Ch.61Love (3)

It’s been about two weeks since I started dating Marie. As time has passed, many things have changed, most notably how students look at Marie and me.

While they were uncertain before, now their gazes are filled with conviction. That Marie and I are dating. It’s no longer an open secret but officially acknowledged.

Many people look at us enviously, but some view us with uncomfortable gazes. These looks are directed more at Marie than at me, which is inevitable since Marie comes from the Reckyless ducal family while I’m just a baron’s son.

Of course, I don’t particularly care. Regardless of what others say, we’re crazy about each other, and I have nothing to be ashamed of with Marie. In fact, Marie is proud that I’m the author of Biography of Xenon.

However, there are some side effects. Sometimes female students approach Marie to ask about me, which is where problems arise.

“It’s so annoying! They keep asking what I see in you, or if I’m being blackmailed! I’m dating you because you’re handsome and cute!”

“Huh? Marie?”

I stopped eating and looked at Marie with an incredulous expression. Everything else was fine, but that last comment somehow bothered me.

Meanwhile, Marie, who had been complaining with food in her mouth, heard me call her name and realized her mistake, then smiled sweetly. It wasn’t so much an innocent smile as it was a mischievous one.

“Oh. Sorry. I accidentally revealed my true feelings. Hehe.”

“…”

“*Gulp* Why are you making that face? It’s not like I’m lying?”

Marie swallowed her food and spoke as if she meant it. Faced with her seemingly sincere expression, I couldn’t think of a proper response and found myself chuckling.

If anyone else had been present, it would have been mortifying, but fortunately, we were having a cozy meal alone. By the way, this is the same restaurant where I previously confided my secret to Marie.

As it turns out, the space we were assigned by the staff was a special course for couples. I was so dumbfounded when I heard that. It meant that even last time, they had mistaken us for a couple and assigned us this room.

It was fine then because I didn’t know, but otherwise, it would have been awkward from the start. Of course, now that we’re officially a couple, we can enter proudly.

“By the way, have you experienced any annoying situations like me? I’m fine because I’m a duke’s daughter, but it might be worse for you. Especially that guy Jackson or whatever his name is—he seems to dislike you?”

“Hmm…”

I thought about recent events after hearing Marie’s question. There hadn’t been much of note since Marie and I became a couple.

My closest friends, Rina and Cecilly, didn’t ask directly, but they were certain about our relationship. Perhaps because of this, with Marie firmly by my side, others couldn’t easily approach me.

In particular, while I still saw Rina occasionally, my time with Cecilly had decreased significantly. At every opportunity, Marie would appear out of nowhere and whisk me away.

It happened yesterday too. Yesterday’s final lecture was one Marie didn’t normally attend, but as soon as class ended, I ran into Marie waiting outside the door. She grabbed my arm and dragged me away, insisting we eat together.

Cecilly reached out her arm to call after us, but I couldn’t stop. And the look in her eyes as she watched Marie… yes, it was definitely the gaze of a jealous woman.

Other than that…

“Nothing in particular.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Even Jackson, whom you mentioned, hasn’t said anything. Instead, it’s more like… pity?”

“Huh? Pity?”

When Marie opened her eyes wide in question, I nodded to confirm. It’s not a lie—lately, Jackson’s gaze toward me has been unusual.

Previously, it was like looking at a bug, but now it’s as if he’s trying to comfort me. I don’t know what misunderstanding he has, but his gaze has clearly changed since our group project.

“Yes. But his attitude changed after our group project. What exactly happened during that project?”

“Well… he was kind of pitiful? Rina made him do everything.”

“What about you?”

“I felt bad so I helped him… but as you know, he kept hitting on me until I told him off. I helped, but that was it.”

This is my girlfriend, referring to a count’s son as “that bastard.”

I was freshly reminded that she comes from a ducal family, second only to the emperor in authority.

“Oh. Please pretend you didn’t hear that just now. I suddenly remembered something irritating.”

Marie waved her hand and asked me in a demure tone. It was completely different from her casual demeanor just moments ago.

I couldn’t help but smirk. She was definitely putting on an act.

“You’re just pretending to be proper, aren’t you?”

“Does it not suit me?”

“It’s cute, but it doesn’t suit you.”

“You jerk. I’ll let it slide because you said I’m cute.”

Marie giggled. I responded with a gentle smile.

Like this, even trivial conversations feel enjoyable when I’m alone with Marie. In truth, for us, the conversation itself isn’t important—it’s the time spent together that matters.

“Oh, by the way, how far have you gotten with your writing? Didn’t you say last time that you were almost done?”

“I just need to submit the manuscript now. Since exams are over, it’s been progressing much faster than expected.”

“You said it includes the story of Xenon’s master and the Elf Queen, right?”

I’ve already shared some of the story of Biography of Xenon’s 10th volume with Marie.

Of course, I didn’t tell her about the tragic narrative between the master and the Elf Queen. That story won’t appear in volume 10, but rather in volume 11 at the earliest, or volume 13 at the latest.

Until then, I plan to describe the relationship between the master and the Elf Queen both directly and indirectly, keeping readers in suspense. Then, at the decisive moment, the master will plant a death flag.

For example, saying things like “If I return…” or “When I come back, I have something I want to tell you.” These words will plant seeds of foreboding in readers’ minds, which will eventually come true.

As if that weren’t enough, the Elf Queen, who had been struggling with her feelings for a long time, will have finally made up her mind, making the tenderness and grief all the more powerful.

Of course, it’s not all sad events. Witnessing this, Xenon will grow further through his master’s sorrow, and his relationship with Merry will also progress.

As Edin predicted at our last meeting, Merry’s true identity is an elf who has feelings for the human Xenon. However, because she’s an elf, she can’t express her feelings.

‘This is turning into a romance part. Well, that’s fine.’

Female readers would quite enjoy the romance part. Plus, it’s the rarely explored love between an elf and a human, making it even more provocative.

I don’t mind if the elves have something to say about it. I added a setting where one of the Seven Deadly Sins’ demon executives, representing Pride, is an elf, and they didn’t say anything. Cindy said they might be discussing it internally, but I’m not particularly concerned.

“Love between an elf and a human. Honestly, it sounds implausible, but I guess it’s fine since it’s Biography of Xenon. Won’t the elves react this time?”

“Well, I don’t know about that. And people don’t realize this, but you can look at Jin and Lilly as examples. They’re a case of overcoming the lifespan difference.”

“Oh? Now that you mention it, that’s true. I hadn’t realized because Jin is a demon.”

People are so focused on the fact that Jin is a demon that they don’t recognize that demons live longer than humans. Jin has mentioned lifespan issues here and there, but readers unconsciously overlooked it.

However, in the case of elves, people have a fixed perception that they are a long-lived race. Conversely, humans, along with beastkin, are firmly perceived as having short lifespans.

“Besides, elves live even longer than demons and are known as a noble and arrogant race. Cindy told me that among elves, there’s a custom of looking down on other races.”

“Cindy? Who’s that?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t tell me it’s a woman?”

Marie narrowed her eyes sharply, and I gave a bitter smile. Apparently, hearing another woman’s name from my mouth bothered her quite a bit.

“Remember when Professor Elena asked me to come to her lab? I met an elf there.”

“That’s all, right?”

“What more could there be? You don’t know, but if you saw Cindy, that thought would completely change.”

While Cindy is naturally beautiful, her heavy dark circles and completely unmanaged appearance made her not at all attractive. Despite being older than me, she gives off a childish impression.

I received a lot of knowledge from her, but that’s all—I have absolutely no romantic interest in her. She’s just a colleague.

However, Marie still looks unconvinced. It seems she’s a bit insecure because Cindy is an elf, but at least in my eyes, Marie is much prettier than Cindy.

“And you’re much prettier.”

“Ugh…”

So I expressed that thought directly. Marie’s face immediately turned as red as the sunset.

But stopping here wouldn’t be fun. Having seized the opportunity to counterattack, I continued in a teasing tone.

“Come to think of it, I’m curious about your parents’ faces. How could they pass down a face prettier than an elf’s…”

“S-stop! Stop it! Don’t say anymore! I’m dying of embarrassment, seriously!”

As I acted sly, Marie screamed. Her intense reaction automatically drew a chuckle from me.

“Why do you hate it so much? Isn’t being prettier than an elf a compliment?”

“B-but… it’s embarrassing…”

“But it’s true that you’re pretty.”

“Uuugh… stop it…”

Marie couldn’t withstand the continued attacks and seemed to melt. I shrugged as she planted her forehead on the table.

“Then what should I call you? Princess?”

“…”

“My princess. What are you doing lying there? Aren’t you going to eat?”

Perhaps because I teased her too much.

“Aang!”

“Ow! Sorry! Sorry! I won’t do it again! Sorry!”

Marie suddenly stood up and bit my neck hard. Even though I shouted apologies, she seemed to have truly taken offense and didn’t let go for a while.

“Aiyack.”

“Yes?”

“What’s that on your neck? Were you bitten by a wild animal?”

“…”

The next day, Cecilly, sitting next to me, asked this question. Unfortunately, it was in a spot that couldn’t be covered by my uniform shirt, so it was inevitably exposed.

I responded to her question with an embarrassed smile, rubbing my neck. It’s fortunate Marie isn’t here now; otherwise, she might have bitten me again upon seeing Cecilly sitting next to me.

“Not a wild animal, just a dog bite.”

“For a dog bite, the teeth marks are quite distinct. Marie bit you, didn’t she?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm… I’ve heard a saying about ‘eating someone’s face.’ Do humans sometimes bite pieces of their lover’s flesh…”

“No. Absolutely not.”

If that were the case, I would have already eaten Marie’s face and more. Cecilly looked at me with a strange gaze after my strong denial, then graciously let it go.

“Alright. I was just worried you might get eaten up.”

“Haha… Marie does bite frequently.”

“Are you happy?”

Cecilly asked me abruptly while organizing her notes. The question seemed somewhat sharp, making me feel uncomfortable.

I stared at Cecilly’s profile. As usual, a playful smile hung on her lips, making it difficult to guess her true feelings.

“…Yes. I am happy.”

“I see. Well, I suppose asking such a question is silly in itself. I’m a bit envious of Marie.”

Then Cecilly muttered quietly, almost inaudibly.

“Even though I have more…”

“…Pardon?”

“Oh right. Aiyack. I have something I want to give you today.”

Regardless of my confusion, Cecilly handed me an envelope that had been tucked between her notes. Judging by its narrow width and long height, it appeared to be a letter envelope.

As I received the envelope in bewilderment, Cecilly smiled brightly. Her red eyes emitted a bewitching light, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

“You must read it alone when you get to your dormitory. Understand?”

“…What is this?”

“Nothing special. Just…”

Trailing off, Cecilly gave a sincere smile and brought her face close to mine. As I flinched, she put her lips near my ear and whispered.

“Let’s just say it’s my true feelings for my benefactor.”

“…”

My body shuddered as my ear tickled intensely.