Chapter 43
When I opened the wardrobe door, Dedrick was standing there, hugging his pillow tightly, peeking out with just his eyes.
“Why are you standing there looking so cute?”
“…You always say I’m cute.”
“Because you are cute!”
At my sincere outburst, he chuckled softly and slowly climbed inside the wardrobe.
“I feel a little sick…”
“Huh? Where? Are you having symptoms?”
I turned pale and quickly grabbed his arm to check, but there was nothing wrong.
“My head… just a little…”
Hearing his hesitant mumbling, I finally realized—
He was faking it.
Well, I guess when you’re sick, you want to be comforted.
He had no one else to turn to, so he came to me.
I found him both adorable and a little pitiful.
Scooting deeper inside, I made space for him to sit and patted the spot.
“Come here.”
Only then did Dedrick crawl inside and close the wardrobe door behind him.
Without even thinking, we hugged each other and patted each other’s backs at the same time.
It was oddly fascinating how we moved in sync.
“Did we just read each other’s minds?”
“…Mind reading?”
“It means we understood each other without speaking.”
“Our minds connected?”
“We both wanted each other to sleep comfortably, so we started patting each other’s backs.”
“That’s true…”
Dedrick stared at me for a moment, then muttered in wonder.
“…Our minds really did connect.”
It wasn’t that big of a deal, but…
Since he liked it so much, I decided to let it be.
The next morning, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Dedrick staring at me with wide, alert eyes.
I greeted him.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Thanks to you.”
“Then let’s get out now.”
From the light peeking through the wardrobe door, I could tell it was around the time Dedrick should be returning from sword training. Yet, he hadn’t left.
Maybe getting stung by the wasp was more serious than I thought?
I thought he was faking, but was he really not feeling well?
Even though I probably wouldn’t be able to tell, I instinctively placed my hand on his forehead before pulling it away.
Even as I sat up, Dedrick remained lying down, unmoving.
“Didi?”
After hesitating, he suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist and mumbled.
“…I don’t want to leave.”
Kid, this is my house.
I told him he could come in anytime, but I never said we’d live in here together.
I opened my mouth to say something but then closed it again.
Lately, Dedrick had been pushing himself too hard.
Fine, I’ll let him stay in the wardrobe for today…
BANG!
But our peaceful time didn’t last long.
A loud bang came from the door, followed by an annoying voice.
“Where is that bastard?”
It was Axel.
Dedrick flinched, and I quickly covered his mouth, putting a finger to my lips.
He nodded slightly.
We clung to each other, holding our breath.
“Did he go out somewhere?”
Axel didn’t seem to consider that Dedrick might be hiding.
He grumbled.
“I just wanted to check on his wasp sting… If he went out, that means it wasn’t serious!”
Thud!
A loud hit echoed, followed by another man’s groan.
“Ugh!”
“Did you release the wasps properly?!”
“I-I made sure to put honey on him before releasing them…!”
“Then why is he walking around fine?!”
“T-that guy never shows when he’s in pain. Maybe he just endured it and went out?”
“…That makes sense.”
Axel sure is easy to convince, just like me.
Luckily, they left the room soon after.
“I’ll go check if Axel is really gone.”
Leaving Dedrick inside, I sneaked out and checked the hallways.
Hmm, not a trace of Axel anywhere.
Good.
When I returned to the wardrobe, Dedrick was climbing down with a pen in his hand.
Huh? Did he sleep with that?
The ducal mansion was bustling with activity.
Servants were rushing around, carrying decorations for the banquet hall.
New luxurious curtains, expensive artworks from auctions—items that showcased the duke’s immense wealth were being brought into the hall one after another.
I watched the scene blankly from the window.
“They’re trying to restore their reputation.”
With all the rumors about them mistreating Dedrick, they were working hard to act like a kind and noble family.
“It’s going to be noisy for a few days.”
The Duke’s banquets lasted for three full days, with guests arriving a day or two early to stay at the mansion before enjoying the party.
Young noblemen and noblewomen, especially those who had not yet come of age, desperately wanted invitations to the duke’s banquets. It was the perfect opportunity to build connections.
“Even if Delani’s reputation is bad right now, no noble would miss this chance.”
In high society, rumors spread like wildfire. And as long as Delani was the Duke’s wife, offending her wouldn’t do anyone any good.
Anyway—
“Dedrick will be attending the party too, so I need to stay sharp.”
Because…
Finally, in this banquet, a female lead will appear!
In the novel, Dedrick was mocked by the nobles throughout the party. If that wasn’t bad enough, he also fell into a trap set by the Duchess and ended up utterly humiliated.
Feeling overwhelmed, Dedrick hid in an empty room and cried quietly. That was when the female lead found him.
“From that moment on, they couldn’t take their eyes off each other.”
Even if they pretended otherwise, they became more aware of each other than anyone else.
I turned away from the window.
“Come to think of it, the Second Prince is also attending this party.”
Unlike in the novel, Dedrick had befriended him, so he decided to show up this time.
“Didi, I’m going to the Duchess’s room for a bit.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think? The party preparations are in full swing!”
“…And that means what, exactly?”
Smiling mischievously, I waved my hand before disappearing into the wardrobe.
“I’ll tell you when I get back!”
I quickly made my way to Delani’s room.
After sneaking out of the wardrobe, I headed to the connected living room. Peeking through a slightly open door, I saw Delani flipping through a catalog, giving orders to Gemma.
“Since the theme is the ocean, everything must match. It has to be overwhelmingly grand so that no one brings up any unpleasant rumors about me or Somerset.”
Even though it was winter, she chose an ocean theme to flaunt her wealth—as if she could change the seasons themselves. It was also a statement that Somerset and Delani were still powerful and unshaken.
“Make Somerset the center of attention…”
Knock, knock.
She paused for a moment but continued speaking without concern.
“Somerset’s gown should also be blue…”
Knock, knock.
This time, her hands stopped turning the pages of the catalog.
“Mother, it’s Axel.”
“Madam, perhaps you should speak with Young Master Axel first and then continue making your decisions,” Gemma suggested cautiously.
Delani raised an eyebrow in displeasure but let out a sigh.
“Let him in.”
As soon as Gemma opened the door, Axel stepped inside, looking like he had been waiting for this moment.
His face was filled with anger, disappointment, and hurt.
“Mother, a banquet? You never mentioned anything to me.”
“I was too busy with preparations to think about it. I’m sure you understand.”
She responded coldly, not even looking at him.
“…You could have at least given me a heads-up.”
“Axel.”
Delani let out a deep sigh as if she were exhausted.
“I’m very busy right now. Let’s talk later.”
“But if there’s a banquet, I need to prepare too—!”
Gemma was awkwardly caught in the middle, glancing nervously between them.
Delani, however, dismissed Axel as if he were a mere nuisance.
“Only your brother, the main figure of the event, needs to prepare. What do you need to get ready for? Do you think I would intentionally neglect you?”
She waved her hand dismissively, as if tired of the conversation.
“If you understand, you may leave now.”
But Axel didn’t move. He just stood there in shock.
Eventually, Gemma gently tried to guide him away.
“Young Master, perhaps it’s best to leave for today…”
Axel shook off her hand.
Even he must have realized it by now.
No matter how much harder he worked than Somerset, no matter how his grades were slightly better, Delani always favored her eldest son.
In the end, Axel couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Why is it never me?”
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