Chapter 244 – eting with Bella.
The next day arrived, and my eting with Bella is today. It was supposed to be yesterday, but I ended up staying up all night and then slept through the entire day. Hestia should have woken
up, but she didn't.
When I ca downstairs in the morning, breakfast was already prepared, and Bella was waiting for
in the dining room. Elma was with her.
"Good morning," I said, smiling.
I sat down across from Bella, and she greeted .
"Good morning, Luan. It's a pleasure to see you again."
"The pleasure is mine. I'm really sorry about yesterday…"
"Oh, it's fine! The Goddess told
you spent the night writing and slept through the whole day."
"It's just that the night was a bit rough. I went to a dinner that got out of hand and ended up getting really upset. I ca ho and started writing, and I couldn't stop until I realized it was already daylight."
"I see. But don't worry, I don't mind. You're the most important person here, after all—I have no right to be upset over sothing like that," Bella said, lowering her head slightly.
"Co on, don't say that. You're just as important as I am. Your drawings bring my stories to life."
"You're exaggerating! You're the one who gives life to the story… Besides, you even help
with the illustrations."
"Oh, stop this pointless talk," Elma interrupted.
"She's right. We want to hear about the artwork for your next books!" said Lili, who was also sitting at the table.
Mikoto nodded in agreent.
But I said, "I want you two out of here. Lili, don't you have work? And Mikoto, shouldn't you be training?"
"But—!"
"I've stopped training… because of that," Mikoto said, blushing.
Right… I had forgotten about that.
Mikoto hasn't been going to the dungeon as often as before. She knows it could be risky.
"Alright. Lili, go to work, and Mikoto, head to your room. I don't want to spoil anything for you two—it'll ruin the experience."
"I don't mind."
" neither."
"But won't you get fired if you skip work?"
"It's fine. I don't really need that money anyway," Lili said with a laugh.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
She was right—she doesn't need the money since I give her everything. But I thought she liked that job. She doesn't have to work, so I assud she did it just to stay active.
But apparently, that's not the case.
She just wants to get fired and stay ho all day like the other two.
Huff~~ I took a deep breath and said, "Fine. But don't expect too many details."
I pulled so papers from my inventory. They were the covers for the upcoming volus of Re:Zero and Overlord, along with the cover for the first volu of Roo and Juliet. This ti, I made them much simpler.
I could draw sothing better, but I didn't want to go overboard and end up discouraging Bella.
I handed her the papers, and as soon as she looked at them, she was captivated.
"They're all so beautiful…"
"Don't exaggerate. I kept the drawings very simple."
"Hey, let us see too!"
"I want to see!"
Lili and Mikoto ca over to look at the illustrations.
"What do you an by 'simple'? They're beautiful and detailed!" Mikoto said.
"She's right, Luan! These artworks are amazing!"
I smiled faintly and stayed quiet.
Bella continued to study the illustrations for a while and then said, "Are you sure you want
to keep doing the covers?"
"Of course I do. And besides the covers, you also need to create the internal illustrations for the next volus of Re:Zero and Overlord. This ti, I won't help you."
"What do you an?"
"You'll read the upcoming volus and decide what to illustrate. This will be your task alone. I want to see how you do."
"What?! Elma, you didn't tell
about this!"
"I didn't know either. Luan, I was expecting you'd tell her what she needed to draw."
"I just want to see what Bella can do. I trust her. If she doesn't do a good job, I'll say so and help her—even if it delays the release a little."
"Ughhh… This is going to be hard."
"No need to get so nervous. You're amazing—you'll do a great job."
"Thanks for the complint, but I doubt I'll be able to please you," Bella said, her pale cheeks slowly turning red.
####
After the eting ended, Bella and Elma invited
to have lunch with them at a restaurant, and I accepted. The eting lasted longer than I expected. Even though I said I wouldn't help Bella, I ended up giving her a lot of tips.
We even read parts of each volu together.
Of course, Mikoto and Lili were thrilled.
We sat down at a nearby restaurant. Elma suggested we go to the Hostess of Fertility, but I refused.
They asked why, but of course, I didn't say.
"I don't want to run into Freya right now."
As soon as the food was served, Bella asked,
"Luan, about this new book…"
"You said you liked it a lot."
"Yes, I really liked the idea. But where did you find the inspiration to write sothing like this?"
"Hmmm…" I thought for a mont as I put so food in my mouth. After chewing and swallowing, I answered, "I read a story a long… long ti ago. When I was still a child."
I read Roo and Juliet when I was in elentary school. Yes, I already loved reading even back then.
"You got the inspiration from that story?"
"Yes, exactly. A story about two enemies who fall in love. Two people who aren't supposed to be together. But I added a lot to it… and that's how Roo and Juliet ca to be."
"Incredible. I don't think I could ever create a new story like that. Even after reading Re:Zero and Overlord, I don't think I could ever write sothing similar."
"It's practice. Lots of practice and study. If you start writing, I'm sure you'll co up with great stories. You're a talented girl."
"…" Bella's face turned red.
After a bit more conversation, we finished our lunch, and I said goodbye to the two of them.
As soon as I got back ho, I went to my room to write a bit more.
It won't take long to finish the second Roo and Juliet book.
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