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.
