IBACM Chapter 72

 Chapter 72

Dedrick and I sat across from each other, looking completely cleaned up, as if nothing had happened.

“Now it’s time to deal with the mess we’ve made.”

“I shouldn’t have…”

“Hey! We agreed not to blame ourselves! I would have done the same if I were you. And besides, I’m really grateful to you, Didi!”

“Mm…”

Afraid of the reactions outside, neither of us had stepped out of the room yet.

So before leaving, we were putting our heads together, trying to figure out how to explain everything.

Dedrick had wandered around the grand duchy covered in blood. That definitely must have reached the Grand Duchess’s ears.

There was no way she would let such a golden opportunity slip through her fingers.

There was no news yet, but we had to come up with an excuse in advance.

‘She wouldn’t declare him insane and send him to the Herba Academy, right?’

Maybe if he just say he was feeling unwell for a moment, it’d be fine…

But how does he explain picking pine resin from a tree?

If he said, ‘It was to fix the wardrobe,’ he’d instantly become Dedrick’s greatest weakness.

Once they realize there’s something important about the wardrobe, they’ll do everything they can to take it away.

Even if they don’t suspect him, they won’t leave the wardrobe alone now that they know how much it means to Dedrick.

They’ll use it to torment him.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

If it came to that, I’d rather disappear.

That’s how much Dedrick had become more precious to me than my own life.

To me, he was someone I wanted to protect, even if it cost me everything—someone I wanted to see happy more than anyone else.

‘I’ll protect him no matter what.’

Dedrick, who had been silently watching me, suddenly turned his head to look at the wardrobe—specifically, at the spot where the crack had been.

The crack had vanished as if it had never been there. I felt completely healed, too.

The pine tree planted by the goddess, the first Grand Duchess, must have had extraordinary energy, allowing such rapid healing.

Anyway, now we had to figure out our next step…

Knock, knock.

“Young Master Dedrick, it’s Jacob. If you can hear my voice, please respond.”

What kind of way is that to ask for permission to enter?

“Perfect timing. Let’s find out what’s happening outside.”

Dedrick quietly nodded. After briefly brushing his bandaged hand against my cheek, he opened the door.

Jacob entered but couldn’t take his eyes off Dedrick.

“My lord, please, sit here.”

Dedrick actually had to be the one to invite him to sit first. Even as Jacob settled on the couch, he scrutinized Dedrick with a worried expression.

“Are you feeling all right? Who do you think I am?”

What kind of question is that?

Dedrick also seemed puzzled, staying silent for a moment before answering slowly.

“I’m fine. And do you really think I’d forget your name?”

Even though his tone carried a hint of irritation, Jacob let out a deep breath of relief.

“Thank goodness… You’ve come back to your senses.”

Is this some kind of new way to pick a fight?

But no—Jacob was genuinely concerned.

Then, with a furrowed brow, he pressed a hand to his forehead and muttered,

“How could this have happened…”

“What? What happened that’s so serious?”

I looked at Jacob anxiously. He hesitated before carefully speaking.

“I heard from Advisor Jenkinson. Apparently, it was all the First Young Master’s doing.”

“What?”

“Ah, you probably don’t know yet since everything was so chaotic.”

What is he talking about?

Dedrick and I looked at Jacob, completely baffled. Jacob, however, looked at Dedrick with deep sympathy.

“The First Young Master sprinkled hallucinogenic powder on you.”

The unexpected revelation left us momentarily stunned. Dedrick, trying to grasp the situation, spoke calmly.

“…Hallucinogenic powder? But that’s a banned substance.”

“Yes. There is evidence that he obtained it through illegal means.”

What the hell…

We listened intently as Jacob continued.

“Then he covered you with animal blood and…”

Jacob hesitated, letting out a heavy sigh.

“It’s okay. Say it.”

“…He made you mistake it for Lady Amelia’s blood and toyed with you.”

“So I… thought I was trying to save my mother…”

“Yes. That’s why you wandered through the grand duchy covered in blood. Hallucinogenic powder often causes memory lapses, so you may not remember everything clearly. You don’t have to force yourself to recall it.”

“No, wait… What the hell is all this?”

My jaw dropped. Dedrick looked disturbed. Jacob quickly continued.

“His Grace ordered that no one approach you until you recovered. But I was too worried…”

So, in short, before the Grand Duchess could use Dedrick’s condition against him, the Grand Duke acted first.

And not only that—he pinned the crime on Somerset.

“…This is obviously.”

An act of protection.

Dedrick must have understood my unspoken words because his jaw tensed.

“So, what’s the situation outside?”

“The First Young Master is protesting his innocence, the Grand Duchess is quiet, and His Grace has left the estate. He entrusted me with looking after you, and he won’t be back for a while.”

“Hah.”

Dedrick let out an incredulous laugh.

Even though his father had given him a way out of trouble, it wouldn’t be easy to forgive a man who had stood by and done nothing for so long.

And now, of all times, he just disappeared. Dedrick was probably wondering what kind of game his father was playing.

“Does everyone believe the accusation?”

“His Grace announced it himself. And they found the hallucinogenic powder in the First Young Master’s room.”

“What about Somerset?”

“He’s locked in his quarters.”

“And what about Hawk knights?”

“They’re saying he should be removed as an heir candidate.”

Thanks to the Grand Duke stepping in, the hawk knights had likely turned against Somerset. Using banned substances to harm a rival was unthinkable to them.

Blackwood knights valued honor.

‘Which is why, in the future, they will all take Dedrick’s side.’

Except for one—Aulus, the eldest knight.

That stubborn old man never supported Dedrick, insisting that a bastard could never be the Blackwood heir.

Technically, retainers were supposed to stay neutral in succession disputes. They weren’t allowed to interfere until the Grand Duke permitted them to speak.

But Aulus? He was a firm believer in birth order and fiercely backed Somerset.

Even now, despite having no choice but to keep Somerset locked up, Aulus was undoubtedly doing everything in his power to free him.

And my prediction wasn’t wrong.

“Just yesterday, Lord Aulus defended Somerset, claiming he wasn’t the real culprit.”

“If not Somerset, then who?”

“He says Young Master Axel framed him.”

“Wow, has he completely lost his mind?!”

I was so frustrated that I clutched my chest.

“So, did Axel admit to it?”

Jacob shook his head.

It seemed the situation was still unresolved.

“The atmosphere in the estate is tense. It’s best for you to stay inside until you’ve fully recovered.”

“Got it. Thanks for the update.”

“It’s nothing. Please take care of yourself. If you need anything, let me know—I’ll help however I can.”

After one last check on Dedrick’s condition, Jacob left.

“Didi, I’ll go check on the situation outside real quick.”

I should have assessed things sooner. Avoiding it out of fear only made things worse.

But before I could move, Dedrick pulled me into a tight hug from behind.

“I wish you’d rest a little longer.”

“I’ll be quick.”

“Don’t overdo it…”

“I won’t. Don’t worry.”

I stepped into the wardrobe and teleported to Somerset’s quarters.

They said he was locked up, but his voice rang out the moment I arrived.

“I’m telling you, this is unfair!”

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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •

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Advance chapters of this novel are available of my kofi channel

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