Translator: Nox

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

Chapter 7

A single smile sent everything about the girl—everything he had tried so hard to ignore—whirling through his mind.

The image of her face on the first day, offering him that awkward greeting, was vivid.

The girl who had used those small, plump lips to earnestly offer advice to save him.

The girl who had chattered on, introducing herself and telling him not to be on guard.

The girl who had been so happy just because he answered her.

The girl who blocked Somerset and Axel so they couldn’t touch him whenever they came around.

For some reason, his throat felt tight, as if something were stuck. Along with a faint thirst, his heart began to beat violently.

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The effect of finding the memento was truly magnificent.

I was finally able to have proper conversations with Dedrick.

As if that wasn’t enough, Jenkinson must have put in a good word, because the quality of the food served to him began to improve significantly.

It was lucky that the Grand Duke appeared when he did. Of course, there was no guarantee that luck would hold next time.

‘He did see me, though….’

I hadn’t been able to see the Grand Duke again since then. The only places I couldn’t go were the floor where the Grand Duke’s bedroom and office were located.

I couldn’t even get close to that area.

So, even though I wanted to meet him and talk again, it wasn’t easy.

Even if I wanted to wait for him, once he left the Grand Duke’s Castle, he rarely returned quickly.

And when he was home, he stayed holed up in his office, making him difficult to encounter.

‘They said he’s heading to the Imperial Capital soon and will be away for several days.’

I need to meet him before then, but it’s not proving easy.

I considered just sitting and waiting outside his door, but if he was intentionally avoiding me, I’d never be able to meet him.

‘The fact that he hasn’t come looking for me, even though he must know I’m dying to talk to him, means he doesn’t want to see me.’

Today, as usual, I moved between wardrobes, letting out a long sigh.

Still, I couldn’t just spend all my time looking for the Grand Duke.

I had to protect our Dedrick.

While making my rounds through the wardrobes, I often overheard Somerset or Axel plotting something.

Just like right now.

“Hyung, is this really okay?”

It sounded like a worried question, but the voice was laced with innocent delight.

Aside from Dedrick, there was only one other person who called Somerset ‘hyung.’

‘Axel Blackwood.’

He was Delaney’s second son.

‘If they had a second child, doesn’t that mean they were on good terms? They’re only a year apart.’

Did they grow distant when Amelia appeared? Technically, wasn’t it an affair…?

But since having a mistress in addition to a wife was something people tacitly ignored, it was a bit ambiguous.

The novel didn’t describe it in detail, so I didn’t know much either.

Even here, it was almost an unwritten rule not to speak of it, so no one really gossiped about the matter.

“Why wouldn’t it be!? Because of that bastard, Mother…”

The sound of Somerset grinding his teeth reached me through the wardrobe.

How absurd.

That’s all your mother’s own doing; why is that Dedrick’s fault?

I know blaming others is easy, but it seems far too easy for these kids.

“Do you think I’m just going to sit back and take this?”

“Wh-what are you going to do?”

He was stuttering, but a small spark of anticipation blossomed in his voice.

It was to the point where I could see his desire to torment Dedrick as well.

Axel was that kind of guy. Hiding behind Somerset, he bullied Dedrick quite viciously.

But even that was somewhat clumsy; that was Axel.

Though he acted as if he’d give up his very liver and gallbladder for Somerset because he couldn’t stand up to Delaney’s one-sided love for the eldest son, he was actually a boy who harbored an inferiority complex toward his brother.

However, he was the second son of the Blackwood family—too afraid to ever express those feelings.

“You know what this is, right?”

I carefully opened the wardrobe door.

Perhaps because it was a high-end wardrobe, the door made no sound. Through a small crack, I could see Somerset and Axel.

The two looked more like Delaney than the Grand Duke.

Delaney was a calm beauty with navy hair, and the two boys were the same.

They were handsome enough with their navy hair, but because their faces were stained with greed, it actually made them look uglier.

“It’s the book Father gave us this time. Economics. This one belongs to Dedrick.”

“S-so?”

“Father doesn’t like people who treat books carelessly.”

The moment he said that, I immediately realized Somerset’s plan.

It seemed he intended to damage the book he’d stolen from Dedrick.

To get him into trouble that way.

Sure enough, Somerset added with a villainous smirk.

“Especially if he finds out Dedrick tore a book Father personally gave him… what do you think Father will do? He’ll never forgive him!”

I don’t think it’ll go that far….

Thinking that Dedrick had involved the Grand Duke to find the memento, Somerset seemed intent on using the same tactic.

A scheme to bring the Grand Duke into it and put Dedrick in his bad graces.

Since they were still just children, the bullying was at a level I could handle.

That’s a relief. Otherwise, despite my big talk about helping, I would have just been a nuisance.

Ever since I became a closet monster, I sometimes feel like my brain has regressed.

“But can’t he just get another copy?”

“How would he get one? There’s no one here who would listen to a word he says.”

The corners of Somerset’s mouth curled up nastily. He spread the book wide.

Rrip, tear!

After watching him vigorously tear the book, I headed straight for Dedrick’s room.

‘If that’s his plan, I’ll have to step in again.’

It was a perfect opportunity to turn the tables.

As soon as I arrived at Dedrick’s wardrobe, I flung the door open and called out to him excitedly.

He glanced at me and then turned his head away sullenly.

What’s wrong with him?

“Did Somerset come by?”

That shouldn’t be possible. I’d just seen him.

But usually, when his mood plummeted, it was because Somerset or Axel had visited.

“……No.”

Then why is the atmosphere so heavy?

I sat on the edge of the wardrobe, my eyes darting around.

What is it?

Why is he acting like this?

But that wasn’t the issue right now.

“Where is the economics book the Grand Duke gave you?”

He flinched, then hung his head low, fidgeting with his hands.

He knows it’s missing.

“It’s okay. Somerset stole it, but I’ll take care of everything.”

“Stole it?”

“He wants to show the Grand Duke that you didn’t value the book to get you in trouble. But as long as I’m here, that won’t happen, so don’t worry.”

He hesitated for a moment before asking.

“……Is that why you were gone?”

“Yeah. Those guys are always bullying you, so I have to listen to what they’re plotting. This time, we’re going to give them a taste of their own medicine! I’ll swap the books!”

Despite my words, Dedrick showed little reaction.

I crouched down beside him and looked up at his fair face.

Seeing him look so depressed, I asked softly.

“Should we go for a walk?”

He looked at my face and then suddenly let out a small laugh.

……Is my face funny?

Drag, drag, drag….

Dedrick glanced sideways at her greyish hair trailing on the floor.

The hair dragging on the ground didn’t even stir up a faint bit of dust. No one else could perceive that this girl existed.

Blue eyes, deep as the ocean, watched the girl keenly as if observing her, then flinched.

As soon as their eyes met, her lips stretched into a wide grin, causing him to hurriedly look away without realizing it.

He didn’t know why this girl was always beaming whenever she saw him.

Unlike other people who frowned the moment their eyes met his, Dedrick simply couldn’t get used to it.

Perhaps thinking differently, the girl asked cautiously.

“Should I walk a bit further away? I will if it’s uncomfortable.”

Dedrick’s lips parted as he reflexively grabbed the sleeve of the girl who was about to move away.

Aside from the gratitude he felt toward the girl who helped him and even found his mother’s memento, there was a lingering sense of unease in one corner of his heart.

Surely, she wasn’t helping him for no reason.

He felt that if he found that reason, he would finally be able to conclude whether he should remain wary of her or if he could trust her.

Dedrick didn’t want this uncomfortable feeling to continue.

Finally, he looked at the girl and asked.

“Why do you help me……? What do you have to gain?”

The answer came immediately, without a hint of hesitation.

“Because the wardrobe, which is basically my heart, is in your room.”

That was a fact he had heard when she introduced herself. Dedrick hesitated before asking back.

“Is it simply because of that?”

“No!”

I knew it.

There was something.

Even though he didn’t want to, his body trembled, and he licked his parched lips. But then.

“Only you can keep me alive.”

At the unexpected words, Dedrick’s eyes widened.

“……Me?”

“Yeah. You are my lifeline. No one else will do. That’s why I’m clinging to you—so I can live.”