IBACM Chapter 53

Chapter 53

“I’m not interested.”

“Wait, it’s not like that! This is a small social gathering, right? It’s a chance to experience high society before we officially debut as adults. It’s also a great opportunity to build connections.”

At that moment, Perez, who had been entertaining the nobles, suddenly moved closer and looked at Ebony with interest.

“Oh? And then?”

Noticing the attention on her, Ebony stepped even closer to Dedrick and Perez.

Lowering her voice slightly, she smiled and said,

“Our family has quite a bit of influence. If you dance with me, Young Lord, it won’t be a bad thing for you.”

Dedrick had no supporters. Meanwhile, Somerset had a strong backing.

Now, the precious daughter of the prestigious Silius family was offering to help him.

There was no reason to refuse.

But Dedrick didn’t want to accept her offer.

…I want my first dance to be with Mary.

Dancing with Ebony would definitely benefit him. Building connections was important if he wanted to secure his position as heir.

But Dedrick didn’t hesitate for long.

From the start, nothing was more important to him than Marilyn.

He made up his mind and declined politely.

“I never learned how to dance.”

“Ah, I can lead you!”

“Just the fact that you showed kindness to me has already changed how people see me. That’s enough.”

Dedrick glanced around.

He could see that people were no longer focused on Somerset but on him instead.

“So…”

At that moment, Marilyn appeared, weaving through the crowd toward them.

“Didi!”

She called his name happily, waving her hand.

Dedrick’s face instantly brightened.

“You still have to answer me.”

Oh. Right.

Dedrick quickly continued.

“I don’t need any more kindness than this.”

“Our Didi speaks so well!”

At Marilyn’s praise, Dedrick’s lips twitched into a smile.

Seeing him smile so brightly, Ebony looked a bit troubled.

She glanced over at Joanna, who had been watching.

Does he really like me that much?

Was he smiling that brightly just because of her?

Joanna’s going to complain again…

But emotions weren’t something she could control.

In fact, maybe Joanna would be grateful that she made such a gloomy person smile.

Ebony decided she had done a good thing and gave a pleased smile.

“Then, if you ever need help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

But Perez, standing nearby, knew that smile wasn’t meant for Ebony.

He had noticed something no one else had.

Dedrick’s blue eyes hadn’t been looking at Ebony.

Instead, he had been smiling at the invisible Closet Monster.

Hmm. This is an interesting situation.

Ebony was misunderstanding everything, while Dedrick had no interest in her at all.

He’s a natural at this.

Without even trying, Dedrick was drawing people toward him.

Including Perez himself.

Perez’s eyes gleamed.

In the royal palace, he always felt weak, but here, he felt alive.

I didn’t know what had happened while I was gone, but Dedrick and Ebony seemed a lot closer than before.

So, the main male and female leads will always end up together, even if I do nothing.

Meanwhile, I had been the one pushing the prince and Eugene together.

Anyway, I walked over to Dedrick and told him about the Grand Duchess’s scheme.

“The key moment is when they bring out the whole cake. See that maid standing still over there? The one with dark brown hair and freckles? She’s the one who’s going to push you.”

“…”

“Our plan is to make her ‘accidentally’ push Somerset instead. So, even though it’ll be annoying, you need to stay close to Somerset when people gather around the cake. Got it? You don’t have to answer.”

Dedrick blinked once, signaling that he understood.

I glanced at Perez.

His face had more color compared to before.

As expected, without that thing, he was noticeably more energetic.

Time to use that as leverage and make a deal with the prince.

Heh.

I smirked to myself, thinking of my little secret.

Just then, Somerset walked over to us.

Joanna shot a sharp glare at Ebony.

She clearly had a lot to say, but because of Somerset, she held her tongue, biting her lip.

“Joanna, come here!”

“…Ebony.”

Joanna’s gaze toward Ebony was anything but friendly.

Completely unaware, Somerset spoke to the prince in an overly friendly tone.

“Your Highness, are you enjoying the banquet?”

“Well, after seeing that as soon as I arrived, how could I not?”

“It’s an honor.”

…Was that sarcasm?

Dense as ever, Somerset seemed happy just to be talking to the prince.

The other nobles, however, had caught on and were laughing behind their fans and hands.

Noticing this, Joanna’s face turned red.

Unlike Somerset, she understood shame.

Right on time, a lively waltz began to play, and Somerset turned to Joanna.

She flinched, but he simply held out his hand.

“Let’s go to the dance floor, Joanna.”

Who asks someone to dance like that?!

Clearly reluctant, she refused.

“I’m sorry, but I need to rest. I think I drank too much wine and feel a little dizzy.”

…That was non-alcoholic wine, though?

Anyone could tell she just didn’t want to dance with him.

Everyone around them awkwardly glanced at Somerset, who remained oblivious.

“Oh no! Are you alright, Joanna?”

He dramatically pretended to be concerned.

And, of course, he fell for it.

Good thing Somerset was too clueless to notice.

Meanwhile, Ebony tried to talk to Dedrick.

“Young Lord Dedrick, may I—”

“I’ll be taking a break as well.”

Before she could even finish, Dedrick cut her off.

Then, he glanced at me and blinked three times.

That’s the signal!

“I’m coming with you!”

Dedrick’s face relaxed slightly.

Before anyone could stop him, he quickly walked out of the hall.

“Hmm, I should go too—”

“Your Highness, would you dance with me?”

“Ah… alright.”

Perez had been about to follow Dedrick, but he couldn’t refuse a noble lady’s request.

It’s bad manners to turn down a lady’s dance invitation at an official event.

As I glanced back at Perez, Dedrick gave me another look.

“Ah! I’m coming!”

I quickly ran after him.

Eugene was left behind, but since Ebony was there, he should be fine.

She was the type who couldn’t ignore someone struggling, and Eugene was exactly that kind of person.

Once outside, Dedrick waited for me before slipping into the maze garden.

The maze garden of the Grand Duke’s estate was massive.

If you took a wrong turn, it could be hard to find your way out.

That’s why small bells were placed throughout the garden—so lost guests could ring them for guidance.

At the same time, it was also the perfect place for secret meetings.

I followed Dedrick deeper inside.

He stopped when he reached a small clearing, glancing around to check if anyone was nearby.

I reassured him, “I checked on the way here. There’s no one else!”

Still hesitant, Dedrick carefully moved closer and whispered,

“Then… can I talk now?”

“Of course!”

“I did what you said. I became friends with Eugene.”

“That’s amazing!”

Looking a little embarrassed, he spread his arms slightly.

I immediately hugged him tightly.

Finally, Dedrick smiled and rubbed his face against my neck.

“I wish the banquet would end soon.”

“Me too. It’s stressful how they keep targeting you.”

“…That’s not why.”

“Huh?”

“I hate not being able to talk to you. Even when you’re right there, I have to pretend I don’t know you.”

I couldn’t help but grin.

The realization that someone truly cared about me filled me with overwhelming satisfaction.

“Once the banquet is over, we’ll be together all the time!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Oh, and did you see how I smacked Somerset’s cup earlier?”

“That was so satisfying.”

“Right?! Since I’m your Closet Monster, I’ll keep making their lives miserable!”

“Mhm, my monster!”

We held hands and spun around in circles, giggling.

But after a few turns, we both collapsed onto the ground.

“Whoa, I’m so dizzy.”

Dedrick pressed his forehead against mine and smiled brightly.

He really looks happy.

I reached out and gently poked his cheek.

He let out a soft laugh.

Then, I casually asked, “By the way, Ebony’s nice, right?”

“Ebony?”

“Ebony Silius.”

“Ah… I don’t know.”

He answered indifferently and pulled me to my feet.

Then, with a serious expression, he said,

“Mary, at this rate, I might be forced to have my first dance with someone.”

“Forced?”

Dedrick nodded grimly.