Chapter 24
“W-why are you taking off your clothes?”
Odette stared at Caesar with wide, trembling eyes, instinctively crossing her arms over her chest.
“Wear it.”
Caesar tossed his jacket at her.
“P-put this on?”
She bit her lip, surprised by the faint sense of disappointment in her own voice.
“If you’d rather stay like that, suit yourself.”
At his words, Odette finally realized what she was wearing—a thin, semi-transparent nightgown.
“T-thank you.”
Hurriedly, she draped the jacket over herself, furrowing her brows.
What was I even thinking? My brain must be completely rotten.
Trying to avoid inhaling his scent from the jacket, she tilted her head upward.
Meanwhile, Caesar lay down beside her, propping himself up lazily.
“This is my territory. Soon, it will be yours as well—since we’re going to be married.”
“……”
“This land has vast granaries, iron and gold mines, and even the northern territories that the Emperor will grant me. There’s also a cave filled with rare mana stones.”
“A-ah, I see…”
Odette fidgeted with her fingers as she replied.
“All of that wealth will be yours.”
“……”
“I don’t drink excessively, nor do I gamble. I’m not some womanizing fool who chases after other women, either.”
He reached out, resting his hand on the back of hers.
Since she had been absentmindedly fidgeting with her fingers instead of listening, it was a silent demand for her to pay attention.
Annoyance flickered in his sharp gaze.
“What is it about me that you dislike so much?”
“I-I already told you last time… in the dream.”
“The dream?”
“You don’t remember meeting me at your mother’s grave?”
“Not at all.”
Caesar frowned, shaking his head.
“You said you were going to find the people who took me…”
“That never happened.”
He cut her off without hesitation.
A wave of disappointment crashed over Odette, draining her strength.
Why doesn’t he remember?
Even Count Anderson seemed to recall being beaten in a dream.
Let’s try repetition.
If she told him the same thing every time they met in his dreams, perhaps it would eventually take effect.
Clearing her throat, Odette spoke again.
“I grew up freely as a child. After my mother passed away, I faced hardships, but I never wavered in my resolve. I was happy in my own way.”
“…Are you saying you enjoyed living as a maid?”
“No, I’m saying I lived a life I chose. And I want to continue doing so.”
Life wasn’t about never making mistakes.
It was about picking yourself up and making a different choice when things went wrong.
That was what she believed.
Turning to face Caesar, she said firmly,
“If you stop searching for me, I’ll provide you with information that will help in your quest for vengeance.”
“If you’re asking me to let you go, my answer is simple.”
“……”
“Absolutely not.”
Caesar’s resolute words made Odette shoot up to her feet.
“I am a free woman! You can’t keep me captive.”
“The power within you will only continue to grow. You won’t be able to handle it alone.”
She had no idea how he knew about her abilities, but that wasn’t the important part.
“I can take care of myself.”
“No. I will decide that.”
Caesar grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.
That scent again.
His overwhelming presence threatened to cloud her rationality.
“You will marry me. You will be my wife and stay by my side—forever.”
“T-that’s not for me… Amelia is the one who should be doing that.”
Oh, right!
A thought flashed through her mind, and she seized the opportunity.
“You’re still married, aren’t you?”
Caesar was technically still a married man.
Odette’s voice grew louder.
“There’s an order to these things! Amelia may have run away, but she’s still legally your wife!”
“Right before I left for war, the Count brought a priest and Amelia to the send-off ceremony. We merely exchanged rings. Do you call that a marriage?”
His jaw tightened as if he was recalling the humiliation of that day.
“Still,” Odette insisted, “take care of the paperwork first.”
“You think I’d bring you in as a concubine without settling the paperwork first? Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you are officially recognized as the lady of the house.”
Caesar pulled her closer.
Their lips were mere inches apart.
“D-do you like me?”
“Are you saying love is necessary for marriage?”
The word love slipped from his lips so easily, carrying a dangerously sweet allure.
Hearing it, Odette felt as though she were falling under a spell.
“Of course, I love you.”
“You… really?”
“Would I go through all this trouble if I didn’t feel anything for you?”
The color of his eyes darkened.
“For three days and nights, I didn’t sleep. I searched every corner of Raon Town—just to find you.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“As long as you understand.”
Caesar cupped her cheeks with both hands.
“Don’t run away again. I’ll give you something better than freedom. Money, jewels… and myself. You can have them all.”
The sweetness in his whisper left her dazed.
Money, jewels, and Caesar… all mine?
Even with the 100 million gold she was expecting from Count Anderson and the 35 million gold she would retrieve from Jovern, she would never be able to spend it all in her lifetime.
She could pave her courtyard with gemstones if she wanted to.
And yet, she had never once felt the desire to own Caesar.
Still, an unfamiliar sense of elation welled up inside her.
At the same time, she felt an odd gratitude toward him.
Why wouldn’t she? A man this breathtakingly beautiful was offering her all the treasures of the world.
“You’re… amazing.”
“I know.”
Caesar’s enchanting eyes curved into a smile.
His seductive grin was so mesmerizing it made her feel as though she were melting.
Though she had entered his subconscious, it felt as if she were the one being controlled.
“Can I kiss you?”
He whispered the question with their noses nearly touching.
“N-no?”
Regaining her senses at the last moment, Odette leaned away.
“Say yes.”
And just like that, his lips met hers.
Wait a minute, didn’t you say you wouldn’t do anything without permission?!
His warmth seeped into her skin through his firm hands cupping her cheeks, while the kiss sent a dizzying sensation coursing through her.
The scent of him, carried by the wind, made her head feel light.
But something felt different.
He’s not draining my energy.
Since this wasn’t reality, her body didn’t grow weak, nor did her consciousness fade.
Instead, she felt a surge of vitality.
Her blood seemed to rush through her veins, awakening every dormant cell in her body.
Suddenly, the world spun—not from dizziness, but because she had been lifted into the air and laid down.
Caesar looked down at her with a quiet smile, his golden hair fluttering against the backdrop of the clear sky.
Wait, I’m lying down? What just happened?
Just as she was about to panic, he leaned closer and murmured,
“Don’t run away, Odette. Stay by my side.”
“My lady?”
Odette’s eyes snapped open.
“Emma?”
“Yes. What’s wrong? You had a nightmare, didn’t you? Look at all this sweat.”
Emma, seemingly determined to serve her mistress properly, hesitated before gently dabbing Odette’s forehead with a handkerchief.
“…Thank you for waking me up.”
That was a close call.
Damn it! His ability to enchant people is on par with a nine-tailed fox!
She had been completely mesmerized, unable to think rationally.
The moment he had promised her all that wealth and luxury, she had nearly let her guard down.
Not that she even needed Caesar’s fortune—she was already about to come into a massive sum of money.
So this is why they call him dangerously seductive.
Odette had always known Caesar had a natural ability to captivate others.
But she had never imagined he would be so shamelessly flirtatious.
Shoving the blanket aside, she sat up in bed.
“Emma, let’s go to town for dinner.”
She planned to stop by a restaurant and, on the way back, figure out a way to acquire the magic elixir.
There was no point wasting time at the Count’s estate—staying here only increased her chances of getting caught by Caesar.
“…Actually, that might not be possible right now.”
Emma’s voice was unusually subdued.
“Huh? Why not?”
Only then did Odette notice how pale Emma looked.
“Master Eric is waiting for you.”
