Chapter 69
Was it because he had been spoiled as the eldest son?
Somerset was arrogant, conceited, and foolish. On top of that, he couldn’t even control his emotions, which a true leader should always keep hidden.
‘I thought he would become more mature as an adult…!’
But it was the opposite.
Somerset couldn’t even read the room, nor did he attempt to keep his mouth shut.
As an adult, he had fully realized the power and influence of the Blackwood family among the nobles. That made him even more smug, believing that no one except the royal family could dare challenge him.
“He needs to fix that attitude first.”
“……”
Gemma doubted that would be easy. Somerset had already stepped beyond his mother’s control.
“He may be ignorant, but does he really not understand the difference between public and private matters? At the very least, he should have hidden his emotions in front of others!”
Marilyn, who had been watching, nodded inwardly in agreement.
‘That’s exactly what I was thinking.’
But honestly, trying to fix Somerset at this point was pointless.
Both in the novel and now, he had become so arrogant as an adult that he wouldn’t even listen to his mother anymore.
‘If I were in her place, I would have switched to Axel a long time ago.’
Yet Delani was still desperately trying to hold onto Somerset, which was almost pitiful to watch.
“Just how much does she love Somerset?”
Delani let out a heavy sigh and collapsed onto the sofa.
“This can’t go on. I need to do something.”
“But the monster subjugation is only four months away, Madam. There’s no way he’ll fail with his skills.”
“Then we need to act before that.”
“Oh, just give up already!”
Marilyn grabbed her head in frustration.
Gemma looked uneasy.
“What do you plan to do?”
“……”
Delani remained silent, and just as Gemma was about to speak—
“Ah…”
Marilyn suddenly let out a small gasp.
A burning sensation surged from within her, making her whole body tremble.
Cold sweat formed on her forehead, and her face turned pale.
“Hrk!”
A searing pain, as if her heart was being ripped apart, tore through her body. She writhed in agony.
“Aaaaaah!”
She screamed in pain, clutching her throat as she coughed up blood.
“Cough…!”
Bright red blood splattered onto the carpet.
“What is that smell?”
The sharp, metallic scent of blood caught Gemma and Delani’s attention, making them look toward the carpet.
Even in that moment, Marilyn worried about being discovered. If they found out she was there, it would become harder to protect Dedrick.
She cursed under her breath.
“Damn it!”
Drip. Drip.
Blood continued to pool on the floor.
Gemma and Delani exchanged glances.
“Who’s there?!”
I can’t be found…
But she couldn’t move. The pain was unbearable.
Swoosh!
In the next moment, Marilyn was pulled into the wardrobe.
Bang!
A loud crash echoed, followed by Dedrick’s enraged voice.
“You bastard…!”
“Ugh… you crazy…!”
Her vision blurred. Marilyn couldn’t even cry out as blood continued to spill from her lips.
***
After finishing his conversation with the Black Hawk knights and receiving instructions about his upcoming duties, Dedrick finally headed back to his room.
Marilyn had left earlier to observe the reactions of the Grand Duchess, so he was alone.
Though he kept his expression neutral, the corners of his lips twitched slightly.
‘I did it.’
His fists trembled with excitement. His face flushed with a faint sense of exhilaration, and he pressed his lips together.
He felt regret at having to be away from Marilyn for a while, but once he completed this mission, his position as heir would be solidified.
‘Then I’ll have more ways to protect Mary.’
He wanted to ensure Marilyn could live freely, without constantly having to watch her back.
And to do that, he needed to become the Grand Duke.
That way, he could also search for information about her past without restriction.
‘Maybe I can even find a way for others to see her.’
If that happened, then he and Mary could officially—
His face turned red at the thought.
Taking a deep breath, Dedrick quickened his pace.
However, the moment he reached his room and opened the door, a loud crash rang out.
Bang!
Before he could even step inside, Somerset stormed toward him, shouting furiously.
“What kind of trick did you pull?!”
Without warning, Somerset grabbed Dedrick by the collar and lifted him.
The room was already a mess.
Dedrick calmly shook off Somerset’s grip and twisted his arm behind his back.
“Arghhh!”
“You lost because you’re weak. Why are you blaming me?”
“W-what?”
Somerset’s face turned red with fury.
Dedrick looked down at him with cold, indifferent eyes.
He held Somerset effortlessly—this person who had once seemed so terrifying to him as a child.
But now? He found him pathetic.
Dedrick shoved him away.
Thud!
Somerset stumbled and fell to the ground. His face contorted with humiliation.
“You dare… to hit me?!”
“You’re unbelievably pathetic.”
“What?!”
“Get out. I don’t have time to waste on you.”
“Hah!”
Somerset got up, gritting his teeth.
“You think you’re something special just because Father acknowledged you? Do you really think—”
“How boring. Should I just rip off one of your arms?”
“…..!”
Somerset flinched but tried to hide his fear by shouting louder.
“You think Father will let you get away with that?! Go ahead and try!”
He shoved Dedrick’s shoulder forcefully, but Dedrick didn’t even budge.
Their eyes met, and Somerset involuntarily shrank back at the annoyance in Dedrick’s gaze.
Trying to mask his fear, he raised his voice even more.
“You think I’ll lose to a bastard like you?! Just because you’re going on a monster hunt doesn’t mean anything!”
“……”
Even as Somerset screamed until the veins in his neck bulged, Dedrick’s expression remained completely unchanged—cold and unreadable.
That calm, unwavering look was identical to the Grand Duke’s.
“I hate your face!”
“…….”
“I hate that someone like you dares to look like Father!”
Dedrick, who had been quietly listening, smirked mockingly.
“You keep bringing up ‘Father’ in every sentence. Did all your maturity just disappear?”
“?!”
“If you’re done talking, get lost.”
Dedrick walked past him and entered his room. Marilyn would be back soon.
Maybe she was already here? He glanced at the wardrobe.
“The wardrobe…?”
The wardrobe was damaged.
His pupils trembled uncontrollably.
“Why is this…?”
Suddenly, Marilyn’s voice echoed in his head.
“The wardrobe is like my heart. That’s why it’s in your room.”
If the wardrobe was cracked…
Dedrick hurriedly opened it, but Marilyn was nowhere to be seen.
Fury instantly turned toward Somerset.
“You dared to touch what’s mine…!”
Crash!
Dedrick, who had always ignored Somerset’s provocations, could no longer hold back his rage. He attacked Somerset, slamming him against the wall with brutal force. Somerset, grimacing in pain, let out a bitter laugh.
“Hah, so you’re finally showing your true colors?”
Dedrick grabbed Somerset by the throat, his grip tightening as if he would kill him right there.
“You bastard…!”
“Guh… Y-you crazy…!”
Somerset struggled desperately as his breath was cut off.
“Hah, go on! Kill me! Cause a huge mess today, you lunatic!”
Dedrick’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous, uncontrollable madness. Seeing it up close, Somerset involuntarily trembled.
Right now, Dedrick didn’t care about anything else.
His mind was completely consumed by Marilyn.
Just as Dedrick’s fist was about to strike Somerset—
“Agh… ugh….”
Marilyn’s weak groan made his fist freeze mid-air.
“Mary…?”
“What?”
Without hesitation, Dedrick grabbed Somerset by the collar, lifted him up, and dragged him toward the door. Then, he threw him out forcefully.
“You bastard!”
“Shut up and get lost. Before I rip your arms off.”
The sheer murderous intent in Dedrick’s voice made Somerset flinch and fall silent.
Dedrick didn’t care for his response. He slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
