Odalisque - Chapter 114

Warmth was felt. Without needing to open her eyes, she could tell someone was lying next to her.

It was a familiar scent of skin. After days of being constantly close to each other, she knew exactly who it was.

Dimus was lying next to her.

Perhaps it was because her mind was still groggy, but instead of being overwhelmed by complicated thoughts, the first thing she felt was a sense of wonder. The last situation with him hadn’t exactly ended on a pleasant note, had it?

As Liv replayed their last conversation, she moved to get up from the bed. However, before she could fully lift her upper body, she was pulled back down by a strong arm around her waist.

“Where do you think you’re going again?”

She had thought he was asleep, but his blue eyes were wide open, staring at her without a trace of drowsiness. Had he not been sleeping, just lying beside her, keeping watch?

Liv turned her head away, unable to meet his unreadable gaze any longer.

“We can’t stay like this forever.”

“And why not?”

“You’ve held me plenty. There’s no need to lie around any longer.”

The moment Liv finished speaking, Dimus’ arm tightened around her waist. His voice, which had been loose and indifferent, hardened immediately.

“If I’d had enough of you, you’d still be unconscious.”

“Should I thank you for your mercy, then?”

Her sarcastic response slipped out without thought. It seemed the anger she had felt just before fainting still lingered. Perhaps it was better to keep her mouth shut.

Liv had always tried to avoid resentment and anger. It was far more productive to tackle the immediate situation than to get caught up in emotions and waste time.

Even now, it was the same. Rather than venting her grievances to Dimus yet again, it was easier to accept reality and figure out what to do next. She had already confirmed, countless times, that they had fundamentally different perspectives. Rehashing the same conversations would only be a waste of time.

“If you intend to run, you should at least take better care of your body.”

But Dimus didn’t seem inclined to end the conversation.

“You’re in terrible shape; they said you need plenty of rest.”

“I’ve rested.”

“If you go out looking like this, your sister’s reaction should be amusing.”

At that, Liv paused. Even without seeing herself, she knew she must look a mess.

Not just from the exhausting days of running, but from the marks Dimus had left all over her body during their days together. The blanket might cover her, but it certainly couldn’t hide her neck.

Liv glanced at herself with a grim expression and asked in a quiet voice, “Did Corida see me?”

Dimus let out a cold laugh, as if he knew exactly what her worry was.

“You must think your sister is a fool.”

Liv suppressed a sigh and lowered her gaze. She had no idea what to say to Corida. No matter how she tried to frame it, there was no way she could pretend they had nothing to do with each other.

It was at least fortunate that Corida was close by and safe. Judging by Dimus’ demeanor, it seemed Corida hadn’t been harmed.

Even when Dimus had caught her again, Liv hadn’t seriously believed he would hurt Corida. Perhaps it was because he had been the one to care for Corida’s health… regardless of his reasons.

Objectively, Dimus had always been generous, even from the beginning. Maybe it was because of his kindness that Liv had foolishly let her emotions grow.

Thinking that made her feel sad again. In the end, the only trouble in this relationship seemed to be her. If she had just been content with her role as his mistress, none of this would have happened.

Maybe, if she completely humbled herself now, she could reclaim that place. If she promised to never be presumptuous again, if she begged for the fleeting affection that could vanish tomorrow, she might be able to live as his mistress again.

But living like that… she felt like she would wither away. It wasn’t the idea of begging him that frightened her; it was the thought of trying to suppress her own growing feelings again.

“I’m not running, so let me go.”

There was no point in agonizing over a question with no answer. Liv decided to tackle the immediate problem first.

“For what?”

“If Corida is here, then Mr. Adolf must be with her.”

“Adolf?”

Dimus raised an eyebrow. Liv nodded wearily, trying to push his arm off her waist.

“I need my medicine.”

“What medicine?”

“Birth control pills. Adolf always prepares them, doesn’t he?”

He was always thorough. Surely, when the mansion doors locked, he had an idea of what would happen inside.

Would it still be effective if she took it now? Even if it wasn’t certain, it was better than not taking it at all.

The pills she had previously received were all left behind in Buerno. She had run away determined never to see Dimus again, thinking she wouldn’t need them. Even if she got caught, she hadn’t expected things to end up like this.

Dimus was silent for a moment after Liv’s explanation. Then he spoke in a cold voice, “Forget it.”

“I have no strength left to run, so don’t worry…”

“I mean you won’t need it.”

Liv stiffened and looked back at Dimus. His lips held a faint, crooked smile.

“If you get pregnant, you won’t even think about running. It’s not a bad plan.”

Liv couldn’t believe her ears.

“What are you saying…?”

“I’m saying I have no intention of giving you those pills again.”

The arm around her waist loosened slightly, but it wasn’t to let her go. His fingers moved deliberately over her skin, clearly carrying a different intention.

Liv, shocked, tried to push his hand away. Of course, it was impossible.

“Marquis!”

“I told you how to escape.”

Before she knew it, Liv found herself beneath Dimus. He looked down at her, shadows darkening his face, but there was no trace of playfulness in his eyes.

It wasn’t even meant as an insult.

A child? Was this man out of his mind?

“And you said you couldn’t do it. So you’re staying by my side, and in that case, what’s the big deal if you end up carrying my child?”

“Why would you…! Wait!”

Liv grabbed his hand desperately. His words weren’t an empty threat. Lately, he seemed unhinged, and she felt like he would keep pursuing her until she did get pregnant.

But the hand that had moved without hesitation suddenly paused. Dimus’ annoyed gaze trailed down her body, from her neck to her breasts, then lower to her flat stomach.

Realizing he was scanning her body, Liv’s breathing grew uneasy. Her chest rose and fell with each deep breath, her ribs jutting out beneath her skin.

“Tsk.”

Dimus clicked his tongue and got up. The air, which had been hot and oppressive just moments earlier, cooled in an instant.

“Before anything else, we need to get that body of yours back to normal. Let’s start with a meal.”

She had no intention of getting pregnant like this, not even a sliver of desire. Her body was already in its normal state—just a bit… fatigued.

She swallowed back a retort, knowing that arguing would only provoke him further. Honestly, she was more interested in dealing with her immediate hunger than picking a fight with Dimus.

Dimus, who had hastily pulled on some clothes someone had left, glanced back at her. Rather than leaving the room as she expected, he stood by the door, waiting.

His gaze felt like surveillance, making Liv uncomfortable. She quietly turned away from him, grabbing her own clothing.

“You can go ahead.”

“How do I know what you’ll do if I take my eyes off you?”

“In this situation, what could I possibly do?”

“That’s exactly why I need to keep an eye on you.”

She had just woken from fainting not long ago, and Corida was still being held as leverage. Did he really think she would try to run?

If he thought rationally for even a moment, he would know she couldn’t. Did he just want to taunt her about her past escape?

Liv stared at Dimus, wondering if that was his intention. When she stayed silent, the suspicion in his eyes only grew.

The cold, guarded expression was the same as always, yet something about him was different. He didn’t seem as confident, as if he didn’t have everything under control like he used to. He was behaving in an unexpectedly irrational way.

“You won’t get away with any tricks.”

Even his threats sounded uncharacteristically desperate.

Come to think of it, he had been this way ever since they reunited.

A strange, indescribable feeling stirred inside her. Liv hesitated, her lips parting slightly, but then she silently put on her clothes. Dimus waited until she was fully dressed before finally leading her to the dining room, keeping her by his side the whole time.

Even on the way to the dining room, Dimus didn’t let go of her hand.