I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine - Chapter 79

Currently, Caesar would be unimaginably busy. There were so many people he had to sweep away. There were the officials who took bribes from the Count, the nobles of the Emperor’s faction who encouraged corruption to fill their own pockets, and those involved in the death of Caesar’s biological father. Caesar even had to file a lawsuit to restore his father’s honor. Even though Count Anderson had committed suicide, Caesar could still demand compensation from the family.

With all that to do, he would naturally be swamped.

Why would Caesar even bother trying to catch me?

While Odette was lost in those thoughts, Jacques spoke up with a furrowed brow.

“I looked into it just in case. According to the information I gathered, Lord Caesar is neither in the capital nor at the Mais estate.”

“Really? Then where could he be?”

Caesar was a man whose stature and appearance made it difficult to hide his presence no matter where he went. Yet, according to Jacques, no one knew where he was or what he was doing.

“Perhaps he is quietly making plans to overthrow the Emperor?”

“Do you think so?”

“I am sure I am right.”

“Ahahaha!”

Vera came running across the lawn from the other side of the garden. The sound of Jaina’s laughter as she chased after the girl reached Odette. Odette shook off her thoughts of Caesar and offered a warm smile.

“I wish Vera could grow up laughing like that every day.”

“I wonder if it might be better to ask the Dowager Marchioness to take Vera in rather than entrusting her to the Princess. The South seems to be a much better environment for a child to grow up in than the capital.”

Odette agreed with Jacques to an extent.

“That is true. Southerners have such kind and cheerful dispositions. However, I do not think the Dowager Marchioness is in a position where I can impose such a burden on her.”

The atmosphere was like the calm before a storm. Not only the Marchioness but even the servants seemed anxious because the Marquis, who had suddenly changed, was pushing for an engagement with the Princess.

“Jacques, has anyone else mentioned a foul odor coming from the Marquis?”

“I am not sure. I haven’t heard anything of the sort.”

“So it really is just me.”

“Does the Marquis truly give off a terrible stench?”

“Do not even get me started. It feels like my nose might rot off. His face also turns pitch black and melts like porridge before returning to its original state.”

Jacques, who had been listening intently, suddenly looked up. “Could it be a Black Magician’s Masking Art?”

“What is that?”

“Black Magicians use blood and spells to cast curses or extract a person’s soul to inject it into a doll.”

Odette recalled hearing something similar from Eric. He had mentioned experiments using animal blood to try and revive Andrea. Could a Black Magician have used blood to cast a spell on the Marquis?

Come to think of it, she had heard from various sources that the Marquis had changed. If that were the case, it was possible that Gawain’s original, diligent, and stubborn soul had been removed and replaced with another.

“If that did happen, how can we prove it? To my eyes, the Marquis looks like a rotting corpse and smells like one, but to everyone else, he looks perfectly fine. They cannot smell a thing.”

“Could that be because you possess the power of the Great Saintess?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“If the Marquis is trapped under a black magic spell, you should be able to reveal it with your divine power.”

She remembered freeing Andrea’s soul, which had been trapped by black magic. Simply by approaching her, Andrea’s body had vanished into a burst of light.

But I do not think that method will work for the Marquis.

Should she use the Saint’s Staff? It was a holy relic that accumulated the achievements and wisdom of the Great Saintesses of the past. It was a divine item that allowed her to control and regulate her divine power while also allowing her to unleash it with immense force. Perhaps with the staff, she could lift the black magic spell cast upon the Marquis.

“It is an honor to welcome Your Highness.”

The servants lined up in the lobby to welcome Princess Trisha bowed in unison. Trisha accepted their hospitality with a simple nod.

“Welcome, Princess.”

The Dowager Marchioness, her white hair styled high, approached with a group of maids.

“It is a pleasure to meet you in person.”

One was an Imperial Princess, yet she had grown up as if abandoned by the Emperor and Empress, becoming a battle-hardened mage. The other was the most powerful figure in the Belmonte family, yet she was merely an elderly woman whose life could flicker out at any moment. Despite their glorious titles, these two women who had lived lives marked by pain gazed at one another.

After a moment of silent observation, the Dowager Marchioness was the first to speak.

“Would you like to admire the plants that only grow here in the South? We have prepared tea and refreshments in the greenhouse.”

“Please, lead the way.”

While they were conversing in the greenhouse, the Marchioness excused herself for a moment. Left alone, Trisha let out a soft sigh.

The Marquis did not even show his face.

When the Emperor pushed her to go south, claiming he had received a marriage proposal, Trisha felt that what was destined to happen had finally arrived. She knew that once the war ended, they would try to sell her off in marriage to a suitable family. She just hadn’t expected it to be the Belmonte family of the South.

They must view the Empire as their enemy.

She had traveled south wondering if there was any way to call off this marriage. But looking at the situation now, it seemed this side wanted the marriage even less than she did.

And yet, the Emperor’s resolve seemed firm.

As Trisha let out a long sigh, the greenhouse door opened. Thinking the Dowager Marchioness had returned, Trisha straightened her clothes and looked up, only to be met with a bright smile. It was Odette, the woman who had helped her in the boutique, walking toward her with her golden hair swaying.

It feels like finding an ally while surrounded by the enemy.

Trisha’s heart finally relaxed.

That is the dress I picked for her.

Odette smiled as she looked at Trisha’s dress. It was the one Odette had chosen when they met at the boutique in the Hoan district. It had no frills or jewels, but the design complemented Trisha’s slender figure perfectly. It emphasized a classic elegance with buttons up to the neck, while the sleeveless design revealed her arms, adding a touch of femininity.

It looks even better on her than I expected.

Odette felt both happy and grateful that Trisha had worn the dress she picked for such an important occasion.

I failed to keep my promise to meet her again three days later.

Had Trisha been waiting for her?

“Odette Ballon greets Her Highness the Princess.”

As Odette introduced herself, Trisha’s face filled with bewilderment.

“Do you… by any chance, know an Odette Anderson? That was the name written on the engagement invitation of someone I know.”

“…I believe I am that person.”

“My goodness!”

Seeing the disappointment flit across Trisha’s face, Odette spoke quickly. “Though that engagement was canceled.”

“I heard you were missing. Caesar is looking for you.”

“I ran away.”

“No, why? Why on earth!” Trisha blinked rapidly, looking dazed as if she could not understand.

“I do not love him.”

“Do not say such irresponsible things. A noble marriage is not based solely on love.”

“I was not even a noble. I only became Count Anderson’s adopted daughter to raise funds for my escape.”

“Are you saying you never intended to get engaged to Caesar? That is a lie.”

Trisha shook her head and looked at Odette with a frown. “Caesar was right. He said you tell lies that are easily found out. I do not know why you appeared before me after vanishing, but I am going to send a carrier pigeon to Caesar immediately.”

Trisha insisted that she had to tell Caesar where Odette was because he was searching for her. She claimed it was the way to honor their friendship. When Odette tried to stop her, Trisha waved her hand.

“Break up with him properly and then leave. That is the fair way to do it.”

“…He will not let me go.”

“That means Caesar is not prepared to accept a breakup. Is that not irresponsible of you? To make him like you and then just leave.”

Tears welled up in Trisha’s eyes.

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