Chapter 9
“The mine that Lady Odette mentioned—if it’s true, shouldn’t we take immediate action?”
At Aden’s words, Caesar crossed his legs and took a sip of his drink.
“The mine isn’t the only thing the Count took from me.”
“That’s true, but we can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“Do I look like I’m doing nothing?”
“That’s not what I meant, but…”
Aden wet his lips before speaking bluntly.
“The Count is instigating the Emperor’s faction. He’s spreading the idea that unless they bring down their lord—who has risen to fame as a war hero—they will face grave consequences. Since you’ve been away from the Empire for so long, you haven’t had the chance to gather your own forces. At this rate, there’s no way to overthrow the Emperor.”
The Emperor had covered up the murder of Caesar’s biological father by disguising it as a crime of passion.
And as if that weren’t enough, he designated the Count as Caesar’s godfather. Because of that, Caesar had endured years of surveillance and abuse throughout his childhood.
“He will pay for that—without fail.”
But now, with Odette unexpectedly falling into his hands like a stroke of luck, there was no reason for Caesar to rush.
“No need to worry. I hold a card powerful enough to turn the world upside down.”
“…Are you referring to Lady Odette?”
“Yes.”
Wait—was this another dream?
“What Count Anderson did—hiding his daughter and sending a mere maid in her place as your wife—is a serious crime. However, if he fabricates documents claiming that Lady Odette was formally adopted as his daughter, he could argue that he did nothing wrong.”
“Aden.”
“…I apologize. I only referred to Lady Odette as a maid in order to speak frankly for your sake, my lord.”
“Odette is not a maid.”
“Yes, of course.”
“No, that’s not what I meant… Odette is the daughter of Heravrua.”
Caesar swirled his glass leisurely, a smirk curling his lips.
“Heravrua…? You mean—?”
“Yes. The Emperor—”
Crash!
Before he could finish, a loud noise cut him off.
‘What was that? What is going on?’
Odette tried to focus, tilting her head in confusion.
“Why am I inside Caesar’s dream?”
She had meant to mutter that thought to herself, but she had spoken aloud instead.
“Odette?”
Caesar, noticing her presence by the carriage door, looked utterly bewildered.
“What are you doing there?”
“Aaah!”
With a startled scream, Odette jolted awake, only to bump her head with a loud thud. Clutching her forehead, she sank back down.
It seemed she had dozed off in a hired carriage.
“Ow, ow…”
“My goodness, miss. What kind of dream made you thrash about like that? Is your head alright?”
“Yes… There’s no blood, at least.”
“That’s a relief. I thought about waking you, but you were sleeping so soundly that I decided to let you be. But it’s time to gather yourself—we’re nearly at Raon Town.”
Through the window, the bustling cityscape came into view. Raon Town, a major commercial district, was a hub for carriages departing to various parts of the Empire.
Even if Caesar were to pursue her here, it would be impossible for him to determine which direction she had gone.
‘But more importantly… Caesar knew my mother’s real name.’
In the remote mountain village, her mother had introduced herself simply as May, but her true name was Heravrua Balen.
She had always warned Odette never to reveal that name to anyone, to keep it a secret.
‘Caesar said I was the Emperor’s… what?’
If she were the Emperor’s hidden daughter, so what? Would an illegitimate child really be enough to turn the world upside down?
‘Something’s not right. And besides, I’m not even wearing anything that belongs to Caesar.’
She had kept a wedding ring, but it was Amelia’s. Count Anderson had given it to her after Amelia had abandoned it before fleeing. There was no way it could have connected her to Caesar’s dream.
‘It must’ve been a meaningless dream.’
Shaking her head vigorously, Odette tried to rid herself of the lingering thoughts.
“Arrived at your destination! Time to get off!”
The carriage rolled to a stop, and the coachman opened the door.
After being cramped inside for so long, Odette and her companions eagerly stepped out onto the bustling streets.
“Wow… this place is overwhelming.”
The town was crowded with people hurrying about, and countless carriages moved ceaselessly along the main road.
Coming from the quiet Hyke Middleton district, the sheer chaos made Odette feel dizzy.
“Watch where you’re going!”
She failed to dodge a passerby, and their shoulders collided.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”
“If you’re that sorry, how about buying me a drink?”
The man, wearing a beret, smirked playfully and winked.
“I don’t have money for that.”
“Well then, perhaps I should be the one buying you a drink?”
The man in the beret shook the black leather pouch in his hand. It looked quite heavy.
Tch! What is he showing off his money for?
But something about that pouch… It looked familiar.
“I’m busy!”
Pulling her hood down lower, Odette hurried past the man in the beret, quickening her pace.
How long had she been walking? She needed to find the carriage depot to board a hired carriage, yet somehow, she felt like she was just wandering in circles.
Still, asking for directions seemed like a bad idea. In a place like this, she’d only risk being lured into some kind of trouble.
“Crepes! Freshly made, delicious crepes! Just 3 silver!”
The aroma of warm pastries drifted through the air. A street vendor had a towering stack of freshly baked crepes on display.
“Mother used to love crepes.”
Odette joined the long line, thinking she could buy some and ask for directions at the same time.
As the queue slowly moved forward, it was finally her turn.
“Two crepes, please.”
One was for her to eat now, and the other she planned to bring to her mother’s grave.
“Such a lovely young lady! Give me 7 silver, and I’ll throw in a third one for free.”
“No, I only need two.”
Reaching into her inner pocket, Odette suddenly froze, her face draining of color.
Her money pouch was gone.
“That beret-wearing bastard! That pouch he was flaunting in my face—it looked familiar because it was mine!”
The man in the beret had been a pickpocket.
Lost in an unfamiliar place, with not a single person she could turn to for help…
Why is this happening to me?!
She should have realized it sooner.
This was all part of Caesar’s trap.
“Running away from home never ends well, Odette.”
From a dimly lit alley nearby, Caesar watched as Odette’s eyes welled up with tears.
He hadn’t actually gone to the mines. Instead, he had deliberately stepped aside, giving Odette the opportunity to escape.
To see where she would go.
To see whom she would seek for help.
Odette had no idea.
But she was the only weapon powerful enough to bring down the Emperor.
The forbidden daughter of the High Saintess Heravrua and the Emperor.
For twenty years, both the Emperor’s faction and the noble faction had been desperately searching for Odette.
The Emperor’s supporters sought to kill her.
The nobles sought to use her to overthrow the Emperor.
But in the end, they all gave up—because no one had been able to find her.
Who would have thought that the daughter of Heravrua had been living under his own roof, posing as his fake wife?
The man in the beret approached, offering up the leather pouch with both hands.
“The task is done, just as you ordered.”
“Aden.”
Caesar turned to him.
“Pay him the promised sum. Then, beat him thoroughly and keep him locked up for a few days. He dared to make a move on my wife?”
“Sir Knight! I was only doing what I always do! I rob ladies’ purses all the time!”
The pickpocket fell to his knees, pleading desperately.
“Do you think my wife is like the others?”
“B-but I didn’t even touch her! I just winked, that’s all!”
“Then I suppose I should pluck your eyes out.”
“I beg for my life!”
“Shall I grant your wish by ending it?”
“No! Please, have mercy…!”
Tears of terror welled up in the thief’s eyes as the knights dragged him away.
Caesar opened the leather pouch that Aden had retrieved.
“My wife was quite frugal, it seems.”
Inside, the pouch was filled with tarnished gold and silver coins, along with a few pieces of jewelry—a brooch, a necklace, earrings…
The very same ones Odette had been wearing when Caesar had returned home after the Victory Ceremony.
“She didn’t take off her wedding ring, though?”
Lifting his gaze, he watched Odette.
She was rummaging through her bag, frantically checking every pocket in her hood.
And when she finally realized she had lost everything… she started to cry.
“How troublesome… crying so prettily like that. What if another man tries to take advantage of you?”
“Shall I go and bring Lady Odette back—”
Aden’s suggestion was cut off as Caesar spoke.
“That’s not what I meant. Hire some vagrants. Have them kidnap her.”
