Chapter 68: Storm (3)

Even in the moment when I realized my status once again, Rina didnt raise her head. Looking straight ahead, I saw her golden hair pouring down like a waterfall.

It seems like she has no intention of raising her head until I speak. Although I cannot see her face and do not know what expression she is making, she must be nervous.

First, I will accept Rinas apology. If I dont accept the apology while the imperial princess bows her head, it will become a problem in itself.

And at the moment when I dont accept the apology, the emotion that has been crawling up inside me will be expressed. I havent been able to accurately understand the nature of this emotion until now, but Rinas apology allowed me to realize it.

Power

As I was reborn into this world, the thing I despised the most was the unjust power structure, yet ironically, the emotion bubbling up in my heart right now is the desire for power.

In my past life, I was just a writer who enjoyed writing, but now I have become someone who can dominate the world. Moreover, the demon princess and the imperial princess are favoring me while adopting a humble attitude.

Who wouldnt be swayed by this ambition? I can say with certainty that no one can resist the irresistible force of power, even someone who originally disliked it.

Therefore, if I take one more step forward here, I will be swallowed up by power. However, power always leads people to ruin.

I want something other than power

I said to Rina, who was waiting for my answer with her head down.

Please raise your head, Rina.

As I spoke calmly, Rina slowly raised her head to face me, but her expression was very dark, and her once-beautiful features had lost their luster, as if she had gone through all sorts of trials and tribulations.

I didnt know what to say, so I hesitated for a moment before speaking quietly.

Since Rina is aware of her own mistakes, theres nothing to say about that, but its a bit too late, isnt it?

If you wanted to apologize, it should have been when you called me and my sister, not now. If you had apologized then, Miss Rina, then I would have felt even a little bit of sincerity in your apology. Otherwise, you should have apologized as soon as volume 10 of Xenons Biography was released, or at least before the situation blew up. If you apologize now, I cannot see it in a positive light, no matter what.

As I spoke slowly and thoughtfully, Rins expression grew darker and she seemed uneasy, as if she didnt think I would accept her apology.

I paused for a moment, clasped my hands together, and took some time to think. I needed to organize my thoughts in my head.

After about a minute had passed, I glanced at my reflection in the coffee cup before opening my mouth.

To be honest, I never imagined the situation would become so serious. I simply declared a hiatus for my studies. And as you can see from what the authors note said, I was writing Xenons Biography just as a hobby, without any purpose or ideology.

I had already told this to Marie. Glancing at her, I could see that she was looking at me with a face full of trust.

I almost reached out to her face, but I restrained myself since it would be inappropriate given the situation. Even in this awkward situation, I could feel the gravity of the moment.

Of course, the fundamental reason for my hiatus was the pressure from Miss Rina and Lord Leort. I really love my family. If my sister had not convinced me at that time, I might have quit writing altogether.

Ahh

Rinas response to my sincere story was quite notable. Her already pale face turned blue due to her lack of blood.

Thats the only fortunate thing about this unfortunate situation. Its because of my own mistakes and greed that things didnt turn out worse than they did.

As I watched her lips tremble, I couldnt help but smile inwardly. Its not that I dont understand Rinas perspective. She was born into a much higher position than most people and has lived that way all her life.

Shes probably naturally inclined to the concept of being a superior being. She sees herself as the emperors daughter, someone who can act with much greater freedom than others. So, she thought its okay to pressure the author of Xenons Biography.

I was able to live a life disconnected from authority because of my memories from a past life, but Rina doesnt have that luxury. Given her education from an early age, its understandable that there are certain limitations she has to deal with.

Umthis is getting a bit long, but Ill accept your apology for now. The fact that Rina personally apologized means that the situation is serious, and its not good for me either. Especially given the public opinion, theres a lot of criticism towards the Minerva Empire, isnt there?

Thats right. And

Before that, theres something I want to say. Maybe its a request.

Before Rina could finish her sentence, I cut her off abruptly. It might be rude to the point of being incomprehensible, but I still hold the upper hand.

Rina also knows this, so she couldnt say anything and just kept her mouth shut. I dont know what shes thinking, but from her dark expression, shes probably just bearing with it for now.

I told Marie this as well, but Im just writing Xenons Biography as a hobby. I listen to my fathers stories and use them as a basis for the stories I want to write. I dont know if youre aware, but when a hobby becomes a job, its really not fun anymore. So please

I hope you dont interfere as much as before. Like when you called people and pressured them as you pleased.

I apologize again for that part.

As Rina spoke with a gloomy voice and lowered her head, I quickly stopped her. There was no need for a princess or someone like her to lower her head twice. It made me uncomfortable too.

You dont have to apologize twice. Once is enough.

Thank you.

Just speak freely. And the suggestion I want to make is

As I spoke vaguely and glanced around, Rinas expression tensed up. Sitting next to her, Marie looked at me with an expectant face, wondering what I was going to say.

I could not help but hesitate whether I should really make this suggestion. In this world, there are classes with firm authority based on them.

Therefore, the suggestion I was going to make might damage Rinas authority. But my desire whispered softly in my heart.

If taking a step forward was too difficult, why not take only half a step? Or why not take a step and immediately withdraw?

So I suggested to Rina.

Please let me speak freely.

What?

As Rina made an expression of not understanding, I explained again.

Please let me call you Rina when I address you, instead of calling you Miss Rina.

Equality, not power.

I may have a slightly peculiar personality, but I find it more comfortable to treat others on an equal footing rather than belittling them. Conversely, I strongly dislike it when someone blatantly uses their power to oppress me.

Unlike Aira, who was part of our group project and used her power to overtly oppress me, causing the situation to suddenly take a turn for the worse.

When the issue arose, she misunderstood the situation and took a submissive stance, acknowledging my superiority.

However, I dislike uncomfortable relationships. I find it much better to have a comfortable relationship with each other, like Marie.

Some people may wonder why I make such suggestions, but in fact, my suggestion itself is quite dangerous. It could damage Rinas authority and make her feel bad.

Although the situation has now changed, it could become even more dangerous if Rina holds a grudge against me in the future. Thats why I compromised and made the proposal.

Perhaps it was an unexpected proposal. Rina listened to my suggestion and had a bewildered expression. At the same time, she looked at Marie, who was sitting next to me.

I also naturally turned to Marie, but she had a sulky face. Im not sure why, but she seemed full of complaints.

Did my suggestion not appeal to her? Still, it was clear that she respected my decision by not complaining.

Is that all?

After a brief moment of silence, Rina cautiously asked me in a hesitant voice. It seemed like she couldnt easily accept it.

I answered by nodding my head without saying a word. Oh, of course, I didnt forget to say one more thing.

And Rina, please dont use honorifics with me and speak casually. Its uncomfortable.

Uh okay. Is that the only thing?

Yes.

Why? What do you gain from speaking informally with me?

She sure talks a lot. I looked at Rina, who spoke with a tone that seemed to imply she couldnt understand, with a subtle gaze.

It was a face demanding an answer with a crumbling poker face. So I opened my mouth with a smirk.

There are many benefits. It makes me feel at ease.

Th. most uptodat nvels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

Ill say it again, but Im not writing about Xenons Biography for any specific purpose. Its just a hobby. So I dont really want anything, and as long as the readers enjoy it, thats enough.

Did she realize that I was sincere?

I dont understand.

Rina murmured softly with a disoriented face.

I asked her again as if it didnt matter.

So will you accept it and talk to me informally?

That day, I became equal with the princess

Hmph.

My cute girlfriend seemed to be dissatisfied.

Translators note:

Chapter end