Chapter 11
“Ah… The young lady said she was divorced.”
The street vendor stammered, his lips pale as he spoke.
“Divorced? So my wife is a skilled liar, is she? And where did she say she was going?”
“She said… to the south….”
“My wife’s hometown is in the north. Harak Village, to be precise. So, you were willing to risk your life to help her escape? Fine then, I’ll take that life off your hands.”
“I—I was just trying to help her!”
“My wife wins over a stranger’s goodwill so easily? Is there anything she can’t do, I wonder?”
Caesar lifted his gaze, staring in the direction where Odette had disappeared.
“Ah… This is terrifying.”
The vagrants had been toying with her, tightening their circle around her and then pulling back, only to close in again.
As Odette picked up her pace, they did the same, closing the distance between them.
If she hesitated for even a moment, she would be in serious trouble.
So she ran.
“Hey! She’s running! Get her!”
At the shout, all of them charged.
There had to be at least ten of them.
“Help! Please, someone help me!”
She screamed at the top of her lungs, but the people on the street only watched.
Worse yet, a man ahead spread his arms wide to block her path.
He was clearly one of them.
Odette tried to change direction, but her ankle twisted.
“Ah!”
She had already injured it jumping over the mansion wall—and now she had made it worse.
Losing her balance, she toppled over the bridge railing.
Splash!
Cold river water surged over her, forcing its way into her mouth and nose.
Then—another splash.
Through her blurred vision, Odette saw Caesar swimming toward her.
The mines were in the east.
If he was here…
That meant he had never gone there at all.
‘Did he follow me the entire time?’
The thought faded as the river pulled her under.
With her last conscious breath, Odette cursed both Caesar and Amelia.
‘Why did you run away, Amelia? Why am I suffering for it?!
Do something about your husband!’
When she opened her eyes again, a grand ceiling fresco greeted her.
Odette’s eyes flickered around the lavish room.
‘Looks like a luxury hotel.’
As she stirred, she heard Caesar’s voice.
He was speaking to someone, but the moment he noticed she was awake, he immediately rose and approached her.
Odette had no interest in speaking to him, so she quickly shut her eyes again.
‘He’s doing exactly what he did to Amelia in the original story!’
Following her, watching her, testing her trust.
Even deliberately setting traps and observing how she reacted.
A complete lunatic.
Underestimating him had been a mistake.
Next time, she wouldn’t let herself be caught.
“Odette.”
At the sound of her name, she remained perfectly still.
Then, Caesar leaned in close and whispered into her ear.
“The safest place for you is by my side. You have to trust me. Get some rest… We’ll talk when you wake up. And…”
He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against it.
“I’m sorry.”
For a moment, Odette thought she had misheard.
‘Did he just say he’s sorry… already?’
In the original story, Caesar didn’t start feeling guilty until well past the halfway mark—long after his obsessive behavior had reached its peak.
‘Is the original plot’s influence weakening because I’m not the real heroine?’
But then, Caesar gently tucked the blanket around her and murmured,
“So don’t try to run anymore.
You should know by now that you’ll always be caught.”
—Wait!
If the plot was really weakening, he wouldn’t be saying something like that!
The disappointment hit her like a weight, sinking into her bones.
Her body felt heavy, like it had absorbed all the river water.
Thoughts slipping away, Odette drifted into deep sleep.
‘How long was I out?’
At dawn, something cold touched her lips.
The chill cleared the haze from her mind, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Caesar’s face.
The sky outside was turning pale blue.
He must have stayed by her side all night.
His face was rough with exhaustion, yet he was smiling softly as he tilted a cup against her lips.
“You’re awake.”
Why is he acting so gentle?
As soon as he set the cup down and leaned in, Odette turned away, her back facing him.
Silence settled between them.
Caesar stood motionless for a long time before letting out a quiet sigh.
“…I’ll call for a physician.”
Caesar did not enter the room while the physician examined her.
“Take this medicine and get plenty of rest. You’ll feel much better by tomorrow.”
Odette pretended to take the medicine but disposed of it immediately. She wasn’t about to risk consuming something laced with a sedative.
Outside the door, the physician cautioned Caesar.
Her body was already weakened by poison, and now, after nearly drowning, she was in critical condition. She needed absolute rest and no disturbances.
Thanks to that, Caesar stopped speaking to her altogether.
More days passed in silence.
“The medicine must be strong. Odette’s been asleep this whole time.”
Good. Let him think that.
Feigning deep sleep, Odette kept her breathing slow and steady while straining to listen.
From beyond the open bedroom door, she could hear Caesar and Aden talking.
“We’ll extend our stay.”
“Understood. I’ve also arranged for a change of clothes from the boutique.”
“Good.”
“Oh, and Marquis Denkart is staying downstairs. He arrived with Viscount Maxcallion of House Saxen.”
“Who?”
“Maxcallion.”
The moment that name was mentioned, Odette’s chest tightened with fear.
“The young master… is staying at this hotel?”
Maxcallion was the second son of House Saxen, where Odette had worked as a maid for years.
“That bastard isn’t here looking for Odette, is he?”
That’s ridiculous!
Should she go out there right now and deny any connection to him?
Then she remembered Caesar’s warning.
“If you so much as send a message to that Saxen brat, he’s dead.”
“And that youngest brother of his you took care of? Him too. Understand?”
Biting her lip, Odette forced herself to stay silent.
Even if Caesar dragged Maxcallion into this room, she had to act like she didn’t know him.
“Marquis Denkart has invited you for tea. If you refuse, it might raise suspicions.”
“Hmph… Of all times, when Odette is ill….”
Caesar hesitated for a moment, then the sound of rustling fabric indicated he was reaching for his coat.
“I won’t be long.”
As his footsteps faded, Aden sighed.
“Sigh… He backed her into a corner, and now he’s suffering over it himself. No sleep for two days, no meals either… If this keeps up, he’ll ruin his own health.”
Then—a knock on the door.
“If you wish to extend your stay, I’ll need a signature.”
As Aden and the hotel staff stepped into the hallway, their voices drifted further away.
Odette sat up.
If she didn’t escape now, she might never get another chance.
Forcing her trembling body to move, she slipped out of bed.
A hooded cloak hung in the dressing room. It had been freshly laundered while she was unconscious.
Next to it hung Caesar’s white shirt.
Odette pulled the shirt over her nightgown, threw on the cloak, and stepped out of the room.
‘I have no strength left… I can barely walk.’
Her legs buckled after just a few steps, forcing her to brace against the wall, gasping for breath.
Then—the door beside her swung open.
Before she could react, someone grabbed her and covered her mouth.
Shh!
A whisper brushed her ear.
“It’s me, Odette.”
Strands of red hair fell over piercing green eyes—as deep as a summer forest.
“L-Lord Maxcallion?”
“Yes. I’ve been searching for you.”
Escape
“Hurry. Get in.”
Maxcallion led Odette out the back entrance of the hotel, where a carriage was waiting.
Just a year ago, House Saxen had fallen into financial ruin, forcing Maxcallion to take a low-ranking job in the imperial court.
Yet here he was, arriving in a luxurious carriage.
Could he really afford this?
Before she could ask, Maxcallion scooped her up and placed her inside, his cheeks flushing red.
‘So it’s true, then.’
She had heard rumors. Mary had warned her.
Maxcallion hadn’t been kind to her just because he wanted her to take good care of his youngest brother, Leo.
It was something more.
And deep down, Odette had known it too.
But what was the point of acknowledging it?
‘I liked him as a person, but… nothing more.’
Her feelings for Leo had been different.
They had practically grown up together, and the boy adored her like a real older sister.
The moment she thought of Leo, Caesar’s warning echoed in her mind.
“That youngest brother you cared for? Him too.”
A cold chill ran through her veins.
If anything happened to Leo…
If Caesar decided to hurt him…
It would be her fault.
