IBACM Chapter 118

Chapter 118

It was amazing how the wardrobe matched the exact size of the bed—just like they had said it would.

“You should be comfortable while you recover. Sorry it took so long. You must’ve been anxious.”

“Not at all. I knew you wouldn’t be late. And wardrobes don’t just get built in a day.”

“Well, it only took two days. But I had a few other things to take care of.”

Two days? That must’ve been brutal for the workers. She prayed a little prayer for their poor souls.

“Did you pay them well?”

“More than enough.”

“Then why didn’t you bring it right away?”

“I needed to add some magic.”

“Magic?”

Dedrick smiled deeply.

“No one but me can touch it. If someone tries to touch it the first time, they’ll get a warning jolt of lightning. The second time… they’ll get thrown back and—”

He cut himself off.

“What? And what happens then?”

“They’ll just get thrown back, that’s all. Anyway, it has defense magic, attack magic, comfort magic so it doesn’t feel stuffy inside, temperature control, light magic…”

She stared, stunned as Dedrick rattled off the spells.

“There’s also protection magic, fireproof magic, tracking magic… It took a bit of time to enchant it all.”

“Why so many?”

“To keep you safe.”

“That must’ve cost a fortune…”

“Not really.”

Clearly, he had no sense of money anymore.

Hiring a mage for even a small spell usually costs a fortune.

“And there’s this too.”

He handed her a box.

“What’s this?”

“I had a few things custom-made that I thought would suit you.”

She already knew how many gifts he had prepared for her.

“This is one of them.”

He handed it over, and she carefully opened the lid.

Inside was an ornate snowflake-shaped hairpiece made entirely of diamonds.

The light reflecting off it was so dazzling, it was almost blinding.

“…Wow.”

She gasped softly, and Dedricklet let out a relieved sigh as he picked it up.

“May I put it on you?”

“Of course.”

She removed the rose from her hair and placed it gently on the desk. She could do that herself now—before, she always needed Dedrick’s help.

“I want to keep the rose…”

“I’ll make a glass case for it.”

She nodded and stood in front of him. He gently fastened the hairpiece in her hair.

The snowflake shimmered as it moved, light and weightless. She glanced up at him.

“Is it on?”

“Want to see?”

She nodded and reached out. Together, they stood in front of the mirror. The snowflake sparkled beautifully in her hair.

“It’s so pretty…!”

As she was admiring it, suddenly the shimmer of light appeared and danced around the hairpiece and vanished. Dedrick gently touched her horn.

“You bonded it?”

“Yeah. I’m never taking it off. Isn’t it pretty?”

“…Very. Can it be unbound?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Then I’ll get you a dress too. The prettiest one in the empire.”

She didn’t stop him. She wanted him to do what made him happy.

He took her hand and led her to the wardrobe.

“Open it.”

With a pounding heart, she opened the beautifully carved doors.

Inside was a bed, soft pillows, and a thick blanket. On the ceiling hung elegant dresses and a few of his outfits.

“…It’s like a room disguised as a wardrobe.”

“I decorated it so you’d feel like it was a wardrobe. I can sleep in there with you, too. Do you like it?”

He looked nervous, waiting for her reaction.

“I love it. Thank you!”

She hugged him tightly and dove onto the bed.

It was soft and cozy.

“So comfy and warm.”

“Shall we bless it with holy water first?”

“Oh, right.”

She pulled out a vial and sprinkled it inside. A gentle light shimmered around her and disappeared.

She felt revitalized.

“All set! Now you just need to protect me until I’m fully recovered.”

“I will. And I won’t let my guard down. The hairpiece is also enchanted to protect you.”

“This too…?”

So it wasn’t just pretty.

“It’s all for your safety.”

“I’ll be careful too.”

“You don’t have to do anything, Mary. Just live how you want. Don’t hold yourself back.”

Her chest ached at his words. She couldn’t just receive all this and do nothing in return.

“Wait here.”

She had a gift prepared for him too—one she’d been saving. She went to retrieve the box and returned to the wardrobe.

Dedrick Looked curious. She proudly opened it.

“Tada!”

“What is all this…?”

“Gifts I bought for your birthdays, and other things I thought would suit you. Each one is blessed with Yggdrasil’s blessing.”

She took out a tie pin and held it to his chest.

“Yep, it looks great. Next time, we’ll go shopping together. It was sad not having you there.”

“…”

He gently touched the tie pin and nodded.

“Let’s do that. Thank you, Mary. I’ll treasure them.”

“Don’t just store them away though.”

It was a joke, but he flinched.

“…I might’ve done that. You can buy me more, so I’ll wear them freely.”

“Good.”

Smiling, Dedrick  carefully stored the box in a secret drawer.

Then he returned to the wardrobe and wrapped his arms around her.

“Want to nap together?”

“Hmmm.”

She eyed him suspiciously.

“You say that but you never actually sleep. Even when I’m next to you.”

“…I can now.”

“Liar.”

She’d been upset when she learned he couldn’t sleep even when she was with him. Dedrick  quickly added,

“It’s true. I put tracking magic on you.”

“So?”

“Now I can find you no matter where you go. So I can finally sleep.”

She looked at him in disbelief.

“You mean… you couldn’t sleep because you were afraid I’d disappear and you wouldn’t find me? I told you I wouldn’t vanish.”

He gave her a faint smile. She couldn’t help but hug him and gently pushed him down. He followed her and laid on the bed.

“Then let’s sleep. If you really can now, let’s rest in this cozy place. It’s the safest place of all.”

“Yeah…”

She stroked his hair. Dedrick closed his eyes.

She knew the difference between fake sleep and real sleep just by his breathing—he’d pretended too many times before.

If his breathing doesn’t change, he’s faking it again…

She gently patted his back.

“….”

His breathing changed.

It became steady and peaceful. His arms loosened just slightly, though they pulled her back if she moved.

“Didi.”

“…”

No answer.

He always answered when pretending.

He’s asleep.

He’s really asleep.

She was overjoyed. She stroked his hair gently so he could sleep deeper.

Eventually, in his arms, she too drifted off.

***

Tap tap.

There was no response. Milos perked up his ears.

There was definitely someone inside, but they weren’t moving.

If I barge in like last time, I’ll get punched to death.

Still, it was weird. Normally, Dedrick would have come out just to shoo him away.

He tried sensing Marilyn’s presence but couldn’t feel her at all.

He was so excited to show her the wardrobe…

Unable to resist, Milos carefully opened the door and peeked inside.

The wardrobe door was wide open. He stepped closer, puzzled.

And froze.

“…He’s asleep.”

Completely out of it.

Dedrick was sleeping, unaware that Milos had come in.

In the arms of a tiny fairy.

Milos rubbed his eyes again and again, but the scene didn’t change.

“…L-Lord?”

He called softly, but there was no response.