I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine - Chapter 72

“If that is the case, let us head south. I heard that a grand summer festival is held there every year, and Princess Trisha is expected to attend this time.”

“A summer festival?”

“Yes. A water festival is hosted by the Belmonte family, the most prominent nobility of the South.”

The name Belmonte sounded familiar; Odette had heard it mentioned back when she stayed at the Viscount’s estate. Originally a principality before being annexed into the Empire, the historic Belmonte family was said to ignore the Emperor’s commands entirely. The Emperor himself supposedly walked on eggshells around them, fearing that their massive economic and military power might lead them to re-establish an independent state.

The Viscount and Viscountess Sachsen had often claimed that another war would break out when the Belmontes finally made their move for independence.

Maybe it is because I now know the Viscount and his wife were human traffickers, but the Dowager Marchioness Belmonte, whom they used to subtly insult, actually sounds like a good person.

The Belmonte family lived independently, showing no desire to curry favor with the Emperor. If they knew about the horrific things happening in Demuna, they certainly would not turn a blind eye.

If the rifts explode and monsters pour out, the South will suffer immense damage too.

Though Demuna was close to the capital, a large river stood in the way. Since monsters hated water, they would likely avoid the river and head south. Furthermore, given the friction between the Imperial family and the Belmontes, it was unlikely the Emperor would kindly warn them to prepare for the rifts.

“Then why don’t we go south and head for the Belmonte estate?”

“Let’s go south. I want to enjoy a festival before I die,” Emma said.

Emma had spent less time experiencing the world than young Vera because she had been sold to the Count’s estate and worked to the bone. Even Odette had only ever gone out once on a festival day after starting work at the Anderson estate.

“I am curious too. I wonder what a Southern festival is like.”

Even if the world were to end tomorrow, one could not simply miss a festival. Odette spoke to the group.

“We will head to the Belmonte estate, enjoy the festival, and then make our way to Neapolitan.”

There was still time before the passenger ship to the Eastern Continent was scheduled to depart from Neapolitan Harbor.

“Who goes there! State your identity!”

Caesar pulled his horse to a halt in front of the main gate of the Belmonte estate. A swarm of guards rushed out and surrounded him.

“Ahem. Tell the Dowager Marchioness that her grandson has arrived.”

The moment the word grandson left his lips, Caesar’s cheeks burned. He wiped his face with one hand. Shortly after, he was guided to a drawing room where he came face to face with his maternal grandmother, the Dowager Marchioness Isabelle Belmonte.

“Greetings, Dowager Marchioness.”

Caesar bowed with his hand over his heart. Though he intended the gesture to convey respect and awe, Isabelle’s expression remained indifferent. Feeling awkward, Caesar bowed his head a bit lower.

“It has been a very long time.”

“Fourteen years.”

Isabelle finally opened her mouth to speak. Her voice was lower and more gentle than Caesar had expected, reminding him so much of his late mother that his brow furrowed. He thought he had forgotten it all. The happiness while his mother was alive. The sense of loss when she died. And the guilt of having led her to her death.

“The last time I saw you was at your mother’s funeral.”

“I remember.”

“It must have been a horrific memory.”

Isabelle Belmonte, known as the Pride of the South, had attended her daughter’s funeral only to slap Caesar’s biological father across the face, shouting that he was the one who killed her daughter.

Even though my father had just lost the wife he loved.

When his sister Andrea went missing, Isabelle had visited again, but Caesar refused to see her. He believed that was best for both of them. Since then, he had lived completely severed from his maternal family, making this reunion feel almost surreal.

“I consider it an honor that you even agreed to meet me.”

“You came because you need something, didn’t you?”

Right, she was always like this. She was the type of person who had to speak her mind directly without beating around the bush.

“I understand that the Hero’s Sword is kept in Obelon.”

“And?”

“I am the master of the Hero’s Sword.”

“And so?” Isabelle raised an eyebrow as if asking what she was supposed to do about that.

“Please give me the authority to enter Obelon.”

Isabelle’s eyes narrowed. “Do you realize what kind of place Obelon is?”

“I know it was the holy land when the South was the Principality of Belmonte. I also know that only a Belmonte has the right to enter.”

“And yet you come here as a citizen of the Empire that destroyed the Principality, asking to enter the Belmonte holy land?”

Isabelle set her teacup down with a sharp click. “Now that I know you did not come as my daughter’s son, I shall take my leave.”

Leaving a cold draft in her wake, Isabelle swept out of the drawing room.

“Ha, this is difficult.”

Caesar had not expected the Dowager Marchioness to grant his request immediately. However, he had secretly hoped she might tell him to rest for the night after his long journey.

I have no idea how my mother was born from such a cold woman.

As Caesar left the estate with a bitter heart, he spotted a carrier pigeon gliding above him. It was from Eurone.

My Lord, Odette has changed her direction from east to south. She will soon arrive in the Belmonte territory.

Caesar’s eyebrows shot up. Odette was coming here?

Wow, it is so beautiful here.

A few days later, Odette arrived in the Belmonte territory, where beautiful palm trees were a common sight. Brightly colored wildflowers bloomed everywhere, and the people possessed the bold and cheerful temperament typical of Southerners. After renting a room in a clean-looking inn and taking a bath, Odette stepped out onto the terrace.

“I think I have seen that somewhere before.”

As she stared at the marble statue in the center of the plaza, Odette clapped her hands in realization.

“The Great Horned Deer seal.”

“Pardon?”

“Emma, where is my handbag?”

“Your handbag?”

As Emma moved toward the luggage, a knock sounded at the door.

“It is Jacques.”

“Come in.”

Odette rummaged through the place where she had left her clothes and found her handbag. She took out a neatly folded handkerchief and spread it open, her eyes sparkling.

“Look at this. Two great horned deer are embroidered on it. This is the seal of the Belmonte family, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that is correct,” Jacques answered as he entered the room.

“The embroidery is truly unique. This is no ordinary skill,” Emma, an embroidery expert herself, remarked as she examined the handkerchief. She noted that it used techniques that most people could not even hope to imitate.

“I think I might have met someone very important from the Belmonte family.”

“Someone important?”

“Yes. When I fled to Raon Town, I received help from an elderly lady.”

A luxurious carriage bearing the Great Horned Deer seal had stopped in front of Odette while she was being pursued by Caesar’s knights. An elderly lady with white hair tied up and emerald eyes full of dignity and authority had reached out to her.

“You are being pursued by someone powerful, I see.”

After they left the blockaded area and Odette prepared to get out of the carriage, the woman had looked her in the eyes and said, “If I were you, I would go to the person your pursuer hates the most. While the lion and the bear fight, you will be safe.”

Odette had followed that advice and gone to the Anderson estate. Folding the handkerchief carefully, Odette said, “The lady gave me this handkerchief and told me to use her name if I ever found myself in an urgent situation. She said she could help me at least once.”

Back then, Odette had wondered where that confidence came from. But as the masters of the South, the Belmontes were second to none. If the woman held a high rank within that family, she was certainly in a position to scold Caesar for blockading a city.

“Then let’s take the handkerchief and go to the Belmonte estate.”

“There is something I need to do first.”

Just because the woman had shown her kindness did not mean Odette could suddenly show up and demand to meet Princess Trisha.

“Emma, I will buy some gold and silver thread. Could you do some embroidery for me?”

Support I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine