I’m Raising the Male Lead Inside My Pocket
Grace
남주를 주머니 속에서 키우고 있습니다 Jul 02, 2026 5 views
Chapter 9
“Welcome!”
Ding!
A clear bell rang as I awkwardly entered the doll shop, tightly holding the opening of my pouch closed with one hand.
The shop owner recognized me immediately and hurried over.
“Oh my, if it isn't the famous Lady Blandiche! I've only heard rumors about you!”
“Ah... haha...”
Those rumors are all bad ones, aren't they?
I scratched my cheek with an awkward smile.
The owner respectfully clasped his hands together.
“What brings you here today, my lady?”
“I'd like to look at some doll clothes. Men's clothes, specifically.”
I pointed toward the outfits displayed on one side of the shop.
The owner guided me to the display stand.
“How large is the doll? Did you bring it with you?”
“Oh, no. I didn't.”
The moment I answered, however, something wriggled inside my pocket.
Startled, I hurriedly called out to the owner.
“I'd like to browse by myself, so you may leave us!”
“Y-Yes, of course! M-My apologies.”
The owner quickly backed away.
The moment he disappeared behind the counter, I opened the pouch.
'Your Grace, are you all right?'
I silently mouthed the question.
Still pinching his nose, the Grand Duke lowered his hand and frowned.
'It stinks. Don't close it.'
He emphasized each word.
Feeling guilty, I lowered the corners of my eyes apologetically.
'If I'd known, I would've washed the pouch yesterday too.'
'I should buy a new bag today.'
I couldn't believe I had all this money but not a single proper bag.
When I'd asked Janice about it, she'd told me that nobles considered carrying luggage beneath their dignity, so they had no need for bags.
And who had said that?
Airel Blandiche!
Anyway, I hadn't originally planned on bringing the Grand Duke outside.
But after the Duchess had swept through my room, I no longer had a choice.
If she searched my room while I was away, it would be a disaster.
Especially after what had happened.
“What was that sound just now? It sounded like something broke...”
The Duchess had been about to leave, only to turn back.
I'd nearly died of fright.
Before her gaze could reach the wardrobe, I hurriedly stood up.
“I-I'm sorry! My stomach hasn't been feeling well this morning...!”
Holding my stomach, I forced out an awkward smile.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Fortunately, the Duchess pinched her nose and immediately left the room...
But not before giving me a suspicious look full of contempt.
“You're making quite a spectacle of yourself first thing in the morning.”
Because of that, I had no choice but to hide the Grand Duke inside my pouch and bring him with me.
I slipped my hand into the pouch and accepted the flower-patterned pajamas the Grand Duke handed me.
'Let's see... the size...'
There were all kinds of doll clothes hanging on display.
Holding the pajamas against each outfit one by one, I compared their sizes.
But somehow, none of them seemed quite right.
'Well... Your Grace's proportions are far too good to be considered those of an actual doll.'
Glancing at Lisid, who was peeking out of the pouch with obvious curiosity about the outside world, I let go of the tiny uniform sleeve I'd been comparing.
It looked like I'd have to call the shop owner after all.
But...
“I'm... I'm sorry, but I don't believe we carry clothes in this size...”
The owner cautiously handed the flower-patterned pajamas back to me.
The next shop was the same.
And the one after that.
For some reason, not a single store had clothes that fit the Grand Duke.
'How is that even possible?'
Crossing off the final shop on my list, I let out a sigh and sat down on the edge of the fountain in the town square.
As I rubbed my tired legs, everyone who recognized me quietly walked away, leaving the area around me deserted.
'Seriously? I'm not a walking bomb.'
I felt a little wronged but soon smiled bitterly.
“Your Grace... shall we rest for a while?”
At least this way, I could speak freely without worrying about anyone overhearing.
Lisid peeked out from the pouch.
“Already? We haven't even bought my clothes yet.”
“I'm sorry. I think I overworked myself yesterday. Walking around this much is exhausting.”
“My lady really is...”
Shaking his head briefly, Lisid retreated back into the pouch.
His tiny voice floated out.
“How little have you walked to become exhausted this quickly? Your lack of perseverance is remarkable.”
Excuse me?
'If I weren't stuck in Airel's body, I wouldn't be struggling like this either!'
I unconsciously clenched my fist before lowering it again.
He held my life in his hands.
Smile.
Just keep smiling.
“Haha... I suppose you're right...”
I laughed weakly.
As though giving up on scolding me, the Grand Duke suddenly asked,
“How many places remain on the list?”
“Uh... well...”
I couldn't bring myself to admit that we'd already visited every single one.
There didn't seem to be any more clothes that would fit him.
Nor were there any shops left to visit.
It was time to resort to the final option.
“Your Grace.”
“What?”
“You know... that designer who's coming later today...”
I spoke as carefully as possible, almost testing the waters.
“Would you consider letting them take your measurements?”
The flower-patterned pajamas I'd made were intentionally loose, so they couldn't serve as a proper pattern.
The Grand Duke answered immediately.
“No.”
“...”
“Would you want people to see you in this state? Who knows what kind of rumors would spread.”
His voice turned cold.
I flinched.
Even though it wasn't truly my fault...
This had all happened because of the curse Airel had placed on him.
“Airel Blandiche.”
Lisid emphasized each word.
“If there really aren't any clothes that fit me, tell me honestly.”
“I hate lies more than anything.”
Then he added,
“Even more than crying.”
I see...
So Your Grace hates lies the most...
Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
I remembered how confidently I'd shouted all those promises yesterday.
Why did I have to boast so much...?
Maybe I'd been too tense since this morning.
My brain felt overloaded.
Bringing the Grand Duke outside hidden in my pocket certainly hadn't helped.
If I'd come alone, I could've taken my time looking around.
If I couldn't find any clothes, I would've bought materials and made them myself.
But I'd spent the entire morning worrying someone might discover the Grand Duke.
I had no energy left.
“Haaah...”
A long sigh escaped me.
The pouch shifted slightly.
Looking down, I met the Grand Duke's crimson eyes staring straight at me.
“...I'm sorry, Your Grace.”
Feeling guilty, I slowly reached my hand toward him.
Naturally, I expected him to avoid me.
But to my surprise...
Lisid gently placed his hand on top of my finger.
“Your Grace...?”
I froze at the warmth resting against my palm.
Peeking out from the pouch, the Grand Duke gave me a cool smile.
“Then let me propose a deal.”
His voice was unusually light.
“A... a deal?”
“I'll pretend to be a doll and let the designer take my measurements.”
He paused.
“But make it absolutely clear that they are not to touch my body.”
“You will remain beside me and watch the entire time.”
“Wow!”
I nodded excitedly at his unexpected acceptance.
“Y-Yes! Of course! I'll make sure of it! Then let's go get something to eat! I heard there's a nice restaurant over there—”
But Lisid cut me off.
“In return...”
“You will take me with you to the Imperial banquet.”
“Huh...?”
I stared at him, dumbfounded.
The Imperial banquet...?
He means the welcoming banquet held in his honor?
Did that ever happen in the original novel?
The story I'd almost forgotten resurfaced in my mind.
In the original novel, Lisid never attended the welcoming banquet.
Instead, Seria attended after being appointed as the Saintess, accompanied by Airel's older brother, Edwin, as her escort.
Exhausted from her first banquet, Seria slipped out onto the terrace, where she happened to meet Edwin.
Under the moonlight, the two shared a romantic encounter.
The welcoming banquet episode ended with Seria later telling Lisid about everything that had happened that day.
In other words, the banquet existed to highlight the second male lead, Edwin, and make Lisid jealous.
'Then why does Lisid...'
Confused by this change, I suddenly realized something.
The original story had already changed.
Ever since I kidnapped the male lead!
Which meant...
'From now on, I can't rely on the original plot anymore. I can still use what I know, but I can't depend on events unfolding the same way.'
I swallowed hard.
I'd known the story would change.
But actually witnessing those changes this early felt strange.
I had no idea whether this would ultimately benefit me or ruin me.
The uncertainty made me uneasy.
Still, I had to make the best choice available right now.
'I have to stay on the Grand Duke's good side and become his perfect ally.'
The difficulty of surviving had just increased again.
