IBACM Chapter 133

Chapter 133

“Mary, wake up.”

I barely lifted my heavy eyelids. Then, his lips rained down on my face.

“Sorry to wake you, but someone came looking for you.”

“…Looking for me? How would they find me?”

Who would know the wardrobe monster like me and come find me?

But when he continued speaking, my eyes widened.

“He said his name is Novembris… and he seems to be the root of the World Tree that saved you.”

“Bris?”

I sat up straight. Dedrick’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, but I had no time to care.

“Bris is here?”

“They said he has blond hair and golden eyes.”

“That’s definitely Bris, right?”

I hurried out of the wardrobe.

“Where is he?”

“I told them to wait in the parlor.”

“Let’s go, quickly!”

“You’re happy because he saved you, right?”

“Of course.”

What else could it be?

Dedrick seemed satisfied but a little worried and held my hand tightly. Holding hands, we went to the parlor where Novembris waited.

When we opened the door, a familiar face was there.

“Bris!”

I called warmly, and Novembris stood up quickly.

Our eyes met in the air, and for the first time, his face showed a big smile. He opened his arms wide.

“Marilyn!”

I was just about to hug him warmly, but Dedrick stopped me by wrapping his arms around my waist.

Then Bris stepped forward with his arms raised and hugged both of us tightly.

Was it really necessary to hug that much?

“Nice to see you.”

“……”

Bris greeted first, and Dedrick gave in, hugging him back.

That left me unintentionally stuck between their chests.

“I heard you’re not usually so friendly, but maybe it’s different with Marilyn.”

“I’m only friendly with Marilyn.”

I quickly denied it.

“Bris wasn’t that friendly to me either.”

“Ahem. Well, maybe because I’m so happy to see you.”

His face warmed up slightly with excitement.

I offered my hand, and he quickly took it, worried Dedrick might stop him again.

He smiled gently and asked softly,

“How have you been? Your horns have grown quite a bit.”

“I’m living under Dedrick’s care. I get lots of love, eat plenty, and my revenge is almost over.”

“That’s good to hear.”

He answered reluctantly, but then wiped away the expression.

“For now, I’ll be staying here as well.”

As we talked naturally, I suddenly noticed Dedrick looking at Bris with surprise.

“So you’re showing yourself? Is that okay?”

“Yes. I got permission from Yggdrasil. Since I have to be in the human world, it’s better that I’m visible.”

Seeing Novembris again made me happy, but his sudden visit made me worry a little.

I cautiously asked,

“Is there any problem?”

He shook his head.

“My duty is to help your full recovery. Yggdrasil sent me because he’s very concerned.”

“Really? Dedrick’s doing a great job already.”

“…Is that so? But I can’t return just yet…”

Seeing him a bit disappointed, I smiled playfully.

“Just kidding. I’m glad you’re here. Dedrick, can Bris stay here with us?”

Dedrick nodded and said with a cool look,

“I’ll prepare a room.”

“Please prepare a room close to Marilyn.”

Dedrick readily agreed. I was a bit surprised, so I looked up at him. He kissed my cheek and said,

“You’re not fully recovered yet. Having that root nearby should be safer.”

“He may be a root, but he has the full personality of a man.”

“Yes, root.”

“…”

We waved away the invisible tension and I asked Dedrick,

“Can Bris join us for breakfast?”

“Do whatever you want.”

He said that, but he secretly liked me asking.

I kept playing with his lips that were softening even now.

***

Late at night, in the quiet darkness while everyone was asleep, someone who hadn’t fallen asleep began to move.

Gemma, checking if anyone was nearby, quickly entered through the open back door of the inn. She stopped in front of the third door on the second floor.

She carefully unlocked the door with a key she had paid for in advance and slightly opened it. She then pushed a strong sleeping scent inside and closed the door, waiting.

After enough time passed, she opened the door wearing a tightly sealed mouth and nose mask and entered.

She heard loud snoring, clearly asleep.

Gemma approached the person. Seeing a familiar face after a long time, she gritted her teeth.

‘Damn it, I thought you were dead since there was no news, but you’re alive and well!’

His name was Buk. He was a servant used to assassinate the duke during the barbarian war, and he knew a lot.

Or rather, he knew everything.

He also held crucial evidence.

But after the failed assassination attempt, he ran away terrified, taking all the evidence with him. So far, no one had found him, but…

‘Dedrick finally found him.’

If Miranda hadn’t told her this, not only Delani but also Gemma wouldn’t have survived.

‘We have to kill this man quickly and retrieve the evidence.’

Since the affair was revealed and Axel was proven not to be the biological son, Delani’s honor was ruined, but that could be restored later.

However, the assassination attempt on His Excellency meant execution without fail.

If they could just remove the evidence, the duke’s wife could rise again, and so could Gemma.

Gemma quickly took out a small vial from her pocket. It contained a sticky purple liquid with a sinister color.

She fed it to Buk’s lips.

gulp

She heard him swallow and immediately began the next step.

‘He’s suspicious, so he must not have left the evidence with anyone.’

He would keep it close to himself.

Sure enough, she searched the entire room, but no evidence appeared.

‘Where the hell is it?!’

While Miranda pretended to guard the room as Gemma rushed to find the evidence, it was nowhere to be found.

Finally, she gave up.

‘If I can’t find it, no one can.’

He must have hidden it somewhere tightly.

And since she just poisoned him, no one would know.

So she was about to leave…

“Already leaving?”

Startled.

Gemma’s shoulders jumped.

***

The duke Carlos’ office was surrounded by cold air, reflecting his personality.

The high ceiling displayed the victorious warrior of war, and sharp swords and shields hung on the walls, adding majesty.

The duke was busy working amidst piles of paperwork on a massive wooden desk.

The pen’s scratching suddenly stopped. Jenkinson, who was next to him, also stopped and looked up.

“It seems it’s about to start.”

“…”

The pen moved again, and then there was a knock.

“Your Excellency, Lord Dedrick requests to meet you.”

Carlos nodded, and Jenkinson opened the door to greet him.

“Welcome, Lord. Shall I clear the way?”

“No.”

Pavle also entered and bowed. Dedrick stood before the duke, who put down his pen.

He quietly looked at his son. Dedrick met his gaze without hesitation, and the duke felt nostalgic.

‘When did he grow up like this?’

He sighed and smiled. Due to restrictions, he couldn’t move freely and had hurt Dedrick greatly.

‘Saying it was God’s will is just an excuse.’

So he intended to grant whatever Dedrick requested.

“Gemma was caught destroying evidence and trying to kill the witness who wanted to assassinate your Excellency’s wife.”

Carlos stared at Dedrick without wavering.

The day before Dedrick and Marilyn lost each other before coming of age, flashed through his mind.

Dedrick crushed by despair and Marilyn, covered in wounds and barely breathing.

They overcame all adversity and now stood here together.