I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine

Caesar cupped her frozen cheek, his large hand reaching all the way to the back of her head.

That single touch alone made it feel like he had her entire body in his grasp.

His deep voice rumbled through the air as he curved his lips into a slow, deliberate smile.

“It’s been a while.”

“Huh? You… know me?”

“Do you not know me?”

“O-of course I do! You’re the empire’s hero! A living, breathing masterpiece! It’s an honor just to meet you in person.”

“Pfft! You’ve become quite the flatterer.”

The moment she met his radiant smile, her stomach twisted into knots.

“How can a smile be so sexy… and yet so sinister?”

Caesar possessed a rare ability—he could absorb energy from his surroundings and convert it into his own power.

Since he couldn’t contain it all, he often had to release it, either as aura or as an irresistible charm that bewitched those around him.

Many noble ladies had lost themselves in his presence, completely entranced by the sheer force of his allure.

So it was only natural that the original heroine, Amelia, had become hopelessly ensnared after sharing a bedroom with him.

“And now… it’s my turn.”

Odette gritted her teeth, trying to resist—but it was useless.

The moment Caesar’s hand slid from her face down to her nape, brushing against her bare skin, a wave of dizziness washed over her.

Her scarf slipped off, revealing the bruises left by Count Anderson’s hands.

As expected, his gaze darkened.

“Was it the Count?”

“Yes! Go kill him immediately! Him and that bastard butler, Jovern—take them both out at once!”

“Not tonight.”

Caesar pulled her upright and yanked her against him.

Her heart nearly burst from her chest.

Her body burned, her head spun, and before she knew it—

Caesar’s face was buried in the crook of her neck.

“You said it was an honor just to meet me?”

His murmured breath sent a shiver down her spine.

“Then imagine how honored you’ll be to share my bed.”

“T-that’s… too much honor… I must decline—”

“Decline?”

“I-I mean, I refuse—no, wait… refund! No, no, that’s not it… my brain isn’t working! I feel nauseous, like I’m going to—”

It was as if she had swallowed fire—

Her insides burned, her mind went blank, and her lungs struggled for air.

Desperate to breathe, Odette’s lips parted slightly.

Unfortunately, to Caesar, it must have looked like she was begging for a kiss.

His eyes glazed over, and he dragged his gaze over her lips, as if licking them with his stare.

A strange sensation swept through her body, leaving her paralyzed.

What was this feeling?

Pain? Paralysis?

Or was it… death?

His large hands suddenly clamped onto her shoulders, gripping her tight.

A cold sweat drenched her skin, and her legs buckled beneath her.

Through her blurring vision, she saw Caesar’s sharp gaze narrow in alarm.

And then—her head snapped backward.

Her body went limp.

She couldn’t hold herself up any longer.

“Get the physician— the antidote—damn it!”

Caesar’s roar echoed through the room, but her consciousness flickered in and out.

“…Odette Valen… You are not allowed to die without my permission.”

Had she ever told him her name?

That thought barely had time to register before darkness consumed her.

“…Mother?”

She was in a small cabin deep in the mountains.

Before the crackling fireplace, her mother sat, sewing with quiet focus.

When the tailor shop sent over cut fabric, her mother would turn them into full garments.

“She never seemed like someone who should have been living like that.”

Her mother—golden-haired, blue-eyed, breathtakingly beautiful—had always exuded an air of nobility.

She could read and write with ease.

She had taught Odette history and arithmetic, lessons that no common woman would have ever passed down to her daughter.

Her speech, her mannerisms—everything about her was elegant and refined.

Even as a child, Odette had known—

Their peaceful life was fragile, always on the brink of being shattered.

And the moment her mother began speaking of imperial banquets and noble society, the fear became unbearable.

“Someone will come for her.”

“She’s trying to return to her old life.”

“And when she does… what will happen to me?”

But in the end—her mother hadn’t been preparing to leave.

She had been preparing to die.

“Mom!”

“Odette, my precious treasure.”

Her mother smiled softly, brushing gentle fingers through her hair.

But her face was pale, her strength fading.

“I’ll find medicine for you. Please, don’t die!”

“I’ve already sent a letter… to an old friend. He will bring your father to see you.”

“Do you want to see him, Odette?”

But that man—

Had never come.

“Who is my father?”

Her mother’s lips parted—but then, she hesitated.

“…I cannot tell you. Not yet.”

“Tell me!”

Her voice shook with fury.

“Tell me who he is! I’ll find him myself—I’ll make him pay for abandoning you!”

“Why are you protecting that bastard?! He deserves to die a thousand times over!”

The physician, who had been tending to Odette, flinched at her sudden outburst and cautiously glanced at Caesar, who stood behind him.

“Who is the Countess cursing so viciously?”

Caesar had barely returned from war when both he and his wife were nearly poisoned to death.

Lethal toxins had been found in the tea.

Caesar had avoided drinking it, but his so-called wife had not been as fortunate.

Although the antidote had been administered in time to save her, the poison was deadly, and full recovery would take time.

Some toxins, once they infiltrated the nervous system, could leave lasting effects.

“She’s finally regained consciousness.”

Caesar’s expression was rigid as he spoke.

The physician nodded gravely.

“She is still in a delirious state, caught between dreams and reality, but her will to live is strong. She will endure. However, the poison was potent, and a complete detoxification will take time.”

Delirium. A phase in which the body, while fighting the poison, drifts through dreams and hallucinations.

It was no different from teetering on the edge of death.

Seeing the dark shadows in Caesar’s eyes, the physician quickly reassured him.

“If she experiences side effects, I will provide medication. I will remain here and monitor her closely.”

“Stay by my wife’s side all night?”

Caesar’s icy gaze bored into him.

The physician nearly choked on his breath.

“D-do you really think I would dare do anything suspicious to the Countess?!”

“The more you talk, the more irritated I get. Get out.”

“T-thank you for your generosity!”

Feeling as though he had just escaped death, the physician fled the room.

Caesar stepped closer to the bed, letting out a long exhale.

Because—even in her delirium, she hadn’t stopped cursing.

“What has you so worked up?”

“That bastard.”

“Who?”

“My damn father.”

Caesar blinked.

“Is she really delirious?”

Leaning against the bed, he lowered himself slightly and asked,

“Odette, what was your first impression of me?”

“Beautiful.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“And?”

“Sexy.”

“And?”

“Strong… and terrifying. Ugh, I want a gentle man instead.”

Caesar’s expression immediately turned cold.

“A gentle man?”

He might not have known what that meant, but one thing was clear—

It was not referring to him.

“You dare long for another man in my bedroom? That deserves punishment.”

He narrowed his eyes and was about to turn away when—

“…Don’t go.”

Her pleading voice gave him pause.

Caesar ignored her.

He had more pressing matters to deal with—he needed to track down the culprit who had poisoned the tea.

But then—

“Mother.”

“……!”

“Don’t leave me alone.”

His footsteps halted instantly.

Letting out a slow sigh, he murmured,

“You put me to the test, Odette.”

“Ugh…”

With great effort, Odette forced her heavy eyelids open.

The room slowly came into focus, though her vision was still slightly blurred.

“I still feel dazed… my body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

Trying to recall the events of the previous night, she closed her eyes for a moment.

She remembered—

Caesar holding her close, pressing his lips against her neck.

That was when something had gone wrong.

Her head had spun, her heart had pounded out of control, and she had passed out.

“Did I almost die… from sheer arousal?”

It was a real condition—sudden death due to extreme excitement.

Had she nearly died at the hands of Caesar’s lethal charm?!

“Then… that means we didn’t…?”

She flipped the sheets aside and checked her clothes.

She was still in her nightgown.

Good. That was a relief.

But then—

“Why does my cheek feel so sore?”

She turned her head—and froze.

Caesar lay beside her, propped up on one elbow, watching her intently.

“No, we haven’t done anything yet. Why? Are you disappointed?”

“…”

He stretched out an arm toward her.

“If you want, we can change that right now.”