Translator: Nox

While Others Became Female Leads In Romantic Fantasy Novels, I Became A Closet Monster

Chapter 10

An awkward silence continued to linger, so I decided to change the subject.

I gripped my pen properly again and looked at the notebook as I asked.

“Didi, how do you write ‘Become rich’?”

He gave a faint smile and wrote the words down in the notebook for me.

“What about ‘Let’s be happy’?”

“Like this.”

He wrote the words next to ‘Become rich.’

I copied them exactly, added Didi’s name, and handed it to him.

“I want Didi to be happy.”

Although I was doing this to save my own life, I truly did want Didi to be happy.

He had lost his mother and spent a miserable childhood being neglected by his father….

Regardless, Dedrick would eventually find happiness in the end.

‘But if he’s going to be happy anyway, he might as well start being happy now.’

It was heartbreaking to see a young child already living while constantly walking on eggshells around others.

Since the Grand Duke left for the Imperial Capital earlier than expected, the meeting with him fizzled out.

Consequently, the incident with the book was buried as well.

I was disappointed to lose the chance to give Somerset and Axel a taste of their own medicine, but I knew well enough that they wouldn't stop here anyway.

Still, thanks to that, I found myself with some free time, so I focused on copying and memorizing simple words in the notebook.

As if determined to teach me how to read and write, Dedrick was more passionate than ever.

I didn't think being illiterate would particularly hinder my life, but I decided to go along with him.

“These are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. In order.”

“Spring… Summer, Autumn… Winter.”

“This is the starting point, and it has to end here.”

Whenever I struggled to write, Dedrick would wrap his hand over mine as I held the pen, guiding me with kindness and detail.

To be honest, it wasn't a bad way to spend time.

In fact, it was enjoyable.

Seeing Dedrick brighten up, and growing closer to him.

I liked the present so much that I never wanted to go back to the days when no one noticed me and I couldn't talk to anyone.

As I was concentrating on my writing, I heard a small chuckle above my head and snapped my gaze up.

My eyes met Dedrick’s, who was smiling.

“Why?”

“No reason, just….”

“Am I bad at this?”

“No. You’re doing great.”

He stroked my hair encouragingly.

“I’m not distracting you from your studies, am I?”

“No. I’m studying right here beside you.”

If that was the case, then fine.

I went back to writing down the words he had written, sounding them out softly.

“Spring… Summer.”

Autumn, Winter.

“Didi, which season do you like?”

“I’ve never really thought about it…. What about you?”

My answer came without a moment’s hesitation.

“Winter! I love being inside the wardrobe in winter because it’s cozy and quiet.”

“Doesn't it feel stifling?”

“How could it be stifling for a closet monster? I love being inside the wardrobe. When I'm in there, I don't have to think about anything….”

“Ah, I don't usually think anyway.”

He couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

As expected of the world's most beautiful man—even as a boy, he was something else.

It was a great loss to the world for a boy like him not to smile.

He caught me looking and quickly wiped the smile from his face.

“I like it when you smile.”

“Smile a lot, okay?”

That’s how good fortune finds you.

In the novel, it was nearly impossible for anyone other than the female lead to see Dedrick’s smile.

He was a male lead who was sweet only to her.

Dedrick looked bashful.

How cute. Children really are adorable.

I was watching him fondly when the door burst open without a knock.

Since this was a common occurrence, Dedrick didn't look startled as he turned his head.

There stood Luan, Somerset’s servant, with a sullen face and a crooked posture.

I knew his name—he was three or four years older than Somerset—because he was one of the people who bullied Dedrick.

And he did it by hiding behind Somerset’s back.

It was a classic novel cliché.

Servants who didn't know their place and bullied the master they were supposed to serve.

Fools who deluded themselves into thinking they were superior to him.

Luan was exactly that type.

“Hey, the first young master is calling for you. Get out here now.”

He even spoke to him casually, without any respect.

I hopped down from the chair and promptly kicked Luan in the shin.

Thwack!

Dedrick looked at me with a slightly bewildered face, as if asking why I had suddenly hit him.

“He’s being disrespectful. You’re a master of the Blackwood family.”

“And he’s one of the kids who bullies Didi.”

Even before I regained my memories of my past life, I knew Luan used to bully Dedrick in small ways, like shoving his shoulder or tripping him.

“I’m sorry for pretending not to notice back then.”

Part of it was because I had ignored it, thinking it wasn't my business.

Back then, since no one could see or talk to me, I didn't really process things deeply.

I just lived, letting time flow by.

Then I remembered my past life, and although I was helping Dedrick now to save myself, I also felt a great sense of guilt for having turned a blind eye for so long.

Dedrick remained still for a moment at my words, then shook his head as if telling me not to apologize.

“I’ll help you from now on, so don't be scared.”

He gave a faint smile.

“W-what was that all of a sudden? Was that you?”

Dedrick’s brow furrowed slightly. Of course, it wasn't visible because of his long bangs, but his expression clearly showed his disbelief at Luan's words.

Luan seemed to realize how ridiculous he sounded and looked around for no reason.

As if to prevent Luan from thinking too deeply, Dedrick asked him.

“My brother is calling for me? Where should I go?”

“Ah…. Go to the training ground.”

Luan rubbed his shin and frowned.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get out here.”

This guy!

His attitude is absolutely atrocious.

Just as I was about to kick him again, Dedrick blocked me with his hand, shielding me.

“Wait outside. I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Don't be funny, come out right now. You think I don't know you’re planning to run away?”

“Then you can just stand guard in front of the door.”

“Ha. Are you talking to me right now….”

“Get out.”

When Dedrick gave a cold command, unlike his usual self, Luan flinched before snapping back irritably.

“Y-you’d better not think about running away!”

Luan slammed the door shut as he left.

“Didi, look at him. He’s scared.”

“Is he… scared?”

“Yes! Didi must have been really scary! You did great!”

I felt oddly triumphant seeing Luan tuck his tail and run at Dedrick’s momentum.

Ever since the confrontation with Somerset, Dedrick no longer cowered excessively.

It was truly a remarkable change.

“Let’s go now, Didi.”

“No.”

I naturally tried to follow him out, but he held me back and shook his head.

“Stay here….”

“…Please stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

Dedrick did not want me to follow him.

“Okay, I understand. Be careful.”

The girl nodded and saw Dedrick off.

Dedrick carefully checked the girl’s expression, but fortunately, there was no sign of offense.

He let out a sigh of relief and stepped out of the room.

Luan glanced at him and began walking ahead with long strides. Dedrick followed behind him, almost running to keep up.

Dedrick was used to this kind of treatment.

The servants on the Grand Duchess’s side, if not the others, had always treated him like this.

It was nothing new.

No one ever felt sorry, and they considered it natural.

That was why he was happy when the girl apologized and said, ‘I’m sorry.’

Very much so.

That was the reason.

That was why he wanted to show her even less. He didn't want her to see him helplessly being hit by Somerset’s wooden sword at the training ground.

He didn't want to show her his weakness.

He knew that she would not only feel pity for him but would even try to step in for him, and he didn't want the girl to get hurt because of that.

But he couldn't bring himself to say these words out loud.

It was Dedrick’s pride, if one could call it that.

As he stepped outside, a wave of hot air washed over him.

He thought of the girl as he walked toward the training ground.

‘It’ll be okay.’

Dedrick clenched his fists tight.

Because there was a girl who told him he was more precious than anything, he could find courage.

Dedrick calmed his heart, which was racing with fear, and looked ahead at the training ground they had arrived at.

In the center stood Somerset, playfully twirling a wooden sword.

Somerset saw Dedrick standing there, stiff with tension, and let out a deep, mocking laugh.