I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine - Chapter 60

“There’s no need to go that far…”

Marquis Lansford didn’t outright order them to stop but instead tried to speak gently, as though to soothe the situation.

But Caesar spoke first.

“My future father-in-law has just been accused of attempting to murder his own son in a landslide, and in the process, my sister’s name has been mentioned. Surely, Your Excellency isn’t suggesting that such accusations aren’t worth investigating, or worse that I should be forced to let it go?”

Caesar didn’t raise his voice, nor did he frown.

Dressed in a snow-white tailcoat, a pink mistflower pinned to his chest, he was the picture of composure.

Had his fiancée appeared today, he would have stood there in perfect elegance and beauty, celebrating their engagement.

But look at the situation now.

His fiancée had run away. His future father-in-law might be a murderer.

And his former wife? She had fled, pregnant with another man’s child.

The unluckiest man alive.

And yet, the most breathtakingly beautiful man.

Everyone saw it—and with that, distinguishing right from wrong became easy.

“The Count always was greedy.”

“Ahem! More than greed—that’s pure avarice. He tried to silence his own child through murder.”

“How can someone die every time there’s an engagement in this family? Andrea Maës died, and now Eric’s gone missing too.”

“Eric Anderson’s missing? Not the adopted daughter, but Eric?”

For the first time, the murders and disappearances surrounding House Anderson were being openly discussed.

“I must confirm whether my fiancée is alive or dead. I cannot remain here any longer—please excuse me.”

Caesar’s voice was low but firm. Count Lowell nodded in response.

“Go at once. Leave the rest to me.”

“Thank you.”

As Caesar turned and walked across the garden, his back straight and unwavering, the noblewomen murmured amongst themselves.

“Heavens… How could someone so handsome and refined be abandoned by both his first wife and his new fiancée?”

“They say the Count spirited her away.”

“Apparently, he tried to brand his adopted daughter as a wicked woman. Maybe she fled out of fear.”

“If Count Anderson murdered Andrea Maës, he’s a lunatic. Maybe the girl ran off fearing for her life.”

Shivering, the noblewomen exchanged uneasy glances.

“And if the Count’s adopted daughter doesn’t return, Lord Caesar will be alone again.”

Still watching Caesar’s retreating figure, one noblewoman spoke absentmindedly—unaware of the ripple effect her words would cause.

Realizing Caesar was once again single, the noblewomen immediately fluttered their fans and began calculating.

“My daughter is unmarried… Could this be our chance?”

“His first wife had blonde hair and green eyes, right? The maid he nearly married looked the same. Ahem. My daughter fits that description perfectly.”

“Was Lady McKenzie blonde? I thought her brown hair was just sun-bleached.”

“Her eyes aren’t even green, are they? More like unripe peas—pale green, not true green.”

The topic swiftly shifted to who had a daughter with blonde hair and green eyes.

“My niece has blonde hair and green eyes.”

“Oh please, you’re offering nieces now? Have your daughter get in line. She’s the very definition of blonde and green-eyed beauty.”

Next to the boastful noblewoman stood a demure young lady—truly blonde with green eyes.

But no one even remembered her name. Judging by her unknown lineage, she was likely from a family barely surviving off a patch of farmland.

Still, even a maid had nearly become Duchess Maës.

Immediately, the noblewomen’s attitudes warmed toward the lower-ranking lady.

Though, not for long.

“Lord Caesar Maës.”

From the sidelines, Princess Trisha, who had quietly observed everything, now chased after Caesar.

As Trisha’s golden hair shimmered and flowed behind her, the noblewomen ceased speaking to the lower noblewoman entirely.

For a moment, they had all forgotten—

Princess Trisha, too, was blonde. And while her eyes were blue, not green, everyone knew she was utterly smitten with Caesar Maës.

“Caesar.”

“…Your Highness.”

As Caesar was about to board his carriage, he stopped and turned.

Clad not in her usual knight’s attire but in a pale blue dress, Princess Trisha looked like a different person altogether.

Perhaps it was the unfamiliar outfit—but Caesar felt uneasy in her presence.

If she dared to use Odette’s absence as a chance to propose taking her place, it would be the end between them.

But the words that came from Trisha’s lips were nothing like what Caesar expected.

“…I’m sorry—for not helping to reopen Andrea’s case sooner.”

“……”

“You know as well as I do… I’m just a powerless princess.”

“For something like that, Your Highness owes me no apology.”

In her own precarious position, how could Trisha have helped anyone?

A princess in name only.

A child sorceress, thrown into the battlefield.

If Caesar hadn’t understood her pain back then, he would never have formed a friendship with the Emperor’s daughter.

“Then… what can I do? We’re friends, aren’t we? I want to help you in any way I can.”

Why did those words suddenly remind him of what Odette had once said?

“…I’ll help you complete your revenge. And then, please let me go.”

She’d already planned to escape—so what was the point of asking to be “let go”?

“…Because I love you.”

Lies. Nothing but lies.

“Come here. I’ll be good to you… Hurry.”

She’d bewitched him with her provocations…

“I don’t need a heart that changes with your moods. Just take everything.”

…And then drove a stake through his heart before running away.

Caesar blinked as if grains of sand were caught in his eyes.

Even then, the irritation wouldn’t fade, and he rubbed his aching eyelids.

His fingertips felt damp.

“…Ha.”

He realized his fingers were wet—and so were the corners of his eyes.

“Caesar? Are you… crying?”

“No. Just a bit dizzy, that’s all. Give me a moment.”

For the first time in ages, Caesar recalled the pain of losing his family.

Why those memories surfaced now, he didn’t know.

It must have been the alcohol, the lack of sleep—his emotions were in complete disarray.

Wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, Caesar looked up.

“Will you watch closely… as the truth about my sister’s murder is revealed?”

He was asking Trisha to step in if the investigation were ever stalled.

“I will. Here, take this handkerchief.”

“I’m fine… I—”

But tears trickled down his cheek, and Caesar bowed his head.

He had waited so long for this day.

For his father’s unjust death to be acknowledged.

For the world to realize Andrea hadn’t disappeared—she’d been murdered.

For people to be outraged and demand justice.

He had kept Count Anderson alive until now to clear his father’s name, once tarnished as a crime of passion.

To expose all of the Count’s crimes and send every accomplice to the scaffold.

And to ultimately bring down the Emperor who had helped cover it all up—through just and lawful means.

‘This is just the first shovel of earth in my revenge.’

It should have been a moment of triumph—but the emptiness of Odette’s absence cut deep.

He felt hollow.

Her final image haunted him—the way she had sealed the barrier, saying she had done her part and had no more regrets.

His head throbbed.

Trisha stepped closer and gently patted his shoulder.

“Go find her… before your fiancée gets too far away.”

“Yes.”

As Caesar looked up, Trisha pressed the handkerchief into his hand.

He used it to wipe away the tears that streaked down his cheek.

“Thank you.”

“If you ever need help, just say the word. I’m your forever friend.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in Princess Trisha’s eyes as well.

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