Chapter 67: The Storm(2)
Chapter 67: The Storm(2)
I could easily guess why Lina was asking for my time. It was undoubtedly to quell the storm that had begun to rage ever since I put Xenon Biography on hiatus.
However, there was something to consider: Lina hadn't summoned me through a spokesperson; she had come to find me in person. While our last encounter had been a coincidence, this time she could have easily sent someone to fetch me.
This meant the situation was dire enough that Lina felt the need to resolve it personally and immediately. According to the newspapers and the rumors circulating around me, protests were breaking out all across the Empire.
It made sense. From the Empire's perspective, they couldn't simply overlook a major event like the 'Jayros Revolution' occurring in the neighboring Kingdom of Ters, their rival. Given these circumstances, it was perhaps natural for Lina, an Imperial Princess, to adopt such a humble stance.
"But do you really have to be here?"
"Who knows what you might try to do to Isaac?"
For the record, it wasn't just Lina and me; Mari had joined us as well. As her words suggested, Mari had followed along out of concern that Lina might say something strange to me.
I didn't particularly mind, but Lina certainly did. From her perspective, she needed to discuss sensitive matters, so Mari’s stubborn insistence was bound to be irritating.
Of course, that was assuming Mari didn't know my secret. Perhaps aware of this, Mari shot a sidelong glance at Lina.
Lina’s usual poker face was completely shattered; her brow was furrowed, and her expression was cold. Mari, as if finding it pathetic, gave a derisive snort, curled one corner of her mouth upward, and replied nonchalantly.
"Besides, I know Isaac's secret too. You didn't think you were the only one who knew, did you?"
"What? What do you mean by..."
At Mari's answer, Lina momentarily snapped her gaze toward me. She looked back and forth between Mari and me before finally pressing her lips thin.
She seemed to have accepted it. She looked straight ahead and muttered in a low, heavy voice.
"...Right. Given your relationship, I suppose he would share his secrets with you."
"Yep, exactly. And unlike some people, he didn't have to be pressured into confessing."
"I didn't pressure him—!"
Lina, seemingly stung by Mari's sarcasm, started to snap back but managed to suppress it at the last second. She stole a quick glance at me.
It seemed she had a guilty conscience. In reality, the gap created by social rank is immense, and when it involves the ruling class, that gap increases exponentially.
Moreover, Lina must have entered the political world at a young age, so there was no way she didn't know that. She had used that gap to pressure Nicole and me, and she had worked Jackson like a slave during our group assignment.
Unless she was empty-headed or a complete fool, Lina would be well aware that her mere existence could exert pressure on others.
She likely assumed that I had decided on the hiatus because I couldn't withstand that pressure. While the real reason was to focus on my studies and take time to recharge, the pressure wasn't entirely absent from the decision. If Lina and Leort hadn't pushed me, I might have just kept writing.
"...Let's go to a cafe first. I want to get this resolved as quickly as possible."
Lina urged us forward, her voice already sounding weary. Mari, seemingly deciding she'd teased her enough, didn't say anything more.
Sensing the atmosphere was already heading toward a disaster, I glanced at Lina before making eye contact with Mari. When our eyes met, Mari gave a soft, beaming smile and gently linked her arm with mine.
She subtly pulled my arm toward her chest. Even though I could feel the distinct softness of her breasts through the school uniform, I simply maintained a smile.
We had engaged in this kind of affection many times before, so while my face flushed slightly, I wasn't truly embarrassed anymore.
"...You two look close."
Lina watched us with a complicated gaze as we displayed our affection despite her presence. I let out a slightly awkward laugh, but Mari, as if to show off, tightened her grip on my arm and spoke up.
"Jealous? You're jealous, aren't you? Even if you are, I'm never giving Isaac up."
"I don't have a hobby of stealing other people's boyfriends."
"Coming from you, I find that hard to believe."
As expected, Mari harbored a deep distrust of Lina. Lina could only offer a bitter smile, unable to offer a rebuttal.
Whenever I saw this, a thought always crossed my mind: what on earth had happened between these two to create such a relationship?
For someone as good-natured as Mari to be this distrustful, it was certain that Lina had committed some grave error. Of course, there could be a misunderstanding between them, so I figured it would be best to hear both sides of the story later.
"By the way, is Lord Leort here too? I heard he was there when you summoned Isaac and his sister."
"...My brother has returned to the Imperial Palace for an emergency meeting. He's likely being scolded severely right now."
"By His Majesty the Emperor?"
Lina nodded silently at Mari's question. Hearing that, I couldn't help but be surprised.
If the Emperor had summoned the Crown Prince for a reprimand, the situation must be truly serious. I suspected Leort would eventually apologize to Nicole and me as well.
Wait a minute. Come to think of it, why didn't she call Nicole?
If an apology was in order, it would be normal to summon Nicole as well. Yet, Lina had only called for me. That point was a bit puzzling.
I stared at Lina's back as she walked ahead. Sensing my gaze, she turned her head and met my eyes.
"Do you have something to say? I can feel you staring."
"I was just wondering why you didn't call my sister."
"Lord Leort will be the one to meet Miss Nicole."
It seemed that was because Leort had returned to the palace. It didn't entirely make sense, but since an apology was forthcoming, I decided to let it slide for now.
Eventually, we arrived at the cafe Lina had led us to and secured a room with guaranteed soundproofing and security. It was the same place I had come to when I had my private meeting with Cecile.
I felt a strange sensation, remembering how I had almost caused a massive incident with Cecile here. The difference now was that Mari was sitting beside me, and Lina was sitting across from us.
As I was looking around with those thoughts, a staff member opened the door. They had prepared drinks in advance, even though we hadn't ordered.
"As I said before, do not come in until I call for you. Understood?"
"Understood, Your Highness."
It appeared she had made a reservation beforehand. Lina seemed to have anticipated that I wouldn't refuse her.
Of course, even if I had refused, Lina likely wouldn't have cared much. She was an Imperial Princess, after all; a mere cafe wouldn't dare object to her whims.
I looked at the steam rising from the coffee before turning my gaze to Lina's face. Lina gestured for me to drink and spoke.
"You can drink. I haven't put anything strange in it, so don't worry."
"Thank you."
"Why didn't I get one?"
Mari, sitting next to me, grumbled. Indeed, there was nothing placed in front of her.
Lina had probably only planned to meet me, so she hadn't reserved anything for Mari.
"I only planned to call Isaac. You're the one who barged in."
"Oh, is that so? Well, it's a good thing I did. Now I can stop you from doing anything foolish."
"Mari. I'm not as devious as you think. What happened back then was truly unavoidable."
"Even if it was unavoidable, you shouldn't have done that. Back then..."
As if a trauma had been triggered, Mari's emotions began to escalate. Seeing her voice about to rise, I silently took her hand.
At my touch, Mari flinched noticeably and looked at me. As soon as she met my eyes, her anger seemed to dissipate. She let out a long breath through her nose and spoke quietly.
"...Fine. That's not what's important right now. I get it."
"Thank you for understanding. And... Isaac."
"Yes, Lady Lina."
I responded to Lina's call in my characteristically blunt tone. Lina faced me with a face stiff with tension before finally letting out a deep sigh.
She looked quite pitiful in her distress, but I felt no guilt. After all, they were the ones in the wrong.
Lina then looked me straight in the eye, her expression turning resolute. Seeing that, I waited quietly, sensing that something big was coming.
"...I'll start with this. My brother suspects your father—Lord Hawk—is the author of Xenon Biography. But I think differently. I believe Lord Hawk simply shared his experiences, and the real author is you. Am I right?"
"Yes."
"I knew it... I was right."
Since I had no intention of denying it, I answered calmly. Lina nodded at my response and continued.
"Then... is the hiatus of Xenon Biography because of us?"
"..."
"I won't make excuses and say it wasn't intentional. I am well aware that my mere existence can be a great pressure to others. In that situation, it must have been a heavy burden for you."
I said nothing. I intended to keep my mouth shut until Lina reached the main point.
"So, what I'm asking is..."
She trailed off for a moment, glancing at me before bringing up the core issue in a voice that had lost its confidence.
"Did you decide on the hiatus... because of us?"
"..."
"I want to ask if you were truly suffering mentally because we pressured you."
Hearing her question, which sounded almost pathetic, I thought deeply. As I mentioned before, the decision for the hiatus was for my studies and to recharge.
However, if Lina and Leort hadn't applied pressure, I might not have even considered it. It was undeniable that the root cause lay with them.
I stared at Lina's anxious expression for a moment before speaking quietly.
"I can't say it isn't."
"..."
At my ambiguous answer, Lina bit her lip, unable to hide her emotions. It seemed she was starting to lose control over her composure.
I found her reaction surprising but then rubbed the back of my neck. I felt it was time to speak my mind honestly.
"The reason I decided on the hiatus was for my Academy life and to recharge—specifically, to solidify the world-building. However, the fundamental reason was the immense pressure coming from my surroundings. If you two hadn't summoned me, I wouldn't have gone on hiatus."
"..."
"I'll tell you now, I have no intention of reversing the hiatus. Once I make a decision, I'm not the type to retract it."
When I spoke firmly, Lina hesitated with an even more complicated expression. Though I couldn't see them, I suspected her hands hidden under the table were fidgeting anxiously.
"...I understand."
After agonizing for a while, Lina took on a resolute expression and looked me straight in the eye, seemingly ignoring Mari sitting next to me.
And then...
"I am sorry."
Lina slowly bowed her head and offered me an apology. Her hair, which looked like it was woven from golden thread, slowly descended and rested softly on the table.
My eyes widened at her apology, and I slowly tilted my chin back. I had expected something, but to think the Imperial Princess, the daughter of the Emperor himself, was bowing her head to apologize to me.
Just like when Cecile had sent me that letter, I felt a strange emotion squirming upward in my chest once again.
"If the author suffered mentally because of us, I offer my apologies once more."
"..."
"I won't ask you to reverse the hiatus. However, as you can see from the current situation, protests are breaking out everywhere, and they are spreading to the point where they are difficult to suppress. So please... can you help us resolve this situation?"
Hearing the request Lina made even while bowing her head, I came to a realization.
...Fame is a terrifying thing.
My influence on the world was far beyond what I had imagined.
I can't even go on hiatus whenever I want.
It seemed that from now on, even taking a break wouldn't be entirely up to me.