Chapter 61: Love(3)
Chapter 61: Love(3)
It had been about two weeks since Mari and I started our sweet, budding romance. As much as time had passed, many things had changed—most notably, the way the other students looked at us.
If they had been unsure before, their eyes were now filled with certainty. They knew for a fact that Mari and I were dating. It was no longer an open secret; it was officially recognized.
While many looked on with envy, there were more than a few who watched us with discomfort. That scrutiny was focused more on Mari than on me, which was inevitable, considering she was from the Ducal House of Rekilis while I was merely the son of a Baron.
Of course, I didn't really care. No matter what they said, we were head over heels for each other, and I didn't feel inferior to her in the slightest. If anything, Mari was proud of the fact that I was the author of the Xenon Chronicle.
However, that didn't mean there were no side effects. Occasionally, female students would approach Mari to ask about me, and that’s where the problem started.
"It’s driving me crazy! They keep asking what I see in you, or if you’re blackmailing me or something! I’m just dating you because you’re handsome and cute!"
"Wait, Mari?"
I stopped eating mid-bite and looked at her with an incredulous expression. I didn't mind the rest, but that last part rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.
Meanwhile, Mari, who had been venting her frustrations with her mouth full, realized her slip-up and gave a sheepish grin. It wasn't exactly the innocent smile of a young girl; it was more of a sly, mischievous one.
"Oops. Sorry. My true feelings just slipped out. Hehe."
"..."
"Gulp. Why are you looking at me like that? It’s not like I’m lying, right?"
Regardless of how baffled I was, Mari spoke after swallowing her food. Seeing the genuine look on her face, I couldn't think of a proper comeback and just let out a hollow laugh.
If anyone else had been there, I would have died of embarrassment, but fortunately, the two of us were dining alone. For the record, we were at the same restaurant where I had revealed my secret to her.
As it turned out, the space the staff had assigned us back then was part of a course reserved exclusively for couples. I couldn't believe it when I found out. It meant they had mistaken us for a couple even back then and put us in this room.
It was a good thing I hadn't known at the time; otherwise, things would have been awkward from the start. Now that we were officially a couple, though, we could enter without any hesitation.
"Did you have any annoying encounters like I did, Isaac? I’m fine since I’m a Duke’s daughter, but it might be worse for you. Especially that Jackson guy—he seems to really dislike you."
"Hmm..."
I thought back on recent events following Mari's question. Not much had happened since we started dating.
Even my closest acquaintances, Lina and Cecile, hadn't asked directly, but they were clearly certain about our relationship. Perhaps because of that, they couldn't easily approach me as long as Mari was firmly by my side.
In Cecile's case, the frequency of our time together had decreased significantly. Whenever an opportunity arose, Mari would appear out of nowhere with a "Ta-da!" and whisk me away.
It happened yesterday, too. Mari wasn't even enrolled in my last lecture, but as soon as class ended, I ran into her waiting outside the door. She grabbed my arm and dragged me off, insisting we eat together.
Cecile had reached out and called after us, but there was no stopping Mari. And the look she gave Mari... yeah, it was definitely the look of a woman gripped by jealousy.
Other than that...
"Not really."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Even Jackson hasn't said anything. Instead, it’s more like... pity?"
"Huh? Pity?"
When Mari tilted her head with wide eyes, I nodded to confirm. I wasn't lying; the way Jackson looked at me lately was unusual.
Before, he used to look at me like I was a bug, but now it was more like he was offering consolation. I don't know what kind of misunderstanding he’s under, but his gaze had changed noticeably since the group assignment.
"Yeah. His gaze changed right after the group assignment. What exactly happened during that project?"
"Uh... it was a bit... pitiful? Lina made him do everything."
"What about you?"
"I felt bad, so I helped out a bit... but as you know, that guy kept hitting on her until I snapped at him. I helped, but that was the extent of it."
My girlfriend was calling the son of a high-ranking Count 'that guy.'
It hit me once again that she came from a Ducal family whose authority was second only to the Emperor.
"Oh. Please pretend you didn't hear that. An annoying memory just popped up."
Mari then waved her hand and asked me in a demure tone. Her behavior and speech were completely different from the easygoing attitude she had shown just a moment ago.
I couldn't help but chuckle. She was definitely doing this on purpose.
"You're playing coy, aren't you?"
"Does it not suit me?"
"It's cute, but it doesn't suit you."
"You meanie. But since you called me cute, I'll let it slide."
Mari let out a giggling laugh. I responded with a bright smile of my own.
When I was alone with Mari like this, even trivial conversations felt enjoyable. In truth, the topic didn't matter; the time spent together was what was truly important.
"Oh, by the way, how far have you gotten with the writing? Didn't you say you were almost finished last time?"
"I just need to submit the manuscript now. Maybe because exams are over, it went much faster than expected."
"You said it features the story of Xenon's master and the Elf Queen, right?"
I had already shared a bit of the plot for Volume 10 of the Xenon Chronicle with Mari.
Of course, I didn't tell her about the tragic narrative between the Master and the Elf Queen. For the record, that story won't appear in Volume 10; it's scheduled for Volume 11 at the earliest, or Volume 13 at the latest.
Until then, I planned to tease the readers by describing the relationship between the Master and the Elf Queen both directly and indirectly. Then, at the climactic moment, the Master would drop a massive 'dead flag.'
Something like, "When I return..." or "There's something I want to tell you when I get back." These words would plant a seed of dread in the readers' hearts, and later, that dread would be proven right.
The poignancy and grief would be doubled because the Elf Queen, who had agonized for a long time, would have finally made up her mind.
Of course, it wouldn't be all sadness. Watching this, Xenon would grow even further through his master's sorrow, leading to a deeper progression in his relationship with Mary.
As Edin had predicted in our last meeting, Mary's true identity is an Elf, and she has feelings for the human Xenon. However, because she is an Elf, she is currently unable to express those feelings.
'It’s turning into a romance arc. Well, that’s fine.'
Female readers would likely enjoy a romance arc quite a bit. Plus, since it was a romance between an Elf and a Human—a topic not often explored—it would be even more provocative.
I didn't care if the Elves complained. Even when I added the setting that one of the Seven Deadly Sins, the executive representing Pride, was an Elf, they hadn't said a word. Cindy mentioned they were likely having internal meetings about it, but I wasn't particularly worried.
"A romance between an Elf and a Human. Honestly, I think it’s unrealistic, but since it’s the Xenon Chronicle, I guess it’s fine. Won't the Elves react this time?"
"Who knows? We'll have to see. And people often overlook it, but you can just look at the example of Jin and Lily. They’re a case of overcoming a lifespan difference."
"Oh? Now that you mention it, you're right. I didn't realize it because Jin is a Demon."
In reality, people focused on the fact that Jin was a Demon and didn't fully register that he belonged to a race that lived much longer than humans. Even though Jin mentioned his lifespan occasionally, readers subconsciously glossed over it.
However, in the case of Elves, the perception of them as a long-lived race was firmly rooted in people's minds. Conversely, humans, along with Beastkin, were perceived as having short lifespans.
"Besides, Elves live longer than Demons and are known to be a noble and arrogant race. Cindy told me there's a custom among Elves to look down on other races."
"Cindy? Who's that?"
"Huh?"
"Is it a woman, by any chance?"
I gave a bitter smile as Mari's eyes narrowed sharply. It seemed she was quite bothered by another woman's name coming out of my mouth.
"Professor Elena told me last time, remember? She asked if I could come to the lab for a bit. That's the Elf I met there."
"That's all, right?"
"What else would there be? You might not know, but if you saw Cindy, your opinion would change completely."
Though Cindy was naturally beautiful, her deep dark circles and complete lack of grooming made her entirely unappealing in a romantic sense. She was even older than me, yet she often felt like a child.
I had received a wealth of knowledge from her, but that was it; there was zero romantic attraction. She was just a colleague.
Still, Mari looked unconvinced. It seemed she was a bit anxious because Cindy was an Elf, but in my eyes, Mari was far more beautiful than Cindy.
"And you're much prettier."
"Ugh..."
I spoke my thoughts aloud. Immediately, Mari's face turned as red as a sunset.
But it wouldn't be fun to stop here. Seizing the chance for a counterattack, I continued in a playful tone.
"Come to think of it, I'm curious about your parents' faces too. How could they pass down a face even more beautiful than an Elf's—"
"S-Stop! Stop it! Don't say another word! I'm dying of embarrassment, seriously!"
As I acted coy, Mari let out a shriek. Her intense reaction made me burst into laughter.
"Why do you hate it so much? Isn't being prettier than an Elf a compliment?"
"S-Still... it's embarrassing..."
"But it's true that you're pretty."
"Hauuu... stop itttt..."
Mari couldn't withstand the continuous teasing and seemed to melt into a puddle. I shrugged as she buried her forehead against the table.
"Then what should I call you? Princess?"
"..."
"My princess. What are you doing lying there? You're not eating."
Perhaps I had teased her too much.
"Aang!"
"Ack! Sorry! Sorry! I won't do it again! I'm sorry!"
Mari suddenly bolted upright and bit my neck hard. Even though I shouted my apologies, she held on for a long while, clearly holding a grudge.
*
"Isaac."
"Yes?"
"What's that on your neck? Did you get bitten by a wild beast?"
"..."
The next day, Cecile, who was sitting next to me, asked that very question. Unfortunately, it was in a spot that the collar of my school uniform couldn't hide, so it was bound to be seen.
I rubbed my neck with an awkward smile at her question. It was a good thing Mari wasn't here; otherwise, seeing Cecile sitting next to me might have prompted her to bite me again.
"It wasn't a wild beast; I just got bitten by a puppy."
"The tooth marks are awfully clear for a puppy bite. Mari bit you, didn't she?"
"...Yes."
"Hmm... come to think of it, I've heard a saying. Living off someone's looks. Do humans occasionally bite off pieces of their lover's flesh...?"
"No. That is definitely not it."
If that were the case, I would have bitten off pieces of Mari's face long ago. Cecile watched me with a strange look after my fierce denial, then let it go gracefully.
"Alright. I was just worried Isaac might get eaten up."
"Hahaha... Mari does bite quite often."
"Are you happy?"
Cecile asked me abruptly while organizing her notes. The question felt strangely sharp, giving me a sense of unease.
I stared at Cecile's profile. As usual, a playful smile played on her lips, making it difficult to guess her true intentions.
"...Yes. I'm happy."
"I see. Well, I suppose asking such a question is a bit silly. I'm a little jealous of Mari."
Then, Cecile whispered in a voice that was barely audible.
"I have... more..."
"...Pardon?"
"Oh, right. Isaac. There's something I want to give you today."
Regardless of my confusion, Cecile handed me an envelope that had been tucked between her notes. Judging by its narrow width and length, it appeared to be a letter.
As I took the envelope reflexively, Cecile gave a bright smile. Her red eyes flashed with a bewitching light, exuding a seductive aura.
"You must read it alone in your room. Got it?"
"...What is this?"
"It's nothing much. Just..."
Trailing off, Cecile gave a sincere smile and leaned her face close to mine. As I flinched, she pressed her lips to my ear and whispered.
"My true feelings for my savior, I suppose?"
"..."
My ears tingled so much that my whole body shivered.