Translator: Nox

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

Chapter 50

It was a way of mocking them for being born as concubines’ children—destined to remain at the bottom, never seeing the light of day.

My face contorted in a grimace.

“Pfft! Isn’t the stench so bad it’s practically paralyzing your nose?”

A boy standing nearby chimed in, bowing obsequiously.

Oh, you. I’ve memorized your face.

Dedrick knitted his brows at the low-class joke. Somerset raised his voice even louder.

“Why the long face? Is the light too bright for you since it’s been so long since you’ve seen it?”

Somerset tapped Dedrick on the head and added, looking at Eugene:

“You illegitimate brat.”

“Ugh, he’s totally ruining the mood,” I muttered, stomping my feet.

However, everyone else was busy laughing at the atmosphere. Though my irritation was soaring, I decided to see this as an opportunity.

You picked the wrong day to mess with him.

I looked around, searching for a way to humiliate Somerset.

Just then, the glass in his hand caught my eye. It was a wine glass filled with non-alcoholic grape juice.

The obnoxious Axel was stuck to Somerset’s side like a set.

“Alright, here we go!”

I strode right up to Somerset. Entirely unaware of what was about to happen, Somerset continued his biting sarcasm.

“Why does this concubine’s brat keep coming here to muddy the waters?”

“Right, Young Lord? I suppose he wants to fit in because he thinks he’s a noble too. He doesn’t know his place! Don’t bother hanging out with him just because you feel sorry for him!”

The nobles were desperate to stay in Somerset’s good graces.

No matter how foul the rumors about him were, he was still the eldest son of the Blackwood Family.

“As if I would. I’m fundamentally different from those two!”

Just as the cackling Somerset brought the glass to his lips, I reached out and flicked the bottom of the glass.

Splash!

The red liquid poured straight over his face, ruining his navy formal suit with messy stains.

“Gah! What the—?!”

Immediately, I tickled the side of the boy who had complained about the “stench.”

“Pwahahaha!”

Along with the burst of laughter, Somerset’s cold gaze snapped toward the boy. The boy’s pupils shook violently.

“Yo-Young Lord Somerset. This, this is…”

“You dare laugh at me?”

You’re on his list now.

Somerset, now showered in grape juice, bellowed in fury, the veins in his neck bulging.

“Dammit! Who was it?! Who hit me?!”

Right now, Somerset looked like a fool who had spilled his own drink and was taking it out on others.

The nobles standing further away began to whisper quietly.

Somerset’s face started to turn beet red. Eventually, the sparks flew toward the easy targets: Dedrick and Eugene.

“You punks, it was you, wasn’t it?”

“Of course something this foul happens because you’re bad luck!”

“You’re reaching!”

This time, I tickled Axel’s side.

“Khahaha! Gasp!”

Axel hurriedly covered his mouth, but Somerset’s eyes were already fixed on him.

“…Axel, you bastard.”

“B-Brother! No, this is…”

Gemma hurried over to try and stop Somerset, but for someone with intermittent explosive disorder like him, there was no reasoning.

Everyone was covering their lower faces, desperately stifling their laughter.

It was clear they had much to say but were holding back because he was right there.

However, they were taking in every detail of Somerset’s behavior. Once the banquet was over, Somerset was sure to become the laughingstock of social circles.

Serves you right, you jerk.

Somerset raised an eyebrow and picked a fight with the silent Dedrick.

“Ha, did you tell him to do it? You teamed up with Axel, didn’t you?”

“What are you talking about…”

“This brat really doesn’t know his place!”

He suddenly snatched a wine glass from the person next to him.

“Uh…?!”

And just before he could splash it directly at Dedrick—

“Stop it, Young Lord Somerset.”

Ebony stepped out from the crowd.

“What?”

She stood in front of Dedrick, facing Somerset.

“You spilled it on yourself while drinking, so who are you blaming? Honestly, this is a bit pathetic to watch.”

The hall fell into a sudden silence at her blunt remark.

Somerset’s eyes burned like a volcano. He glared at Ebony as if he wanted to kill her.

“…Are you talking to me right now?”

“Yes, I am.”

“How dare you—!”

Gemma quickly held Somerset back.

“She is Ebony of the Count Silius family, Young Lord. Please, endure it. If you cause any more of a scene here, the Madam will be disappointed.”

It was a low whisper, but I heard everything since I was close by. Somerset ground his teeth at the mention of the “Madam” and suppressed his rage.

But not wanting to end it like this, he clicked his tongue for effect.

“Tch. To think people are stepping up for the likes of them…”

Somerset didn’t dare say it openly, but he muttered it loud enough for everyone to hear.

Wow, the true face of a loser…

Regardless, there were families among the gathered nobles that even Somerset couldn’t treat lightly.

Basic etiquette should have been maintained, but Somerset was a guy convinced that “Our Blackwood is the best!”

Even Delaney couldn’t easily mess with the Count Silius family, honestly…

You really did a poor job raising your kids.

“Let us go change your clothes first, Young Lord.”

Before Somerset could leave, I hurriedly grabbed a nearby glass and secretly poured grape juice on the floor.

I smiled with satisfaction as I looked at the slick marble floor.

Somerset gave Dedrick a murderous glare before taking a step.

Then, he stepped on the wine I’d poured, slipped, and fell flat on his back.

Alright, Axel! Your turn again!

I dug into Axel’s armpits.

“Pffft! Gasp!”

Somerset, who had fallen disgracefully, immediately looked at Axel. The veins in his eyes were popping.

“…You, you!”

“Ahahaha! This is what happens when you bully Didi!”

I was so excited, but I moved back toward the wall in case I bumped into someone.

Dedrick’s gaze followed me. When I winked at him, he gave a shy smile.

“Look ahead, Didi.”

Only then did Dedrick look forward.

“B-Brother…! I’m seriously innocent…!”

Just before Gemma could hurriedly stop him, someone burst out laughing.

“Who…!”

Somerset reacted aggressively, then suddenly froze.

The owner of the voice was the 2nd Prince, Perez.

He approached with the remnants of a smile still on his lips.

“Young Lord, why don’t you stop the festivities for a moment and go pull yourself together? You’re in quite a state.”

Somerset couldn’t say a word to those who ranked higher than him. Someone like Perez, who had appeared before him.

Somerset hurriedly stood up and straightened his clothes, stammering.

“Y-Your Highness… when did you…”

“I was a bit late due to some business. But to think you’d entertain me as soon as I arrived—you have quite a sense of humor, Young Lord.”

It was sarcasm. Anyone could see that.

But the dim-witted Somerset failed to grasp the subtext and bowed excessively to the Prince. There was no need for him to go that far.

“Ha, haha. I’m glad you were entertained. Then, I shall go change my clothes for a moment. Gemma, please handle the situation here.”

Seeing Somerset’s anger cool down, Gemma skillfully hid her relieved expression and bowed politely.

“Yes, Young Lord.”

I knew Somerset was an idiot, but I didn’t realize he was such a moron that he couldn’t read the room at all…

Before leaving, Somerset ran a hand through his hair and threw a “charming” smile at Joanna, trying to act cool.

“Joanna, please enjoy yourself. I’ll be back soon.”

Whether Joanna gave a lukewarm response or not, he seemed happy just to have spoken to her and left the banquet hall with a light step.

Axel, who had been fidgeting beside him, tried to follow Somerset in a hurry, but Gemma caught him and stopped him.

“In this hall where Young Lord Somerset is absent, you are effectively the host. Please stay and fill the eldest Young Lord’s place.”

“…Fine.”

I waved casually at the already departed Somerset.

Dedrick eventually leaned against the wall, head bowed, trembling all over.

Ebony approached Dedrick and placed a hand on his back.

“Um, are you okay…”

“D-Don’t touch me.”

Dedrick stammered because he was trying to hold back his laughter.

But Ebony, whatever she was thinking, didn’t withdraw her sympathetic gaze.

“Still…”

“Don’t touch him. Dedrick doesn’t much like being touched by others.”

Did he?

Perez cut in, naturally stepping between Ebony and Dedrick.

Then he gestured toward an unknown spot.

…Is he telling me to follow him?

But I couldn’t leave Eugene alone.

“Didi, can’t we take Eugene too? If he’s left alone, he’ll get torn apart by insults.”

“…If you’re okay with it, Eugene-gun, let’s go together.”

“M-Me?”

“If you don’t want to…”

“I-I’ll go! I’ll go!”

Eugene followed behind with a look of delight. He knew exactly what kind of words would be thrown at him if he stayed here alone.

The Prince glanced at Eugene with a slightly dissatisfied face. Then he whispered to Dedrick.

“I wanted to see that closet monster. Isn’t that our secret?”

“Hey! Is that what’s important right now? Tell him you’ll show him later, Didi.”

“…I will let you meet her later.”

“Hmm, fine. We have plenty of time.”

The three men headed toward the lounge, and the surrounding nobles parted to the left and right like the miracle of Moses.