Chapter 62

■ Chapter 61. Love (3) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

It has been about two weeks since Mari and I started our sweet relationship. As much time has passed, many things have changed, and the most notable change is how the students look at us.

Before, they were uncertain, but now their gazes are filled with certainty. They know that Mari and I are dating. It's not a public secret anymore; it's officially recognized.

Many people looked at us with envy, but there were also some who gave us uncomfortable glances. Especially, those glances were more focused on Mari. Since she is from the Rekilis family and I am just the son of a baron, it's an inevitable phenomenon.

Of course, I didn't really care. No matter what they said, we like each other a lot, and I'm not going to be dominated by Mari. On the contrary, she is proud that I am the author of the Zaeon Chronicles.

However, there are some side effects. Sometimes, female students approach Mari and ask her about me, and that's where the problem arises.

"I'm so annoyed! They ask me what I like about you, or if I've been blackmailed or something! I'm just dating you because you're handsome and cute!"

"Huh? Mari?"

I stopped eating and looked at Mari with a bewildered expression. Everything was fine, but her last words were a bit annoying.

Meanwhile, Mari, who was complaining with food in her mouth, heard my call and smiled sheepishly. It was more of a sly smile than an innocent one.

"Oops. Sorry. I guess my true feelings just came out. Hehe."

"......"

"Swallow. Why do you have that expression? It's not a lie, you know?"

Despite my bewilderment, Mari swallowed the food in her mouth and spoke. Her sincere expression made it hard for me to come up with a proper response, so I just laughed awkwardly.

If there had been other people, it would have been embarrassing, but fortunately, we were having a cozy meal together, which was a comfort. By the way, it was the same restaurant where I confided my secret to Mari last time.

It turned out that the space we were assigned by the staff was a special course for couples. I was so surprised when I heard that. That means they mistook us for a couple last time and assigned us this room.

At that time, we didn't know anything, so it was fine, but if we had known, it would have been awkward from the start. Of course, now that we are officially a couple, we can enter confidently.

"Isaac, haven't you had any annoying things happen? I'm a duchess's daughter, so it's fine for me, but it could be worse for you. Especially, there's a guy named Jackson who seems to dislike you, right?"

"Hmm..."

I thought about recent events after hearing Mari's question. Since becoming a couple with Mari, there hasn't been much to speak of.

Even Lina and Cecil, my closest friends, didn't ask outright, but they were confident about our relationship. Because of this, they couldn't approach me casually with Mari by my side.

Especially, I see Cecil less often with Lina. Whenever there's a chance, Mari appears and takes me away.

It was the same yesterday. The last lecture I had was one that Mari doesn't attend, but as soon as the class ended, I met Mari waiting outside the door. She grabbed my arm and dragged me off to eat together.

Cecil tried to stop us by reaching out her arm, but we couldn't stop. The look she gave Mari... Yes, it was definitely a jealous woman's gaze.

Other than that...

"Nothing really?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. The Jackson you mentioned didn't say anything. Instead, what can I say... pity?"

"Huh? Pity?"

I nodded in response to Mari's wide-eyed question, confirming it. It's not a lie; lately, Jackson's gaze towards me has been strange.

Before, he looked at me like I was a bug, but now it's as if he's offering sympathy. I don't know what misconception he has, but his gaze towards me has changed since the group project.

"Yeah. His gaze has changed since the group project. What exactly happened during the group project?"

"Well... I was a bit... pitiful? Lina made me do everything."

"And you?"

"I helped out of guilt... As you know, that guy kept pestering me until I scolded him. I helped, but only to that extent."

My girlfriend, who refers to the son of a prestigious baron as 'that guy.'

I realized once again that she is from a prestigious duchess family, second only to the emperor.

"Oops. Pretend you didn't hear that. I suddenly remembered an annoying memory."

Then, Mari waved her hand and asked me in a polite tone. It was a completely different behavior and tone from her usual straightforwardness.

I couldn't help but chuckle. She was definitely doing it on purpose.

"Are you putting on an act?"

"Doesn't it suit me?"

"It's cute, but it doesn't suit you."

"Bad boy. Still, I'll let it slide because you're cute."

Mari giggled, and I responded with a smile.

This way, even trivial conversations with Mari feel enjoyable. In fact, the important thing for us is not the conversation itself but the time we spend together.

"Oh, by the way, how far have you written? Didn't you say you were almost done last time?"

"Now I just need to submit the manuscript. Since the exams are over, it's going much faster than expected."

"You said the story of Zaeon's teacher and the elf queen would appear, right?"

I had already told Mari a little about the plot of the 10th volume of the Zaeon Chronicles.

Of course, I didn't tell her about the tragic story of the teacher and the elf queen. By the way, that story won't appear in the 10th volume but will be in the 11th or at the latest the 13th volume.

Until then, I plan to describe the relationship between the teacher and the elf queen directly and indirectly to make the readers anxious. And at the decisive moment, I'll plant a dead flag in the teacher.

For example, 'If I come back...' or 'When I come back, there's something I want to tell you.' Through these words, a sense of foreboding will grow in the readers' hearts, and eventually, it will come true.

Especially, since the elf queen, who had been in deep contemplation for a long time, has finally made up her mind, the tenderness and sorrow will be doubled.

Of course, not only sad things will happen. Witnessing this, Zaeon will grow even more in his teacher's sorrow, and his relationship with Mary will advance further.

As Edin predicted at the last meeting, Mary is an elf and has feelings for the human Zaeon. However, because she is an elf, she can't express her feelings.

'Looks like it's turning into a romance part. Well, it doesn't matter.'

If it's a romance part, female readers will like it a lot. Moreover, since it's about the love between an elf and a human, which people don't often write about, it will be even more stimulating.

Even if it's about elves, it's fine. I added a setting where one of the leaders of the demon side, who represents pride among the seven deadly sins, is an elf, but they didn't say anything. Cindy said they might be having internal discussions, but I didn't really care.

"Love between an elf and a human. Honestly, it doesn't make sense, but since it's the Zaeon Chronicles, it should be fine. This time, won't the elves react?"

"I don't know. It's hard to say. And people don't know, but look at Jin and Lily. They overcame the lifespan difference."

"Huh? Now that you mention it, that's true. I didn't realize Jin was a demon."

In fact, people are focused on the fact that Jin is a demon and don't realize that she is a species that lives longer than humans. Even when Jin mentioned her lifespan from time to time, readers subconsciously overlooked it.

However, people have a strong perception that elves are a long-lived species. On the other hand, humans are perceived as having a short lifespan, like goblins.

"Moreover, elves are known to live longer than demons and are a noble and proud species. According to Cindy, there is a custom among elves to look down on other species."

"Cindy? Who is that?"

"Huh?"

"Is she a woman?"

Mari glared at me sharply, and I smiled bitterly. It seems that hearing another woman's name from my mouth was quite annoying for her.

"Didn't Professor Elena ask me to come to her lab last time? I met an elf there."

"Is that all?"

"Would I stay there longer? If you saw Cindy, you'd change your mind completely."

Cindy is naturally beautiful, but her deep dark circles and lack of grooming make her unattractive. She even seems younger than me, despite being older.

I've learned a lot from her, but that's all. I have no romantic interest in her; she's just a colleague.

However, Mari still doesn't believe me. It seems she's a bit anxious because Cindy is an elf, but to me, Mari is much prettier.

"And you're much prettier."

"Ugh..."

So I said it outright. Mari's face turned red like a sunset instantly.

But it wouldn't be fun to stop here. As soon as I saw the opportunity to counter, I continued with a sly tone.

"By the way, I'm curious about your parents' faces. How did they pass on a face prettier than an elf's..."

"Stop! Stop! Don't say anything more! I'm so embarrassed, really!"

As I acted slyly, Mari let out a yelp. Her intense reaction made me laugh automatically.

"Why do you hate it so much? Being prettier than an elf is a compliment, isn't it?"

"Still... it's embarrassing..."

"You are pretty, though."

"Ugh... Stop it..."

Mari seemed to melt under the continuous attacks. When she rested her forehead on the table, I shrugged.

"Then what should I say? Princess?"

"......"

"Our princess. What are you doing lying there? Not eating?"

Maybe because I teased her so much.

"Aah!"

"Ouch! Sorry! Sorry! I won't do it again! Sorry!"

Mari jumped up from her seat and bit my neck tightly. Even though I apologized, she held on for a while, clearly harboring resentment.

"Isaac."

"Yes?"

"What's that on your neck? Did you get attacked by a wild animal?"

"......"

The next day, Cecil, who was sitting next to me, asked this. Unfortunately, it was in a part of my uniform that couldn't hide it, so it was visible.

I smiled awkwardly in response to her question and rubbed my neck. If Mari were here, she might have bitten Cecil again.

"It's not a wild animal, just a dog."

"For a dog bite, the teeth marks are pretty clear. Did Mari bite you?"

"...Yes."

"Hmm... I've heard something like this before. They say that people sometimes eat their lover's flesh. Do humans sometimes..."

"No, that's definitely not true."

If that were the case, I would have already eaten Mari's face. Cecil looked at me with a strange expression at my strong denial and then let it go.

"Got it. I was worried you might get eaten, Isaac."

"Hahaha... Mari often bites me."

"Are you happy?"

Cecil, while organizing her notes, asked me casually. The question felt a bit pointed, creating a sense of tension.

I stared at her profile. As usual, a playful smile was on her lips, making it hard to guess her true feelings.

"...Yes, I'm happy."

"Is that so. Well, it's a bit of a silly question, isn't it? I'm a bit envious of Mari."

Then, Cecil muttered softly, almost inaudibly.

"I have more... than her..."

"...What?"

"Oh, Isaac. I have something I want to give you today."

Despite my surprise, Cecil handed me an envelope that was tucked between her notes. It looked like a letter.

I took it awkwardly, and Cecil smiled. Her red eyes emitted a seductive light, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.

"You have to read it alone in your room. Got it?"

"...What is this?"

"It's nothing much. Just..."

Cecil, trailing off, smiled sincerely and leaned in close. Just as I was taken aback, she whispered in my ear.

"Maybe it's my true feelings towards my benefactor?"

"......"

My ear tingled, making my body shiver.