IBACM Chapter 54

Chapter 54

For nobles, dancing was one of the most basic skills.

It was considered a great art and also a common pastime among aristocrats.

So at any party, dancing at least once was expected.

In a way, it was a bit forced.

“Didi, you never took dance lessons, right?”

“Yeah. I only learned by watching.”

“Then you might struggle if you have to dance with another noble lady.”

Should I find him a dance teacher?

As I was thinking about it, Dedrick shook my hand.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Huh?”

“I want my first to be with you, Mary.”

“First…?”

“Like… my first dance.”

“Ah, but I don’t know how to dance…”

“Neither of us do, so it’s fine.”

After glancing at me nervously, Dedrick took a step back and politely held out his hand.

Even though his face was burning red, he maintained the perfect noble posture and asked in a gentle voice,

“Would you grant me the honor of sharing my first dance with you?”

Seeing him look at me so anxiously, my heart skipped a beat.

I tried to copy what I had seen others do, awkwardly mimicking the movements.

I straightened my neck and back, placed my hand on top of his, and replied,

“With pleasure.”

Dedrick smiled and gently pulled me closer.

A faint waltz tune drifted in from the banquet hall.

Following the music, Dedrick began leading me.

As I struggled to keep up, he softly wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

“Mary, relax. I’ll do it.”

“O-okay.”

I let go of the tension in my body and swayed along with his movements.

When the music picked up speed, Dedrick suddenly lifted me by the waist, spun me around, and set me down lightly.

Surprised, I widened my eyes.

Dedrick chuckled.

“Are you okay?”

“T-that was shocking!”

“I read that this is how it’s done in books. Were you scared?”

“No, it was so fun!”

“Haha.”

He twirled me around as we continued dancing, laughing together.

Then, Dedrick’s smooth forehead creased slightly.

“Didi?”

“Shh.”

Suddenly, he picked me up and hid us in the corner.

We were pressed closely together.

With our faces just inches apart, Dedrick whispered,

“Sorry. There’s a distraction.”

“A d-distraction? We can’t get caught. Stay closer!”

I pulled him in, and he immediately embraced me tightly.

His fast heartbeat made me even more nervous.

Rustle.

A faint sound reached our ears, and we held our breath.

“I’m sure I heard something from here?”

Ah, it was Ebony.

I flinched, and Dedrick instinctively hugged me tighter.

“I think I heard Young Lord Dedrick’s voice…”

Was she looking for him?

I peeked up at him, and he shook his head as if to say he didn’t call for her.

I didn’t know why, but I found it funny and smiled a little.

“Young Lord Dedrick? Are you there?”

Dedrick didn’t answer.

Were they going to miss each other?

He didn’t seem eager to meet her.

But this world clearly wanted them to.

Bzzzt.

Suddenly, a bug appeared.

I jumped and trembled.

“B-bug…!”

A bug! A bug!

Even if I was a so-called monster, that didn’t mean I wasn’t scared of bugs!

As I turned pale and struggled, Dedrick quickly grabbed the bug with his bare hand and tossed it away.

But by then, I had already made a huge scene.

“I heard something over there…”

Ebony was now heading toward us.

…This wasn’t my fault.

How was I supposed to know a bug would show up?

Feeling guilty, I pouted.

Dedrick gently touched my face and whispered in my ear,

“We can’t let them see you.”

Then, he carefully let me go and stepped out to face Ebony before she could find us.

“We can’t let them see you.”

But Dedrick’s real thoughts were different.

I don’t want anyone else to see you.

He wanted to say it out loud but held back.

I don’t want to go.

Frowning slightly, Dedrick stepped forward to meet Ebony.

If it weren’t for her, he could’ve danced with Mary for much longer and had more fun.

Annoyed, he couldn’t hide his displeasure.

Ebony’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw him, then she happily called out,

“Ah, Young Lord!”

“…Why are you here instead of enjoying the banquet?”

“Because you weren’t there, of course. I thought you might be lonely.”

He wanted to say he wasn’t lonely at all.

Instead, he held back and glanced behind him.

Mary was awkwardly stepping out, looking guilty for getting them caught.

But to him, even that was adorable.

“I’m fine, so you should go back.”

“Let’s go together! If we leave the maze together, won’t people think we’re closer? Please don’t refuse my kindness!”

Ugh…

He had no interest in that kindness.

Just standing together, the two of them looked like a painting.

So this is why they’re the main characters.

I admired them both.

Swoosh.

Right then, a fresh breeze blew through.

It swept Dedrick’s hair back, revealing his delicate face.

He squinted slightly against the wind, then looked at me and smiled.

Ebony stared at him as if entranced.

To make things even more dramatic, an unexpected flower petal floated between them.

A sweet floral scent filled the air around them.

“Wow.”

I looked between the beautiful scene and the two of them in amazement.

A moment like this…

How could they not fall for each other?

As expected, Ebony blushed shyly as she smiled at him.

Ebony has already fallen for him.

She had the same lovestruck look as Joanna.

Then what about our Didi?

I turned away from Ebony and looked at Dedrick.

And then—I froze.

His blue eyes were staring at me with an intense, almost strange heat.

“Didi…?”

I couldn’t look away either.

For a moment, it felt like there was only the two of us.

That was when I snapped back to my senses.

“Didi.”

“Ah.”

Finally, the deep, dark ocean in his eyes turned back into a clear blue sea.

“Stop looking at me!”

“….”

His lips stuck out slightly, as if he was sulking.

Ha, how cute.

Dedrick glanced at Ebony, who was still staring at him, then walked past her without a word.

Only then did Ebony hurriedly turn and follow him.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to the hall.”

“Great! I’ll come with you.”

Ebony eagerly tried to start a conversation with Dedrick, and he responded politely but briefly.

I quietly followed behind them.

The sight of the two walking side by side filled my vision.

This feels… strange.

I was always the one next to him.

But as Dedrick grew, more and more people would stand by his side.

…Then what about me?

I was nothing more than the Closet Monster.

Wouldn’t I just be left behind?

I couldn’t even leave the Grand Duke’s estate.

My entire world was inside these walls.

But today, for some reason, the estate that once felt so big now seemed small.

“Ugh!”

Before my mood could sink any further, I clenched my fists.

No! Stop thinking weird things! If I get greedy, that’s bad.

My goal was to live a quiet, peaceful life in the closet.

That’s why I saved Dedrick. That’s why I won his favor.

I always knew that his place beside me could be taken by Ebony at any time.

Of course, I knew that Dedrick liked me now.

But now that the female lead is here, that could change at any time.

Just like how coincidences turn into fate.

I took a deep breath and looked at Dedrick.

He glanced at me occasionally, making eye contact every now and then.

Yeah, this will be fine!

If his feelings changed, I’d be sad for a moment.

But I wouldn’t regret my choice.

I just want Didi to be happy.

Even if I’m not the one standing next to him.

This is only the beginning, after all!

I should enjoy this moment while it lasts.

After our unexpected flower-viewing moment, we returned to the banquet hall.

As soon as we stepped inside, Lisa—the maid from earlier—quietly approached Dedrick.

“Didi, I think it’s starting now.”

Dedrick casually stepped forward into the hall.