Chapter 17
Odette had thought it was just a coincidence when she first entered Caesar’s dream in the carriage heading to Laon Town.
But now, she knew better.
It meant she could do it again.
She had already proven with Count Anderson that she could influence the subconscious.
Every night, she had entered his dreams and beaten him relentlessly. The result? He was terrified of her. He couldn’t even meet her gaze properly and constantly broke out in cold sweats.
If she could change Anderson’s thoughts, maybe she could do the same with Caesar.
“I know how hard you’re struggling right now,” she told him.
Caesar was silent, watching her warily.
“I know that Count Anderson killed your father. That he staged a landslide to murder your sister, Andrea.”
“Who are you?” His voice was sharp with suspicion.
“I told you. I’m Odette. My mother said I have her golden hair, and my father’s green eyes.”
His gaze slowly swept over her, taking in her hair and eyes.
There was something raw and fragile in the way he looked at her. It hurt to see that emptiness in his expression.
Was it because he was still so young?
He looked vulnerable.
A part of her wanted to embrace him, to comfort him.
“Caesar.”
Odette took a step toward him.
“This is a dream. Or maybe a part of your subconscious that you’ve buried. It might sound crazy, but you need to believe me. I genuinely want you to succeed in your revenge. I want you to be happy.”
He didn’t answer.
“I’ll help you,” she continued.
“Why?”
“I want freedom.”
“Freedom?” He scoffed, furrowing his brows. “And why do you think I can give that to you?”
“Because I know how to bring Anderson down.”
He remained skeptical.
“Just remember this: When you wake up, don’t look for me. If you do as I ask, I’ll return to your dreams and tell you exactly how to destroy Anderson.”
“You expect me to believe this is a dream?”
“Even if you don’t, that doesn’t change the fact that it is.”
Caesar turned his head slightly, his sharp blue eyes scanning their surroundings.
The sunlight, the wind, the scent of the grass—it all felt too real.
But then he looked back at Odette—at her silk nightgown and indoor slippers.
A deep frown settled on his face. He knew.
There was no way someone dressed like that could have made it to the rugged northern mountains.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a woman’s furious scream rang out.
“How dare you pretend to be my daughter?”
Odette gasped as her body began to fade, turning translucent.
“I have to go,” she said quickly.
She locked eyes with Caesar.
“I’ll see you again. Next time, believe me.”
A sharp slap jolted her awake, sending a burning sting across her cheek.
“A mere maid, daring to act so high and mighty?”
Countess Katarina reached for a flower vase.
Still dazed from sleep and the stinging pain on her cheek, Odette barely managed to sit up before she saw the water flying toward her.
“Don’t you dare run!”
A foul-smelling liquid soaked her from head to toe.
It was murky and slimy—the water inside the vase must have been left unchanged since Amelia ran away.
“Madam!”
Emma, the maid, rushed forward, grabbing Katarina’s arms.
“Madam, lifting heavy vases will make your arms thick and unsightly!”
Emma had been Odette’s friend back when they shared a room.
She had even risked sneaking water to Odette when she was locked in the underground prison.
Now, she played her part skillfully, pretending to be concerned for the countess while keeping her from attacking Odette further.
“Oh no, your nails! They must have chipped!”
“Let me go! I said, let me go!”
“Madam, what are you doing?!”
Count Anderson stormed in, his eyes widening in shock as he saw the red mark on Odette’s cheek.
“Have you lost your mind?! How could you do this?! Didn’t I tell you that Caesar proposed to her?!”
Katarina scoffed. “Then we’ll just send him a prettier maid.”
“You think Caesar chose her because he lacks women? The princess herself is obsessed with him, but did that change anything?”
“That’s exactly why I say this is a farce! He doesn’t truly care for that girl—he’s just humiliating us!”
Her shrieking was abruptly silenced by a loud slap.
Anderson had struck his wife across the face.
Domestic violence?
Odette leaned back into the couch, watching them with mild amusement.
It seemed this household would destroy itself before Caesar even had a chance for revenge.
The husband was hitting his wife. The daughter had run away after an affair. And the son… where was he?
How long are they going to fight?
She crossed her legs and settled in, watching the marital dispute unfold like a dramatic play.
“How could you slap me in front of a lowly maid? Have you lost your mind?” Katarina shrieked, holding her stinging cheek.
“Between the two of us, which one do you think is insane? You? Or me?” Count Anderson wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, his expression icy.
“I have no intention of dying because of you. I’ve already asked Odette for forgiveness, so if you wish to throw your life away, do it alone.”
Wait a minute. When did I ever say I forgave him?
Odette blinked, her large eyes rolling in disbelief.
Katarina trembled with rage at her husband’s cowardice.
“You pathetic, spineless wretch! And you call yourself a nobleman?”
“Maybe you should’ve kept a better watch over our daughter!”
“You’re blaming me for Amelia running away? Ha! That’s rich. Amelia is exactly like you. She lies the moment she opens her mouth and does all sorts of vile things behind people’s backs. Do you know how much I despised her?”
“Amelia is your daughter.”
“And where do you think she got it from?”
As Anderson and Katarina shouted at each other, a group of maids gathered near the door, peeking inside.
“Oh my, Odette is back?”
“Why is she just standing there?”
“You didn’t hear? She’s going to be our new lady now, just like Amelia was.”
“Wow! Lucky her!”
Between the shouting nobles and the gossiping maids, Odette’s head began to throb.
“Silence!”
Her sharp voice cut through the chaos.
“Are you planning to keep fighting in my room? If so, I’ll leave.”
As she turned to walk out, both Anderson and Katarina snapped at the same time.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Who gave you permission?”
Oh, now they were united. How convenient.
“Then at least be quiet,” she commanded.
Was that too harsh?
No. She had to be firm, or they’d try to walk all over her.
She squared her shoulders and glared at them.
“Either shut up or get out of my room. Now.”
For the first time, both Anderson and Katarina went silent.
Huh. That actually worked?
A little impressed with herself, Odette kept her expression neutral and turned back to business.
“When will you bring me my adoption papers?”
“I’ll have them sent right away. Steward!” Anderson barked.
A few moments later, the steward returned with a stack of official documents.
Her new name was neatly written on the papers.
Odette Anderson.
The name and title felt mismatched.
With a slight sneer, she signed the papers, pressing the pen down harder than necessary.
For now, she had to bear the Anderson name.
But her mother would understand.
“My name? It’s May,” her mother had once said.
Whenever they went to town for supplies, she introduced herself as May.
But to the northern hunters from the foreign tribes, she had whispered:
“Kunya. The illegitimate child of the chieftain.”
The moment they heard it, their attitudes shifted, treating her with a certain cautious respect.
Her mother had been teaching her survival skills even back then.
“You must learn to hide, my love. Only you should know who you truly are.”
The memory made Odette’s eyes sting with unshed tears.
“Haha! Are those tears of joy?”
She looked up at Anderson, who was smirking triumphantly.
“When will you give me the money?” she asked flatly.
“Ahem. It takes time to gather such a large sum.”
“When, exactly?”
Anderson sighed, rubbing his temples.
“Fine. Within a week.”
“Make it three days.”
There was no way she was staying here for an entire week. If Caesar found her, it was over.
With clear reluctance, Anderson agreed.
“Con… congratulations, Odette. You are officially my daughter now. Soon, you’ll become Caesar’s wife and enjoy wealth and power. You must never forget that it’s all thanks to me.”
Odette stared at him.
He had driven her entire life into fugitive mode, and now he wanted credit for it?
What an absolute joke.
