Chapter 60

Surviving in this body and seeking revenge on the enemies from my past life were inseparable tasks. Jocelyn and Odette had always been bound by a cursed connection, both then and now. Odette, the mistress who had indirectly influenced my death in my past life, now had a direct connection to me in this one. They were enemies I had no choice but to confront, for the sake of my peaceful future.

In my previous life, Princess Odelliana had disappeared, her heart torn out and erased from existence. But this time, I would not stand by quietly. Heart disease? I wouldn’t allow Odette to die peacefully in that way.

I hadn’t considered revenge until I discovered the existence of a beast’s curse and learned that Odette’s life was limited by heart disease. After all, why bother with revenge on someone who was already destined to die? A woman who would perish if I could just wait a little longer. Compared to the rage I felt over Jocelyn’s betrayal, my animosity toward Odette seemed insignificant. Back then, I had accepted the idea that those who lost in competition would meet a miserable end. From a cold perspective, the queen—born of common blood—had lost in the competition against Princess Odette, and thus lost both her throne and her husband.

On the other hand, the sense of betrayal I felt from Jocelyn, someone I had trusted for so long, was far greater. How could my resentment toward Jocelyn be the same as the anger I felt toward Odette? I had once thought that dying from heart disease was a fitting punishment for Odette’s past deeds.

However, now that fragments of Odelliana’s memories had resurfaced, revealing that Odette was far worse than I had imagined, even dying from heart disease seemed too mild a fate for her. When I thought about the blood tears she had forced from others and her vile actions, I realized she deserved far more torment and suffering.

Perhaps my original memories and mine are merging now.

Princess Odelliana had been a complete stranger to me in my past life, but now, as I occupied her body, her memories felt as vivid as if they were my own experiences. The pain of Odelliana’s abuse cut deeper than the sorrow of my own miserable death in that previous life.

Seeing Lord Aidas Rashua by Jocelyn’s side… It’s clear that I don’t exist in this time. Leusha doesn’t even exist here. Then what about the soul of this body…?

Was my soul still lingering, dormant in the depths of this body’s consciousness, or had it completely vanished?

Whatever the case may be, now that I live in this body, I must take responsibility for it. That is the right thing to do.

“Miss,” Malena’s voice broke through Odelliana’s thoughts, and she snapped out of her reverie.

“Miss!” she called again, more urgently this time.

Startled, Odelliana blinked and focused on her. “Wha… What?”

“Did you hear what I said? What were you thinking so deeply about?”

Odelliana shook her head, still disoriented. “Oh, sorry… Could you repeat that?”

Malena gave her a puzzled look but continued, “Master Fergus has been found. Would you like to meet him?”

Odelliana glanced at the window, the clock ticking down to the final day. There was no time to meet Master Fergus now. She had to stay focused. She took a deep breath and quickly penned a letter. After writing the essential points, she handed the letter to Malena. “Please deliver this.”

“Finally, tomorrow is the day,” Malena murmured.

“Indeed,” Odelliana replied, her voice low and steady as she stared out the window.

Malena cleared her throat. “The young master left just a little while ago.”

Blair had kissed each family member goodbye in haste. The Duchess had wept and clung to him so tightly that he’d had to pry her arms from his neck with considerable effort. Naturally, he’d had no time to visit the annex; instead, he’d handed Malena a brief letter—a request to meet soon in Eisenwald, with a stern warning to be cautious.

No sooner had Blair’s carriage rounded the corner than Odette swept into the room, her steps measured as she toured the annex with insolent ease. She paused by a tapestry and tilted her head. “By the way, where is Sir Matthias?” she inquired, as though the true mistress of this house did not exist.

Malena leaned toward Odelliana and whispered, “Miss Odette seems quite interested in Sir Matthias.”

Odelliana’s lips pressed into a thin line. “He isn’t merely a servant anymore,” she reminded quietly, “but a newly knighted gentleman—almost minor nobility.”

She shrugged. “You’ve never seen a woman pursue any man she fancies? Someone with Matthias’s looks and physique is rare, and now that he’s so close, she won’t give up.”

“But he’s still so young…” Malena’s voice faltered with concern.

“Precisely,” Odelliana agreed, her gaze sharpening with resolve as Odette’s laughter drifted back to them from the hallway. “Deciding to leave was wise. For Matthias’s sake, too—it’s better to remove him from this wretched house. It’ll only harm his emotional education otherwise.”

Odelliana let out a quiet sigh of relief. If they had remained any longer, she feared Matthias might have fallen into a perilous situation. Though he was not a man easily swayed by a frail woman’s charms, Odette’s presence had the potential to harm him.

“Still,” Malena began, “isn’t it somewhat wasteful?”

Odelliana frowned in confusion. “A waste?”

“Lord Matthias.”

Odelliana waited for clarification.

“I believe he has potential to rise even higher,” Malena explained, folding her hands neatly before her. “Rumors about his prowess have already swept through the field. They say a monster-like talent single-handedly defeated the Proves.”

Odelliana nodded, understanding. “People worry his humble origins might hold him back.”

The concern that his humble origins might hinder his progress was misplaced. The incident had been such an extraordinary public event that Matthias’s fame had grown almost organically.

For those who knew him as the “beast in disguise,” as the rumors called him, Odelliana accepted that possibility. But for those unaware of his true identity, the debates about the rumors were likely still ongoing. Was it even possible? Was it true?

Of course, the fact that several prominent knight orders had already reached out to Matthias, desperate to recruit him, served as undeniable confirmation of the rumors.

“The Schaller Knights are a respected order, no doubt,” the other person continued, “but can they compare to the Royal Knights? The starting point is entirely different. With the royal family’s full support, he would rise even faster. Most of the so-called national heroes came from the Royal Knights.”

In his previous life, Matthias had indeed been part of the Royal Knights.

“Are you worried about Matthias’s future?”

“It’s not that,” Odelliana replied. “Even if a dragon wallows in filth, it’s still a dragon.”

In his past life, Matthias’s name had only begun to spread after the great tribal purge. It was only when he played a pivotal role in Jocelyn’s coup to seize the throne and subsequently became the youngest commander of the knight order that his name became firmly etched in the minds of the people.

But now, Matthias was neither a member of the Royal Knights nor did he have the backing of a prince. Yet, he was gaining fame entirely on his own. There was no need for regret. Despite the difference in starting points, a man like him was bound to rise.

“Can I ask you something?” Malena inquired, her tone curious.

“What is it?” Odelliana replied, glancing at her.

“Did you recognize Lord Matthias’s potential and bring him here?”

“Exactly,” Odelliana answered with a nod. “From the very beginning, I intended to make him a knight and keep him by my side.”

“Then, how far do you think he, being of common birth, will rise?”

Odelliana’s gaze grew distant, as though contemplating a truth already known. “The future is already set. At the very least, Matthias’s rise in this life will mirror that of his past.”

Malena raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “How so?”

“He will be the first common-born to become the commander of the Royal Knights,” Odelliana said with quiet certainty, “a national hero who saves the country in times of crisis.”

Malena’s enthusiasm quickly deflated. She shook her head, as though dismissing the notion. “That’s… absurd.” Her voice was tinged with disbelief, and she silently cursed herself for asking such a question.

Later that night, just before midnight, Matthias returned after being absent for several days.

“Master, it’s time to go,” he said, his voice urgent.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Later that afternoon, the Duke of Grüsewald’s residence was thrown into chaos.

“Lady Odelliana has disappeared!” a servant cried, rushing through the halls.

The heart’s offering had vanished—without a trace.