Chapter 104
“If you want that, then I’ll do it.”
Dedrick agreed without hesitation. Axel, who expected at least a little resistance or a flat-out refusal, was caught off guard.
“Why so easily…?”
“Because betraying you won’t really affect my plans.”
Dedrick looked down at Axel calmly.
“You’re easy to use.”
Then, he ordered in a composed voice:
“Let’s start by ruining the Grand Duchess’s reputation. I don’t care how you do it.”
“That’s easy.”
Axel knew exactly how things worked inside the Grand Duke’s estate.
Spreading some scandalous rumors to destroy the Grand Duchess’s image? That was nothing.
“By noon, the rumors will be everywhere. If you don’t like how it turns out, just borrow a book from the library.”
Dedrick didn’t answer. Axel took his silence as acceptance and quietly left the room.
As soon as he stepped out, Gemma appeared.
Axel was unfazed and spoke as if he expected her.
“Did Mother call for me?”
“Yes, young master. But… why did you—”
“Gemma, that’s a question for Mother. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Gemma flinched and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, young master.”
Axel glanced briefly at the bandages wrapped around Gemma’s hand, then looked away. Without another word, he walked straight to Delani’s private parlor.
Before he could even sit down, Delani hurriedly asked,
“Why did you meet Dedrick?”
Axel stood still, looking directly at her.
Sigh.
He was still treated worse than a servant like Gemma.
Not even a word asking him to sit—he was always treated like a tool, never as her son.
I thought betraying her would make me feel guilty… but
I feel strangely relieved.
I’m glad there was no love left.
“Axel, answer me! What did you talk about?”
Delani looked visibly anxious ever since Dedrick appeared. She was afraid her secrets might come out.
She used to try to hide that fear—but not anymore.
No wonder. With so much dirt under the rug, how could she sleep peacefully?
Axel spoke, hiding his sarcasm.
“I went to warn him before someone else did. I told him that all information in the Grand Duke’s estate is in your and Somerset’s hands, so he should be careful.”
In truth, Axel had full control. But whenever he spoke to Delani and Somerset, he always lowered himself.
Because that’s what satisfied them. It used to be painful to act that way—now, he was used to it.
“Now that he’s here, my own position is unstable too. So I stepped in. I’m sorry for acting on my own. If you want to punish me, I’ll accept it.”
“No, you did well. What did he say?”
Delani’s voice suddenly softened. Axel didn’t budge.
“He’ll probably stay quiet for now and watch. He’s been away for four years—what could he possibly know? We still have the upper hand.”
Delani finally sighed with relief at Axel’s sugar-coated words.
“You’re right. I’ve been guarding this place all along. He’s not going to take over that easily.”
“Of course not.”
Axel agreed just enough and walked out of the room.
But Delani was wrong.
Now that Dedrick had returned to the chaotic estate, things would start to change—whether she liked it or not.
The servants were whispering and hurrying about the estate.
Novembris and I, curious, got closer to listen.
“What’s all the fuss about this morning?”
“Master Dedrick ordered the burning site to be moved.”
“Why that place?”
“You forgot? That’s where Master Somerset burned Lady Amelia’s belongings. Do you think Master Dedrick would just let that go? Of course he wants to clean it up.”
“You mean… the wardrobe? No one said anything back then.”
“The Grand Duchess silenced everyone. That wardrobe was where she kept a monster—approved by His Grace. And Somerset killed it.”
“She wrecked the wardrobe and let the monster die, then pretended to be the victim.”
“They say Lord Aulus helped her cover it up, even knowing everything. How can a retainer do that?”
“Poor Master Dedrick. He lost both his mother’s keepsake and the creature he raised.”
As soon as I arrived at the estate, I heard these rumors all over.
“What the…? What happened while I was gone?”
I covered my cheeks with my palms in silent shock.
I had been recovering in the sanctuary for a while, unable to move.
Only after my horns grew a little did I finally come out again—and to my surprise, public opinion was already leaning in Dedrick’s favor.
“Brice, wasn’t yesterday Foundation Day?”
“Yes. And just one day later, he’s turned the whole estate’s opinion around.”
“Dedrick is amazing, but I believe that the Grand Duchess has too many secrets.”
“You look pleased.”
“Very. I knew there was nothing to worry about.”
“Well, now that we’ve seen enough—let’s go.”
“Already? But I haven’t seen Dedrick yet.”
“Do you really need to?”
“Of course I do.”
I dragged Novembris along to find Dedrick—but I didn’t have to look far.
“I heard he’s at the burning site.”
“I want to bring him some water or something.”
“They said he doesn’t allow visitors. You’ll get in trouble if you go.”
Thanks for the tip, everyone.
You saved me the trouble of searching.
Everywhere I went, people were talking about Dedrick and the Grand Duchess—and about how incompetent Somerset was.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
“You’re drooling.”
“They said I was cute.”
“…Right.”
Even without saying who “they” were, Novembris understood right away.
I sighed as we walked toward the old burning site.
“But why is he there?”
It was a place seared into my memory.
The last place I had been burned.
To be honest, I didn’t even want to go near it. It was where everything had almost ended for me.
Well… it did end.
But I wanted to see Dedrick more than I wanted to avoid that place.
It’ll look the same, won’t it? I hope there’s nothing still burning…
As I hesitated, Novembris gently stopped me.
“Wait here.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll go check if anything’s burning.”
“That’s not really necessary…”
“It is.”
He firmly walked off, leaving me alone. I sat nearby and looked at the estate.
“The estate hasn’t changed at all.”
It was still huge and majestic.
Memories of living there with Dedrick came flooding back. Thankfully, most of them were happy.
We’ll meet soon.
I gently touched my half-grown horns and smiled.
Once they were fully grown—I would finally be free.
Just then, Novembris returned. He looked uneasy, like he was holding something back.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“…Marilyn. Must you go?”
“Yeah. I want to see Dedrick. Especially since he’s at the place I died—it worries me.”
I glanced at him carefully and asked softly,
“…Can’t I go?”
“If I say no… will you stay?”
Why did he look so desperate?
I looked him in the eye and answered honestly.
“No.”
“…”
“Unless you have a really special reason, I’m going.”
Finally, he snapped like a child.
“You’re so stubborn!”
“What? You stopped me for no reason too.”
He opened and closed his mouth, at a loss for words.
“Is it because he’s burning something?”
“Yes. There’s a big fire.”
“I see.”
I stood up and boldly walked toward the burning site.
“It’s just like that day! Aren’t you scared?”
“I am. But if Dedrick can bear it and live, then so can I.”
Worried he might stop me, I dashed off and shouted,
“No one can stop me!”
“Marilyn!”
Novembris yelled, but I didn’t stop.
As I got closer, I smelled not smoke—but roses.
Puzzled, I saw a rose petal flutter in front of my face.
I slowed down and looked ahead.
The burning site was covered in beautiful rose-colored light.
It wasn’t the hellish place I remembered.
I couldn’t look away from the breathtaking scene.
Then, someone stood up among the roses.
A beautiful man with dark hair brushed it back and gave a faint smile.
“…Dedrick.”
He stood quietly among the blooming roses.
