Secret (2)

I stared at Marie, utterly unable to make sense of the situation. Her expression was a mixture of anxiety, nervousness, and anger.

She was also clutching a book protectively. Judging by its appearance, it was the newly released Volume 9 of The Chronicle of Xenon. I looked back and forth between Marie's face and The Chronicle of Xenon, utterly confused.

Marie’s timing was strange enough, but what puzzled me even more was how she had found us here. Had she happened to be at this café and spotted us, or had she followed us?

While I was struggling to make sense of the situation, Marie's gaze, which had been fixed on me, shifted behind me. Specifically, toward where Cecily was sitting.

After staring at Cecily for a long while, she shifted her gaze back to me. Strong suspicion filled her blue eyes.

"...Isaac."

Marie called my name in a chilly voice. At her call, I turned to face her, startled.

Then she stared at my face once more before curling up the corners of her lips. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were not smiling at all.

"Your face is red?"

"... ..."...