Chapter 012
“You dare…!”
Facing the unwavering blue eyes staring at him, Somerset faltered for a moment, stepping back instinctively.
This gave Dedrick just enough time to barely dodge Somerset’s reckless swings.
A sharp breeze brushed past Somerset’s neck, sending a chill down his spine.
‘If he had learned swordsmanship…’
The reason Dedrick hadn’t learned to wield a sword was simple: Delani had stopped him.
Using his small and weak body as an excuse, Delani had deliberately delayed Dedrick’s sword training.
To make matters worse, Delani had spread rumors to the Duke, saying Dedrick was lazy and lacked respect for knights. As always, the Duke didn’t intervene.
So, no matter how much Dedrick’s heart changed, nothing would change. He would never learn the sword.
That was certain.
‘How dare he look at me with eyes just like my father’s…’
Overcome with rage, Somerset struck Dedrick’s shoulder hard with a wooden training sword.
Thwack!
“You brat!”
Even after falling to the ground, Dedrick got back up, refusing to give up.
Annoyed by his own earlier hesitation, Somerset shouted furiously,
“No matter how much you struggle, you’ll never beat me!”
That’s when Dedrick noticed it—a small, unguarded opening in Somerset’s stance.
Ignoring the throbbing pain throughout his body, Dedrick clenched his teeth.
‘Just one hit!’
He poured all his desperation into the strike, aiming his wooden sword at Somerset’s exposed side.
“Damn it!”
Although Somerset barely avoided a direct hit, he lost his balance and fell backward with a loud thud.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
Dedrick didn’t miss the chance. He swiftly pointed his wooden sword at Somerset’s nose, making him flinch and pull his face back in surprise.
Somerset, startled, pulled his head back and looked up at Dedrick, who was staring down at him with unflinching eyes.
It was clear to anyone that Somerset had lost.
Breathing heavily, Dedrick calmly spoke.
“I’m challenging you because I want to succeed, Brother.”
Repeating the very words Somerset had mocked him with before, Dedrick turned and walked away.
Filled with humiliation, Somerset sprang up and yelled.
“How dare you lay a hand on me?! You think I’ll just let this go?!”
“Brother.”
Dedrick turned to him and spoke coldly.
“It’s just a sparring match.”
When Dedrick repeated the words Somerset had once used, Somerset froze, unable to speak.
Dedrick quietly stared at him before leaving the training hall.
Somerset’s angry shout echoed as he finally realized what had just happened.
“Damn it! Come back here! That brat—!”
But Dedrick didn’t look back.
Pain throbbing, Dedrick frowned as he looked at his swollen wrist and aching shoulder.
‘She can’t find out.’
The image of the girl, more concerned about his injuries than her own, appeared in his mind.
He felt more concerned about her sadness than the joy of having won against Somerset.
While hesitating to return to his room, a voice called out to him.
“Good day, young master.”
Someone approached Dedrick. As a long shadow stretched across him, Dedrick lifted his gaze from his wrist.
“Oh, Sir Jacob.”
“Yes…?”
Before he could introduce himself, Jacob’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How do you know my name?”
Dedrick lowered his eyes slightly and muttered.
“I’m not skilled with a sword, but I’ve been watching because your skill is impressive…”
Jacob smiled awkwardly, though there was a hint of bitterness.
“…Thank you, but I’m just a useless knight who can’t even awaken aura.”
“But even so, you’re part of the Black Hawk Knights. The commander must have recognized your ability,” Dedrick replied.
“…I appreciate the kind words.”
However, Jacob couldn’t deny the harsh truth. Without the ability to awaken aura, he was often overlooked—just like now, when the rest of the Black Hawk Knights had left for a monster subjugation, leaving him behind.
Seeing Jacob’s dejected demeanor, Dedrick felt a pang of familiarity. He saw his own timid self reflected in the knight. It reminded him of how the girl had always comforted him during such moments.
After hesitating, Dedrick finally spoke.
“Aura… often manifests later in life.”
It was a clumsy attempt of encouragement, but Jacob smiled faintly.
“Thank you. May I take a look at your shoulder and wrist, young master?”
After a moment of hesitation, Dedrick extended his hand. Jacob carefully inspected it, his brows furrowing as he tried to hide his dismay.
The sparring match he had just witnessed wasn’t a proper duel—it had been outright abuse. The rumors of Somerset disciplining an arrogant younger brother couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Looking at Dedrick’s bruised shoulder and swollen wrist, Jacob grimaced.
“…Does it not hurt?”
“It’s nothing…”
“…”
Jacob hesitated before letting go of Dedrick’s arm.
“Luckily, there’s no damage to the bones.”
“That’s a relief…”
“Would you like to go to the infirmary?”
“…”
After a moment of hesitation, Dedrick nodded.
“Is there a way to heal the wounds on my face?”
“We do have a healing ointment with healing stones in it.”
Dedrick sighed in relief. He had tried his best not to be hit in the face, but small scratches were inevitable.
The girl would undoubtedly be worried about even those tiny wounds.
As they headed to the infirmary, Jacob cautiously spoke up.
“Do you not have a swordsmanship instructor?”
“There’s no one who will teach me swordsmanship…”
This was different from the rumors.
The gossip claimed that no instructor could satisfy him because he threw tantrums and acted out.
And the source of those rumors? It was obvious—the Duchess herself.
“Then, would you allow me to teach you?”
Dedrick looked up at Jacob, his eyes wide with surprise. Jacob met his gaze with warmth.
Watching Dedrick get back up no matter how many times he was struck and fell, Jacob saw himself in the boy.
In the past, people had laughed at Jacob whenever he picked up a sword. But through relentless effort, he eventually caught the eye of the Black Hawk Knights’ captain, which led to his current position.
He couldn’t just ignore Dedrick, who reminded him so much of his younger self.
“…The Duchess won’t stay silent about it.”
“It’s fine. The Black Hawk Knights are untouchable by her. As a member of the order and in service to the Duke, there’s nothing the Duchess can do to stop me.”
“There’s nothing in it for you, though…”
Jacob smiled gently and asked,
“Are you refusing me?”
After some thought, Dedrick softly replied,
“If you don’t mind, I’d like you to teach me.”
Seeing the faint glimmer of joy in Dedrick’s eyes, Jacob readily agreed.
“It would be an honor to teach you, young master.”
Click.
The faint sound of the door creaking open startled me awake.
I hadn’t had the chance to get rid of the scorpions yet!
Leaping up, I hurried to the wardrobe and shouted,
“Don’t go near the bed! Axel released scorpions!”
“W-what…?”
Dedrick, startled, took a step back.
I climbed down from the wardrobe and quickly pulled Dedrick behind me.
I had expected him to return from the training grounds with a few injuries, but thankfully, his face was unscathed.
“Nothing happened at the training grounds?”
“I just watched some sparring matches and came back.”
‘Somerset, just let him leave?’
I looked at him suspiciously, but Dedrick smoothly changed the subject.
“Anyway, scorpions?”
“Oh.”
I stood protectively in front of Dedrick and spoke firmly.
“I’ll clean it up. Stay away, it’ll hurt if you touch it.”
I rolled up my sleeves and moved forward, but Dedrick stopped me by grabbing my wrist.
“Why?”
“Aren’t you in danger?”
I shook my head. “I’m not in danger.”
He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Still, he didn’t let go of my wrist.
“How do you know they sting?”
“I… accidentally got stung once.”
I rolled my eyes and avoided his gaze.
Of course, Dedrick saw through my lie instantly.
“Why are you lying?”
“Because you’d feel bad.”
“Didi.”
“Didi!”
“Good job.”
That’s odd.
Doesn’t it feel like the roles are reversed somehow?
Wasn’t I supposed to be the one taking care of Dedrick?
“Let’s clean it up together.”
“Are you not angry?”
“…You did it for my sake.”
“…”
“Just don’t do it again next time.”
“It’s fine. As long as the wardrobe is safe, I won’t die.”
“Do you remember the first thing you said to me?”
“The first thing? Uh… hello?”
He seemed to lose his words for a moment.
