Ch.62Fan Letter (1)

I returned to my dormitory immediately after all lectures ended, putting everything else aside. Today, I didn’t have any plans with Marie, so I could head straight back.

Shortly after returning to my room, I lay on the bed and pulled out the envelope I had hidden between my notebooks. As everyone knows, this is the letter Cecilly handed to me during today’s lecture.

Cecilly had whispered in my ear that it contained her sincere feelings toward her benefactor. Though she said it indirectly, it was essentially a letter for me.

‘Is this like a fan letter? Or what?’

I examined the envelope carefully.

From the outside, it looked like an ordinary envelope. However, its contents were quite thick. It definitely contained at least three pages of letter.

Since she said it contained her sincere feelings toward her benefactor, it could be considered a fan letter. I’ve never received a fan letter directly before since I’ve kept my identity hidden. This made me feel even more peculiar.

What exactly did Cecilly write in this letter? I looked the envelope over and suddenly sat up.

Rather than lying on the bed, it would be better to sit at the desk and read it slowly. Cecilly surely put her heart into writing it, so I should read it with equal sincerity.

And after reading it, I plan to write a reply immediately. I have plenty of free time now that I’ve finished writing all ten volumes of my manuscript.

*Riiip*

Sitting at the desk with everything prepared, I carefully tore the top of the envelope. Looking inside, as I expected, there was a neatly folded letter resting peacefully.

With mixed feelings of anticipation and concern, I took out the contents and slowly unfolded them. There were three pages in total, and as soon as I opened them, elegant handwriting caught my eye.

[Hello, respected Author Issac. As you already know, I am Cecilly Drat Isillia Vin, Princess of Helium. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to convey my feelings to the benefactor of the demon race.]

From the first line, I sensed something unusual. Setting aside the title “Author,” the word “respected” bothered me greatly.

“Respected” is a term rarely used in both my previous life and this world, but thanks to my extensive reading, I know exactly what it means.

-To deeply respect and adore, or to turn one’s heart toward adoration.

In other words, Cecilly harbors romantic feelings toward me. I couldn’t help but feel confused by this seemingly sudden development.

Since we started speaking informally, Cecilly has been friendly and even playful, but that behavior was more like what one would show to a close younger sibling. I could understand that much since I responded well and helped resolve some of her concerns.

I read the first sentence carefully once, twice, making sure I understood the word correctly. In this world, although a common language is used, certain words have different meanings among different races.

But focusing on the first sentence wasn’t getting me anywhere. It would be better to set aside my questions and continue reading.

[Before expressing my feelings, I would like to apologize for my rudeness a few days ago. I made a mistake out of excitement at finally meeting the benefactor I had long awaited. Regardless of what emotions you felt at that time, the fact that I was disrespectful remains unchanged. I would like to offer my apologies once again.]

Reading this, I realized something. As evident from the letter, Cecilly is taking a very humble approach.

Who is she? The Princess of Helium and the next Demon King in line.

Though my influence in the world is powerful, Cecilly doesn’t need to bow her head to me. Moreover, since Helium now has diplomatic relations with other countries, her position should be incredibly strong.

One might ask, “Isn’t it fine since she’s treating you as a benefactor?” But I find it too uncomfortable.

The Cecilly I know is playful and carries hidden pain. I can’t help but wish she would joke around or chat casually like Marie does.

‘But…’

What is this murky feeling crawling up from my chest? I felt the same emotion when Cecilly spoke formally to me before.

A feeling close to euphoria, yet one that seems dangerous to indulge in. A dark sensation that, once tasted, might be impossible to escape from.

I shook my head vigorously to dispel those emotions. No matter how humble Cecilly’s approach might be, treating her carelessly doesn’t suit my character.

Above all, Marie would be the most disappointed. If nothing else, I never want to see her disappointed.

“Hoo.”

I sighed, collected my thoughts, and focused on the letter. The elegant cursive and Cecilly’s beautiful writing style were pleasing to the eye.

[As you know, our demon race was treated as devils until the Biography of Xenon was published. We were forcibly isolated from the outside world and had no choice but to unite among ourselves. Some brave demons came out to plead that we are not devils, but it was all in vain. Some even took their own lives unable to bear the criticism, or suffered tragedies that turned them into actual devils. And…]

[Thank you so much for fulfilling the long-cherished wish of my race that even I, as a princess, couldn’t achieve. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t intend to do so. The fact is that you brought a ray of light to the demons who had known only darkness. That light was an unparalleled hope for our demon race and showed us the way forward. The sun began to shine in the sky of Helium, which had always been covered with clouds. Smiles bloomed on the faces of Helium’s people, and they newly discovered the emotion of ‘pride.’ I can assert that this single ray of light illuminating the darkness will brighten the future of our demon race.]

The letter detailed how the demon race had been treated and described how things changed after the Biography of Xenon was published.

As I read the letter, I felt a warmth growing in my chest.

When she whispered about including her “sincere feelings,” I was a bit anxious, but now those feelings have completely disappeared. Cecilly truly wrote this letter with sincerity.

And that sincerity is being conveyed to me without filtration. Although unintended, anyone would feel proud of such a positive result.

‘There’s a huge difference between reading about it in newspapers and hearing it directly.’

It hits even deeper coming from Cecilly, a demon herself.

When I read about it in newspapers or heard rumors, I just acknowledged it and moved on. Even when I spoke directly with Cecilly, it didn’t resonate this deeply.

That’s because Cecilly focused on the fact that I was the author of the Biography of Xenon, rather than expressing her true feelings. She rarely spoke with such authenticity.

But reading this letter now, I understand how difficult her life has been and how grateful she is to me.

An action I took without realizing could be hope for someone else. This is a feeling I never experienced in my previous life.

‘She must have had a really tough time.’

A hundred years is an impossibly long time for humans, though perhaps not for other races. During those hundred years, Cecilly had been working countless times to fulfill the wishes of her people.

Of course, I had no idea about this. I had vaguely guessed from our conversations, but it was nothing compared to what was contained in the letter.

Although that wish was fulfilled by my hand rather than hers, the joy must be indescribable. In terms of my previous life, it’s like the liberation of Black people who suffered terrible discrimination because of their skin color.

Feeling the warmth in my chest vividly, I turned to the next page. With three pages in total, I expected it would take a while to read everything.

[However, the wounds our demon race has suffered are immeasurably deep, and not all discriminatory views have been resolved. Even as you read this letter, someone is likely discriminating against demons, and wounded demons may be turning into devils and causing harm. Sadly, even though the Biography of Xenon has changed the perception of demons, the world hasn’t completely transformed.]

[But that’s okay. As the Princess of Helium, I will represent all demons and let the world know that we can live normally like other races and are by no means devils. That way, you won’t be disappointed either. Through the grace you’ve bestowed upon us, I will strive to help our demon race find a brighter light.]

The second page spoke about Cecilly’s aspirations. This naturally reminded me of her speech during the entrance ceremony.

How many people can boldly declare their aspirations in front of a crowd? I certainly couldn’t do it.

Cecilly’s courageous actions are enough to inspire not only demons but countless others. This is something I had forgotten while she was busy playing pranks on me.

‘Is this what they mean by extraordinary?’

I turned the page and began reading the last one. Perhaps because it was the final page, only about two-thirds of it was filled.

[The grace you’ve bestowed upon us is beyond words. As I said before, you fulfilled the wish of the demon race that couldn’t be achieved for hundreds of years. I would like to offer my body and heart to repay your kindness, but I won’t if you don’t wish it. It would be even more difficult since there’s someone already by your side.]

[However, I wanted to express my sincere feelings in this small way. If you just understand that the contents of this letter are my true feelings, I would be more than happy and delighted.]

[I’m not sure how to convey my final greeting, but… I hope you stay healthy and full of happiness. Your happiness is my happiness.]

[With that, I’ll take my leave. From a demon who loves the Biography of Xenon, not as the Princess of Helium.]

The last page contained Cecilly’s feelings toward me.

She would willingly offer her body and heart if I wanted. However, since Marie is by my side now, she wouldn’t if I didn’t want it.

Rather than feeling dazed by a woman’s offer to give everything, I felt perplexed. Before, I thought she said such things just to seduce me.

But sincerity permeated the letter. Cecilly seems truly prepared to offer herself without hesitation if I wanted.

“Sigh…”

Marie would be furious if she saw this, wouldn’t she? I should thoroughly hide the fact that Cecilly sent a fan letter(?).

Of course, I’m not sure if I, who can’t act to save my life, can hide it. It might be better to live with the mindset that I’ll be caught eventually.

Anyway, since Cecilly took the time to write a heartfelt letter, it would be courteous for me to reply. After reading the fan letter once more, which brought a smile to my face, I opened my desk drawer.

Until now, I thought I had no one to send letters to except my parents, but that changed today.

‘For the greeting… Yes. This would work.’

Unlike before, I began to write a reply to Cecilly with a joyful heart.

‘Come to think of it, a fan letter…’

While writing, I suddenly wondered if others might have written fan letters too. It seemed a bit strange that there wasn’t a single fan letter despite the Biography of Xenon being a worldwide hit. Perhaps my father had thoroughly blocked them to avoid leaving any clues.

In that case, it might not be a bad idea to ask him about it. I plan to first check if there are any fan letters and then make the request.

Even if my father finds it difficult due to tracking concerns, it doesn’t matter. I had someone else I could ask.

‘It might be a bit uncomfortable, but the result would be certain. Surely they wouldn’t make petty demands over this.’

After reading the fan letter, I realized something belatedly. It feels very similar to reading comments in my previous life. Nothing makes an author experience such a range of emotions as comments do.

I moved my magic pen elegantly, hoping there would be fan letters.

‘I wonder if Marie wrote one too?’

Somehow, I’m looking forward to it.

*****

Meanwhile, at the same time in the girls’ dormitory.

“Achoo! Ah…”

Marie, who was leisurely eating bread on her bed, was startled by a sudden sneeze that came without warning. As a result, her bed was covered in bread crumbs.

“Geez… Why am I suddenly sneezing out of nowhere? How annoying.”

As she grumbled, her characteristic sharp intuition activated as well.