Chapter – 02
Pen name: Shell Yvire.
A romance author shrouded in mystery, revealing absolutely nothing about their identity, age, gender, or any other details.
Author Shell Yvire, who appeared like a comet out of nowhere, hasn’t been in the industry for very long. The reason they’re such a hot topic, however, is that every work they’ve published so far has broken the highest sales records in the Iazar Kingdom.
Author Yvire’s writing wasn’t the kind that employed noble speech patterns.
But through universally relatable themes, historical settings, and a smooth, readable writing style, they had a talent for making characters feel as if they were truly alive and breathing. It made readers deeply empathize with the characters’ actions.
Because of this, minor incidents had occurred, even making it into the local newspapers once.
The problem stemmed from the nobles dismissing Author Yvire’s works as light, popular novels only fit for commoners to read.
‘Those idiots. A novelist making a lot of money is a miracle in any dimension.’
Even though the publishing house, having raked in money thanks to the author, had its building refurbished until it sparkled, the nobles looked down on them with a disdain different from that reserved for merchants who had become nouveau riche and bought titles.
Does this guy think the same way? Then why did he take my side earlier?
Unconsciously, I replayed the earlier conflict in my mind.
Lady Clenotte, fully aware that I had been consistently speaking favorably about Author Yvire, didn’t stop her forced, malicious remarks. Even though she knew I was the one and only young lady of the Ruar Duchy, she sarcastically mocked my every word. If she wasn’t stupid, she truly had the makings of a general.
Neither of us was the first to let go of the handfuls of each other’s hair we had grabbed. Thanks to that, the fight dragged on pointlessly, and it was precisely in this state that Marquis Shane d’Orelleano discovered us.
We, foolishly aware that showing this ugly sight to others would do us no good, froze like ice upon seeing the Marquis.
But…….
“This is, after all, the historic royal ballroom where the final event of the debutante season is held…… I doubt His Highness the Crown Prince would appreciate any further disturbance.”
Shane d’Orelleano mediated the situation politely, without a hint of a sneer.
” I thought it would be best for both of you to stop here, so I dared to intervene despite the rudeness. Ladies, for my sake, please calm down. If you do, I can also forget everything that just happened and return to the ballroom with peace of mind.”
The Marquis d’Orelleano’s voice, which commanded attention, held an elegance that felt out of place in this chaotic scene.
The kindness of noticing the torn left sleeve of my deep blue dress and lending me the light robe he was wearing. The consideration of quietly sending his own servant to fetch my guardian, Aunt Susan, who had accompanied me, instead of leaving it to disoriented me.
I was momentarily captivated by his actions, which were so dignified they seemed innate.
Until that moment, I thought I knew nothing about that man.
When he finally introduced himself, the excited voice of my personal maid, Tasha, belatedly flashed through my mind.
Simultaneously, I finally realized why Lady Clenotte and her group were staring at Marquis d’Orelleano with eyes popping out.
He was the very subject of the rumors whispered everywhere in high society, ‘They say the Marquis is *that* handsome.’
‘A supporting character as handsome as Kibern…….’
Shane d’Orelleano. Unlike Liberita Ruar, who had at least a speck of dust’s worth of presence in the original novel, he was a character who didn’t appear at all.
Whether he knew my serious thoughts or not, Marquis d’Orelleano continued speaking.
“Many nobles reject it, calling it too light and lacking refinement, but you, Lady, seem to have no such aversion at all. I found that interesting.”
“Did you follow me to indirectly tell me that I am indeed lacking refinement right now? Fine, my refinement is dead.”
Tired and overly sensitive, I bluntly voiced my rough inner thoughts in response to the Marquis’s words.
But the Marquis, still with an enigmatic expression, gave a slight smile and replied.
“It’s not that far. Actually, I’ve been aware of Lady Liberita Ruar’s existence for some time. I’ve secretly felt a sense of closeness.”
At this unexpected statement, my eyes widened, I took a defensive step back, and even at my reaction, the Marquis began listing off my past fan activities regarding my favorite author, as if there was much more to say.
“Because I knew that you, Lady, were the noble scion who had sent the most letters to Author Shell Yvire, via the weekly ‘Plant’ magazine office and Emoth Publishing.”
I was so shocked I could only clamp my mouth shut.
“You look like you’re wondering how I know that.”
“…….”
“I discovered and have been sponsoring Author Yvire.”
……What?
I quickly scanned through the contents of the novel I had possessed in my mind.
I didn’t even need to concentrate for long. I possessed this body not long after finishing the original novel, so I remember it very well.
This guy wasn’t mentioned in the original.
“His books were produced at the Emoth printing house, owned by House Orelleano. The weekly magazine is owned by Plant, not Orelleano, so I don’t know the details of their operations.”
“…….”
I admit it.
The reason I got so emotionally charged with Lady Clenotte that it escalated to a physical fight was because I had been hearing infuriating fan-shaming comments all throughout the spring social season, which had left me highly sensitive.
Moreover, after days of enduring high-heeled shoes, an uncomfortable corset squeezing my ribs so tight my insides felt like they’d pop out, heavy makeup and hair accessories, and maintaining the demeanor expected of a Duke’s daughter while being conscious of others’ gazes, my nerves were already on edge, sharp as needles.
Get a grip.
I need to return to my usual self, pull myself together, take a step back, and assess the situation.
I’m sorry for being suspicious right away, but I have to consider the possibility that this guy is a scammer targeting me, the only daughter of the Ruar family, for our wealth.
‘He might be making a move because he knows I’m crazy about Author Yvire.’
I forced myself to stay calm and probed the suspicious points one by one.
“Right now… isn’t it quite rude to Author Yvire for you, Marquis, to openly describe an author you personally discovered as a ‘popular novelist’ that nobles like yourself dislike?”
“There’s no need for rudeness. Because Shell Yvire himself thinks so too.”
It felt like someone had chopped my neck with the edge of their hand, blocking my windpipe.
“Furthermore, isn’t the currently serialized <The Misfortune of Baron Chern> particularly like that? It’s stimulating, unnecessarily romantic. All the nobles tremble with disdain, calling it frivolous, but you, Lady, seem unaffected. That’s why I said it was interesting.”
“…Does the author truly think of their own work that way?”
“Especially this current one.”
Before I knew it, Marquis d’Orelleano had stepped much closer to me. A large shadow loomed over me. I had to crane my neck sharply to look up at his face, which was far above.
“‘A vulgar, problematic writer of popular novels’… that’s how he introduced himself.”
At that low whisper, I instinctively covered my mouth with one hand.
“So, there’s no need for you to go around defending Shell Yvire author by author, as an ardent reader. It only serves to tarnish your own reputation, Lady…”
“That’s so cool.”
“Pardon?”
My genuine feelings leaked out spontaneously.
Author Yvire, with their characteristic mystique, gave even short interviews as rarely as hen’s teeth.
What their intention was in writing such stories, why the protagonist acted a certain way, what foreshadowing the appearance of this white flower held—it was considered established fact that even if readers sent letters to the publishing house, no answers would come back.
And in such a situation… I was hearing all sorts of things from the mouth of someone who claimed to have discovered Shell Yvire.
How did he discover them? Did he lure our author with his looks, perhaps?
‘If Marquis d’Orelleano’s words are true…’
No matter what, the author is someone who, within this class-based society, uses the characters they create to clash against and fight the walls of patriarchy, expressing the greatness of love.
Especially their last work, <Katelyn>, wasn’t it about a woman hiding her identity for a certain reason and going out to play an active role in the actual Ten-Year War?
The author doesn’t care whether nobles read their work or not, and just writes romance with the steadfastness of a master artisan!
“…So cool.”
