Chapter 011
“Hey, you’re here?”
“……”
Dedrick had always feared that mocking smile. But this time, it was different.
I can do this.
As he thought of the girl, the trembling in his body subsided.
“I thought we’d spar for the first time in a while.”
Under the guise of sparring, Somerset had always abused Dedrick.
“It was just sparring, wasn’t it?”
If Somerset taunted him with that excuse, Dedrick knew he couldn’t argue back.
“What are you waiting for? Get up here.”
Dedrick grabbed a wooden sword from nearby and slowly stepped onto the sparring platform.
Seeing this, Somerset’s smile disappeared. His lips tightened in cold disbelief, and an incredulous breath escaped him.
“Hah…”
Dedrick, who had never held a sword before, now clearly had a wooden sword in his hand.
Somerset’s lips curled into a smile.
‘He’s never even touched a sword before, and now he’s challenging me?’
The audacity of Dedrick made Somerset’s blood boil.
He hated Dedrick. The way he looked so much like the Duke. The way he endured despite constant mistreatment. Everything about him.
That jealousy had only grown over time, and lately, everything Dedrick did got on Somerset’s nerves.
Despite his constant interference, Dedrick consistently ranked first in the monthly evaluations, except for swordsmanship.
Somerset knew the Duke had his eye on Dedrick, and his mother’s increasing wariness of him only confirmed it.
Somerset admired the Duke and worked hard to win his approval, but in the end, Dedrick always seemed to be in the Duke’s line of sight.
‘That’s why I hate you.’
‘You, a mere illegitimate child, stealing Father’s attention.’
Somerset had always found solace in the fact that he surpassed Dedrick in swordsmanship.
‘And now you dare to pick up a sword?’
The Blackwoods were the Empire’s sword. Their reputation was renowned across the nation, and every direct descendant of the Blackwood family was naturally skilled with the sword.
But not Dedrick.
‘Even if he has potential, without a proper swordsmanship instructor, it’s useless.’
And no one would dare take on the role of Dedrick’s teacher.
Somerset’s eyes gleamed with cruelty.
“Maybe I should sneak a look…”
No. I shouldn’t.
It was the first promise she had made with Didi, and I couldn’t break it so easily.
‘How hard has it been to build this trust?’
Honestly, I didn’t need to go to know what Somerset would do to Dedrick in the sparring hall.
He’d humiliate him in front of the knights, crush his spirit, and ensure he’d never pick up a sword again.
In fact, it was that fear of humiliation that had kept Dedrick from touching a sword until he was nineteen.
Yet, despite that late start, in just two years, he had reached the peak of swordsmanship, becoming unmatched on the continent.
That was thanks to his extraordinary physical abilities, reflexes, and innate talent.
And, of course, his relentless effort.
‘But I can’t wait until then.’
He needed a swordsmanship instructor. I couldn’t just let Somerset keep beating him like this.
I knew how much Dedrick had suffered, cutting back on sleep and pushing himself to the brink for two years.
I wanted to lighten that burden, even just a little.
‘ And that person would be perfect as his instructor!’
Should I go find them now? Or wait?
As I was debating, the door suddenly burst open.
Was it already that late?
I cautiously called out to Dedrick.
“Didi?”
“……”
No response.
Was it someone else?
Leaping down from the wardrobe, I didn’t see the adorable Dedrick. Instead, I was greeted by the infuriating Axel.
Without thinking, a sharp, hostile tone escaped from my lips.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Axel, clearly aware that Dedrick was out, casually strolled in and glanced at the desk.
Seeing the neatly arranged desk, Axel scoffed.
“Annoying little bastard.”
“Get out!”
He was obviously here to cause trouble.
Even though he couldn’t see me, I glared at him threateningly and clenched my fists.
“Ugh, why is it so creepy in here? Even my brother said he saw a ghost last time… Weird stuff keeps happening every time I mess with that guy!”
“Oh, that’s me.”
Axel muttered irritably, kicking a chair with his foot.
“Because of that bastard, I keep getting scolded by my brother and my mother.”
“That’s your karma.”
“Let’s hurry up and sprinkle it.”
Sprinkle? Sprinkle what?
“Come in!” Axel shouted. A servant entered, carrying a small box.
“Lift the blanket and sprinkle it inside. After you’re done, you know what to do, right?”
“Yes, young master. I’ll cover it with the blanket so it won’t be noticeable.”
“Finish before that brat gets back.”
After Axel left, the servant poured the contents of the small box onto Didi’s bed. I stood there, stunned.
‘ Is he out of his mind? Scorpions? That’s crossing the line!’
I rushed over to inspect the scorpions, checking if they were venomous. I deliberately let one sting me. A sharp pain was followed by a darkening of the skin around the bite.
Soon, my stomach churned, and dizziness overwhelmed me.
“Wow… it is poisonous.”
“The effect is crazy… really…”
I quickly stumbled into the wardrobe and shut the door, trying to recover.
Thud!
“Aah!”
The servant screamed.
Right now, I didn’t have the time to care about him…
“That damn brat. Like his mother, always bringing bad omens,” the servant muttered nervously.
“Look at this bastard talking back?”
I fixed my glare on him.
Slowly, cold sweat started to bead on my forhead, and my body felt weak. I laid down inside the wardrobe, trying to heal myself.
Symptoms: chills, nausea, and a splitting headache…
It was bad—really bad.
‘But I’ve dealt with worse.’
Through my spinning head, I vowed to take action. Then, I lost consciousness.
“Of course. I knew it,” Somerset sneered and kicked Didi’s limp hand with his foot.
“Did you really think picking up a wooden sword meant you could beat me?”
Didi suppressed the rage bubbling up inside him and quietly responded, “Just attempting this means a lot to me.”
“Have you lost your mind? Why bother attempting something you’re bound to fail at?” Somerset’s mocking tone made Didi grit his teeth.
At that moment, a conversation he had had with the girl from a few days ago suddenly came to his mind.
When he had said that he was embarrassed by his lack of sword skills, the girl had answered casually.
“Of course Didi isn’t good yet. But keep trying. You’re trying for success, right? Nobody mocks someone who tries.”
“What if they do?”
“Then I’ll beat them all up.”
The frustration that had been building inside him settled in an instant. He replied calmly.
“I’m challenging because I want to succeed.”
“Look at yourself now! You still have the nerve to talk?” Somerset barked, his voice dripping with scorn.
“…Failure isn’t the end, brother. Trying is what matters,” Didi replied firmly.
Dedi’s persistent remark made Somerset clench his jaw, his anger rising.
“You little…”
Didi, struggling to rise, grabbed the wooden sword again, trying to stand tall, though it was awkward.
He didn’t want to just be beaten anymore.
At least, he wanted to tell her…
I fought back.
Even if he looked pathetic and clumsy now…
He still believed that one day, he could win.
The girl believed in him. She believed he would become someone great.
That’s why he wanted to live up to her belief.
Don’t be afraid.
As she had said, They’re afraid of you.
‘Afraid that I might rise above them and become the master of the Blackwood family.’
‘ They’re scared of me, too.’
So…
Just as she said, there’s nothing to fear.
The trembling in Didi’s body stopped. He had finally overcome his fear.
‘I can do this.’
Clenching his teeth, Didi charged at Somerset, his battered body battered even further by the fight.
“…!”
When Somerset saw Didi coming, he was suddenly reminded of the Duke wielding a sword. His eyes wavered in shock.
Aw get him, Didi! Thanks for the TL! ✨