My chest kept pounding, and as I thought of what to say, I couldn't find anything else to do other than respond in honestly.
"Yes. I am Lewis Griffith." A gulp escaped my mouth the moment I tightly shut my eyes the moment I was done.
'Shit. What am I doing?!'
The atmosphere was awkward as heck, and I had never been so anxious in my life as Jared Leonard.
'Telling Maria how I feel is one thing... but also telling her I'm an old man, that's crazy!'
I had ultimately done the one thing I was trying to avoid.
'Shit! Shit! Shit!'
As I was cursing within myself, my turn came. The moment it came, I already knew what I was going to ask.
"How did you find out, that I'm Lewis Griffith?"
My mind was swarming with possibilities, but it was better to ask the source herself, wasn't it?
So, I waited in anxiety and suspense, Maria parted her lips and spoke.
"I wasn't actually the one who found out. It was... Ana..."
'Uh?! Ana? How in the world did she—?!'
"She has been suspecting it for some time. How you had access to Lewis Griffith's secrets, how you found his treasure trove by chance, how you're close to Jane Ursula—one of Lewis Griffith's closest friends—and how the Mad Witch herself calls you Lewis."
The more Maria spoke, the more I realized that I had been dripping clues for a long time now, but I underestimated their intelligence—especially Ana's—to pick up those subtle hints.
"She still isn't certain, though, but she's closer than ever in her suspicion."
Maria went further to tell me how Ana observed my interaction with Lemi.
When she got closer to her, the girl figured out the connection between Lewis Griffith and Lemi... thereby establishing a connection to me—since I was always doting on her.
The nature of my Original Magic, and how I was so knowledgeable about the Arcanas—even Magic, generally.
Once Maria broke it down, I was impressed how Ana was able to arrive at such a conclusion—using even the subtlest of hints as reference.
"She only spoke to me about it since she wanted me to keep a close eye on you. I don't know if she said anything to Lemi, though..."
'Oh no!'
If Lemi knew, it would explain why she had been so rash toward me lately.
Well, there were a couple of reasons for that, but it sort of made sense that she realized I was her father and began putting up an attitude... especially because I was still keeping it secret.
'Just how many things have been going on in everyone's head that I know nothing about?'
People were complex creatures, and maybe I had forgotten that.
'Everyone has various things going on in their mind... even Neron.'
My thoughts flashed to Jane, and I felt an ache within me for some reason.
Ultimately, I was too self-engrossed to see it, but... I had really neglected the emotions of everyone.
'That's probably why they neglected me.'
"I-I see..." I murmured, quickly silencing myself before the Pope put me in trouble.
"Last question from the guy, then we call it a wrap!" His voice boomed, causing my eyes to bulge slightly.
'This... is the final question?!'
There were so many new things I wanted to ask Maria—so many questions popped into my head.
At least, using this game, I could guarantee the correct answer.
In the end,
"D-do you..." I struggled to form the right words.
My eyes hesitantly glanced at her, and while her expression was blank and stoic, I felt she was probably mulling over everything that my identity represented.
"I'm too anxious to know what she thinks about it... I can't ask her that!'
Thinking about the question, on and on again, nothing fruituitus came through.
Ultimately, I had to settle for the most basic question.
"Why... do you like me?"
There was a chance that Maria no longer had any feelings for me.
At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.
I was way older than I represented myself to be. I lied to everyone, making them believe I was a special kid instead of an old sage.
There were so many things wrong in so many levels.
'But, the ball is in your court, Maria...' I stared at her.
Whether or not she still had feelings for me, I was certain things would be a mess after the game.
"I... I like you because you're special. I can't out my hands on it, but there's something about you that's not like everyone else. It might seem selfish, but that's the reason I like you... and why I want you."
Maria's eyes sparkled with interest—in fact, more so than ever.
"You're one of a kind... and I want you for myself."
My cheeks were instantly flushed with pink, and I looked at Maria with tensed surprise.
She was blushing as well, but her calm face made her appear more confident and sure of herself than I was.
'I can't believe this...'
Maria, despite knowing everything, still professed to have feelings for me... and she still even wanted me?
I couldn't comprehend it entirely.
'Maybe... maybe this is—'
"That's the last question for the game, everyone! I'm almost too sad to see it end." The Pope smiled as he charged forward, interrupting my thought.
Now standing between Maria and I, so I could hardly see her beautiful face, the tall man smiled and began talking.
"Now that we have concluded the round, it is time for the most important factor of this game..."
The audience was carried along by the man, and they all appeared to know what he would be saying.
"It's time for the judging phase."
A bead of sweat fell from my face and I fought to maintain my composure.
"Did they prove their love for each other? Will true love prevail, despite the challenges? I wonder..." He smiled beaming to the false projections of people in front of him.
The moment of truth was now upon us.
*
*
*
[A/N]
If you enjoy this book, I know another one you'd love just as much.
It's my newest book titled 'Ascension Of The Failed Mage.'
You can check it out and add it to your library. I promise it'll be worth every second.
https://www.webnovel.com/book/ascension-of-the-failed-mage_24898011105190405
Cheers!
