Ch.57Confession (4)

“I just like you, that’s all.”

Marie said this as she slowly leaned back and quietly sat down in her seat. Afterward, she even smiled as if nothing had happened. It was a smile so beautiful that the word “beautiful” seemed inadequate.

Meanwhile, I blinked for about five seconds, unable to grasp the situation, and unconsciously touched my lips. If Marie’s bold action just now had been my imagination, it would mean that the sensation I felt on my lips was all a lie.

But this sensation was definitely not my imagination. The soft feeling that had touched my lips for that brief moment lingered vividly in my mind.

‘So… Marie just…’

Did she kiss me? Not a deep kiss, but what’s commonly called a peck?

I couldn’t say anything, finding the reality too hard to believe. Meanwhile, Marie looked at my face and spoke with a shy undertone.

“How was it?”

“… …”

“Whatever you were going to say, this is my answer.”

Ah, seeing her say that, it wasn’t my imagination after all.

She really did give me a light kiss.

Marie truly likes me.

…Good heavens.

Whoosh!

After three rational judgments, a silent scream erupted inside me. At the same time, my face began to burn in less than a second.

I bowed my head deeply, feeling unable to meet Marie’s eyes. Far from getting better… my thoughts were completely jumbled, unable to function properly.

‘Really? For real? Is this happening?’

Those were the only thoughts swirling in my head. I couldn’t think of anything else.

No matter how I looked at it, the fact that Marie had kissed me was undeniable. A kiss is something that goes beyond mere friendship, something that lovers do.

We hadn’t even officially started dating yet, and she was being so bold—I was too embarrassed to handle it. In my previous life, I had girlfriends, but I was always the one who took the lead; there was never a case where the woman made the first move.

‘I feel dizzy…’

Maybe it was because of the heat rising to the top of my head. I hadn’t been drinking, but my head felt slightly dizzy.

I’ve sometimes seen people who get dizzy due to high blood pressure, and I think it must feel exactly like this. The difference is that theirs is a chronic condition, while mine is temporary.

“Hoo. Hoo. Hoo.”

I took deep breaths, trying somehow to calm the heat that had flared up like a fireball. With each exhale, I felt the heat in my face dissipating.

For some reason, it was much worse than when I touched Cecilly’s chest. Perhaps I had romantic feelings for Marie too? Moreover, what I was feeling now was closer to pure “affection” rather than lustful “desire.”

“Hoo…”

With one final long exhale, I was barely able to calm my wildly beating heart. Of course, the heat hadn’t completely subsided, but at least my thought process was functioning again.

I slowly raised my head to look at Marie sitting across from me. She was busy beaming as if she didn’t even know what she had done.

“…Marie.”

“Yes. Yes.”

When I called her name, she responded in a voice full of aegyo. She looked straight at me while making what’s commonly called a “flower cup” pose with her hands.

I almost put too much strain on my heart again, but I managed to prevent it. After catching my breath, I asked her in a slightly trembling voice.

“Marie. Do you understand what your action… means?”

“I did it because I know what it means.”

“… …”

“Want me to do it again?”

Marie said this and began to move slightly, as if preparing to get up from her seat. She seemed ready to do it once more.

At that action, I hurriedly reached out my hand to stop her. Besides being embarrassed, I had a strong feeling that if she did it once more, it wouldn’t end “lightly.”

This wasn’t because I didn’t trust Marie, but entirely because I didn’t trust myself.

Previously, I could endure touching Cecilly’s chest, but when my finger was sucked, my instincts took over.

I emphasize that I am absolutely not impotent, just an ordinary man who likes beautiful women like Marie.

“Haah…”

“Hehehe.”

While I was ruffling my hair with one hand as if perplexed, Marie was busy beaming. I wanted to pinch and stretch those cheeky cheeks of hers.

The “confession” I had planned for today was definitely not this kind of confession. I had only intended to tell Marie that I was the author of the Biography of Xenon, and planned to think about our relationship slowly afterward.

But now, the order had completely reversed. Like a snowball, the comment I had made to Marie at the restaurant entrance had returned as a massive snowball.

But did that make me feel bad? Absolutely not.

Rather, thanks to Marie’s courageous action, all my hesitation had disappeared.

If I truly wanted to be by Marie’s side, I should become a man worthy of her.

And I can be that man. No, I had already qualified long ago.

“…Marie.”

“What~?”

Marie maintained her flower cup pose and answered in a voice full of aegyo.

I stared blankly at her as she spread happiness virus all around, then lowered my head.

“Puhehe…”

Had I been infected by the happiness virus she was emitting? A sudden laugh escaped me.

And it wasn’t just any laugh. It was a laugh filled with happiness and sincerity.

Since my reincarnation, the times I had laughed comfortably were when I was with my family, and now such a laugh flowed out. That’s how much my mood was soaring crazily right now.

“This is really driving me crazy. Puhehe…”

“Why are you saying you’re going crazy?”

“Don’t ask. Khup…”

This is bad. I need to speak, but every time I look at Marie’s face, a foolish laugh automatically comes out.

I didn’t act like this even when I got my first girlfriend in my previous life. I don’t know why I’m acting this way.

“Hoo…”

Fortunately, the laughter subsided after a while. At the same time, my wildly beating heart and burning face mostly calmed down.

Then I raised my head to face Marie directly. She was still looking at me with that beaming expression unchanged.

Now I really need to speak. But strangely, I feel much less nervous than before.

“Marie. I told you before that I had something I wanted to tell you, right?”

“Yes.”

“Before I say that… would you look at this first?”

I handed Marie the envelope containing the first edition. She seemed to have already guessed, as she maintained her smile while taking the envelope and removing its contents.

Watching this, I couldn’t help but feel slightly tense. No matter how relaxed I felt, nothing is as nerve-wracking as revealing a secret with my own mouth. Moreover, the secret I’m revealing will have a tremendous impact on Marie as well.

“… …”

As she read the manuscript, Marie’s upturned lips gradually lowered. She glanced at me sideways, showing a reaction that suggested she had expected this but still found it hard to believe.

While Marie skimmed through the first edition, I licked my parched lips. This was the first time one minute felt so incredibly long.

“Haah…”

After some time, Marie, who had been quickly skimming through the first edition, lowered the manuscript slightly and sighed.

It was a peculiar sigh that somehow seemed relieved.

Afterward, she kept her gaze fixed on the first edition for a while, then raised her head to face me directly. There was a hint of doubt in her blue eyes.

“No wonder Cecilly was so interested in you… so this was why?”

“…Cecilly noona?”

“Yes. After you left last time, she told me that she shares a secret with you. I’ve been suspicious since then, thinking maybe…”

Her voice trailed off as she looked at the manuscript again with an expression of disbelief.

“…I didn’t think it would actually be true.”

“…Do you really believe it?”

“Honestly, it’s hard to believe. As you know, people generally speculate that the author of the Biography of Xenon is a sage, not someone under 20 like you. Since your father is famous as the Red Lion, most people would probably think it’s him?”

Marie is right. Even Leort, when he had someone track down the author, predicted it was my father, not me.

But Marie seems to be convinced that I am the author of the Biography of Xenon. I was slightly puzzled by this.

Why had she definitively concluded that I was the author of the Biography of Xenon?

“Do you really believe that I’m the author?”

“If you hadn’t shown me this, it would have been hard to believe. But the handwriting is exactly the same as yours, and the paper is about to discolor, which shows it was written quite a long time ago.”

“Don’t you think I might have copied it onto discolored paper?”

“If you were impersonating, you might have done that, but look at the ink. It’s about to change color like the paper. If both the ink and paper were dirty, it might be questionable, but if only the ink is clean, someone with a good eye would quickly notice it’s a forgery.”

“Oh…”

I see, that’s possible. I couldn’t help but be impressed by this fact that even I wasn’t aware of.

Marie blushed slightly at my admiration, then cleared her throat. She glanced at the manuscript and scolded me in a reproachful voice.

“By the way, couldn’t you take better care of this? Do you know how valuable this is?”

“Um… I don’t know.”

“Right. That’s why you’re handling it so carelessly. Just one of these could be designated as a national treasure beyond a masterpiece. The moment you put it up for auction, there would be a fierce competition between countries, beyond just a bloodbath.”

“Is it that significant?”

I had thought at most some filthy rich people would throw money at it, but for it to escalate to a national level is hard for me to imagine. I know my own value is high, but I wasn’t aware of the value of the first edition.

Marie gave me a look that said, “What am I going to do with this guy?” She seemed dumbfounded.

Then she sighed deeply again and spoke in a slightly subdued voice.

“…I told you today, didn’t I? The author of the Biography of Xenon, that is, you, are a figure that would be highly revered by the country. No, beyond a figure, you’re like a walking culture. Culture is usually a country’s unique characteristic, but you become that characteristic itself. We can announce to the world, ‘We are the nation that has the author of the Biography of Xenon!'”

“…Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It could be dangerous depending on what you do.”

Marie advised with a serious face. I could only smile bitterly, thinking, “I thought so.”

“Issac.”

“…Yes.”

“You heard my answer earlier, but I don’t care whether you reveal your secret or not. However, this is a slightly different issue. I’m worried that you might write with impure intentions. Changing the perception of demons is an achievement no one else has accomplished, but… remember the scene in the early part of the 8th volume of the Biography of Xenon? The scene where the light and dark sides of nobility are revealed.”

A somewhat controversial scene was mentioned by Marie. She’s also a noble, and a member of a ducal family at that, so it’s a matter she can’t help but be concerned about.

I realized what she wanted to say and leaned forward. I can firmly say that Marie’s concern is unnecessary.

“…Marie.”

“Yes. Tell me.”

“I have absolutely no intention of writing with such motives. I just want readers to enjoy my writing, that’s all.”

This is where my reason for avoiding the situation all this time stems from. As I’ve always said, I was just an ordinary web novelist in my previous life.

It’s a profession far removed from politics, and I wrote simply because people enjoyed it. And I intend to continue writing because people enjoy it.

As Marie said, I have absolutely no intention of writing with specific motives. The complete change in perception of demons was something even I didn’t anticipate, and as the popularity increased day by day, the pressure weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I just want to write. I just like seeing people enjoy reading my writing.

“If my writing causes harm to the world, I will never write again. And if someone forces me to write with malicious intent, I’ll cut off my hands.”

“… …”

“I don’t know if you’ll believe this, but please know that I’m sincere. I just want people to enjoy reading my writing, that’s all.”

It feels refreshing to share all the concerns in my heart. I’ve told my family, but that’s because they’re family; this is the first time I’m telling someone else.

Although I didn’t realize it, it also means that I trust Marie that much. Perhaps that kiss from earlier became a catalyst that transformed into trust.

“…I see.”

Marie slowly nodded after hearing my words. Then, with a peculiar expression, she asked me.

“The fact that you’re telling me this means you trust me, right?”

“…Maybe?”

“What do you mean, maybe? If it’s true, then it’s true. You’re not very honest about these things.”

“Haha.”

I let out an embarrassed laugh as Marie grumbled. Marie, who had been looking at me with sharp eyes, seemed to be in a better mood as she chuckled at my laughter.

“But it feels good. That I’m the person you trust most after your family. By the way, who else knows about this? Cecilly seems to know, but what about Rina?”

“No. Rina thinks it’s my father, not me, who’s the author. Lord Leort thinks the same.”

“What? What do you mean? Why do both of them know instead of just Rina?”

“Well, you see…”

I explained everything that had happened to Marie. I was a bit concerned that Marie, who already had negative feelings toward Rina, might feel worse.

And as my explanation continued, Marie’s expression grew increasingly grim. It was scary even for me to watch.

“That woman really… to someone who was just minding their own business…”

“But things worked out well, so don’t be too harsh. As you said, those people won’t mess with me carelessly.”

“That’s probably true. But you still need to be careful. Understand?”

“I understand.”

“Ah. And, there’s one thing I want to ask…”

“A request?”

“Well…”

When I expressed confusion at the mention of a request, Marie began to hesitate. As if she was embarrassed to say it, she twirled her white hair with blue tints and glanced at me.

Her face also turned slightly red, suggesting she was too embarrassed to say it out loud. The more she acted this way, the more my curiosity grew.

Unlike others, Marie wouldn’t make strange requests, so it should be something ordinary, but why was she acting like this? Just as I was thinking this, Marie cleared her throat and quietly spoke.

“Ahem… Um… Could I get your…”

“…What?”

“Could I get your… autograph? Since you’re the author of the Biography of Xenon… I thought one autograph would be okay…”

“… …”

When I just blinked without saying anything, Marie laughed foolishly.

“Hehehe…”

She’s adorable.