Translator: Nox

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

Chapter 16

It didn’t seem like a funny story to me.

But Dedrick’s mood didn’t seem bad at all.

In fact, he looked quite pleased.

“Then you must know about the Grand Duchess and my mother….”

“I know.”

I didn’t bother hiding it.

No one who had stayed here for a long time was ignorant of that incident.

And even if they were, I had read all about it in the novel.

“……I’m scared of the Grand Duchess.”

“Me too. I never dreamed she’d put an anti-theft spell on a keepsake. She’s a truly terrifying woman.”

I spoke with deliberate exaggeration.

He looked at me with concern, but his lips twitched upward as if he couldn’t suppress a laugh.

After wiping his tear-stained face, I pulled the corners of his mouth up wide.

“Laugh if you want to.”

Then, Dedrick gripped my hand tightly. His lips wavered before he asked cautiously.

“……I heard something happened to Axel-hyungnim and the servant.”

“Ack.”

An undignified sound escaped me, and I quickly covered my mouth, but he asked again, looking at me as if he needed confirmation.

“Was it you……?”

My eyes darted away, but unable to withstand Dedrick’s persistent gaze, I eventually nodded.

“I just wanted to play a little prank on them……. Because they did that to you!”

A small smile played on his lips, though he scanned me with a hint of worry.

“Thank you. But still….”

“Don’t tell me not to do dangerous things. I can do anything for Didi. That’s why I found the keepsake for you. Keepsakes are important! And I’m satisfied because that incident let me talk to Didi again.”

I rambled on like a machine gun. His blue eyes wavered as he looked at me.

“Why do you do so much for me?”

“I told you. Only you can save me. You’re going to be someone great, Didi. Greater than anyone else here.”

After saying that, I hugged Dedrick tightly.

Very tightly!

“……I, I can’t breathe.”

“So Didi, don’t lose heart. Got it?”

“Mm-hmm…….”

“By the way, where did you go this morning?”

“Hear about that through the rumors, too.”

“……That’s mean.”

I told him everything.

Well, it was more like I got caught.

He let out a low chuckle but refused to tell me until the end.

It didn’t seem like that dawn outing was the type of thing that would turn into a rumor, though.

After chatting about this and that, we fell asleep just like that, huddled together in the wardrobe.

Soft breathing filled the space.

The girl’s breath lightly ruffled Dedrick’s hair.

Leaning into the warmth of her embrace and her whispering, kind, and lively voice, he had drifted off.

The moment he opened his eyes and saw the girl’s face, Dedrick’s face flushed bright red from his neck up.

Yet, he did not leave her arms.

He quietly watched the sleeping girl.

Her long eyelashes casting small shadows, her plump red lips, and the peach-colored blush on her soft cheeks were incredibly lovely.

“……Beautiful.”

Dedrick murmured in admiration, carefully cupping the girl’s cheek.

He closed his eyes, feeling her body temperature, which was warmer than others.

The girl was truly a comfort.

She was enough to instantly calm his anxiously racing heart.

If he could, he didn’t want to ever leave this wardrobe. He wanted to stay with this girl forever.

Chapter 2.

‘It’s today.’

Today was the day the 2nd Prince was coming to the Grand Duke’s Castle.

In the novel, the 2nd Prince was a warm and gentle second male lead.

Though they would later compete over the female lead, he eventually became a good friend to Dedrick.

His name was Perez Astrel Beatum, a very important figure who would become the Emperor in the future.

There was a 1st Prince, but since he was born to a concubine of humble origins, the nobles supporting him were significantly few.

However, the problem was that he monopolized the Emperor’s favor.

It was to the point where the Emperor would subtly hint at whether it would be a good idea to elevate the 1st Prince to Crown Prince.

Because of that, the nobles of the Empress’s faction protested fiercely, unable to hide their rage.

Unable to withstand the pressure, the Emperor immediately withdrew his words, but the Empress remained distrustful.

Furthermore, with the 1st Prince and the concubine acting as if the Imperial Family belonged to them, the Empress’s fury had reached its peak.

Thus, to solidify the 2nd Prince’s position, she decided to draw all the neutral nobles to her side.

So that no one would dare lay a finger on him.

‘The first step is this visit to the Grand Duke’s Castle.’

There, Somerset would try his absolute best to catch the 2nd Prince’s eye. Since friendship with the 2nd Prince would be a massive advantage when he ascended to the position of family head.

The 2nd Prince also intended to associate with Somerset as much as possible to join hands with Blackwood, but he didn’t particularly like Somerset’s blatant attitude.

Though he didn’t show it much on the surface.

‘On top of that, due to the Grand Duchess’s interference, the 2nd Prince ends up misunderstanding Didi. That’s why Didi fails to build a proper friendship.’

But not anymore!

I intended to forge that friendship myself.

‘I’m going to build him an incredible golden network.’

Originally, Dedrick would meet reliable allies who would help him at the Academy, where he was practically exiled.

But since I couldn’t send him to the Academy, I would step up and build those connections for him.

And the first target was none other than the 2nd Prince!

Just then, I saw a carriage bearing the imperial crest approaching in the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“He’s here!”

“Didi, you absolutely have to build a friendship with the 2nd Prince this time.”

“My monster instincts are telling me. If you get close to the 2nd Prince, something very good will happen.”

I tried to persuade Dedrick with nonsense.

“But…….”

Dedrick glanced sideways at the firmly closed door.

A servant was currently waiting outside the door.

It was a servant the Grand Duchess had posted to ensure Dedrick couldn’t leave.

The kind of people who usually wouldn’t come even if called!

“It’s okay. The Grand Duchess will call for Didi soon.”

“Me?”

“Yes. We just have to aim for that moment.”

I was planning to charm the 2nd Prince this time.

So that he wouldn’t be able to get Dedrick out of his mind!

“As the Prince is aware, the Blackwood family is unconditionally on the side of Her Majesty the Empress. For the child of a concubine to be first in line for the throne when there is a legitimate prince… it is simply unthinkable.”

How tedious.

Contrary to his inner thoughts, Perez did not let his picture-perfect, kind smile slip.

“I am grateful that you recognize that.”

At Perez’s reply, Somerset grinned broadly, losing all sense of dignity.

Truthfully, since meeting the young lords of Blackwood, Perez’s disappointment was beyond words.

What kind of family was Blackwood?

They were the pride of the Empire, the idols of the nobility—a prestigious family with unshakeable power.

The first head of the family had married a Goddess, and they were called the bloodline of the gods for generations.

Naturally, the Grand Duke Blackwood who led such a family was an object of admiration. Perez, the 2nd Prince, also secretly respected the Grand Duke.

‘And yet…….’

Perez’s dissatisfied gaze landed on Somerset.

“Your Highness need not worry about anything!”

Whether it was his excessive groveling or his sugar-coated words while reading Perez’s every reaction, Somerset did not suit the name Blackwood.

‘The son doesn’t resemble the father at all.’

Furthermore, the boy who was the second son of Blackwood was merely chiming in, acting as if his older brother’s words were absolute truth.

‘At this rate, the future of Blackwood looks bleak.’

Suppressing a sigh, Perez finally recalled one more person.

“I heard there was another brother…….”

For a split second, Somerset’s face hardened irritably.

Quickly masking his expression, he offered an awkward excuse.

“Well…… you may have heard the rumors, but he is a child we find difficult to handle. He hasn’t been in his right mind since his mother passed away.”

Difficult to handle, was it.

The rumors regarding the illegitimate son of Blackwood were widespread. That he couldn’t even take care of himself after his mother died.

Everyone whispered behind his back with dirty, unproven scandals, but Perez didn’t easily believe things he hadn’t seen for himself.

On the contrary, he guessed that the Grand Duke cherished that illegitimate son quite a bit, opposite to the rumors.

One could tell just by the fact that he hadn’t officially declared Somerset as the successor yet.

Most of all, wasn’t he living in the main building?

Seeing as even the Grand Duchess couldn’t kick him out, the Grand Duke was clearly looking after Dedrick.

‘That must be why they’re trying so hard to interfere.’

To prevent him from meeting me.

‘Actually, I wanted to see the Grand Duke, but…….’

Since he was away, they had missed each other. So, he had become curious to see Dedrick, who was said to be the spitting image of the Grand Duke.

The Dedrick of the rumors.

“I’d like to meet him for a moment.”

“He is far too unruly……. Rather than that, how about we go see the gardens? The gardens of our castle are famous for their beauty.”

Watching Somerset change the subject, Perez grew more curious.

Just what was he like that they were trying so hard to block him?

If he were truly that unruly, it would be more effective to show him.

‘I wonder if there’s a way to meet him while I’m staying here.’

Perez reluctantly moved his feet, looking up at the magnificent Grand Duke’s Castle.

To rule this castle…….

“It is this way, Your Highness!”

This boy is woefully lacking.

Perez’s eyes sank low.

A few hours after the 2nd Prince’s arrival.

Dedrick and I had been stuck in the room, but soon, an opportunity to go outside would surely arise.

I was watching out the window, waiting for my chance, when someone came out of the main building as expected.

I see them, I see them!

The 2nd Prince, being led to the garden by Somerset’s arm, finally came into view.

‘Found him, Didi’s golden network!’