I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine - Chapter 59

“…How many days has it been since we’ve seen Odette’s face? Do you think she’ll show up at today’s engagement ceremony?”

“It’s a blessing not to see her. Every time I do, I feel like I’ve been beaten, my whole body aches.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? You ache just from seeing her?”

“I meant it’s best not to see her. And no matter how madly Caesar is infatuated with Odette, she’s still just a maid. She’s bound to make mistakes, so he can’t parade her around in public. Even Caesar must realize that, he’s more timid than he appears.”

When news had first spread that Caesar was returning from the war, the Count had been terrified.

All the spies he’d planted in Caesar’s household had either been killed or thrown into prison, and the Count had feared he would be next.

But when they finally came face-to-face, Caesar was nothing more than a paper tiger.

‘He locks himself in Odette’s room every day—what threat could he possibly pose?’

The Count had concluded that Caesar was no longer a threat, nor someone to be feared.

“Once today’s engagement ceremony is over, I’ll give Odette a little push—tell her to conceive a child as soon as possible.”

“A child?”

“Yes. There’s no better hostage to hold Caesar in the palm of my hand. Ha ha ha.”

“Congratulations, Count. You’re becoming Caesar Maïs’s father-in-law twice over.”

As the Count and Katarina stepped into the garden where the engagement ceremony was to be held, voices of congratulations greeted them from all sides.

“You might just be the luckiest man in the Empire. I know dozens of noble houses that would kill to have Lord Maïs as a son-in-law. Truly, congratulations.”

Everyone who mattered knew Amelia had fled after an affair and that she’d been pregnant.

But no one was keen to use it to disgrace the Count, at least not publicly.

Caesar hadn’t filed for divorce, and now the Count had hurriedly adopted a daughter and arranged another marriage. The scandal was, for now, put to rest.

“Haha. Thank you kindly.”

The Count responded grandly, laughing with the air of a magnanimous man as he greeted the guests.

As time passed, more distinguished figures arrived. Each time, the seated nobles would rise in deference—a rare and formal spectacle.

When finally the Marquis of Lansford, father of the Crown Princess, arrived, a solemn atmosphere descended over the venue.

“But where is today’s star? I don’t see the groom—or the bride, for that matter.”

At Marquis Lansford’s inquiry, the Count glanced around, then smiled when he spotted Caesar.

“Seems they believe the main attraction should arrive late. Here he comes now.”

Lansford turned to see Caesar approaching and tilted his head.

“Why is he alone?”

“Pardon? W-Well, I…”

The Count hurried to Caesar and whispered urgently.

“C-Caesar, why isn’t Odette here?”

“That’s exactly what I’d like to ask you. My first wife ran away, and now your adopted daughter, whom I’m supposed to marry today—where is she? Are you playing some kind of joke on me?”

“My fiancée is missing? What is going on?”

“Exactly. The Count’s adopted daughter seems to have vanished.”

“How strange. Then what happens to today’s ceremony?”

Clad in a white formal suit, Caesar stood alone as a circle of onlookers formed around him and the increasingly anxious Count.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle—something no one wanted to miss.

“I’ve heard of brides vanishing the day before a wedding, but…”

“This is the first time I’ve seen it happen at an engagement.”

“And with a groom as young and handsome as him? It makes no sense.”

“Exactly. Usually, it’s older or sickly grooms that get abandoned.”

Caesar was exceptionally handsome, young, wealthy, and soon to be granted a ducal title by the Emperor.

The tide of opinion quickly shifted—no one believed the fault lay with Caesar. It had to be the bride.

“Where, exactly, is my fiancée?”

“H-How should I know that!”

“I heard that before adopting her, you strangled her and threw her into the dungeon. What have you done this time?”

Not stopping at confrontation, Caesar escalated the scene, drawing even more attention.

The Count turned pale, cold sweat pouring down his face.

“I—I don’t know where you heard such lies, but I would never do such a thing! Odette is my daughter—brought back from outside.”

“Is that so?”

“O-Of course! Why would I harm or torment my own daughter?”

“Then why did you threaten me? You said that if I didn’t marry Odette, you’d turn her into a wicked woman, ridiculed and shamed by all.”

“M-Me? I… I said such a thing?”

“Don’t deny it. I heard it directly from you. And Eric has agreed to testify. Strange, Eric seems to be missing as well, doesn’t he?”

Now, it was Eric’s turn to reveal the truth.

“Count Anderson, summon Eric.”

At Marquis Lansford’s firm command, Count Anderson faltered, unable to answer immediately.

Bringing Eric here would risk everything—Princess Trisha, a known supporter of Caesar, could expose the truth: that Eric was a dark mage.

‘They say Princess Trisha has an uncanny ability to uncover dark sorcerers…’

It was clear now—this entire scene had been orchestrated to force Eric’s appearance and have Princess Trisha reveal his secret in front of all.

“E-Eric was unwell and departed for the monastery.”

“Bring him here immediately!”

Marquis Lansford bellowed, clearly intent on resolving the matter then and there.

“W-We should find Odette first. My lady, where is Odette?”

Katarina was responsible for Odette’s welfare, her engagement attire—everything. As her adoptive mother, it was her role.

But Katarina had never once visited the eastern annex where Odette stayed.

“H-How should I know?”

“You’re her adoptive mother. If you don’t know, then who does?”

The Count, ever eager to shift blame, now cornered Katarina, just as he had when Amelia ran away.

At that moment, Gallerwin suddenly appeared and whispered something into Katarina’s ear.

“N-No! No, you filthy man!”

With a scream, Katarina lunged at the Count, fists flying in a frenzy.

“What in the world are you doing? Get ahold of yourself!”

“Stop—stop right now! You horrible monster! You tried to kill Eric in a landslide!”

“What nonsense is this? A landslide?!”

When the Count demanded an explanation, Katarina, wild with rage, struck him again.

“You murdered Andrea, staging it as an accident—and now you tried the same with Eric? You beast! Give me back my son!”

Her explosive revelation left the guests stunned, mouths hanging open in disbelief.

Amidst the chaos, Caesar, who had remained a silent observer, raised his gaze to Marquis Lansford.

“Shouldn’t the Capital Guard be summoned? Or are you planning to overlook this again?”

‘Again.’

There was no mistaking the weight in Caesar’s words.

When Dmitri Maës, Caesar’s father, was murdered, the Capital Guard had never conducted a proper investigation—the case was buried.

“You focus on finding your fiancée. I’ll take care of this.”

You? A known ally of the Count? And you’ll investigate?

“On second thought, I don’t believe I need to trouble you, Marquis. There is someone far more qualified to handle this matter.”

Caesar turned to Count Lowell, who had cultivated powerful ties over the years.

Count Lowell stepped forward confidently.

“I’ve served as a professor at the Imperial Academy and have long acted as an advisor to the Capital Guard. Given the seriousness of this matter, I will personally request an official investigation. The truth must be revealed.”

“…I leave it in your hands.”

At Caesar’s words, a deep frown appeared on Marquis Lansford’s brow.

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