While Others Became Female Leads In Romantic Fantasy Novels, I Became A Closet Monster
Chapter 14
“Ugh.”
Axel let out a groan as his hair was yanked.
I didn't care. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and dragged him toward the floor.
“Aaagh!”
Thud!
When he rolled off the bed, I gave his buttocks a sharp kick with my foot.
“Ack! Wh-who is it! Who’s there?!”
Axel cried out, frantically pulling the bell cord. A maid, jolted awake from her slumber, rushed in urgently.
“O-Young Master Axel!”
“S-someone is in here! Someone! They pulled my hair and kicked me!”
“Pardon…? Did you perhaps have a nightmare?”
“It wasn’t a nightmare! I clearly felt…!”
I placed my hands on my hips and let out a boisterous laugh.
“Hahaha! That feels so much better!”
Seeing Axel’s terrified face cleared away all my frustration.
“Try messing with Didi again! I’ll make sure you go through something far worse than this!”
I huffed, but slipped out of the room stealthily so the maid wouldn't notice me.
I made it look as though Axel had simply made a scene after a nightmare, rather than a ghost haunting.
Early that morning, Dedrick woke up even earlier than usual.
‘I think there was some sort of commotion last night….’
When the noise had woken Dedrick up, the girl had quietly patted his chest and spoken to him.
‘It seems Axel had a nightmare. He’s being punished for bullying Didi! So don't worry about it and go back to sleep.’
And then, the girl stayed by his side until he fell asleep.
Thanks to her, Dedrick was able to wake up feeling refreshed.
Dedrick looked at the tightly closed wardrobe and smiled slightly without realizing it. The mere fact that the girl was inside the wardrobe provided him with great comfort.
‘The person who only cares for me, the person who only I can see.’
A small flicker of emotion—whether it was joy, possessiveness, or a desire for exclusivity—rose up from within him.
Gently stroking the wardrobe, he left the room as quietly as possible.
The fact that he was practicing swordsmanship was a secret from the girl.
Truthfully, he wanted to tell her right away, but….
‘It’s embarrassing when I can’t even hold a sword properly.’
He didn't want to say anything until he had built up enough skill to protect her.
He just wanted to appear gallantly at a crucial moment, like the prince in the fairy tales his mother used to read to him long ago.
‘Though right now, she’s more like the prince.’
I want to be a prince, too.
‘Or even a princess would be fine….’
He actually preferred being protected by the girl.
Cupping his adorably flushed cheeks, he jogged slowly toward a small clearing on a hill located a significant distance from the main building.
When he arrived at the clearing on the hill, Jacob was already there waiting for him. Jacob welcomed him with a gentle smile.
“You’ve arrived. You found your way here well.”
“You gave good directions…. I didn't know a place like this existed.”
Dedrick wiped away his sweat and looked around the small clearing with wonder.
“Was there anyone following you on your way here?”
“No one followed me, but the Grand Duchess will likely find out what I’m doing soon.”
No matter where Dedrick went or what he did, everything eventually reached the Grand Duchess's ears, sooner or later.
Since several servants had witnessed him leaving his room at dawn, they would report it to the Grand Duchess immediately.
The Grand Duchess received detailed reports of Dedrick’s movements in that manner.
“Sir Jacob, you’ll likely be found out soon as well. She might let it slide on the first day, but….”
If Dedrick’s skills improved day by day, the Grand Duchess would not leave Jacob alone.
Since he belonged to the Black Hawk Knights, she wouldn't be able to pressure him too severely, but knowing he was a knight who couldn't even manifest Aura, she would certainly have something to say.
“It is fine. The Black Hawk Knights do not serve the Grand Duchess. We are knights of His Grace the Grand Duke, the master of Blackwood.”
No matter who a person married, the Black Hawks served only the master of Blackwood.
It was a somewhat arrogant stance, but they possessed the considerable skill to back it up. Because the Black Hawks existed, Blackwood existed, and because Blackwood existed, the Black Hawks existed.
“I will not yield. That is what I was taught by the Commander.”
Watching the confident and upright Jacob, Dedrick straightened his back.
“Then, I’ll be in your care.”
“Yes, Young Master. I may be a bit strict when I am teaching.”
“I don't care, as long as I can improve.”
Jacob was satisfied as he saw the blue eyes flashing through the gap in the boy's bangs.
This boy was ready.
He simply hadn't had the opportunity.
Dedrick’s limbs trembled as he walked down the hill.
‘I didn't expect the intensity to be this high….’
But it was alright. It was a level he could endure.
Dedrick steeled his resolve and ran hard, putting strength into his legs.
He had to build up his physical strength by running back to the main building.
Watching the morning sun slowly rise, Dedrick moved his legs faster. It would soon be time for the girl to wake up.
As he picked up his pace and ran, he soon arrived in front of the main building. As he wiped away his sweat and stepped inside, someone called out to him.
“Youngest Young Master.”
At that voice, Dedrick’s body visibly stiffened.
There was no way he wouldn't recognize that voice.
The Grand Duchess’s maid, and the woman who had colluded in making his mother the way she was.
Brown eyes looked down at him with an arrogant expression filled with mockery. Gemma curled her lips in satisfaction at the sight of the rigid Dedrick.
“Where have you been?”
He couldn't bring himself to answer and only bit his lip hard. The metallic taste of blood spread through his mouth.
Gemma took in every single one of Dedrick’s actions.
“I heard you had brightened up lately…. It seems that was just an exaggerated rumor.”
Gemma leaned forward and whispered close to his face.
“You look much better when you’re cowering, Young Master.”
It was a kind and soft voice, but to Dedrick, it sounded more cruel than any other voice.
He wanted to cover his ears, but he clenched his fists tightly and barely endured it.
And just as he managed to move his legs to pass by Gemma, she blocked his path once again.
Gemma enjoyed Dedrick’s pale, stricken expression before stepping back half a pace as if nothing had happened.
“Her Grace is looking for you, Young Master.”
“Follow me.”
Unable to refuse the leading Gemma, Dedrick eventually walked with his head hung low, looking only at her heels.
‘…I don't want to go.’
If only she were by my side….
He knew he shouldn't, but he wanted to lean on her.
Even though he knew she might find it annoying, he just….
“Didi! Where are you?”
Then, like a miracle, he heard the girl’s voice. Dedrick snapped his head up.
Gemma looked puzzled by his sudden change in expression.
‘Is there something there?’
But Gemma soon looked away from him as he flinched and lowered his head again.
While Dedrick wanted to shout that he was here, he also didn't want to.
He hated meeting the Grand Duchess more than death itself, but he also had a strong desire not to show his dispirited, helpless self to the girl.
That was why he had left her behind when he went to the training ground.
While Dedrick hesitated, they reached the Grand Duchess’s drawing room.
Gemma skillfully opened the door and gestured for him to enter quickly.
‘She said it would be okay. That everything would get better…. She said she believes in me.’
Repeating those words to himself, he moved his heavy feet. As he entered the drawing room, the Grand Duchess greeted him while setting down her teacup.
“Welcome, Dedrick.”
“Your unsightly appearance is the same as ever.”
The sentences flowing from her soft lips pierced Dedrick sharply.
In the end, he couldn't even make it near the sofa and stopped awkwardly in his tracks.
The Grand Duchess did not hide her mockery as she looked at Dedrick, who couldn't even sit down and had his shoulders hunched tight.
“Somerset and Axel said you had changed….”
Her eyes crinkled elegantly.
“It seems they’re still young and don't know any better. You’re still so….”
Her voice trailed off, and Delaney dropped the teacup she was holding straight down onto the floor.
Clatter!
At the sharp sound of breaking glass, Dedrick squeezed his eyes shut and trembled violently.
“A coward.”
