IBACM Chapter 06-10

Chapter 06

There’s no way he could sense my presence…

Is it because he’s a Duke? He’s really suspicious.

I wondered about it while cautiously touching the necklace.

Sure enough, the spell on it seemed to have disappeared, as there was no reaction when I touched it.

The Duke scanned the room while looking at Delani, who stood still as a statue.

“Or should I search the place myself and humiliate you?”

“…Bring it.”

In the end, the Duchess backed down.

“Wait, were there more keepsakes? How awful!”

I had thought there was only the necklace…! I deliberately cursed loudly.

I made sure the Grand Duke, who seemed to notice my presence, could hear my grumbling.

 “The Duke is a problem, too! Doesn’t he know how much Didi misses his mother? And he’s only acting now…”

Even if he needed evidence to act, there were too many odd things about the Duke. ‘In the novel, too, the Duke was the most mysterious character.’

The way he was described in the story made him truly enigmatic.

It seemed like he loved Dedrick’s mother, Amelia, but he locked her in the tower and let her die in loneliness.

He also seemed to care for Dedrick but never took action himself.

In the original story, he was the most incomprehensible character.

After passing on the family head position to the male lead, he disappeared from the story entirly, leaving all the mysteries unresolved.

This man… he’s so suspicious.

“What’s up with this guy?”

As I glared at him, his eyebrows rose slightly in displeasure.

“I brought it, Your Grace.”

Gemma handed a box to the aide, who then passed it to the Duke. The Duke placed the necklace on top of the box.

“You could’ve hidden it better.”

“…”

“If I hadn’t seen it, I would’ve ignored it like always.”

Does he really think that’s something to brag about?

“Mister, neglecting things is also a sin. You know that, right?” I grumbled, and suddenly, his hand struck my forehead lightly before retreating.

It wasn’t painful, but I was so shocked I widened my eyes.

“What?! You can actually see me!”

He really could see me—that’s why he acted that way! It wasn’t my imagination.

“Take it to Dedrick.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The Duke left the Duchess’s room without hesitation. I quickly followed him.

“Wait! Let me talk to you for a moment…!”

But he didn’t stop. In the end, I shouted, “Why are you pretending not to know?”

Finally, his legs came to an abrupt stop. Seizing the moment, I ran toward him with all my might, and his gaze landed squarely on me. “Shouldn’t you wait to see how happy he’ll be?”

With that meaningful statement, the Duke gestured, and in an instant, I was back in my wardrobe.

Again, it’s quiet… I couldn’t concentrate on studying for days because I kept thinking about it.

As Dedrick clutched his head in frustration, the wardrobe door opened.

The girl hopped out as if nothing had happened and smiled brightly.

“Didi.”

“…”

“A gift from me will arrive soon.”

The girl kept saying inexplicable things. In the end, Dedrick had no choice but to look at her.

“I saw it!”

She looked overjoyed, jumping up and down as if just being seen by him made her happy.

Dedrick, feeling strangely embarrassed, averted his gaze.

 No one had ever been happy just to meet his eyes before. No one had ever been so delighted…

People hated even looking at him because of his cursed fate.

But this girl was different.

‘Why does she treat me like this? Is it just because the wardrobe is in my room? What’s the real reason she appeared before me?’

At that moment, a knock broke through Dedrick’s thoughts.

Knock knock.

“Young Master Dedrick, it’s Jenkinson. May I come in?”

“…Jenkinson?”

Jenkinson was the Duke’s faithful aide.

‘Why is he here…?’

He was as hard to see as Dedrick’s father. When Dedrick didn’t open the door and simply stared, the girl nudged him.

“Go on, open it! Quickly!” “…”

It was rare for the aide to visit directly, no matter the reason. Jenkinson hardly left the Duke’s side. Unless it was a serious matter, he didn’t move.

Still bewildered, Dedrick opened the door. Jenkinson smiled gently down at him.

“How have you been?”

“Well… thanks to you.”

Smiling faintly, Jenkinson gestured, and a servant who had been waiting behind him entered, placing a box on the table.

 “…?”

As Dedrick stared in confusion, Jenkinson explained briefly.

“His Grace asked me to deliver this to you.”

“…Father?”

His father, who hardly ever got involved… why now? As Dedrick looked puzzled.

 Jenkinson looked at Dedrick with a hint of pity, but quickly erased the expression.

“Are you facing any difficulties?”

“Food! The meals are awful! Tell him, Didi!”

The girl yelled as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Hesitating, Dedrick opened his mouth cautiously.

“The food…”

But he couldn’t finish his sentence, only pressing his lips together.

Jenkinson nodded knowingly.

“I see. I’ll address it immediately. I apologize for the poor meals. Is there anything else?”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not fine! Tell him about Somerset and Axel’s misdeeds, too!”

The girl shouted persistently, urging him to spill everything. Dedrick ignored her and approached the box. ‘There’s no evidence they’re bullying me anyway.’

Dedrick knew better than anyone that the Grand Duke wouldn’t act unless there was clear evidence.

Jenkinson looked at Dedrick, who kept his lips tightly shut, with a look of pity. But there was nothing he could do. His duty was to complete the Duke’s orders and leave.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

After Jenkinson and the servant left, Dedrick brushed his hand over the box in front of him with a puzzled expression.

“Hurry and open it! I went through a lot of trouble to get this!”

The girl’s emotions were all over the place—Just moments ago, she was frustrated, but now her face was brimming with anticipation as she looked at him.

“You’ll definitely like it! I hope this helps you open your heart, too.”

“…”

“Oops, I let my inner thoughts slip.”

“Pfft.”

Dedrick couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the girl’s playful antics.

Somehow, she had a way of putting him at ease. Everything she said seemed to be for his sake. Seeing her confidence made him curious about what might be inside the box.

Click. Dedrick carefully opened the box.

Inside were items that looked familiar. “These are…”

Dedrick’s pupils trembled. “Mother…” The box contained a necklace, a bracelet, and other items that his mother used to wear.

“Tada! These are your mother’s keepsakes. I retrieved them—uh, no, I obtained them through perfectly fair means. Though technically, Jenkinson delivered them, it was my idea in the first place.”

The girl looked at him expectantly, as if waiting for praise. Dedrick alternated his gaze between her and the keepsakes, biting his lower lip in silence.

The unexpected items made his nose sting, and tears threatened to fall.

He had thought he would never find them. Even if he did, he believed it would only be after he became an adult that he could retrieve them.

He had always felt powerless, and the Duchess was someone far beyond his ability to confront. She terrified him more than the Duke himself.

After all, she was the one who had mercilessly taken his mother’s life right in front of his eyes.

So, even though he missed his mother, he endured it.

His mother had told him to survive, but the Duchess didn’t want that, so he always held his breath. Someday… he promised himself he would retrieve his mother’s belongings.

The unforeseen gift overwhelmed Dedrick with emotion.

‘I’ve been enduring so much without a trace of my mother…’

He couldn’t take his eyes off his mother’s belongings.

“With this, you can carry your mother’s keepsakes proudly, and no one will dare say a word about it,” the girl said, chatting endlessly by his side.

“No one will even dare touch them. After all, the Duke himself ordered them to be delivered!”

Yes, that must be true. He would no longer lose sleep yearning for his mother’s keepsakes.

“If you hide them in the wardrobe, I’ll keep watch over them every day. No one will be able to steal them.”

He even had a monster who promised to protect the keepsakes for him.

Dedrick looked at the girl. Her golden eyes sparkled as if urging him to praise her, and they were dazzlingly bright.

Reaching out, he gently touched her slightly sunlit gray hair, stroking it softly as he took a step closer to her.

Now he understood why she had been hurt.

He realized his mother’s keepsakes were protected by an anti-theft spell.

Delani couldn’t touch the necklace herself but enjoyed watching Dedrick writhe in agony as he couldn’t bring himself to take it.

It was one of Delani’s cruel hobbies.

Of all the ways she tormented him, that was the most unbearable.

Even though his mother’s belongings were right in front of him, he couldn’t take them.

‘I had no choice but to be satisfied just looking at them…’

But now he could touch them without anything happening.

At last, Dedrick looked at the girl with reddened eyes.

She was the first person, aside from his mother, who had gone to such lengths for him.

“…Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!”

The girl smiled more beautifully than ever.

Chapter 007

With just that smile, everything he had tried to ignore about that girl came rushing back.

Her face on the first day, awkwardly greeting me, came vividly to mind. The girl who gave me earnest advice with her plump little lips in an effort to help me. The girl who chattered cheerfully, introducing herself and asking me not to be wary of her. The girl who lit up with joy whenever I responded to her. The girl who shielded me from Somerset and Axel whenever they tried to bully me.

For some reason, I felt an inexplicable tightness in my throat, and my chest was pounding furiously, along with a slight thirst.

 Finally, I was able to speak with Dedrick. Not only that, but it seemed Jenkinson had put in a good word for him, as he started getting decent meals.

 The appearance of the Duke this time had been a stroke of luck. Of course, there was no guarantee that luck would follow again next time. ‘He saw me, but…’

After that, I could not meet the Duke again. The one place I was unable to go was the floor where the Duke’s room and office were.

That area was completely off-limits to me.

So, even if I wanted to meet him again, it wasn’t easy.

Even waiting for him wasn’t an option. If he left the Grand Duke’s castle, it was rare for him to return quickly. Otherwise, he’d be holed up in his office, making it difficult to meet him.

 ‘He said he’d be leaving for the capital soon and would be gone for several days.’ I had to meet him before then, but it wasn’t easy.

I considered sitting and waiting, but if the Grand Duke was deliberately avoiding me, I would never meet him.

 ‘If he knew I was desperate to talk to him, and he wouldn’t come find me, which clearly means he doesn’t want to meet me.’

Again today, while moving wardrobes, I let out a deep sigh. Still, I couldn’t just wait for the Duke. I had to protect my Dedrick.

While going through the wardrobes, I often overheard conversations between Somerset and Axel, who seemed to be scheming something. Just like now.

“Hyung, is this okay?” The words sounded worried, but there was a playful joy in the voice. The person calling Somerset “hyung” besides Dedrick was none other than Axel Blackwood. He was Delani’s second son.

“If Delani had a second child, their relationship must have been good at some point, right? They’re only a year apart.”

Had things soured become after Amelia’s appearance? When you think about it, it seems like an affair…

But having a mistress besides his wife was something people pretended not to notice, to avoid making it complicated.

 The novel didn’t go into much detail about it, so I wasn’t sure. Even here talking about Amelia’s was almost a taboo topic, so nobody talked about it openly.

“What’s not okay? Because of that bastard, Mother…”

Somerset’s grinding teeth could be heard through the wardrobe.

How absurd.

This was all your mother’s karma; how is any of it Dedric’s fault?

 I understood that blaming others was easy, but for these two, it seemed far too easy.

“Do you think I’ll just sit back and take it?” “W-what are you going to do?” His voice faltered, but there was a slight hopefulness in it. He, too, wanted to torment Dedrick—it was clear from his tone.

Axel was just that kind of person. Hiding behind Somerset, he relentlessly bullied Dedrick in a cowardly way. Yet there was always something clumsy about him.

He had never received his mother’s love because of Delani’s overwhelming love for his firstborn, so he acted as though he’d give everything to Somerset. However, deep down, he was a boy with an inferiority complex towards his older brother.

“You know what this is, right?” I carefully opened the wardrobe door. Since it was a high-quality wardrobe, there was no sound when it opened. I could see Somerset and Axel through a small crack.

The two of them looked more like Delani than the Grand Duke.

Delani was a calm, beautiful woman with navy blue hair, and both of them had the same.

They had navy blue hair and were good-looking, but their faces, covered in greed, made them seem less attractive.

“This is a book that Father gave us this time. Economics. It is Dedrick’s.”

“So what?”

“Father doesn’t like people handling books carelessly.”

The moment those words were spoken, I immediately understood Somerset’s plan.

It seemed they were planning to destroy Dedrick’s book that had been stolen.

They were trying to embarrass him. As expected, Somerset grinned wickedly and added, “Especially if he finds out that he had torn up the book he had personally given to us, he won’t forgive him!” I highly doubt that…

Somerset seemed to think Dedrick had brought the Grand Duke into the picture to retrieve the keepsakes, so he planned to use the same tactic against him.

 By involving the Duke, he was trying to get Dedrick on his bad side. It was clear that these were childish schemes. Luckily, they were within my ability to handle.

If they’d been worse, I might have made a fool of myself, claiming I’d help while only causing more trouble.

“But can’t he just get another book?”

“How’s he going to get one? No one here would help him.”

Somerset’s lips curled into a nasty smile as he opened the book wide.

Rip! Tear!

 Watching him tear the book with determination, I quickly headed toward Dedrick’s room.

‘If they have such a plan, then it’s my turn to intervene.’

It was a great chance to get back at them.

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

“Didi!”

“……”

He glanced at me and then turned away with a sullen expression.

What happened to him now?

“Did Somerset come by?”

No way—I’d just seen him a moment ago. But Dedrick’s mood always sank when Somerset or Axel had come around.

“…No.”

Then why was the atmosphere so heavy?

I rolled my eyes around, sitting casually on the wardrobe.

What was it? What’s going on? But that wasn’t the issue right now.

“Where is your economics book that the Grand Duke has given to you?”

He flinched and dropped his head, fidgeting with his hands. So he already knew it was gone.

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

“Stole it?”

“He plans to show the Grand Duke that you don’t treat books with respect and get you in trouble. But as long as I’m here, that’s not going to happen. Don’t worry.”

After hesitating for a moment, he asked, “…Is that why you were gone?”

“Yeah. They’re always looking for ways to bother you, so I have to find out what they’re up to. This time, we’ll turn the tables on them! I’ll swap the book!”

“…”

Even after my explanation, Dedrick didn’t respond much.

I crouched beside him and looked up at his pale face. Seeing his downcast expression, I cautiously asked, “Should we go for a walk?”

He looked at my face and let out a soft laugh.

…Is my face that funny?

Rustle, rustle…

Dedrick glanced sideways at the girl’s gray hair dragging across the floor.

Even as her hair brushed the ground, it didn’t stir any visible dust. So, no one seemed to notice that she was there.

His sharp, ocean-deep blue eyes darted toward her, observing her keenly, and then he stiffened.

As soon as their eyes met, her lips curved into a wide grin, causing him to avert his gaze in a hurry without realizing it.

This girl, for some reason, always looked delighted whenever she saw him.

Unlike others who grimaced at the mere sight of him, her constant cheerfulness was something Dedrick just couldn’t get used to.

But the girl, perhaps sensing his discomfort, asked cautiously,

“Should I walk a little farther away? If it makes you uncomfortable, I can do that.”

Without thinking, Dedrick grabbed her sleeve as she began to step away, his lips parting slightly as if to say something.

While he appreciated her help and the fact that she’d retrieved the heirloom, but a part of him felt uneasy. Surely, she wasn’t helping him for no reason.

If he could figure out her motives, he’d know whether to keep his guard up or whether he could trust her. Dedrick didn’t want this lingering discomfort to continue.

Finally, he looked at her and asked, “Why are you helping me? What do you gain from it?”

The answer came without hesitation.

“Because the wardrobe in your room is basically my lifeline.”

That was something she’d mentioned when she first introduced herself. Dedrick hesitated before asking again, “That’s the only reason?”

“No!”

As expected. There was something more.

Feeling his throat tighten, he nervously licked his dry lips. But then,

“You’re the only one who can save me.”

Startled, Dedrick’s eyes widened.

“…Me?”

“Yeah. You’re my lifeline. It has to be you. No one else will do. That’s why I cling to you—to survive.”

Chapter 008

Seeing the girl’s bright smile, Dedrick felt a strange tickling sensation in his chest. It tickled so much that he couldn’t help but rub his chest for no reason.

“…Just me?”

“Yeah, only you, Didi. I approached you with a very sly and devious plan—to survive. Didi, you’re going to become such an amazing person that you’ll easily be able to save me.”

For someone claiming to have approached with devious intentions, she looked unbelievably soft and harmless, leaving Dedrick oddly disarmed.

“…So, you’re going to stay by my side?”

“Of course.”

“Until when?”

“Until you abandon me?”

Yup, that’s right. 

Unless that happens, I’ll stay right by Didi’s side forever.

The girl nodded to herself, as if reaffirming her own words. Watching her, Dedrick lowered his head further.

Glancing at her, Dedrick lowered his head, unable to handle the heat spreading from his neck to his face. It was far too warm—

 The heat was so unbearably hot that he didn’t know what to do, and all he could do was bite his lips.

Even after I helped him recover his heirloom, Dedrick had still been somewhat wary of me.

But starting today, that wariness had disappeared.

Perhaps revealing my true intentions had been the right move.

Having a reason for my kindness seemed to make me less suspicious in his eyes. Now, he willingly let me stay close to him.

“A very satisfying outcome.”

To be honest, I said those things to win his favor, but it wasn’t a lie. As long as I was a wardrobe monster, my survival depended on staying close to Dedrick, the owner of my “heart.”

There was no safer place for me in this world than by his side. ‘And he’s not the type to replace his furniture.’

Romance novel protagonists rarely cared about redecorating their rooms. Under his protection, I planned to lead a quiet, comfortable life. What else could a wardrobe monster hope for? Finding a good owner was everything.

Walking beside him, she smiled brightly.

“Should we head back now? Somerset’s probably returned the book by now.”

Dedrick stared at her.

“What? If you’re curious, you can ask me anything,” I said.

Dedrick hesitated for a moment before his gaze rested cautiously on my horns.

“…What are those horns? Do they have some kind of function?”

“Function…”

She tilted her head. 

“I don’t really know. Maybe they’re just to show that I’m a wardrobe monster.”

“…”

“Wanna touch them?” I offered, tilting my head toward him.

Dedrick flinched and backed away slightly.

“Ah, do they look creepy? I can’t see them myself. Sorry about that.”

I thought they probably resembled reindeer antlers, but I wasn’t sure.

As I straightened up after fiddling with my horns, he seemed to make up his mind and cautiously reached out.

Soon, I felt the cool touch of his fingers on one of my horns.

He met my gaze, and seeing his effort, I couldn’t help but smile faintly. In a quiet voice, almost like a whisper, he said,

“…They’re not creepy.”

“Thanks. How do they feel?”

“They’re warm…”

“And?”

“Soft.”

“Right! Go ahead, press them—they’re really hard.”

Glancing at me for permission, Dedrick grabbed both of my horns with his hands and gently applied pressure.

“Does it hurt…?”

“Not at all.”

The sensation reminded me of being petted under the warm sun, a comforting and tender touch that made my eyelids droop.

After fiddling for a moment, he withdrew his hands cautiously.

I found myself missing his touch like a puppy yearning for its owner’s hand.

Dedrick, meanwhile, seemed a little impressed as he muttered to himself, “The nerves extend all the way to your horns…”

“Seems like it. I wonder if they’d regenerate if they broke.”

“…Have you tried breaking them?”

“Nope. It hurts.”

Curious, I’d once given it a light attempt, but the faint pain that followed had deterred me from trying again.

“More than that, if any pressure is applied to my horns, I feel completely drained.”

“Is it okay to reveal such a weakness?”

“Eh, I already told you the wardrobe is my lifeline, so what’s the big deal?”

He gave me a curious look, but it wasn’t an entirely displeased expression. Maybe I could earn some points with that.

I was just about to start another conversation when—

Whoosh!

I was forcibly summoned back again.

I opened the wardrobe door.

Immediately, I saw a tattered book on the desk.

The book had been torn apart in a complete mess.

“Don’t they realize this will only backfire on them?”

It was obviously evidence of bullying.

Still, the reason I insisted on replacing the book was because the Grand Duke expected Dedrick to handle even these minor issues on his own.

Anyone who couldn’t handle something like this wasn’t fit to lead the Blackwood family.

So, even if Somerset had stolen the book and brazenly acted like it was his, the Grand Duke wouldn’t say a word.

 In fact, he might even praise Somerset for being resourceful enough to prepare for such situations.

“First, I need to head to Somerset’s study.”

Dedrick had to read that book eventually.

The Grand Duke had a habit of calling the children at random times to check what they’d learned, so it was better for Dedrick to start reading it as soon as possible.

Getting a book from Somerset’s study was a piece of cake. I could move the item along with the wardrobe, too.

I immediately went to Somerset’s study and quickly found the book.

 “There it is—identical to the one he had.”

Since I couldn’t read, I relied on my memory of the cover to find the book.

Returning to Dedrick’s room with the book, I heard the door swing open abruptly. Dedrick rushed in, looking flustered.

Seeing him enter, I greeted him cheerfully.

“Didi! Come here. See? I brought the book back.”

Wiping the sweat from his chin with the back of his hand, Dedrick panted slightly.

Did he run here?

“…Were you summoned?”

“Ah, yes! The time is really unpredictable.”

 I placed the book I brought from Somerset’s study on the desk.

“I’ll put it back once you are done with it. He’ll definitely suspect you first if the book goes missing, so for now, let’s put it back, and when the Duke calls, we’ll quickly bring it back again!”

He nodded as he moved closer.

“…Yeah.”

Now, he’s even responding properly!

What a huge improvement.

I’m so glad I helped him find his mother’s keepsake. He seemed more lively than usual, too.

After watching Dedrick read for a while, I dozed off in the wardrobe.

The one who woke me from my deep sleep was none other than Somerset.

Bang—!

He kicked open the door so hard it almost broke.

I clicked my tongue.

“Didn’t you learn to open doors with your hands?”

“….”

Dedrick barely composed himself from smiling.

Somerset approached with heavy footsteps and stood over Dedrick, glaring down at him with a menacing look.

“Hey, it’s you, right?”

“…Yes?”

Dedrick pretended not to know. I quickly moved toward Dedrick’s desk.

He had already hidden the book, probably expecting Somerset’s arrival.

I ruffled my hair, feeling guilty.

“I neglected my duties… I fell asleep and forgot to put the book back.”

At least Dedrick had noticed and hidden it quickly, so that was a relief.

I quietly apologized to Dedrick while glancing around.

“Sorry…”

I hadn’t done my job well.

I must have been more tired than I thought after the short walk.

It was weird, but every time I came out of the wardrobe, I felt drained of energy.

Dedrick shook his head slightly. Somerset suddenly screamed, “You stole my book!”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“This is ridiculous!”

As usual, Somerset started searching the room in a frantic manner.

Dedrick cautiously stood in front of me, as if to protect me.

I was curious, so I peeked around from his side.

He seemed tense, but when our eyes met, he relaxed slightly and gave a small smile.

Somerset immediately reacted to his smile.

“What’s with you?”

“…What?”

“Why are you smiling?!”

Somerset’s angry shout made Dedrick freeze instinctively.

After being bullied for so long, his body responded out of habit. I spoke softly to relax him.

“Didi, there’s nothing to be afraid of. People like him are actually cowards. He’s terrified you might threaten his position, so he yells at you every day. He’s really nothing to be scared of.”

Dedrick, listening quietly, nodded slowly. He then clenched his fists and faced Somerset directly.

“Did I… smile?”

For a moment, Somerset was left speechless, his mouth open in shock.

This was the first time Dedrick had ever responded like that. I couldn’t help but praise him.

“That’s it! There’s no need to back down.”

“Ha…!” Somerset exhaled in disbelief. “Give it to me, while I’m still being nice.”

“…What?”

“The economics book my father gave me!”

“Why… are you looking for that from me? I’m in the same situation—my father’s book is all torn up, and it’s really troublesome.”

 Dedrick looked awkward as he tried to explain, his face full of frustration. I couldn’t help but admire him quietly. He’s doing great without me even asking.

Chapter 009

Though his clenched fist trembled slightly, but Dedrick conveyed his point clearly.

I found it so admirable.

I thought he would take more time, but again, Dedrick was the type of male lead who could pick up ten new skills from a single lesson.

He was an example of unbalanced talent.

When he glanced at me, I clapped my hands lightly.

“You did great!”

Encouraged by my praise, Dedrick continued speaking slowly but steadily.

“How could I have stolen your book, brother? None of the servants would help me, and as usual, I was studying in my room. I just went for a short walk to clear my head and came back.”

“……”

Seeing Dedrick’s truly unfair expression, Somerset calmed his anger. Dedrick’s evidence was solid.

Well, of course—it was 

Because it was me who had stolen it.

Maybe I should use this opportunity to stir some trouble between Axel and Somerset.

“I’m not the competitor, am I? You should investigate them.”

Even without my intervention, Dedrick handled it well.

Who would’ve thought he could defend himself so confidently?

I looked at him with fresh admiration. In the original novel, he was described as a shy boy who could barely answer until he joined the academy.

Was this change occurring because of my different behavior as the closet monster that was once one of his nightmares? It was a very positive change.

“He gave up on being the heir a long time ago! Why are you trying to stir our relationship?”

 “Would it be that easy for him to give up, brother?”

“……!”

Somerset’s eyes widened in realization.

“It’s not me, so please leave now.”

Somerset’s face contorted in anger.

He stomped out of the room, shoving Dedrick’s shoulder hard.

“What the—! If you’re leaving, just leave! Why push someone?”

As I shouted at his retreating figure, Dedrick gently tugged on my arm.

“I’m okay.”

“If you’re not okay, say so. Got it? Don’t try to handle everything on your own.”

“…I will.”

“Anyway, you were amazing, Didi!”

Dedrick’s face flushed shyly.

“Thank you…”

His voice carried a faint trace of happiness.

“By the way, have you finished reading the book?”

“Yes.”

“Did you memorize it all?”

Dedrick gave a small nod. You memorized the whole thing… that easily?

Of course, the male lead had extraordinary abilities.

“Then I’ll put this in Axel’s room.”

“Oh…”

Dedrick quickly realized my plan to pin the blame on Axel for stealing Somerset’s book.

I patted his hesitant shoulder lightly.

 “They started it. Don’t feel too bad.”

He nodded heavily. With a devilish smile, I took the book and headed to Axel’s closet. I could already hear Somerset and Axel arguing from here.

“If you’re so confident, let’s check your room!”

“Brother! You suspect me because you’ve run out of suspects? I’m not interested in being the head of the Blackwood family!”

“If you’re not, why are you still attending the successor lessons?”

“That’s…! That’s because it is a Father’s will! To give everyone a fair chance… including that fool!”

Somerset’s enraged yelling stung my ears while Axel hesitated.

“Of course, you’re not without any ambition! It’s the Blackwood title we’re talking about! And to think I called you my brother!”

Grinding his teeth, Somerset looked ready to explode, while Axel yelled back indignantly.

“Fine! If it’ll clear your doubts, go ahead and look! I didn’t steal anything!”

As their stomping approached, I quickly placed the book on Axel’s desk and slipped into his closet. Peeking through a small crack, I watched the two boys enter.

Now, find it already! See what I left there!

Somerset’s gaze locked onto the economics book. His face darkened.

“Axel. Where did you say your book was?”

“In the study, like I told you earlier! Why do you keep asking?”

As Axel grew irritable, frustrated with the repeated accusations, Somerset triumphantly held up the book from the desk. Axel’s face went pale.

“Why… why is that here…?”

“Is this how you pretend to respect me, only to stab me in the back?”

“N-no, brother! I swear…!”

Beads of sweat rolled down Axel’s forehead. He truly was innocent, so his frustration was understandable.

“I’ll report this to Mother immediately! You’ll pay for this! I’ve been too lenient with you!”

“Wait, brother! Please, wait!”

Axel’s voice grew fainter as he followed Somerset out.

Despite their youth, hearing them talk about complaining to their mother was amusing. Not cute, just funny. And annoying.

I decided to leave their little drama alone for now, at least until the upcoming meeting with the Duke. Before the meeting, I’ll sneak the book away again.

Of course, this would make things harder for Dedrick. But…

 ‘I can’t risk him falling out of the Grand Duke’s favor.’

After all, Dedrick suffered so much during his childhood because of it.

No matter what, I needed to protect my wardrobe while making sure Dedrick earned the Duke’s favor.

“Let’s expose just how dumb Somerset and Axel are.”

Feeling satisfied, I left the room with a light heart.

Don’t think this is the end—there’s still plenty of payback left to deal out!

Scratch, scratch.

The sound of a pen moving echoed softly in the quiet room.

As always, Dedrick was studying.

Resting my cheek on the desk, I watched him engrossed in his work.

Even his focus was charming.

Noticing my intense gaze, he gave an awkward smile, set his pen down, and asked me, “By any chance… can you read?”

“I’m a closet monster.”

So, there is no reason for me to read.

“So, you can’t?”

Yes, you’re right.

I kept my lips shut tight, unwilling to admit it aloud.

Dedrick, finding this cute, suddenly wrote something on a page and slid it toward me, his cheeks faintly pink.

“Look, this says Didi.“

“Huh?”

He taught me his nickname first?

I nodded awkwardly, and when he tried to hand me the pen, he hesitated and put it down. Looking at my long sleeves, he cautiously asked, “Can I roll up your sleeves?”

“Sure.”

I raised both arms, and the large sleeves slid down to reveal my pale arms.

Dedrick gently lowered my hands and carefully rolled my sleeves up to my wrists.

“Now, try writing it.”

“Am I wasting your time?”

“No. I needed a little break anyway.”

“Your break is teaching me?”

That’s impressive.

He chuckled softly at my amazement.

“You’re really pretty when you smile,” I blurted out.

“…Ahem. Just try copying it already,”

He cleared his throat, pretending he didn’t hear.

Seeing his ears go red, I was relieved that he didn’t mind.

Holding the pen like a pro, I began copying the strange characters he’d written. Well, more like drawing them.

It wasn’t English or Korean—something more complex, like cursive but harder to decipher.

As I struggled, Dedrick placed his hand gently over mine.

“Here, start from line here, not there. Relax your hand.”

Guiding my hand, he carefully showed me the correct way to write. Ah, now it made sense.

“Got it!”

I tried again, slowly writing as he instructed.

Watching me, Dedric looked a bit surprised.

“You know how to hold a pen?”

I froze momentarily but replied smoothly, “Of course, I’ve been watching you.“

“Didi,” he said softly.

“Huh?”

“Call me Didi.”

“Oh, right. I’ve been watching Didi then.”

Leaning his chin on his hand, he stared at me, his lips curling into a slight smile.

“You’ve been paying attention?”

His obvious happiness made my chest ache a little.

Such a simple gesture—a little warmth—and he already trusted and smiled so innocently.

Thinking about how lonely Dedrick must have been before this made my heart ache. Still, seeing how much he had opened up to me now filled me with pride.

“Now that I think about it… I never asked your name,”

Dedrick said, frowning slightly. “Sorry about that.”

“What’s there to apologize for? You’ve been busy.”

“Still, I should’ve asked…”

Seeing him look guilty, I straightened my shoulders.

“Then ask me now!”

“…What’s your name? I’ll even teach you how to write it.”

“Wardrobe Monster!” I answered brightly.

“…That’s not a name.”

“Then I don’t have one.”

I couldn’t even remember the name I had in my past life.

“…”

Seeing him look even more upset than I was, I hesitated before softly adding,

“If you want, you can give me one.”

“A name stays with you for life. How could I decide something that important for you…?”

“That’s why you should decide. I’m going to stay with you forever, after all.”

“…”

Dedrick fell silent at my bold declaration. Did I overdo it?

Chapter 010

An awkward silence filled in the air, so I decided to change the subject. Gripping my pen firmly, I looked at my notebook and asked, “Didi, how do you write ‘Have a lot of money’?”

He smiled slightly and wrote the words in my notebook.

“What about ‘Be happy’?”

“Like this.”

He wrote it next to ‘Have a lot of money’.

I carefully copied what he wrote, adding his name, and handed it to him.

“I hope you’ll be happy, Didi.”

“…….”

Though it started as a way to save my life, I genuinely hoped for his happiness. He had lost his mother and been neglected by his father, lived a difficult childhood, but…

In the end, Didi would become happy, no matter what.

‘But if he’s going to be happy anyway, why not start now?’

It’s too heartbreaking to see a child worrying about others from such a young age.

The Duke left for the capital earlier than expected, so the meeting with him ended inconclusively.

Because of that, the whole book incident was brushed aside as well.

I was a little disappointed since it meant losing my chance to get back at Somerset and Axel, but I knew they wouldn’t stop here anyway.

With some free time on my hands, I focused on writing simple words in my notebook and memorizing them. Dedrick seemed unusually passionate about teaching me letters, perhaps to help me learn faster.

“These are spring, summer, autumn, and winter, in order.”

“Spring… summer… autumn… winter.”

“This is where you start, and it should end here.”

Whenever I struggled, Dedrick would gently guide my hand, holding the pen with me and explaining patiently.

Honestly, it wasn’t a bad way to spend time. In fact, I enjoyed it.

Seeing Dedrick brighten up, and getting closer to me, made me happy.

I didn’t want to go back to the days when no one noticed or talked to me.

As I was concentrating on writing, I heard a small chuckle from above and looked up.

I found Dedrick smiling as our eyes met.

“What?”

“Nothing, just…”

“Am I bad at this?”

“No, you’re doing great.”

He patted my head encouragingly.

“I’m not distracting your studies, am I?”

“No. I’m studying too, right here with you.”

That was enough reassurance.

I went back to quietly writing the words he had written for me, softly saying them aloud.

“Spring… summer… autumn… winter.”

“Didi, which season do you like?”

“I haven’t really thought about it. What about you?”

My answer came without hesitation.

“Winter! I like being in a wardrobe in winter—it’s cozy and quiet.”

“Isn’t it stuffy?”

“I’m a wardrobe monster, so it can’t be. I like being inside. It made me stop thinking about everything…”

“…….”

“Oh, wait, I don’t usually think much anyway.”

“Pfft.”

Dedrick couldn’t hold back a small laugh.

Ah, the most beautiful boy in this world really does stand out in every way. A boy like this not smiling is a huge loss for the world.

He quickly tried to hide his smile, glancing at me cautiously.

“I like it when you smile.”

“…….”

“Smile more, a lot more.”

It’s said smiling brings good fortune.

In the original story, it was nearly impossible to see Dedrick smile for anyone other than the heroine.

He was the kind of male lead who was kind only to her.

“…Okay.”

Dedrick looked a little shy. So cute. Kids are always adorable.

As I was enjoying the moment, the door suddenly burst open without a knock. This was so common that Dedrick didn’t even flinch and just turned his head.

Standing there was Somerset’s servant, Ruan, with a sulky expression.

He was a few years older than Somerset and one of the people who bullied Dedrick, something I knew because he was always with Somerset.

A classic trope.

Servants who bully their masters without realizing it, thinking they are above them. That’s exactly what Ruan was.

“Hey, the first young master is calling you. Get out here, now.”

He even spoke informally.

I hopped down from my chair and kicked Ruan hard in the shin. 

Thud!

“Ow!”

“…?” 

Dedrick looked at me, startled, as if asking why I had suddenly attacked someone.

“He spoke rudely to you. You’re the master of the Blackwood family.”

“…….”

“And he’s one of the guys who bullies you, isn’t he?”

Even before regaining my memories, I had noticed Ruan pushing Dedrick’s shoulder or tripping him occasionally.

“I’m sorry for ignoring it back then.”

It wasn’t my problem, so I ignored it back then.

At the time, no one could see me, and I couldn’t talk to anyone, so I didn’t really think much about anything.

I just went with the flow, living day by day like that.

Then I regained my past life’s memories, and even though I was helping Dedrick to save myself, I felt a lot of guilt for ignoring everything before.

“……”

Dedrick, who had been silent for a moment, shook his head slightly as if to say not to apologize.

“I’ll help you from now on, so don’t be afraid.” He smiled faintly.

“W-What? Are you the one saying that?”

“……” Dedrick slightly furrowed his brow, though it wasn’t visible due to his long bangs. Still, his expression clearly showed his disbelief. Ruan, too, seemed to find his own words amusing, as he nervously glanced around.

To keep Ruan from thinking too deeply, Dedrick asked him,

“You said my brother is calling me? Where should I go?”

“Uh… Go to the training grounds.”

Ruan grimaced, rubbing his shin.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and come out.”

That jerk!

His attitude was unbelievable.

As I raised my foot to kick him again, Dedrick blocked me with his hand.

“Just wait outside. I’ll be there right away.”

“Don’t mess around and come out now. Do you think I don’t know you’re planning to run away?”

“Then just wait at the door.”

“Hah. Are you really saying that to me…?”

“Wait outside.”

Dedrick, uncharacteristically, coldly commanded. Startled, Ruan flinched before lashing out in frustration.

“D-Don’t even think about running away!”

He slammed the door shut as he left.

“Didi, did you see that? He’s scared.”

“Is he scared…?”

“Yeah! He must have been really scared of you! You did great!”

Seeing Ruan scurry off in fear, I felt a sense of victory. Since the confrontation with Somerset, Didi had stopped shrinking back so much. It was truly a surprising change.

“Let’s go now, Didi.”

“No.”

I naturally tried to follow him, but he stopped me and shook his head.

“Stay here.”

“Why?”

“…Just stay. I’ll be right back.”

It seemed Dedrick didn’t want me to follow him.

“Okay, got it. Be careful.”

The girl nodded as she saw him off. Dedrick cautiously checked her expression, relieved to see no sign of displeasure. He let out a small sigh of relief and stepped out of the room. Ruan shot him a glance before striding ahead, forcing Dedrick to hurry after him, almost running.

Dedrick was used to being treated like this. Other servants might have been different, but the ones under the Duchess always treated him this way. It wasn’t new to him. No one felt sorry for him, and everyone believed this was normal.

That’s why, when the girl said “I’m sorry,” it made him incredibly happy.

So much so that… He didn’t want her to see it.

The sight of him getting helplessly beaten with a wooden sword by Somerset in the training grounds. The sight of his weakness. He knew she would feel sorry for him, and perhaps even try to step in for his sake. But he couldn’t bear the thought of her getting hurt because of him.

He couldn’t bring himself to say it, though. It was a matter of pride for Dedrick.

As he stepped outside, a wave of heat hit him. Walking toward the training grounds, he thought of the girl.

‘It’ll be okay.’

Dedrick clenched his fists tightly. With someone who told him he was precious, he could find courage.

He calmed his rapidly beating heart, driven by fear, as he arrived at the training grounds. In the center, Somerset was spinning a wooden sword playfully.

Seeing Dedrick, who had frozen in nervousness, Somerset’s face broke into a wide grin.