Translator: Nox

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

Chapter 17

To get a better look, I leaned far over the railing and observed him.

His reddish-gold hair shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight. Beneath his neat locks, I could see deep green eyes. A smooth bridge of his nose and pale pink lips were perfectly situated on his face.

‘As expected of the sub-male lead!’

Even though he was still a boy, he was strikingly handsome.

Not quite as much as Dedrick, though.

In the novel, he possessed a righteous personality.

With a clear distinction between public and private matters, he was not the type to use his status to pressure the female lead or resort to underhanded tricks just because he liked her. He was a man who played fair and square.

He had a good reputation and was kind, but that was closer to a mask—a polished mask he had naturally learned to wear to survive in the Imperial Family, where enemies lurked in every corner.

However, perhaps because he was still young and lacked practice in controlling his expressions, the 2nd Prince’s face looked slightly stiff.

‘I can tell he’s dying inside from having to act.’

The foolish Somerset and Axel didn’t seem to notice Perez’s discomfort.

‘More importantly, this is exactly when the 2nd Prince is becoming intensely curious about Dedrick.’

While Somerset and Axel didn’t resemble the Grand Duke in the slightest, Dedrick was known to be the spitting image of him.

Perez was deeply disappointed by Somerset and Axel’s arrogant and dim-witted behavior; the more he saw of them, the more curious he became about Dedrick.

Delaney was quick to catch on to this within just a few hours.

‘That’s why the Grand Duchess makes her move.’

The theft!

The theft incident from the novel happens right around now.

The details of the incident were simple. While Perez was staying at the Grand Duke’s Castle, one of his valuables would go missing, and Delaney, who masterminded the whole thing, would frame Dedrick as the thief.

Because of that, Perez would develop a prejudice against Dedrick, and later on, Dedrick would have to work quite hard to clear up his misunderstanding.

‘So, I have to stop that at all costs.’

Furthermore, I planned to use this opportunity to build a friendship and turn the prince into a reliable ally for Dedrick.

As I grinned, Dedrick hugged me from behind and easily plucked me away from the window.

“It’s dangerous.”

Surprised by the stable sensation, I looked back at him.

“……Did you get stronger?”

“It’s more that you’re too light.”

Is that so? I couldn’t really tell my own weight.

“Didi, let me tell you what to do today.”

Dedrick straightened his posture and looked at me.

“If the Grand Duchess calls for you, follow her quietly. But don’t ever let her intimidate you. If she says something, just obediently say you understand. Got it?”

“That’s enough for today.”

“You’re coming with me, right?”

“No, I have to stay here and guard this place.”

If Dedrick left his room, the person planted by the Grand Duchess would surely make a move. Therefore, I intended to take measures to ensure they couldn’t frame him.

As if on cue, someone arrived.

“Young master, the Grand Duchess is looking for you.”

At the mention of the Grand Duchess, Dedrick’s face turned cold and somber.

Seeing that reaction made my heart waver.

‘Should I go with him?’

But if I didn’t stay here, I wouldn’t be able to see for myself what kind of tricks they were up to.

Yet, I felt too sorry for him to send him alone.

I approached Dedrick and took his hand.

“If it’s too hard, should we go together?”

“Let’s go together.”

Fine. I already knew what would happen from the novel, so it would be okay. Even if things changed, how much could they really change? Everything had followed the plot so far.

For now, Dedrick was more important.

“……Is that really okay?”

“Of course. I don’t want to send you alone.”

He smiled shyly at my words.

“I’m okay now. I can go alone.”

“No. Now I want to go with you.”

I quickly stepped behind him.

“Let’s go!”

Though he felt a bit apologetic, it was clear he was happy that I was coming along.

That was enough for me.

We followed the maid across the garden.

“Wow…….”

This was my first time seeing the garden from this close. The flowers in full bloom and the waterway that wound around the garden like a embrace made me feel as if I had stepped into a land of fairies.

Petals fluttered down into the water, making it look as though flowers were flowing through the stream.

“It’s so pretty…….”

I followed behind Dedrick, constantly marveling at the sights.

“Ah, you’ve come?”

At the sound of a woman’s somewhat bright voice, I stopped my frantic sightseeing and turned my gaze.

Seated in the gazebo were the Grand Duchess, Somerset, Axel, and the 2nd Prince, Perez. The moment Somerset and Axel saw Dedrick, they couldn’t even manage their expressions, their faces contorting in distaste.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your rest.”

The Grand Duchess acted as if she were being mindful of Dedrick’s feelings. I was almost impressed by the performance.

Her acting was top-tier.

More than anything, “disturbing your rest”? It was absurd. It was no different from subtly implying to Perez that Dedrick was doing nothing but rotting away in his room playing.

“That wicked woman…….”

As I ground my teeth, the Grand Duchess examined Dedrick’s complexion with a look of feigned concern.

“……Are you upset? Your color doesn’t look very good.”

Ugh. I couldn’t watch this anymore.

I stepped out and blocked the front of the frozen Dedrick. When I suddenly appeared, his eyes widened in surprise.

I couldn’t let Perez get a bad first impression of Dedrick. I had to soothe him first.

“I’m right here. You can answer comfortably.”

Honestly, showing the Grand Duchess how much Dedrick had changed wasn’t necessarily the best choice right now. It would have been better to let him live quietly and then show a sudden growth later, but…….

‘I can’t let the connection with the 2nd Prince slip away.’

He needed a strong backing so that he could increase the forces supporting him even if he didn’t go to the Academy.

‘No matter how much the Grand Duke ignores the matter of succession, he can’t ignore the vassals.’

There was no way the vassals would look favorably upon Dedrick, an illegitimate child with no connections and nothing to show for himself.

While the Grand Duke’s will was paramount, the vassals who supported the family couldn’t be entirely disregarded either. They were loyal subjects who loved and built the Blackwood family together.

‘Except for one house.’

Anyway, even if I didn’t push to grab the Prince right now, another opportunity would come, but…….

‘Who knows when the 2nd Prince will come to the Grand Duke’s Castle again?’

Although a party was to be held at the castle soon, the 2nd Prince in the novel didn’t attend because he was so disappointed in Somerset, Axel, and Dedrick. Because of that, it would be difficult to see his face again until they were adults.

So, now was the chance.

I comforted Dedrick.

“The Grand Duchess isn’t actually a scary person.”

Dedrick’s eyes seemed to ask, ‘Then what?’

I gave a broad grin.

“She’s just the target of our revenge!”

Only then did I see his stiff shoulders relax slightly.

With a nod so small it was barely visible, Dedrick replied.

“Not at all, Grand Duchess.”

Dedrick stepped closer to the gazebo.

“I suppose I was just a bit nervous meeting the Grand Duchess after such a long time.”

“That’s a great answer!”

Just now, Dedrick had pointed out that although she acted as if she looked after him, the reality was that she hadn’t seen him in ages.

I checked Perez’s expression. He had a small smirk on his lips as he watched Dedrick.

Not only that, he rested his chin on his hand and began to observe Dedrick in earnest. It was one of the habits Perez showed when he was genuinely interested in something.

‘It’s a success!’

Now that his interest was piqued, Perez would voluntarily seek Dedrick out during his stay here.

“Good job, Didi!”

Our Didi really is the best!

Perez watched the invisible war of nerves between the Grand Duchess and Dedrick with great amusement.

“It looks like you’ve put on some weight. It would be good if you moved around a bit more…….”

“It’s because my diet has improved recently, Grand Duchess.”

“……I hear you’re having a hard time keeping up with swordsmanship training.”

“I’ve only just found a master and am training hard now.”

“That was a solid hit! Didi wins this round!”

The Grand Duchess smiled pleasantly at Dedrick, but she must have been fuming inside.

Somerset and Axel tried to barge in, unable to contain their anger, but the Grand Duchess stopped them several times, so I didn’t get to see anything more entertaining.

And by now, the Grand Duchess must have realized it too.

That Perez was taking quite a liking to Dedrick.