IBACM Chapter 111

Chapter 111 

His hand clenched as if trying to grab something, but he caught nothing.

Dedrick moved his lips intending to speak, but his face twisted in pain, and he clenched his fist even tighter.

“…Mary, just once more, please.”

But I couldn’t do anything.

Click.

After a moment, the door closed, and I let out the breath I had been holding.

As my legs wobbled, Novembris quickly supported me.

“That man’s instinct…”

I covered my bright red face and mumbled.

“I almost kissed him by accident.”

Novembris glanced at me with a disgusted look.

***

Dedrick leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed. I sat across from him, hugging my knees, just watching him quietly.

Since coming to the Grand Castle, I could see that he was struggling. There were traces of me everywhere, and sometimes he even felt my presence—of course it was painful for him.

It hurt to see that pain clearly on his face.

I thought about leaving for a while, but I was too scared that something might happen while I was gone.

“I wish our Didi could sleep a bit.”

Even though his eyes were closed, I knew he wasn’t asleep. It was like he was deep in thought.

“He really does look unstable.”

“…I hope he stays strong.”

I wanted to stay with him, but once I returned to the sanctuary today, I wouldn’t be able to come back for a while.

‘Why did the dates have to overlap…’

Novembris had to return to the World Tree’s roots regularly to regain his strength—and today was that day.

So I planned to fill my eyes with Dedrick’s image before I left.

Just then, a knock echoed through the quiet room.

Knock knock.

“Dedrick, it’s me. Axel.”

Dedrick slowly opened his eyes, and spoke quietly.

“Come in.”

Axel entered but didn’t sit down. He stood next to Dedrick, who didn’t ask him to sit either.

“Doesn’t he look kind of strange?”

“Yeah, like he’s chewing on something really bitter.”

“…That’s very accurate.”

Axel looked conflicted, hesitating. Dedrick pressed between his brows in irritation.

“If you’re going to keep bothering me, leave.”

But Axel didn’t leave. Instead, as if he had made a decision, he began to speak.

“…I think I need to say this.”

Axel’s face was twisted with guilt, and he hung his head.

Now even I was curious.

What on earth is it?

After a short silence, Axel finally said in a small voice:

“…I found the underground place where your wardrobe was locked away.”

Dedrick stopped breathing for a moment. Novembris and I were also speechless.

“You found… the basement?”

Dedrick’s voice trembled pathetically. Axel rubbed his face and barely answered.

“They burned the wardrobe, and since it didn’t matter anymore, they just left it… But I happened to find it.”

“Where is it?”

Dedrick stood up. Axel took a step back, intimidated by Dedrick’s size, and replied hesitantly.

“I know I’m telling you this, but I really don’t think you should go there.”

“Just tell me where.”

“….”

No.

I jumped up and ran to Axel.

“Don’t tell him!”

“Marilyn!”

Novembris quickly pulled me back. I held onto him and begged.

“B-Bris, stop him from saying it!”

Leaving that place untouched meant all the horrible memories were still there.

“I can’t.”

As I despaired, Dedrick ran out, slamming the door behind him.

Axel had told him the location during that moment.

“Didi!”

“If you keep panicking, I won’t let you go!”

Novembris held me tightly as I struggled, and I gritted my teeth to calm down.

“…I’m calm now. So please…”

He gently brushed my cheek.

“Please stop crying.”

“….”

He took my hand and led me forward.

***

We stood before a door. My hand was sweating in Novembris’s grip.

“If it’s too much…”

“No.”

I wasn’t going to run. Novembris opened the door. The smell of blood still lingered.

I grimaced. As we went down, the traces of that day appeared. Dried, dark blood stains were everywhere.

“What if we clean this up before Didi arrives?”

Maybe it would help a bit.

But Novembris shook his head firmly.

“It’s too late.”

He pulled me to the wall. Just then, the door burst open. Dedrick entered, breathing hard.

He stumbled down the stairs, feeling around for the light. The faint orange light revealed a ruined floor.

Remains of the wardrobe. Dried, dark blood stains…

Dedrick’s blue eyes shook dangerously as he saw it all.

“Mary…”

Tears welled up in his eyes and fell helplessly.

I bit my lip hard to stop myself from running to him.

“You were here…”

Dedrick couldn’t finish his words. His legs gave out, and he fell down the stairs.

“Ah! Didi!”

Novembris held me tightly so I wouldn’t run to him.

“You were in this hell…”

Dedrick finally broke down. He hit the floor and cried out.

All I could do was cry quietly as I watched him.

***

In the end, Dedrick fainted. Axel must have informed the twins, because they soon came down to the basement.

They turned pale and hurriedly carried Dedrick away. Novembris and I followed.

Dedrick woke up not long after, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

“Bris, Didi’s not okay.”

“….”

Since we returned to his room, something had been wrong. His eyes were empty, just staring into nothing.

He looked like someone waiting to die.

“…Didi looks like…”

…He might let go of everything.

There was no anger, no sadness—nothing.

He didn’t even go after Delani or Somerset. Even anger would’ve been better than this.

But right now, Dedrick…

It felt like he truly lost everything, like he had nothing left to live for.

“I’m scared, Bris.”

“It’s time to go.”

“…Can’t I stay just a little longer? I feel like if I look away, something terrible might happen.”

“…We have to go, Marilyn.”

Novembris took my hand.

“What about Didi? What if he really lets go? What if something happens while I’m away?”

“He’s lived through worse. He’ll be fine.”

I screamed through my tears.

“Look at him!”

Novembris fell silent, and I barely got the words out.

“…He didn’t see the basement back then.”

Tears poured down as my shoulders shook. Novembris shouted.

“Please stop crying!”

Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms.

I heard his teeth grind as he hugged me tightly and said,

“Let’s go back for now. Please. I don’t want to force you.”

I didn’t want to go.

But I had no choice.

If I stayed any longer, I was afraid they’d never let me see Dedrick again.

I grabbed his sleeve and nodded weakly.

***

Back at the Sanctuary

“Please stay here and rest.”

Novembris gently touched my tear-stained eyes before standing up.

He had to return to the roots to regain his strength.

“Get plenty of rest.”

I waved with my swollen eyes as he left.

“…Sigh.”

He looked worried but finally turned and disappeared into the earth.

Now only the World Tree, the gentle animals, and I were left.

With no night in this place, I slowly blinked as I petted a rabbit sleeping on my lap.

But the image of Dedrick wouldn’t leave my mind.

His pain must be beyond words.

…I can’t just stay like this.

I touched my not-yet-grown horns and looked up at the grand World Tree.

“Yggdrasil, I have a favor. Please say yes.”

Its branches rustled once. I knelt and looked up with deep sincerity.

“Just once. Please, just once, let Dedrick see me.”

Yggdrasil said nothing. That was a no.

I bowed my forehead to the ground.

“I won’t say anything. I just… want him to see me, like a midsummer night’s dream, even for a moment…”

It was enough for me if he could just see me.

I wasn’t going to do anything.

Just… if he could see me, maybe he could endure it a little longer.

Just then, a door opened in front of me.