Pride and Prejudice - 1: "What the Hell Is This Novel?"
"What the hell is this novel?"
"It's a romance novel. One full of conflicts and misunderstandings that the characters ultimately overcome to find happiness. I heard the gist from you, Herodotus, ahead of time and gave it a shot."
Lionel flinched but carefully took the manuscript.
He sat down in a chair and began reading it quietly.
"……."
Lionel's reading pace wasn't fast at all. Compared to the people I'd dealt with so far—editors, Sion, readers like Rolls Camel—it was absurdly slow. He even reread the same scenes multiple times. At this rate, it'd take half a day to finish, but that was fine. I could wait.
I sat beside him, reading other books to pass the time. There were always more books than time.
A few hours passed like that.
Lionel Balzac finally spoke.
"…I've finished it."
"What did you think?"
"It's fun…. Really fun…. It was the ideal novel I'd only dreamed of."
"Is that so?"
"Yes…."
Pride and Prejudice was the bible of all 'romantic comedies.' The structure of class-climbing romance it created hadn't changed a bit even in modern times. The spirited, clever heroine full of prejudices was the archetype for every rom-com lead today, and most clichés in romance were just imitations of its framework. That's how perfectly structured and complete the novel Pride and Prejudice was.
"Why did you show this novel to me?"
"I told you. Read it and learn. It's the only way I know how to teach."
"……."
"Can't do it?"
"No."
Lionel stared blankly at the manuscript, then muttered as if possessed.
"While reading it, I found myself thinking I wanted to write something like this. So I'll do it."
"Good."
Reading that monstrosity Phantom Thief Haksen VS Sherlock Holmes had shown me he had a talent for learning novel structures. If he could mimic the detective novel framework so soon after Sherlock Holmes appeared—not just copying the setting but even arranging it into a 'phantom thief' story—then Lionel Balzac could surely deconstruct the romance structure in Pride and Prejudice. I could guide him toward my own direction in the process.
"…May I read the manuscript one more time? And take some notes?"
"Of course."
"Ah, I don't mean I'm going to plagiarize it. I just want to learn from it…."
"I know what you mean, so don't worry."
I chuckled and gifted him a pen and paper. I told him he could take it home if time was short. I didn't think he'd steal the Pride and Prejudice manuscript. Even in that bizarre Phantom Thief Haksen VS Sherlock Holmes, he'd completely reworked Sherlock Holmes's character into something else entirely. Like a totally different person with the same name, begging forgiveness. And he hadn't plagiarized any specific content. Even with copyright law existing, people often twisted minor events and used them outright, but not him.
"I want to read your stories, so I'll wait."
…
"Hmm…. This is fun."
"Thank you…!"
The 'romance' novel Lionel Balzac had written was indeed fun. You could clearly see his understanding of composition and structure. It lacked that sensory punch—the raw 'pure fun' stimulation—but it masterfully used romance tropes to weave a subtle atmosphere.
I'm no critic, so I can't say much, but I definitely enjoyed it.
"You wrote a fun novel, so now we publish it."
"Yes!"
"Let's release it alongside my Pride and Prejudice."
"Pardon…?"
"Not just at the same time—that'd bury your novel under mine."
"……."
Homerus was the empire's most renowned author. No matter how fun this Lionel fellow's work was, publishing together would overshadow it.
So instead, I needed to share my spotlight with him.
"A romance novel series from Homerus Literary Academy. Love stories by Homerus and his students. What do you think?"
"Pardon?"
"Pick a theme and promote both novels around it."
In other words, a planned publication. A project to quickly transplant 'romance novel' structures into this world.
"Uh, that is…."
"Don't worry about the number of works. I have a few more of mine ready, and I've already collected pieces from other students."
Ian Plummer, the playwright who'd co-written Hamlet with me, had talent for romance too. As a playwright, he excelled at dialogue and scene direction. I'd already taught him Pride and Prejudice and gotten his manuscript.
Once these published, people would finally understand what 'romance novels' were. And writers would follow the structure, producing more.
"…Why are you doing all this for me?"
"Why?"
Because I want fun novels to read? He'd never get that. Or that his talent for stealing and editing structures would be more useful for teaching other writers than entertaining readers? That wouldn't convince him either.
"Because Herodotus recommended you."
"……."
"I trust Sherlock Holmes's eye. You'll succeed as a writer, Lionel."
Lionel Balzac's face twisted strangely. Tears welled in his eyes. Confused why, I watched as he covered his face with both hands, sobbing and forcing out words.
"Hic… I-I'm not that kind of proper person…. I stole your character, Herodotus, just for money—something a writer should never do…. Herodotus sent me to you probably just to—."
"Lionel."
"……."
"No matter how fatal the mistake, it's not a sin, and one error can't ruin a life. Herodotus has already forgiven yours."
This line was plagiarized from the detective series Father Brown… but Lionel seemed deeply moved anyway. He couldn't speak further, collapsing to the floor and weeping quietly. I gently patted his shoulder.
Suddenly remembering, I pulled a card from my pocket and handed it back.
It was the Herodotus recommendation he'd brought.
"You can keep this now—I don't need it. Wouldn't want to be embarrassed without a calling card if the phantom thief shows up."
"I shall return once the genuine article is prepared."
—Gentleman Phantom Thief Arsène Lupin—
"Let's prepare a 'genuine article' even Lupin can't resist stealing and wait."
"…Yes."
…
The 'Homerus Literary Academy Romance Novel Series'—and Pride and Prejudice—were published.
Most readers only bought Homerus's Pride and Prejudice, but plenty snatched up the whole set. Especially Homerus fans, who grabbed his students' works without hesitation.
Anyone who loved romance novels—or had ever been in love—fell for Pride and Prejudice. Because it rang so true.
Conflicts, misunderstandings, pride, prejudice… It wasn't just romantic fluff; it depicted human frailty honestly, giving it real power. 'Truth' is a story's strongest persuasion. Pride and Prejudice had it.
The students' novels got good reviews too. Lionel's in particular ranked second after Ian Plummer's.
As a result…
"Thank you! Master! This is all thanks to you…!"
"Nonsense. People recognized it because you wrote well, Lionel."
Lionel debuted brilliantly as a romance novelist.
"A-And, Master!"
"Yes."
"I'd like to thank Herodotus in person… Could you arrange a meeting? I know it's shameless, but please."
"I can always do that."
Because that's me.
"Thank you…!"