The only ones who knew about Odette’s ability were Cedric and Eli, as well as a tiny number of individuals from the Bellpor Academy’s Magic Department, including Annesophie. Of course, others at Bellpor Academy were aware that someone with the ability to give life was cooperating in their research, but the identity had not been revealed. Odette’s visits were always dismissed as coming to meet Annesophie, even more so.

“And Cedric or Eli are not people to talk about my ability to others.”

Moreover, Cedric himself did not know everything about Odette’s ability. He only knew that, with magic, Odette could operate a bird much more maneuverable than other summoned creatures. He didn’t properly know the nature of the power she possessed.

And Eli, being someone willing to sacrifice her own life to protect Odette, didn’t need to be mentioned.

Therefore, the assumption that Valtter already knew about Odette’s ability seemed meaningless. Besides, Odette didn’t directly mention her ability even when handing over the pendant.

“He probably really doesn’t know.”

Even judging from the conversation in the dream, it seemed that Cedric was already dead at this point.

It appeared even more unlikely that Valtter knew about Odette’s ability. However, was there a reason to give away the pendant, risking the danger of exposing the ability that she had hidden all her life?

Odette questioned it, but it didn’t take long for her to feel that there was no need to see other scenes just to understand herself in the dream. Odette’s words in the dream, wishing Valtter’s happiness, were everything.

“…That’s all it is.”

If Valtter could be happy, and if the pendant she handed him could be of even a little help.

Even if the day came when she would expose the ability she had hidden all her life, Odette in the dream didn’t mind.

That was her sentiment, her affection.

It was an affection far from calculation, almost reckless.

Thanks to that, Odette could be sure of one thing in her dream.

The Odette in the dream loved Valtter.

Since the day she had the dream until now.

Odette had been experiencing a strange phenomenon all along.

It was the feeling that she was being harmonized with the emotions she felt in her dream.

“It’s strange. When I see Valtter’s face, the feeling is… not mine anymore.”

She hadn’t wavered this much before, but suddenly Odette could feel herself reacting to Valtter’s voice and expressions.

As if she had really fallen in love with Valtter.

“I love Valtter.”

It’s truly an unbelievable sentence.
After experiencing the ordeal of Regis Savier, there was no spring for Odette. If there was one thing she realized then, it was that the idea of someone eventually loving her entirely might be more suitable for a clichéd romance novel heroine. Not someone desperately seeking a marriage partner through contract marriages or wandering princesses.

“In my opinion, it seems like I’ve been deluding myself.”

Doesn’t it occasionally happen? Like an actor who becomes too immersed in the role of a murderer and ends up committing a real murder in the story. Odette thought she might be falling into such a strange mindset, trying to appear as if she loved Valtter.

“Efforts to seem like I’m in love with Valtter probably led to these strange thoughts.”

After all, Valtter’s first impression was far from ideal. He was extremely arrogant, rude, and unmatched in arrogance.

To borrow Eli’s expression, he belonged to the category of an “ideal man in romantic novels” when he existed in those novels.

In reality, while spending time with Valtter, Odette had been irritated by his blunt and straightforward way of speaking several times. Loving such a man? Unthinkable.

“I am a quite picky woman.”

Even if Regis lavished her with sweet words, Odette, herself, was not so easily swayed.

Could she really love such a worst man…?

“…”

Odette paused for a moment. She felt a desire to refute something.

“…But, isn’t Valtter not that bad to that extent?”

Of course, Valtter’s first impression was terrible.

But doesn’t everyone have minor misunderstandings during their first meetings?

Once you got to know him, Valtter wasn’t that bad. He was more affectionate and considerate than one would think.

“If he was truly a completely useless person, he wouldn’t have brought me roses.”

Of course, Valtter’s attitude towards Odette was not always polite.

But that didn’t mean it was entirely casual either.

He listened carefully to Odette’s words, and his touch was always gentle when dealing with her.

After their marriage, Valtter, who deceived Odette for three days, was the one who took meticulous care of Odette.

“If he lived in a mansion like this, he wouldn’t even choose his own clothes, right?”

However, considering that Odette never felt uncomfortable in Valtter’s care even once, it didn’t need to be mentioned how much attention Valtter had paid.

Of course, he sometimes played mischievous pranks.