Chapter 34
In the greenhouse, Odette was deep in discussion with Eric Anderson.
It was unclear what they were talking about, but it didn’t seem like a conversation that would end in a single meeting.
It was only a matter of time before Odette and Eric met again to finish their unfinished dialogue.
If someone tailed Eric at that moment, they could uncover the identity of the dark sorcerer.
Ultimately, as long as he had Odette in his grasp, Caesar could achieve both his honorable revenge and the discovery of the hidden sorcerer.
“Pfft, do you like my body?”
Caesar smirked.
“I already know.”
Leaning back into the steaming bath, he let out a quiet chuckle.
A while later, Caesar emerged into the hotel lobby, now dressed in formal attire.
“Odette?”
At the sight of her rising from the sofa beneath the grand chandelier, Caesar felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Why does it feel like a leather strap is tightening around my ribs?
Had he forgotten to exhale the air trapped in his lungs?
He let out a breath, but the pressure in his chest only grew heavier.
Suppressing the unfamiliar ache, he resumed walking toward her.
As the distance between them closed, tension flickered in his gaze.
Her dress matches the color of my eyes perfectly.
He had instructed the hotel manager to provide her with an available dress immediately.
It was likely an unclaimed commission or a sample that had been prepared in advance.
Yet it looked as if it had been made just for her.
“Did I keep you waiting?”
As he drew closer, a delicate rose fragrance reached him.
She must have bathed as well—her skin glowed with a soft sheen, and her hair shimmered as it cascaded over her shoulders.
“No, I just came down a moment ago.”
“You’re quite fast. Not just on your feet, either.”
“Pardon?”
Her emerald eyes blinked in confusion.
“I was told women take a long time to get ready.”
“Oh, well, I didn’t do much.”
That’s impossible.
She was radiant.
And the thought only made the pressure in his chest intensify.
Now, it wasn’t just discomfort—it felt like he couldn’t breathe properly.
What is this? I’m the one radiating charm, but why do I feel like I’m the one being overwhelmed?
Baffled, Caesar gave his head a small shake.
“Hold still for a moment.”
Odette raised a hand, pressing a soft pink rose against the lapel of his jacket.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the role of a loyal ally.”
Caesar glanced down and noticed that the rose on his chest matched the one adorning her hair.
The pain in his chest faded, replaced by a slow, satisfying warmth.
“You think wearing a rose will help?”
“It will.”
Odette leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
“You are revered as a war hero, but you’re also feared.”
“You think appearing attractive will make people fear me less?”
“It will help you build power. People desire beautiful things.”
“That’s true.”
Caesar lowered his head slightly, inhaling the scent of the rose in her hair.
“Beautiful, fragrant things are meant to be kept close.”
“Exactly. So, rather than being feared, be someone people long for. It will make achieving your goals much easier.”
“As long as you stay by my side, that’s all I need.”
Caesar wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling gently.
In his crisp white suit, with the rose pinned to his chest, he exuded an almost ethereal presence.
Even though there was no wind, the petals of the rose trembled slightly.
His aura was radiating outward like an unseen mist.
The effect was immediate.
“My goodness, is that truly Lord Caesar Maes? I heard he was in the Hoan District, but to see him in person—what luck!”
“Unbelievable! How can a man be that beautiful?”
“I’d love to introduce myself, but… who is the lady beside him?”
“A mistress he brought back from the battlefield?”
“How could she be? He doesn’t even let her share his bed!”
As Caesar escorted Odette out of the hotel, he suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
“Wasn’t it you who avoided me? I heard you spent the night swimming in the river.”
“Should I have not held back?”
“…My apologies.”
“Wow!”
Odette’s eyes widened as she gazed at the magnificent four-horse carriage drawn by pristine white horses.
“Do you like it?”
“This is only the second time I’ve seen such a beautiful carriage.”
“The second time?”
“Yes.”
The carriage that had once carried her to safety had been just as grand and exquisite.
The noblewoman who had saved her bore a family crest of two great antlered stags.
As Odette accepted Caesar’s escort and stepped into the carriage, she glanced outside.
A massive crowd had gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of the war hero.
It wouldn’t take long for rumors to spread—Caesar, fresh from divorce, was already remarrying.
Odette withdrew her gaze from the window and turned to look at him.
“You’re even more famous now.”
“And I enjoy it.” His lips curled. “Count Anderson’s daughter was nowhere in sight, yet countless people saw me leaving a hotel with another woman.”
“Aren’t you worried about your reputation being tarnished?”
“I’ve decided that love matters more to me than honor.”
With that, Caesar suddenly lifted her onto his lap.
His lips hovered just a breath away from hers as he murmured,
“I intend to become a madman—so utterly obsessed with you that I can’t think straight. I suspect it will be even more effective than decorating myself with roses.”
Then, before she could protest, he cupped her face and claimed her lips.
Outside the carriage, shrieks erupted.
“Kyaa! Such a passionate kiss!”
“It looks like Lord Caesar is completely enthralled!”
“Oh, heavens! If only I could be that woman for just one day!”
Ignoring the noblewomen’s sighs of longing, the carriage pressed forward.
“Ugh! I feel like I’m melting.”
Caesar was absorbing her divine power while simultaneously radiating his aura, making it impossible for Odette to think clearly.
“Wait—hold on!”
There was no one watching anymore, so why wasn’t he stopping?
She shoved at his chest with all her strength, but Caesar didn’t budge.
If anything—
“He seems even more lost in it.”
This was not good.
Odette clenched her fist and struck his shoulder.
Only then did he finally release her, gasping for breath.
Odette shot him a sharp glare.
“You got a little too carried away with your act, don’t you think?”
“That’s impossible.”
Still looking dazed, Caesar pressed the back of his hand to his lips.
For a brief moment, she thought she saw his fingers tremble.
“What the—? You started this, so why do you look more flustered than I am?”
After a brief silence, he exhaled and spoke in a husky voice.
“I may have overdone it. Are you alright?”
“My dress got a little wrinkled, but I’m fine.”
“That’s all?”
Was there supposed to be more of a problem?
“My lips sting a little, I suppose. Other than that?” She shrugged.
“How wonderful for you.”
His tone suddenly turned sharp.
“Why is he mad all of a sudden?”
Baffled, Odette smoothed out the creases in her skirt.
Just then, the carriage passed through the grand gates of Anderson Manor.
“Ugh. I can’t believe I’m back here.”
She froze when she glanced out the window.
“Wait! Look over there—the greenhouse is covered!”
A large canopy had been erected over it.
“Interesting,” Caesar mused. “Let’s see how the Count reacts.”
“He’ll pretend not to know anything,” Odette muttered. “He’s always covered up the fact that Eric was studying dark magic—he’ll keep denying it until the end.”
“That’s likely.”
Caesar plucked the rose from his lapel and gently tucked it into her hair.
“I have no reason to impress the Count, so I don’t need it anymore.”
“Um… even if you kept the truth from your subordinates, why not confront the Count about Eric?”
“Dark magic is strictly forbidden in the Empire, yet there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of sorcerers practicing it in secret.”
Caesar’s thumb brushed her lips as he smirked.
“But you? You are the only High Priestess.”
His voice lowered, rich with quiet confidence.
“So I plan to keep you to myself. Either way, this fight is already mine to win.”
