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

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?