While Others Became Female Leads In Romantic Fantasy Novels, I Became A Closet Monster
Chapter 34
“Are you sure you’re truly okay with that?”
“Is there anything more important than that?”
What am I supposed to say when he asks me that?
“Right. It’s best to do what you think is important.”
I sat down in a chair beside Dedrick.
“But Didi, out of the blue as this may be, your opinion is what matters most to me. If you don’t want to be the successor, or if you want to be something else, you can change your mind anytime. Got it?”
“Do whatever Didi wants\!”
I felt a bit uneasy, worried I might have pressured him, but he gave me a tender smile, telling me not to worry.
Feeling a little more at ease, I picked up a pen and began reviewing the letters I’d learned yesterday in the notebook he had opened for me, but then I paused.
When I glanced sideways, Dedrick was beaming, his eyes fixed on me.
Why are you looking at me instead of studying?
But more than that, there was something I was curious about.
“Didi, can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“Who is your swordsmanship teacher? How much longer do I have to be kept in the dark?”
Can’t you tell me now?
I wanted to know if this teacher was a decent person or not.
Above all, it was thanks to that teacher that Somerset and the Grand Duchess were punished.
I was truly dying to know if it was the person I suspected.
Dedrick hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Seeing him part his lips only to close them again, I was about to add something quickly in case I’d made him feel pressured.
Then, with a shy flush creeping onto his cheeks, Dedrick spoke cautiously.
“Would you like to… watch me spar?”
My eyes widened. He lowered his head deeply, rubbing the back of his reddened neck.
“I was just… embarrassed to show you yet. But since you’re so curious and worried about me… I’m still lacking in many ways, but I want to show you. Will you watch?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I nodded vigorously.
“I can’t even hold a sword properly. Just the fact that you’re training is amazing.”
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as I beamed at him.
“I’ve wanted to see Didi hold a sword. I’m so excited\!”
“…I’m a little scared you’ll be disappointed.”
Seeing Dedrick so anxious, I took his hand. His blue eyes stared straight into mine.
“I’ll never be angry with Didi, I won’t be disappointed, and I won’t hate you. I won’t feel anything negative toward you at all. So don’t worry.”
It seemed Dedrick always needed constant reassurance of the affection directed toward him.
Well… it made sense, given that his mother passed away during his most formative years and he had grown up under his father’s indifference.
To make matters worse, he had lived his life being trampled upon by Delaney.
Confirming my affection for him wasn't a difficult task.
If it would put Dedrick’s mind at ease, I could say the same words over a thousand times.
Early dawn.
The moment I snapped my eyes open, the Wardrobe door swung wide. Dedrick reached out a hand to me as I sat there, wide-eyed.
“You’re up early?”
“I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. Oh, I don’t mean that to pressure you. I’m just looking forward to seeing you with a sword.”
“Yes, I know.”
I followed Dedrick out of the main building. The Grand Duke's Castle at dawn held a different kind of charm.
Hidden within the thick, blooming mist, the castle exuded a mysterious atmosphere, like something out of a dream. The hazy fog swirled around the trees and flowers, making everything look ethereal.
The sparkling lakeside had turned blurry in the mist, making me feel as if I were stepping into a secret place.
Walking the quiet dawn path alone with Dedrick brought a sense of comfort, as if all the worries of the world had vanished.
The cool, refreshing air reached deep into my lungs.
So this is the scenery Dedrick sees every morning while he runs and trains.
“It’s so beautiful, Didi. Oh, you don’t have to answer.”
We had to be more careful than necessary while outside.
I chattered away enthusiastically at the faintly smiling Dedrick.
“Coming out at dawn feels different. It’s like… my mind feels at peace.”
“Should I come out at dawn from now on, too? I think it would be fun to watch Didi train and then head back inside together\!”
As I laughed excitedly, Didi’s eyes sparkled, and he gave a small nod.
“Really? Is that okay? Then I’ll make sure to wake up early every day\!”
Even though I was doing all the talking, I didn’t feel lonely because Dedrick’s eyes never left me.
I followed him up the slope of a hill. The grass was overgrown, as if no one ever ventured here.
It’s quite far.
Then again, the Grand Duke's Castle is massive…
As we climbed the steep hill path, Dedrick watched me with concern, worried I might be tired. I was starting to get a little anxious myself.
Being tired isn’t the problem right now.
What if I get transported back in the middle of this…?
Please, no. Then I’d have to climb this hill all over again by myself\!
I prayed fervently and quickened my pace. Dedrick continued to steal glances at me, clearly worried.
“Stop looking so unnatural…”
Dedrick had no choice but to turn his head away. I kept talking to him intermittently to let him know I was still following. Eventually, we reached a small clearing atop the hill.
The panoramic view took my breath away.
The Grand Duke's Castle was visible in its entirety below.
‘He came all this way?’
Now I understood why he left so early in the morning.
My admiration was short-lived as I collapsed onto a nearby bench, panting for breath. Dedrick hovered anxiously, but I waved him off, telling him I was fine.
Then, with a slightly tense face, I waited for his swordsmanship teacher to appear.
“Young Master.”
At the sound of the deep voice, I immediately turned my head.
A sturdy man with short reddish-brown hair and striking red eyes was standing there.
From his steady gait to his upright posture and firmly set lips, his appearance spoke of a steadfast character.
I cheered inwardly.
It was the very man I had set my sights on.
‘Jacob Howard\!’
Currently, he was a knight dismissed as a failure because he hadn't manifested his Aura yet, and he was looked down upon by those around him. To be precise, by the White Falcon knights—excluding the Black Falcon—and the Grand Duchess.
‘But he’ll overcome it soon.’
In the future, while not quite on Dedrick’s level, he would blossom with a brilliant Aura. Jacob was a hidden gem, destined to be called a once-in-a-generation swordsmanship genius.
At the same time, when Dedrick becomes the Grand Duke, Jacob becomes the commander of the Black Falcon Knights.
That was how much faster he would grow than anyone else once his Aura manifested.
Fast enough to eventually reach the highest heights.
‘He was the teacher I wanted to pair him with so badly\!’
Even without me stepping in, Dedrick had found an excellent swordsmanship teacher on his own.
My hands itched because I wanted to give the admirable Dedrick a big hug.
Dedrick asked with his eyes what I thought, and I suppressed my rising smile as I spoke seriously.
“He looks extremely righteous. He seems like a very, very good teacher. You must stay with him for life. No, I think it would be great if you stayed together forever.”
I was so excited that my words came out a bit tangled.
He smiled slightly, perhaps finding my slip of the tongue amusing.
“Our Didi has such a great eye for people, too. You’re honestly so precious I could die. I want to hug you right this second\!”
Dedrick’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
“Young Master? Are you unwell? You seem to have a fever…”
“N-No, it’s nothing.”
Dedrick fanned himself with his hand and signaled to me with his eyes. As if telling me to watch closely, he headed toward the center of the clearing.
“Master, please grant me a lesson through a spar today.”
He uses formal speech once training starts.
That’s cool, too\!
My eyes sparkled. Worried that staring too hard might be a burden, I occasionally looked away and pretended to be distracted.
However, my behavior must have been obvious, as Dedrick couldn't help but let out a short laugh.
“…Young Master?”
“Ah, I just thought of something funny…”
“I see. Please tell me when you are ready.”
Clearing the laughter from his face immediately, Dedrick took his stance. He looked incredibly cool as he gripped his wooden sword.
The cool dawn breeze playfully tousled his hair.
Thanks to that, his face was fully visible.
His sea-blue eyes settled into a calm like the deep ocean. I shut my mouth tight so he could concentrate.
Soon after, Dedrick kicked off the ground and lunged toward Jacob.
