Chapter 28
“Oh?”
The Emperor’s face brightened with anticipation.
“Does this mean the prophecy is being fulfilled?”
For generations, seers had foretold the birth of a Grand Saintess who would possess power equal to that of the Empire’s founder.
The Emperor’s heart pounded violently.
“When can we expect the divine revelation?”
“It is difficult to predict precisely, but it seems imminent.”
“The sooner, the better. Once the prophecy is confirmed, we must find her.”
This time, he would seize control of the Grand Saintess.
Clenching his fists, the Emperor swore it to himself.
When Odette opened her eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted her.
Where am I now?
She blinked several times before slowly turning her head to take in her surroundings.
A ceiling made of sturdy, grayish-white fabric stretched overhead, and beneath her was a makeshift cot.
Aside from the rug beneath the bed, the rest of the floor was bare earth—this was clearly a military encampment.
The air smelled of oil-burning torches, a sign that it was late into the night.
The distant chirping of insects confirmed it.
The blanket draped over her carried the faint scent of Caesar Maes.
How strange that this actually makes me feel safe.
Her thoughts remained foggy, so she shook her head sharply, but the dizziness did not subside.
“Ugh…”
Summoning what little strength she had, Odette sat up and stretched out her hands.
It was hard to believe that these hands had unleashed enough power to nearly obliterate the greenhouse.
And yet, I did—Caesar himself was thrown backward.
The Judgment Power that the Empire’s founder had wielded—was it the same power coursing through her?
She could glimpse into people’s memories through dreams.
At times, she could even see the future.
It was an ability unlike any other.
But can I truly protect myself with this power?
The Imperial Holy Knights, the elite guards of the Royal Court—
If they came for her in force, could she really fight them off?
The answer was obvious.
I am alone. They have numbers.
She had read every book in the Count’s library about Grand Saintesses.
Each spoke at length about their duties and responsibilities—but never their rights or rewards.
Their lives were ones of endless sacrifice.
Giving everything, expected to protect, to serve—
Until, like her mother, their very life force was drained away.
There had been no glory in her mother’s death.
She had withered, weak and frail, a once-powerful Saintess reduced to a pitiful, hollow figure.
I refuse to end up like that.
Burying her face in her hands, Odette squeezed her eyes shut to block out her swirling thoughts.
Then, a familiar voice broke through the silence.
“Are you awake?”
Oh no.
Her heart pounded violently at the realization that she had to face Caesar.
Maybe I should just faint again.
She had barely escaped him—only to get caught at Count Anderson’s estate, and with Eric, no less.
“Please spare me,” she muttered, hiding her face behind her hair as she clasped her hands together.
“Are you in pain?”
The flap of the tent was pushed aside as Caesar stepped inside.
He halted a few steps away, watching her.
“N-no, that’s not it…”
“Then tell me—where does it hurt?”
There was no accusation in his voice.
No anger.
Only concern.
Odette tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
Am I dreaming?
Slowly, she lifted her gaze—
And her eyes widened.
“Why… why aren’t you wearing a shirt?”
Caesar stood before her, completely bare-chested.
His trousers were still damp, clinging to his form, likely from bathing in a nearby river.
Droplets of water slid down his damp hair, trickling over the sculpted lines of his torso, disappearing beneath the tight waistband of his pants.
Her throat went dry.
Oh no.
“Why aren’t you wearing anything?”
Caesar raised an eyebrow, as if she had just asked an incredibly obvious question.
“Because I just bathed.”
“Then why did you… bathe?”
Heat crept up her cheeks.
She blinked rapidly, pressing her hands to her flushed face.
“Is there a problem with washing up before bed?”
“B-before bed? You’re sleeping here?”
“This is my tent.”
Caesar grabbed a towel, ruffling it through his wet hair as he moved toward the pile of fresh clothes.
“Then why am I here…”
“Would you rather I had left you on the side of the road?”
He snorted, rubbing the towel over his neck.
“Honestly, I should have thrown you instead of Eric. But seeing as you’re in no condition for that…”
That’s it?
No punishment?
No scolding?
No fury over her attempt to run away?
This has to be a dream.
I need to confirm this.
Odette carefully studied Caesar Maes before speaking.
“Um… actually, I’ve agreed to become the Count’s adopted daughter. And he promised to pay me.”
“Good.”
Caesar brushed back his damp hair and smiled.
“You can act as my spy.”
“…Me?”
“If you lure Eric out again, I’ll even reward you handsomely.”
Odette stared at Caesar’s oddly cheerful demeanor, and suddenly—she was sure of it.
This has to be a dream.
In reality, there was no way this would be happening.
She had pawned off her wedding ring, sneaked out of the hotel, gone to the Count—and even become his adopted daughter.
She had single-handedly ruined Caesar’s plan to control the Count by swapping his daughter for a maid.
Not to mention, he had caught her with Eric, someone he absolutely despised.
If this were reality, Caesar would have been furious.
He would have towered over her, demanding answers—had she sided with the Count? What secrets had she given him?
He would have reminded her that betrayal meant death.
And yet, he wasn’t doing any of that.
Instead, he was concerned about her well-being, speaking in a gentle and reassuring tone.
This was definitely a dream.
“Caesar.”
“What?”
His response was so casual, so effortless.
Yep. Definitely a dream.
All her anxiety melted away in an instant.
With that weight lifted, her attention shifted to something… much more distracting.
By the gods… his body is unreal.
The sight of Caesar undoing the buckle of his wet trousers snapped her back to reality.
Her eyes widened.
“A-are you really going to take off your pants?”
“They’re wet.”
“…So you just take them off wherever you please?”
“This is my tent, remember?”
Caesar paused, hands gripping the waistband of his already loosened trousers, and looked at her.
“Are you going to keep staring?”
“I need to confirm whether you’re actually going to take them off.”
“…Confirm? Ha. Then you’d better brace yourself.”
“Oh my. Such confidence.”
Since Caesar never remembered his dreams, this was the perfect opportunity.
I can say whatever I want.
Odette had put up with too much nonsense because of him.
Now was her chance to get back at him.
“The Count may be a villain, but at least it makes sense for him to be evil. But you—shouldn’t you be better than that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re supposed to be the hero of this story. But instead, you’re obsessed with making life miserable for a mere extra. Just because you’re good-looking, you think you can do whatever you want!”
“So you think I’m good-looking?”
“Devastatingly so. But wow, that body—”
Odette’s gaze openly trailed down his torso before she gave him an exaggerated thumbs-up.
The tips of Caesar’s ears turned red.
Seeing his reaction, her competitive spirit flared.
“Yeah, you should be proud of that, Caesar. Wow! Amazing.”
She even clapped, grinning as she watched his expression shift into complete disbelief.
Caesar’s eyes widened as if she had just slapped him across the face.
Then, after a long silence, he finally spoke.
“You’re insane.”
“Not as much as you.”
Odette relished the rare sight of Caesar completely flustered, struggling to decide where to look.
It felt like the universe was finally giving her something in return for all the hardship he’d caused her.
“Come here. I’ll spoil you a little. Hurry up.”
She gave him a lazy smile, patting the spot beside her.
“I’m not interested in crazy women.”
“Oh, backing off now? If I had known this was all it took, I would’ve pushed harder from the start.”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.
Why is he acting so hesitant?
It wasn’t like he was shy—so why was he reacting this way?
Odette’s grin grew even more mischievous.
“Wait a second. Have you ever…?”
“Me?”
“You stuttered. Oh my god—you haven’t, have you?”
Odette burst into laughter, teasing him mercilessly.
Now that she thought about it, when would he have had time for romance?
He had been sent to the battlefield as a child and returned home long after he should have married.
It made sense.
And oh, how fun it was to watch him squirm.
