I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine - Chapter 75

“What is that smell?”

A foul stench, like rotting food, filled the air and made her head spin. Odette looked around frantically, searching for the source. Her eyes widened as the ground beneath Marquis Belmonte began to turn black, dissolving into a viscous, sludge-like mess.

The phenomenon spread rapidly, crawling up the Marquis’s body, face, and arms.

‘What on earth is that?’

The Marquis’s face contorted grotesquely; his jaw dropped unnaturally low, and his mouth ripped open all the way to his ears.

“Ugh. A… a monster?”

As Odette recoiled in horror, the Marquis lunged forward and gripped her arm tightly.

“A monster? You dare spout such nonsense to me? Are you a maid sent by Princess Trisha? Does she actually think she can marry me?”

“W-what? You’ve got it all wrong!”

Every time he spoke, a wave of stench wafted from his torn mouth.

“Wrong? Don’t give me that! Go back and tell the Princess—tell that royal-in-name-only not to even dream of marrying me.”

“Ugh!”

Odette gagged, unable to stomach the smell.

“Y-you… right in my face…”

“Blegh!”

“What kind of madness is this?!”

Just as the Marquis tried to shove her away, a sharp, tingling sensation shot through Odette’s fingertips.

‘Oh no.’

The divine power she had been suppressing burst forth in a moment of accidental release. With a sudden thump, the Marquis was sent flying into the air. He slammed into the opposite wall and crumpled to the floor.

“What was that noise?”

“It sounded like an explosion in the drawing room!”

She heard the voices of guards and maids—those who had stepped away briefly with the Grand Dowager—rushing toward the room.

‘What do I do?’

The Marquis was out cold.

“Well, I have no choice then.”

Odette ruffled her hair into a mess, then promptly collapsed onto the floor and closed her eyes.

“Oh my goodness! What happened here?”

“Quick, inform the Grand Dowager! The Marquis fainted while trying to do something unspeakable to our guest!”

Wait, is that how they’re interpreting this? Well, if it works!

Odette squeezed her eyes shut and remained limp.

‘I only meant to pretend to be unconscious for a moment and then say I wasn’t hurt.’

The scent of wildflowers drifted through the open window, and the warm Southern breeze began to soothe her nerves. Despite herself, Odette drifted off. No matter how exhausted she was from her long journey, falling asleep in someone else’s drawing room was a terrible look.

Even in her sleep, that worry lingered.

‘I have to wake up.’

Odette forced her heavy eyelids open. But when she did, she wasn’t in the drawing room.

She was standing in the middle of a golden field that looked as if it had been dusted with gold powder. It wasn’t that the wheat or barley was ripe; the ground was literally overflowing with gold coins. Jewels hung from the trees like fruit, and the stream flowing through the valley shimmered like molten silver.

“This is definitely a dream.”

There was no way such a place could exist. Still, she looked around in wonder. At the base of a hill, she saw what looked like a large tree rising and moving. As it drew closer, she realized it wasn’t a tree, but the massive antlers of a Great Horned Deer. Two deer, each the size of a house, crested the hill, revealing their full forms.

‘Caesar?’

Her heart dropped the moment she recognized the tall man walking between the deer. He was dressed in white trousers and a white shirt, walking barefoot. He looked like a pilgrim. His gaze, however, was fixed on something far in the distance.

‘He’s not even looking at me.’

She should have been happy that he wasn’t obsessed with her anymore, yet a strange ache bloomed in her chest.

Wait, aren’t you chasing me anymore? Where are you going?

She muttered the words she couldn’t say out loud, and the dream began to fade. Soft voices trickled into her consciousness.

“I think she’s waking up.”

“Shh! Everyone, mind your manners.”

“Lina, step back. You’ll startle her if you’re that close.”

The sound of rustling fabric and light footsteps surrounded her. Odette slowly opened her eyes. She was lying flat on a bed, tucked under a plush feather duvet.

The sun had already set. The warm glow of candlelight illuminated the ceiling murals. Since she had met the Grand Dowager around noon, it meant she had slept far too long.

‘I’ve lost it.’

Just as she was about to facepalm, she felt the weight of several gazes. Beyond the shadows cast by the mahogany bedposts stood several middle-aged women in formal attire.

‘The Grand Dowager’s ladies.’

They were the same women who had served tea earlier. They all stood with their hands folded politely, offering her warm, welcoming smiles. How long had they been standing there?

“I am so incredibly sorry!”

Odette scrambled out of bed.

“I should have woken up sooner, but I was just so shocked…”

Yes, she would stick with that excuse. It was true that the Marquis had threatened her, after all.

“The Marquis suddenly grabbed my arm, and then he…”

He had accused her of being Trisha’s maid. Thinking about it again made her blood boil. How could he be so displeased about marrying Trisha? She was wonderful! And a brilliant mage to boot.

“…He spoke very rudely to me.”

“It was an incident that should never have happened. We are the ones who must seek your forgiveness, My Lady. Had we escorted you properly, this never would have occurred.”

A woman who introduced herself as Baroness Helena Montfort bowed deeply. As if on cue, the other ladies held their skirts and bowed in unison. The sound of rustling silk filled the solemn room.

‘Oh dear, why are they being like this?’

Embarrassed, Odette hurriedly returned the greeting with the graceful etiquette her mother had taught her. However, the moment Odette lifted her head, the ladies curtsied again. When Odette bowed back, they bowed even lower. It became a repetitive cycle of politeness until they were practically crouching.

‘They must feel truly terrible about what happened.’

Odette felt just as flustered and apologetic.

“Ahem.”

Helena broke the loop with a light cough and turned to the others.

“Baroness, don’t you think the Young Lady might be thirsty?”

“Oh, absolutely! I’ll have a meal prepared as well. Ladies, would you assist me?”

With some rather awkward acting, the ladies made their exit.

‘Wait… what was that?’

It felt like they were hiding something, but Odette couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Would you like to sit here while we bring dinner?” Helena guided her toward a sofa.

“I think I should be going. I have companions waiting for me.”

Since she had come alone without Emma, she knew they would be worried. Odette waved her hands, insisting she had to leave. Helena shook her head gently.

“We sent word to your lodgings via your carriage driver. Your knight was just about to come looking for you, so we have brought your entire party to the Marquis’s estate. Please, rest easy.”

She explained that her companions had been given a tour of the villa and were currently in town purchasing Southern-style dresses for Odette to wear.

“Thank you so much for being so thoughtful.”

“Not at all. This is the least we can do after our poor handling of things. We don’t know how long you plan to stay in Belmonte, but please give us a chance to make amends.”

She was asking Odette to stay at the estate until she left the region—a decision, Helena added, that came directly from the Grand Dowager.

“The Grand Dowager feels terribly ashamed of what happened to you.”

“It was just an accident.”

An accident involving her throwing the Marquis across a room, that is.

‘I’m sorry I have too much strength.’

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