Translator: Nox

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

Chapter 15

Delaney sneered at him, crossing her legs pointedly. Her cold eyes swept over Dedrick from head to toe.

He was the precious son of the Grand Duke and Amelia, inheriting only their best traits—a child who should have grown up cherished.

Delaney had not forgotten the insult she endured not long ago. She soothed her lingering rage by taking it out on Dedrick, who bore such a striking resemblance to the Grand Duke.

“Did you receive the keepsakes safely?”

“I had no intention of giving them to you….”

Delaney eventually ground her teeth, her anger flaring.

Gemma, standing beside her, stepped closer to Dedrick and whispered.

“Isn’t your eye level a bit too high, Young Master?”

It was a command to kneel, but Dedrick forced his trembling legs to stay upright.

It was his final shred of pride.

Gemma placed a hand on his shoulder and pressed down hard. Her long fingernails dug into his flesh.

“Ugh!”

Dedrick gritted his teeth against the pain, but he refused to bend his knees.

A laugh escaped the Grand Duchess’s lips.

“Ah, so this is why Somerset said what he did.”

“……If, if you have something to say.”

“How dare you open your mouth in my presence.”

Dedrick was terrified by her frigid tone.

The events of that day felt like a giant shadow looming over him, ready to swallow him whole.

Without even looking at the pale-faced Dedrick, the Grand Duchess spoke.

“Who was it? Who changed you?”

“Was it that knight of the Black Falcon who treated you? It seems you went out to meet him early this morning.”

“For the sin of daring to change you, should I take matters into my own hands? Even if he is a knight of the Black Falcon, it wouldn’t be difficult to expel a pathetic wretch who can’t even manifest Aura.”

At the succession of threats, Dedrick’s body shook pitifully.

He felt as though he were falling endlessly into a pitch-black abyss.

‘I’m scared….’

Just as he felt he might suffocate.

‘Didi!’

The girl’s voice echoed in his head.

It was like a thin ray of grey light piercing through a dark, lightless cave.

‘I want Didi to be happy.’

The image of the girl’s brightly smiling face gave him a flicker of courage. Though he continued to tremble, Dedrick spoke his mind.

“Gra, Grand Duchess, with all due respect…… You were the one who gave permission for me to learn as much as I liked, should someone appear to teach me swordsmanship.”

She was momentarily lost for words.

In the past, Delaney had spread all sorts of foul rumors within the knight orders to prevent Dedrick from learning swordsmanship.

Stories that he was arrogant and disrespectful, or that he would throw tantrums because no swordsmanship teacher was to his liking.

The rumors were effective. None of the Black Falcon Knights were willing to teach him.

The White Falcon Knights, who were directly under the Grand Duchess, were out of the question.

That was why she had spoken so confidently back then.

She never expected to be tripped up by her own words.

“……Fine. As you say, I cannot go back on my word.”

The Grand Duchess stepped back, thinking she could manipulate such a small child whenever she pleased.

She gestured to Gemma, who removed her hand from his shoulder.

“Where were you last night?”

Puzzled by the sudden question, Dedrick answered dutifully.

“I was in my room.”

“Axel fell out of bed while he was sleeping. He was terrified, claiming someone had hit him.”

“He said it was you.”

Dedrick’s expression was transparent, as if he truly knew nothing. In truth, Delaney didn’t think he was the culprit either.

She knew that whether it was Axel or Somerset, they blamed Dedrick whenever anything happened.

She was simply checking.

‘As expected.’

Delaney’s brow furrowed slightly, her head throbbing from Axel’s whining.

“And I heard Axel’s servant released scorpions in your room.”

“But coincidentally, dead scorpions were found in that servant’s room.”

“Pardon?”

Delaney scrutinized him closely.

Dedrick was so timid and fearful of her that he didn’t have the composure to manage his expressions in her presence.

Therefore, this child, looking bewildered with a stupid face, could not be the culprit.

‘No doubt the servant was trying to get revenge for being hit by Axel.’

How presumptuous, not knowing his place.

She clicked her tongue softly, making Dedrick flinch.

Since she had only brought it up to confirm her suspicions, Delaney immediately changed the subject.

“His Highness the 2nd Prince will be visiting the Grand Duke’s Castle soon. When that time comes, do not leave your room unless I command it.”

“Your answer?”

“……Yes.”

“Good. You may go.”

Dedrick bolted from the room as if escaping.

Watching his retreating figure, Gemma closed the door and approached her.

“Madam, why did you let him go? Shouldn’t we stop him?”

The Grand Duchess was turning a blind eye to Dedrick’s changing behavior, including his swordsmanship training.

“Leave him be. If he works hard only to achieve poor results, he needs to experience how great that frustration can be.”

The Grand Duchess’s eyes hardened coldly as she thought of the beautiful Amelia with her wavy golden hair.

“By then, he’ll give up everything by his own hand.”

The Grand Duchess glanced over the Herba Academy brochure lying on the table.

“Herba Academy, is it……?”

Delaney smiled thinly.

---

I found Dedrick.

Unlike Delaney’s room, there was no wardrobe in the drawing room, so I couldn’t go inside and could only pace anxiously in front of the door.

I couldn’t open the door either. I was waiting impatiently when the door swung open and Dedrick burst out. His head was hanging low, so he didn’t seem to see me.

Watching him run down the hallway, I began to chase after him with all my might. A silent pursuit he was unaware of had begun.

‘I have to get to the room first!’

But Didi’s legs are so fast!

After meeting the Grand Duchess, Dedrick might not want me to see him in such a state.

So I had to reach the room before him….

‘Since when were you such a fast runner?!’

I was panting for breath, but luckily, he went straight into the bathroom.

Taking that chance, I hopped into the wardrobe, closed the door, and took deep breaths while waiting for him to come out.

“Haa, haa….”

Too fast….

If I had just entered a wardrobe in a nearby room, I could have gotten here instantly.

Why do these things only occur to me after the fact?

He didn’t come out of the bathroom for quite a while, giving me time to calm my pounding heart.

‘Is he crying……?’

I cautiously opened the wardrobe door and stepped out.

Then, I tapped lightly on the bathroom door.

“Didi, are you in there?”

“Do you need some time alone? Should I go somewhere else?”

There was no answer, and just as I was about to go back into the wardrobe, the door opened slowly.

Droplets of water fell from his damp black hair onto the floor.

His shoulders were slumped, and his head hung powerlessly.

He tried to force a smile as if he were okay, but his face crumpled, failing the attempt.

I brought a towel, pressed it onto his head, and took his hand.

He flinched, but he didn’t push my hand away.

“Let’s get in the wardrobe!”

“……Huh?”

“Hurry!”

I led him into the wardrobe and closed the door. Then, I sat facing him.

“How is it?”

“You can’t hear any noise from outside, right?”

“And since it’s just the two of us, we can share our warmth. It’s cozy, too. It’s a big wardrobe, with enough room for both of us to lie down. Right?”

Seeing me excited while bragging about the wardrobe, he eventually let out a small laugh.

“It’s quiet, and it’s just us. You can stay here comfortably without any worries. There’s no one to see you.”

“So, if it’s okay, can I give you a hug?”

Without a word, I gently wrapped my arms around his hesitant head.

After a moment of hesitation, he hugged my waist tightly and buried his face in my shoulder.

I quietly patted his back as he sobbed silently.

I knew well how mentally agonizing meeting the Grand Duchess was for him.

And Gemma, too.

They were the ones who had Amelia locked in the Spire, and as if that weren’t enough, they poisoned her to death and took all her keepsakes. Dedrick had nothing left.

They were the people who had stripped him of everything in an instant; it must have been harrowing just to be in the same space as them.

‘Above all, Didi is still young.’

He had to endure alone things that even an adult would find difficult….

“From now on, if anything happens, come into this wardrobe.”

“……Together?”

“Together.”

“……But this wardrobe is yours.”

“It only exists because you’re here. It’s our secret hideout.”

Dedrick smiled happily and rubbed his face against me.

He’s like a cat.

I stroked his still-damp hair.

In the peaceful silence that settles the heart, Dedrick whispered a question.

“Aren’t you going to ask…… what happened?”

“If I just walk around, I’ll hear all the rumors anyway.”

“Pfft…….”