An awkward silence filled the air, so I decided to change the subject. I gripped my pen tightly, looked at my notebook and asked, “Didi, how do you write ‘You have a lot of money’?”
He smiled slightly and wrote the words in my notebook. “What about ‘Be Happy’?” "thus." She wrote it next to “You have a lot of money.”
I carefully copied what he wrote, added his name, and then handed it to him. “I hope you're happy, Didi.”
“……”
Even though it was initially a way to save my life, I really wished him happiness. He lost his mother, was neglected by his father, and lived a difficult childhood, but...
In the end, Diddy will be happy, no matter what.
‘But if he's going to be happy anyway, why doesn't he start now?’ It's sad to see a child worry about others at such a young age.
The Duke left the capital earlier than expected, so the meeting with him ended inconclusive. Because of that, the book incident was also ignored. I was a little disappointed because this meant losing my chance to get revenge on Somerset and Axel, but I knew they wouldn't stop there anyway.
With some free time, I focused on writing simple words in my notebook and memorizing them. Deidrick seemed unusually eager to teach me letters, perhaps to help me learn faster.
“These are spring, summer, fall, and winter, in order.” “Spring… Summer… Autumn… Winter.” “This is where you start, and you must end here.”
Whenever I had difficulty, Deidrick would gently guide my hand, holding the pen with me and patiently explaining. Honestly, this wasn't a bad time to spend. Actually, I enjoyed it.
Seeing Deedrick smiling and approaching me made me happy. I didn't want to go back to the days when no one noticed or talked to me.
While I was focusing on writing, I heard a small laugh from above me and I looked up. I found Deidrick smiling when our eyes met.
"What?"
“Nothing, just...”
“Am I bad at it?”
“No, you're doing a great job.”
He patted my head encouragingly.
“Am I not hindering your studies?”
“No. I’m studying too, here with you.”
That was enough for me to calmly write what he wrote to me, and I said it in a low voice. “Spring… Summer… Autumn… Winter.”
“Didi, which class do you like?”
"I didn't really think about that. What about you?"
My answer came without hesitation.
“Winter! I love being in the closet in winter—it's warm and quiet.”
“Isn't it stuffy?”
“I'm the monster of the closet, so it can't be like that. I like being inside. It makes me stop thinking about everything...”
“……”
“Oh, wait, I don't usually think much anyway.”
"Hahahaha."
Deidrick couldn't contain his little laugh. Ah, the most beautiful boy in this world really stands out in everything. Boys like him, not smiling is a big loss to the world.
He quickly tried to hide his smile, looking at me warily.
“I love it when you smile.”
“……”
“Smile more, a lot more.”
It is said that a smile brings good luck. In the original story, it was nearly impossible to see Daedric smiling at anyone other than the heroine. He was the kind of hero who was only nice to her.
"…Good."
Deedric looked a little sheepish. Very pleasant. Kids are always great.
While I was enjoying the moment, the door suddenly burst open without knocking. This was so common that Daedric didn't even blink an eyelid, just turned his head.
Standing there was Somerset's servant, Rowan, with a frowning expression. He was a few years older than Somerset and was one of the people who used to tease Diderick, something I knew because he had always been with Somerset.
Classic character.
Servants harass their masters without realizing it, believing they are superior to them. This is exactly what Rowan was.
“Heh, the First Master is calling you. Come out now.”
Speak even in a casual style.
I jumped up from my seat and gave Rowan a hard kick in the leg. “Takh!”
"Yes!"
“…?”
Daedric looked at me in shock, as if to ask why I had suddenly attacked someone.
“He spoke to you in a rude manner. You are the master of the Blackwood family.”
“……”
“He's one of the people who bothers you, isn't he?”
Even before I regained my memory, I noticed Rowan occasionally pushing or tripping Daedric's shoulder.
“I'm sorry I ignored that then.”
It wasn't my problem, so I ignored it at the time. At that time, no one could see me, and I couldn't talk to anyone, so I didn't think much about anything. I was just living one day at a time. Then I regained memories of my past life, and even though I was helping Daedric to save myself, I was feeling a lot of guilt because I had ignored everything in the past.
“……”
Deidrick was silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly as if to say don't apologize.
“I will help you from now on, so don’t be afraid.”
He smiled slightly.
"W-What? Are you the one saying that?"
“……”
Deidrick furrowed his eyebrows slightly, though it wasn't visible due to his long bangs. But his expression clearly showed his doubt. Even Rowan seemed to find his words funny, as he looked around anxiously.
To keep Rowan from thinking too much, Diedrick asked:
“You said my brother is calling me? Where should I go?”
“Um… go to the training ground.”
Rowan frowned, rubbing his leg. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get out.”
That fool! His behavior was unbelievable. As I raised my feet to kick him again, Daedric blocked me with his hand.
"Just wait outside. I'll be there soon."
“Don't mess around and get out now. Do you think I don't know that you're planning to run away?”
“Then wait at the door.”
“Huh. Are you telling me that…?”
“Wait outside.”
Daedric ordered, uncharacteristically, coldly. Rowan was startled, then stormed off angrily. “Don't even think about running away!” He closed the door violently as he left.
"Didi, did you see that? He's scared."
“Is he afraid...?”
"Yes! He must have been really afraid of you! You were adorable!"
Seeing Rowan running away in fear made me feel a feeling of victory. Since the confrontation with Somerset, Diedrick has stopped shrinking so much. This was a sudden change.
“Let's go now, Didi.”
"no."
Of course I tried to follow his lead, but he stopped me and shook his head. “Stay here.”
“Why?”
“...Just stay. I'll be back soon.”
Daedric didn't seem to want me to follow them.
“Okay, I get it. Be careful.”
The girl nodded as she saw him leave. Daedric checked her expression carefully, relieved to see there was no sign of displeasure. He sighed in relief and left the room. Rowan shot him a look before walking quickly, making Daedric rush after him, almost running.
Daedric was used to being treated like this. There may have been various other servants, but the Duchess' servants always treated him this way. It wasn't new to him. No one felt sorry for him, and everyone thought this was normal.
That's why, when the girl said 'sorry', it made Deidrick so happy. So much so that… he didn't want her to see her.
Seeing how he was helplessly beaten by Somerset with a wooden sword in the training ground. Seeing his weakness. He knew she would feel sorry for him, maybe even try to intervene on his behalf. But he couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt because of them.
He couldn't say it, though. It was a matter of pride for him.
As he stepped outside, a wave of heat hit him. Walking towards the training ground, he thought about the girl.
“Everything will be fine.”
Daedric clenched his hands tightly. With someone who told him he mattered, he could find courage.
His heart that was beating rapidly, driven by fear, calmed down when he arrived at the training ground. In the middle, Somerset was merrily twirling a wooden sword.
Seeing Daedric who had frozen with tension, Somerset's face broke into a wide smile.