IBACM Chapter 121

Chapter 121

The dim lighting cast a soft glow over the shadowy room. Nobles gathered in small groups, sipping wine, exchanging risqué jokes, and whispering secrets.

Among them sat Somerset, downing drink after drink with a cast on one arm.

Ever since Dedrick arrived, the reputations of Somerset and Delani had hit rock bottom.

The nobles who once surrounded Somerset now avoided him under the excuse of being too busy.

To make matters worse, the story about how he broke his arm had been completely twisted. People said he got drunk and picked a fight in the streets, only to be beaten up—far from the truth that Dedrick had broken it.

Once proud of his swordsmanship, Somerset had become the laughingstock of the nobility.

“Damn it…”

But the worst part was that the monster from the wardrobe was still alive.

At first, Somerset hadn’t recognized her. But her silver-gray hair and golden eyes were unmistakable.

And when he saw how Dedrick doted on her, he realized—too late—that she was the very girl he had once burned alive.

‘How the hell is she still alive?!’

Burning with rage, Somerset almost hurled his glass but restrained himself.

No—this could be good.

‘If I capture that woman again, I can use her as leverage. This time, I’ll destroy her completely.’

Smirking, Somerset downed another glass of wine.

He had already informed Delani. Though things looked hopeless at first, Delani began drawing up a new plan.

But unlike in their childhood, approaching her was now much harder.

Pulling Marilyn away from Dedrick seemed almost impossible.

He needed to separate them—and buy time.

‘But how…?’

Somerset’s leg bounced nervously.

Just then, laughter broke his train of thought.

“Haha! Is that so?”

“You should’ve seen the look on his face!”

The laughing nobles seemed to be mocking him, and Somerset shot them a deadly glare.

Seeing his crazed eyes, they quickly looked away—wanting no part in trouble.

‘Hmph. Pathetic worms.’

He refilled his glass and downed it in one gulp, biting his lip.

‘How do I separate them?!’

BANG!

He slammed the glass down hard, but no one even glanced his way.

Then, he overheard a conversation nearby.

“…so I caught him trying to steal our family’s heirloom!”

“What happened next?”

“Of course, the fool got exiled! He’ll never set foot in the estate again.”

A noble chuckled as he pleased the man’s ego.

“Trying to steal a family treasure? Idiot must’ve thought he’d get away with it.”

Those words sparked something in Somerset’s mind.

‘An heirloom… A family treasure…’

His eyes lit up.

‘Yes, that’s it!’

A way to chase Dedrick out without even laying a finger on him!

And a way to bring that monster back into their hands!

He jumped to his feet to head for the Grand Duchy but paused.

‘Damn. That monster’s in the Grand Duchy.’

He’d be discovered if he schemed inside the castle.

‘Then… I’ll lure Luan out under the pretense of alcohol.’

He didn’t need his mother’s help. She’d just say no anyway.

Besides, she had her own mess to deal with—like silencing rumors about her illegitimate child.

Somerset was sure he wasn’t that child. If he were, Delani would’ve never named him heir.

So her problems were none of his concern.

‘I can do it without her now.’

With a confident laugh, Somerset exited the tavern.

 ***

“Look at him grinning like that. Creepy bastard.”

I spotted Somerset from the window. He even hummed a little tune.

I gathered some spit and dropped it out the window.

It landed square on his forehead.

“Bullseye!”

“Argh! Who did that?!”

“Me.”

Not that he could see or hear me.

As I giggled, Dedrick hugged me from behind.

“I’m addicted to your laugh. Don’t ever stop.”

“I laugh often. Because of you, Didi.”

I turned from the window and pointed at Somerset.

“He’s definitely up to something. Otherwise there’s no way he’d grin after getting spit on.”

He wasn’t scheming inside the Grand Duchy anymore—he knew I was here.

Still, I wasn’t as anxious as before.

Because Dedrick could handle it. And I wouldn’t just sit back and take it either.

The Duke had officially recognized my identity. I had nothing to fear.

“If he’s that happy, he probably found a way to get rid of you.”

“Maybe.”

But Dedrick didn’t seem bothered.

“We could be walking into his trap, you know.”

Even if Somerset was a fool, we didn’t know what tricks he might pull. Falling into a trap like that would be infuriating.

Dedrick gently rubbed the space between my furrowed brows.

“Won’t happen. The Grand Duchy has eyes and ears everywhere. And I’m not who I used to be. I won’t get caught.”

“Promise?”

He smoothed my hair and nodded.

“I’m going to take care of both of them quickly. No more dragging things out.”

“For my safety?”

“Yeah. No point in wasting time anymore.”

He reassured me with calm conviction.

Knock knock.

“Master Dedrick, are you in?”

“That smells like a trap.”

I sniffed suspiciously.

In the past, servants used to swarm Dedrick, just for a glimpse or a word.

But now, everyone avoided him unless it was urgent—usually, Pavle came himself.

So whoever this was clearly had some scheme.

“What’ll you do?”

“I’ll play along.”

Dedrick Opened the door to reveal… Luan.

“Seriously? They couldn’t even bother to send someone else?”

I had to laugh. Either they had no one else or no one willing to help.

Even the castle staff seemed to be quietly shifting to Dedrick’s side.

Dedrick Looked down coldly at Luan.

“What’s your business?”

Luan fumbled nervously.

“Sir Pavle asked you to urgently review some documents. He said to come to the sanctuary.”

“Lies. Pavle would never ask you to deliver that message.”

Even I was baffled.

Dedrick gave me a reassuring glance.

Was he planning to turn the trap on Somerset?

“The sanctuary?”

“Y-yes…”

Luan was clearly intimidated by the new Dedrick.

“Do I have to go now?”

“He said urgently, sir…”

Dedrick pretended to think before nodding. He gave me a look as he left the room.

I stayed behind instead of following him.

“Just like old times.”

Back then, they used to sneak into his room as soon as he left.

Sure enough, Somerset slipped in quietly.

Tsk. People like him never learn.

“Hey, monster. Are you here?”

He looked around, trying to find me.

I realized why he came himself.

I was officially recognized by the Duke now. Even though they knew what I was, Somerset and Delani couldn’t expose me.

So to deal with me, he had to come himself.

“So you came back to life just to die again?”

“You wish.”

I scoffed, but the trauma of his past violence made my hands tremble without thinking.

Still, I forced myself to stay calm.

“There’s no way that bastard left this room unguarded…”

Somerset muttered as he pulled something from his pocket.

He didn’t notice the dark shadow behind him.

Milos winked at me—though invisible, he was right there.

“Idiot Somerset.”

Did he really think Dedrick would leave me here without protection?

Somerset held a small vial filled with some strange liquid.

“It’s poisonous. Even if she’s protected by magic, as long as I don’t touch her—this will work!”

He raised his hand high.