her a resentful look, but Marie didn't care.
Now, she was heading back to her dormitory with a light step. While the mountain of assignments and exams was important, she planned to read The Biography of Xenon first to clear her head.
‘I wonder if Isaac bought one?’
As she walked with a happy heart, Isaac suddenly crossed her mind. Lately, his face had been appearing in her thoughts quite often.
Moreover, she found herself staring at his profile more frequently during class. Whenever Isaac noticed her gaze and turned his head, she would reflexively look away.
Initially, she thought it was just a simple crush, but as time passed, the meaning of this emotion became clearer and clearer. Marie hugged the book even tighter, a warm smile on her lips.
As mentioned in their last meeting, Isaac might keep secrets, but he was honest in how he treated others. That alone was enough to win Marie’s favor, and she found herself falling for him more and more.
At first, they were just friends, but the moment she realized she felt most comfortable talking to him, the situation changed.
Whenever she felt stressed for some reason, talking to Isaac made it melt away like snow. Often, Isaac would catch her expression and ask what was wrong before she even said a word.
‘But Lina’s behavior lately has been suspicious...’
However, those happy thoughts didn't last long. Princess Lina’s recent behavior toward Isaac was unsettling.
To Lina, Isaac had been nothing more than an object of curiosity. She had never teased him or acted friendly toward him the way Marie or Cecily did.
But over the past month, the frequency of her approaches toward Isaac had increased. Marie couldn't help but be bothered by it.
The biggest issue was Lina’s attitude. Lina usually wore a 'mask' when dealing with people. While understandable given her status as an Imperial Princess, it was an attitude Marie found utterly unpleasant, especially after having been burned by it once before.
‘...And that mask is starting to slip.’
The real problem was that Lina had begun to drop that mask when dealing with Isaac. Originally, Lina only discarded her mask when talking to Cecily, but recently, she had been doing it more often with Isaac as well.
Marie had no idea why someone who had lived behind a mask since childhood would suddenly act this way, but she certainly didn't welcome it. Fortunately, Isaac still seemed wary of Lina, but one could never be too sure.
‘I just can't understand why she’s acting like that all of a sudden. Does she know something I don't?’
As Marie headed toward the dormitory feeling uneasy, a very familiar hair color suddenly caught her eye.
Since it was the time when all classes ended, there were many people coming and going, but that scarlet hue stood out vividly. As soon as Marie saw it, she blinked a few times and then broke into a wide grin.
At Halo Academy, there was only one person with that shade of red hair.
"Isa—!"
Just as she was about to call his name, she realized there was someone else beside the red-haired student and quickly shut her mouth.
Black hair wasn't exactly rare in this world, but a color as deep as pitch-black was. And black hair wasn't the only distinguishing feature.
Protruding from the sides of her head were horns, proof of her demon heritage.
The woman beside Isaac was the Princess of Helium, Cecily.
"..."
Marie’s eyes twitched as she watched Isaac and Cecily walking side by side. She had felt it during their last meeting, but seeing Isaac so close to Cecily—of all people—made her extremely uncomfortable.
Above all, Cecily often played wicked pranks on Isaac, so Marie couldn't look upon her kindly.
‘Where are those two going?’
Pushing aside the discomfort rising in her chest, Marie quickly tried to figure out their destination. She wanted to barge in, but she decided to tail them first.
Just like Isaac’s scarlet hair, her own white hair was quite conspicuous, so she had to follow them cautiously.
It felt like she was stalking them, and well, she was. Marie exercised extreme caution, terrified of being caught.
Eventually, the place they entered was none other than...
‘...A cafe?’
It was a cafe. Specifically, one perfectly suited for private conversations.
Marie stared blankly at the cafe Isaac and Cecily had entered. She only ever visited this place when she needed to exchange news about her family with her brother; otherwise, she never set foot in it.
Though a bit expensive, the rooms were soundproofed, and it was famous for being a popular spot for 'couples.'
‘...It can't be, right?’
Marie’s blue eyes began to tremble violently with anxiety.
*
Upon entering the cafe, Cecily and I were assigned a room. There was a brief moment where the employee flinched upon seeing Cecily, but it passed without incident.
A moment later, we were shown into a strictly soundproofed room. It was neither too cramped nor too spacious—perfect for a secret talk.
"I heard this cafe is usually for couples."
Cecily, who had taken a seat opposite me, spoke in a suggestive tone. Hearing her words, I put on an expression of someone hearing this for the first time.
"Really? This is the first I've heard of it."
I truly didn't know. The only reason I knew about this cafe was because Nicole had brought me here once.
Cecily chuckled at my expression before settling into a gentle smile.
"You didn't know? Well, I suppose that's why you came here. Don't worry, though; no weird rumors will start. It's just a place couples visit often, not that kind of place."
"What exactly is 'that kind of place'?"
"Hmm... there is such a thing. A little boy like you doesn't need to know."
At my question, Cecily gave a sultry smile and wagged her index finger. Thanks to that, I had a pretty good idea of what couples did in this cafe, and I kept my mouth shut.
Even though we came here for a private conversation, I felt like I shouldn't have. I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.
"...Should we change locations?"
"No, it's fine. It's not like you're going to do anything strange to me, Isaac. It's just a private chat, right?"
"I feel like you're the one who's going to do something strange to me, not the other way around."
"Oh, you and your jokes."
Cecily waved her hand dismissively, playing it off. I had meant it as a joke too, so I tried to laugh it off.
"Did I get caught?"
"...Pardon?"
That was until she whispered under her breath. It was so faint I couldn't tell if she was being serious or joking.
When Cecily saw my bewildered expression, she shook her head with her signature mischievous smile.
"Just pretend you didn't hear that. Why would I ever do anything strange to you?"
"Uh... right. I... suppose so."
For some reason, a sense of unease washed over me, but I dismissed it as a delusion. While it was true that Cecily was far stronger than me, she wasn't the type to do something like that.
The atmosphere was about to get weird, but fortunately, it was broken when a staff member came to take our order. Cecily ordered an Americano, and I ordered a cappuccino.
Once the employee left, we were alone again. As soon as the door closed, Cecily rested her chin on her hands and began to stare at me intently.
I didn't back down from her gaze. Since I had come here to reveal my secret anyway, I had nothing to be ashamed of.
"Isaac."
"Yes, Cecily."
"Do you like writing, Isaac?"
Cecily asked indirectly rather than being blunt. Hearing her question, I nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, I do."
"I see. So that's how it is..."
Cecily lowered her gaze slightly at my answer. It seemed she was taking a moment to organize her thoughts.
Since I intended to tell her everything anyway, I wasn't particularly nervous.
"...Isaac."
"Yes."
"Do you remember the story you told me two months ago? You told me what demons really are."
How could I forget? I vividly remember frantically revising my manuscript after that.
When I nodded in affirmation, Cecily gave a soft smile. Then, she began to recount what happened back then, piece by piece.
"Back then, you described us demons like this: beings who know they can never become human, yet desire it more than anyone else—beings more human than humans themselves."
"..."
"I'll never forget those words for as long as I live. But a similar story appeared in The Biography of Xenon. It was what Xenon told Jin when he was struggling after Sacran’s death. Are you aware of that?"
I nodded once more. I had originally intended to write exactly what I told Cecily in the book, but I had revised it immediately.
However, I had to convey the meaning somehow, so it was inevitable that they would be similar. Perhaps Cecily had noticed that part and become suspicious.
"The moment I read that part, I thought of what you said to me. It could be a coincidence upon a coincidence, but there are too many suspicious circumstances."
"Like what?"
"First, the writer's callus on your middle finger."
Cecily pointed to the callus on my finger.
"They say you only get a callus like that if you hold a pen for a very long time, right? But that alone isn't proof. You have a habit of taking notes, after all."
"..."
"Second, your indifferent attitude toward The Biography of Xenon. I overheard the conversation you had with Jackson at the last meeting. For someone so indifferent, you seem to know the story inside out. Normally, someone with that much knowledge should be passionate, but you were strangely nonchalant whenever the book came up."
So she had heard my conversation with Jackson. I thought she was far away at the time, so I had no idea how she heard it.
Perhaps she had enhanced her hearing with mana. While magic was forbidden at the Academy, simply enhancing one's senses wasn't an issue.
As I was thinking that, Cecily presented her final piece of evidence.
"Finally, the identity of the demons you told me about. How many people in this world would think of us demons—who are treated like devils—in that way? There are many people in this world, but such a person would be extremely rare. No matter how much one reads The Biography of Xenon, it's almost impossible to have such thoughts. Especially considering the discrimination we demons have faced in the past."
"..."
"Combining those three things is enough to be suspicious. And just now, you said you like writing, didn't you? When you put all these clues together, only one conclusion remains."
Cecily, who had laid everything out without a single pause, looked me straight in the eye. I didn't look away either, meeting her gaze with a calm expression.
It seemed it would be better for me to speak first. I took a long breath through my nose, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a quiet voice.
"Cecily. There's something I'd like to ask first. May I?"
"Go ahead."
"What would you do if you found the author of The Biography of Xenon?"
This was the crossroads. If Cecily gave an honest and straightforward answer, I would gladly reveal myself. If not, I would postpone it.
Of course, postponing it wouldn't keep the secret hidden forever, but I had to be sure. I had the example of Lina, after all.
Hearing my question, Cecily broke into a deep smile, lowered her hands from her chin, and clasped them together. A blush crept onto her cheeks, as if she were embarrassed.
As I watched her reaction, sensing that something unusual was about to happen, Cecily answered in a voice like a refined lady.
"As you know, the author of The Biography of Xenon is the benefactor who fulfilled our demon race's long-cherished wish. The fact that I can enjoy a happy life here is thanks to him."
"..."
"If I were to find him... I would gladly give him my everything. It doesn't matter if that person is a man or a woman, handsome or ugly, old or young. Even that wouldn't be enough to repay the debt I owe him."
It's more than enough. I couldn't help but be flustered by Cecily’s answer.
I thought she might just invite me to Helium or offer protection, but giving her 'everything' was a reward that far exceeded my expectations.
Who was Cecily? She was the Princess of Helium and the woman destined to be the next Demon King. If such a person were to give her everything, the repercussions would be beyond imagination.
"Uh..."
My mind was a jumbled mess, and I couldn't think straight. Seeing my reaction, Cecily gave a playful grin, took my hand, and slowly led it somewhere.
And where she led it was...
Squish—
To her chest, which boasted an overwhelming presence. The soft sensation against my hand instantly snapped me back to reality.
I was confused as to why she was doing this before I had even revealed the secret, but then Cecily spoke to me in a voice thick with allure.
"How is it?"
"..."
"Do you want to touch more?"
Thump— Thump— Thump—
I could feel Cecily’s heartbeat through her chest, and my own heart began to race in sync. I stared at her, lost for words.
She seemed embarrassed by her own actions, as her face was flushed bright red. But it was likely nothing compared to me. I felt like I was about to faint.
Meanwhile, Cecily leaned her face forward, bringing it close to mine. Then, she spoke in a voice that seemed to tickle my ear.
"If you reveal the secret yourself and show me the proof, I can do even more for you. I'm always ready."
"That..."
"Surely our Isaac isn't impotent, is he?"
As if. At her voice, which stimulated every male instinct, my 'other self' was rapidly gaining strength.
I was barely holding it back, knowing that even a little bit of force would lead to a catastrophe. The moment my thread of reason snapped, I didn't know what I might do.
Just as I was trying to pull my hand away, Cecily tightened her grip and brought my hand toward her face.
And then...
"Nom..."
She took my middle finger into her mouth. Then, she took it in all the way to the knuckle where my writer's callus was. It was an incredibly bold move.
Lick—
As if that wasn't enough, I could vividly feel Cecily’s tongue gently tracing my callus. The sensation of her soft tongue traveled up my hand, making my brain tingle.
With that, the last shred of my reason completely snapped. I took a deep breath.
‘To hell with it. Dammit.’
I couldn't call myself a man if I backed down now. Secret or not, I had to follow my instincts.
I closed my eyes tight and was about to leap up from my seat.
Knock— Knock— Knock—
A sudden knock at the door completely shattered the tense atmosphere. I froze in a half-risen posture and stared at the door.
Cecily was the same. The moment she heard the knock, she stared at the door with blank eyes before her face contorted in a scowl.
"Of all times...!"
Cecily muttered under her breath. Thanks to that, my reason returned, and I hurriedly pulled my arm away. Cecily looked disappointed as I did so.
‘I don't know if I should be relieved or not...’
In the awkward atmosphere, I glanced at Cecily and walked toward the door. I assumed it was the employee bringing our coffee.
If we had continued, I probably would have made a huge mistake. My instincts were screaming in disappointment, but my reason was sighing in relief.
I opened the door to greet the employee, but...
"...Huh?"
It wasn't an employee. A very familiar face met my eyes. Hair as white as snow, blue eyes, and stunning beauty.
"...Marie?"
Marie stood before me, her expression a turbulent mix of anxiety and fury.