Chapter 68

■ Chapter 67. Storm (2) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

I can easily guess why Lina is asking for my time. She must want to calm the storm that started when the Zeon series was put on hiatus.

However, there is something to consider here: Lina did not call me through a spokesperson but came to see me directly. Last time, we met by chance, but in this case, she might have sent someone to call me.

In other words, the situation is serious enough that Lina needs to find me quickly and resolve it. From what I hear, protests are breaking out all over the empire.

Of course, the empire cannot easily overlook the fact that a major event like the 'Jeros Revolution' has occurred in the neighboring and rival kingdom of Ters.

Given these reasons, it might be natural for the princess Lina to show a humble attitude.

“But do you really need to be here?”

“What do you think Isaac will do?”

By the way, it's not just Lina and me; Mari has joined us too. As I mentioned earlier, Mari came along because she was worried that Lina might say something strange to me.

To me, it doesn't matter, but it does to Lina. Lina needs to have a confidential conversation, but Mari's insistence is making her somewhat irritated.

Of course, this is based on the assumption that Mari doesn't know my secret. Mari seems to be aware of this and glanced at Lina.

Lina's usual poker face was completely shattered, and she frowned, looking coldly. In response, Mari blew a raspberry and raised one corner of her mouth, replying calmly.

“And I also know Isaac's secret, you know? You don't think I'm the only one who knows, do you?”

“What? What do you mean...”

At Mari's answer, Lina looked at me for a moment, then alternated her gaze between Mari and me before closing her mouth tightly.

It was a sign that she had understood. She looked ahead and muttered in a low voice.

“...Right. If we're that close, you could know my secrets too.”

“Yeah, that's right. Unlike someone, I didn't force you to confess your secrets under pressure.”

“I didn't pressure you...!”

Lina, perhaps feeling hurt by Mari's sarcasm, almost shouted but managed to suppress it. She glanced at me.

It seems she was also hurt. In reality, the gap created by class differences is immense, and it increases exponentially in the ruling class.

Moreover, Lina must have entered politics at a young age, so she couldn't be unaware of this. In fact, she used this gap to pressure me and Nicole, and during the group project, she treated Jackson like a slave.

Lina must be well aware that her mere existence can put pressure on others.

And Lina must have thought I decided to go on hiatus because I couldn't withstand that pressure. The real reason was to take a break for my studies and to recharge, but the pressure was not entirely irrelevant.

If Lina and Leort hadn't pressured me, I might have continued writing.

“...Let's go to the café first. I want to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

Lina urged us with a voice that already sounded tired. Mari, deciding not to tease her further, said nothing.

In the chaotic atmosphere, I glanced at Lina and then met Mari's eyes. Mari smiled at me and folded her arms.

Then, she subtly pulled her arms towards her chest. Despite feeling the softness of her chest through her uniform, I only smiled.

We've done this kind of affectionate act many times, so my face only turned slightly red, but I wasn't embarrassed anymore.

“...It looks good.”

Lina looked at us with a subtle expression, as if she was watching us show affection in front of her. I smiled slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, but Mari, as if showing off, folded her arms more tightly and said,

“Jealous? Jealous? Even if you say you're jealous, I won't give Isaac to you.”

“I don't have the hobby of stealing other people's boyfriends.”

“You say that, but I can't trust you.”

As expected, Mari is strongly distrusting Lina. Lina only smiled bitterly and couldn't respond.

At such times, I always wonder what happened between them to form this relationship.

If Mari, who has a good personality, distrusts Lina to this extent, Lina must have done something seriously wrong. Of course, there might be a misunderstanding between them, so it would be good to hear their perspectives in the future.

“By the way, is Lord Leort here too? I heard he was there when Isaac and his sister were called.”

“...My brother has returned to the palace for an emergency meeting. He's probably getting a lot of scolding right now.”

“From the Emperor?”

In response to Mari's question, Lina nodded silently. I couldn't help but be surprised.

If the Emperor is reprimanding the Crown Prince, the matter must be serious. Perhaps Leort will apologize to me and Nicole later.

‘Wait a moment. Come to think of it, wasn't Nicole called too?’

If he's going to apologize, he should call Nicole too. But Lina only called me, which is a bit odd.

I stared at Lina's back as she walked ahead. Lina, sensing my gaze, turned her head and met my eyes.

“Do you have something to say? I can feel your gaze.”

“I was wondering if my sister wasn't called.”

“Nicole will meet my brother.”

It seems Leort has returned to the palace. Although I didn't understand, at least he will apologize, so I could let it go.

We arrived at the café Lina led us to and secured a room with good soundproofing and security. It was the same place where I had a private meeting with Cecilie before.

It felt strange, as it was the place where I almost had a major incident with Cecilie. The difference this time is that Mari is sitting next to me, and Lina is sitting opposite.

While I was thinking about this, an employee opened the door. They had prepared drinks in advance, even though we hadn't ordered anything.

“Don't come in until I call you. Understand?”

“Understood.”

It seems they had made a reservation in advance. Lina must have anticipated that I wouldn't refuse.

Of course, even if I had refused, Lina probably wouldn't have cared much. After all, she is a princess, and a mere café wouldn't dare to object.

I looked at the coffee with steam rising and then at Lina's face. Lina extended her hand as if to say it was okay to drink and spoke.

“You can drink. I didn't put anything strange in it, so don't misunderstand.”

“Thank you.”

“Why didn't you give me one?”

Mari, sitting next to me, grumbled. Indeed, there was nothing in front of her.

Lina probably only intended to call me, so she didn't make a reservation for Mari.

“I only planned to call Isaac. You barged in on your own.”

“Oh, is that so? Still, it's fortunate. I can stop you from doing something foolish.”

“Mari, I'm not as cunning as you think. It was something I couldn't avoid at the time.”

“Even if it was something you couldn't avoid, you shouldn't have done it. At that time...”

It seemed that Mari's emotions were rising, as if a trauma had been triggered. As I noticed her voice getting higher, I silently held her hand.

Mari, feeling my hand, shuddered and looked at me. When she met my eyes, her anger seemed to subside, and she exhaled deeply, speaking quietly.

“...Right. That's not important now. I understand.”

“Thank you for understanding. And... Isaac.”

“Yes, Princess Lina.”

I answered in my usual blunt tone. Lina, tense, looked at me and then sighed deeply.

Although she looked pitiful, I didn't feel sorry for her. After all, they were the ones who were wrong.

Then, Lina looked at me straight in the face and, after a moment, showed a determined expression. Seeing this, I thought something big was about to happen and waited silently.

“...First, I'll say this. My brother suspects that your father, Sir Hawk, is the author of the Zeon series. But I think differently. I believe Sir Hawk is just sharing his experiences, and the real author is you. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Indeed... that's the case.”

I could answer calmly, as I had no intention of denying it. Lina nodded at my answer and continued.

“Then... was the hiatus of the Zeon series because of us?”

“...”

“I won't make excuses by saying it wasn't intentional. I know my mere existence can put a lot of pressure on others. In that situation, you must have felt a lot of pressure.”

I said nothing. I planned to keep quiet until Lina got to the main point.

“So...”

After a brief pause, she looked at me and, with a voice lacking confidence, got to the main point.

“Because of us... did you decide to go on hiatus?”

“...”

“I want to know if you were really suffering mentally because of the pressure we put on you.”

Her question, which sounded pitiful, made me think deeply. As I mentioned earlier, the reason for the hiatus was for my studies and to recharge.

But if Lina and Leort hadn't pressured me, I might not have had such thoughts. I can't deny that the root cause lies with them.

I looked at Lina's anxious expression and spoke quietly.

“I can't say no.”

“...”

My ambiguous answer made Lina unable to control her emotions, and she clenched her lips. It seemed she was starting to lose control of her emotions.

I thought it was unexpected to see Lina, who usually has a poker face, and rubbed my neck. It seemed I needed to be sincere now.

“The reason I decided to go on hiatus is for my academy life and to recharge, specifically to establish the setting. But the fundamental reason is the pressure from my surroundings. If you two hadn't called me, I wouldn't have gone on hiatus.”

“...”

“Let me be clear: I have no intention of reversing the hiatus. I don't change my decisions once I've made them.”

Hearing my firm words, Lina showed a more complex expression and hesitated. Although I couldn't see it, her hands under the table were probably trembling with anxiety.

“...I understand.”

After a moment of contemplation, Lina showed a determined expression and looked at me straight. Mari, sitting next to me, didn't seem to care.

And...

“I'm sorry.”

Lina slowly bowed her head and apologized to me. Her golden hair, like threads of gold, slowly fell and rested on the table.

I widened my eyes at her apology but tilted my chin up. I had expected it, but the fact that the princess, the daughter of the emperor, was bowing to me and apologizing was quite something.

Just like when Cecilie sent me a letter, I felt a strange emotion rising in my chest.

“If the author suffered mentally because of us, I apologize again.”

“...”

“I won't ask you to reverse the hiatus. However, as you can see, protests are breaking out everywhere, and it's spreading to a level where it's difficult to suppress. So, please... can you help resolve this situation?”

Listening to Lina's request, which she made even while bowing, I realized something.

‘...Fame is truly terrifying.’

The influence I have on the world is far beyond what I imagined.

‘I can't take a hiatus lightly anymore.’

I realized that I won't be able to take a hiatus as I please in the future.