Odalisque - Chapter 118

“You used to ask me all sorts of questions before.”

“That was because I was curious.”

“And now you’re not curious anymore?”

“No.”

“You said you were greedy for me.”

Dimus hadn’t intended for it to sound accusatory, but it came out that way. Liv furrowed her brow in response to his questioning. She averted her eyes from him, not out of fear but more from a sense of weariness at the conversation itself.

Liv no longer desired Dimus. She no longer yearned desperately for the lush rose, nor did she reach out for it, willing to endure its thorns. Realizing this left her feeling cold.

“How can you abandon your god so easily?”

Liv rubbed her eyes with her hand, her action reminiscent of someone exhausted by an unpleasant conversation. It reminded Dimus of the time she had spoken wistfully about connections.

“It seems I didn’t need a god after all.”

Liv’s reply, laced with a sigh, was calm. She added softly, “So there’s no need for you to be my god, Marquis.”

What did she mean by that? Wasn’t it true she couldn’t shoot him because he was irreplaceable to her? Wasn’t it her insatiable greed that had made her flee? How could she suddenly be indifferent?

Surely, it was an impulsive statement—just a fleeting sentiment.

Dimus felt that if he opened his mouth even slightly, he would spill out a barrage of incoherent accusations. And so, he said nothing.

As Dimus remained silent, Liv spoke again, as if to soothe him, “I’m not curious about what you mentioned. I won’t overstep, so there’s no need to test me.”

Dimus took a deep breath. A cold chill settled in his chest. Though he didn’t want to admit it, he could no longer deny the truth he faced.

There was no need to worry about whether Liv might sympathize with Camille. Dimus realized something.

He was the one who had to rely on her sympathy.

***

Liv had boldly claimed that she wasn’t curious about anything, but that wasn’t entirely true.

She had already learned from Camille that Dimus was somehow connected to Cardinal Calliope. Having heard the name once, she couldn’t erase it from her memory, and her mind had naturally begun spinning a plausible story.

She also wanted to know more about Dimus’ current conflict with Malte and Eleonore. After all, Dimus was facing not just one but two great noble families, and the conflict had begun because of her. It was impossible not to feel concerned. She also felt an obligation to understand the situation better since she wasn’t entirely uninvolved.

Part of her was worried—just a little—that Dimus might have entered into an unreasonable conflict because of her.

‘Even though I know he’s not one to get into something he can’t handle.’

Liv knew her worries about Dimus were foolish. But since their reunion, Dimus had been showing her sides of himself that were completely unexpected, making it difficult for her to feel at ease.

After all, the man couldn’t even sleep properly at the moment.

Dimus tried to maintain his usual demeanor, but he couldn’t hide the pallor of his face or the roughness of his features. It was hard to believe that a man in such a state could make sound decisions.

What if, out of anger at her fleeing, he had carelessly provoked Malte and Eleonore? Not that she particularly cared for Dimus, but since she was the catalyst for the conflict…

Liv, trying to rationalize her sudden bouts of concern, let out a self-deprecating laugh.

‘A foolish concern.’

Just because someone looked a bit worn down, she softened. How could she worry about Dimus? Not long ago, she had been desperate to escape from him.

‘…But that man isn’t in his right mind right now, is he?’

Unlike Dimus, Liv was someone filled with human emotions. Having cared for her sickly younger sister for so long, she couldn’t just turn a blind eye to someone who seemed unwell.

So it was only natural that she would care, even if just a little, for a man who was clearly weakened, who lingered constantly in her sight.

Regardless of her personal feelings, as one human to another.

Thinking along those lines, Liv ground her teeth and rubbed her face. She was softening again just because he was in front of her. Even a moment’s lapse could tip her heart’s balance in an instant.

This was the reason she had tried to run away.

‘If this continues, it’ll end up the same way as before.’

Liv’s feelings fluctuated dozens of times a day like this.

Meanwhile, Dimus seemed prepared to answer any question Liv had for him. In fact, he even complained when she didn’t ask.

But Liv acted indifferent and ended the conversation. Partly because she feared he’d rebuke her for prying, partly because she didn’t want to seem overly eager to ask questions.

Instead, she went to the library. It was the place where Dimus’ subordinates gathered the daily newspapers.

Just by glancing at the front page, she could get a sense of what was going on. Names like Malte and Eleonore were bound to be on the front page, after all.

“Are you that worried about that Eleonore brat?”

Noticing that Liv was looking at the newspaper, Dimus misinterpreted her intentions. It wasn’t an assumption that needed correcting.

Ignoring Dimus’ taunt, Liv picked up the latest newspaper. There was nothing new about Malte or Eleonore today. Instead, she saw Cardinal Calliope’s name.

The article said that, despite some minor disturbances, the cardinal had safely completed the final pilgrimage schedule. After that, it went on at length about the upcoming Gratia selection. The intent behind mentioning the cardinal’s pilgrimage and the Gratia selection in the same breath was obvious.

Though Liv didn’t know all the details, it was clear that the article aimed to highlight Cardinal Calliope, who was a candidate for Gratia. The cardinal’s influence was undeniable, but what was the connection to Dimus?

“That brat isn’t someone you need to pity.”

Whether Liv ignored him or not, Dimus continued with his mean-spirited remarks.

“You can tell just by how he idly spends his family’s money, wandering around without a care.”

“This is the library. Wouldn’t it be better if you read a book instead?”

Liv suggested he read something, neatly wrapping her words in politeness, and Dimus frowned.

“If there’s something I want to see, I’ll look at it.”

“Very well, then.”

After closing the newspaper, Liv turned to leave the library. As she moved to exit, Dimus immediately stood to follow her.

“Where are you going?”

“I thought I’d leave so you could concentrate on your reading. I’m not planning to leave the mansion, of course.”

Liv took a step outside the library and looked back. Naturally, Dimus was following her.

Seeing Liv look at him, Dimus hesitated, then spoke in a cold tone, “I don’t feel like reading right now.”

He wore his usual arrogant and cold expression, but the excuse was flimsy, lacking any real authority. Even a duckling imprinting late on its parent wouldn’t be this persistent.

She was starting to doubt whether his behavior was all just about watching her.

“May I speak frankly?”

“As if you haven’t been already.”

It sounded as if he was scolding her for being insolent, but in truth, it was more like a grumble. If it were the past, Liv would have taken it as a rebuke. But deciding she no longer needed to try to please him, she found herself understanding his emotions better, which was oddly amusing.

“I’m starting to feel a bit stifled.”

Liv spoke in a detached voice, setting aside her feelings.

“Don’t you feel the same, Marquis? All you do in this mansion is watch me all day.”

“Then stop thinking about running away.”

“If I say I won’t run, will you believe me?”

Dimus didn’t bother to pretend he would. Liv let out a sigh as she noticed his displeased expression.

“At the very least, I want to walk in the garden.”

“The garden is…”

“Is that not allowed either? Because I might run?”

Dimus’ expression remained rigid. However, Liv noticed a hint of unease behind it. He averted his gaze, as if caught off guard.

“The garden isn’t well-kept, so there’s not much to see.”

Liv tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at Dimus. The fleeting emotion she had seen vanished quickly, replaced by the familiar cold face of Marquis Dietrion.

It still didn’t feel imposing. If anything, his overly composed demeanor seemed out of place.

Surely, the esteemed Marquis Dietrion wouldn’t be embarrassed to show her an unkempt garden.

“Then take me somewhere worth seeing.”

Liv’s words were impulsive, and Dimus raised an eyebrow in response.

“Take you?”

“You won’t let me go alone, will you?”

The reaction was different from when she had simply said she wanted to leave. Having carefully observed his reactions numerous times, Liv easily noticed the subtle change in his stern expression.

It was so obvious that she wondered if she was mistaken. But no matter how she looked at him…

“…I’ll have them prepared.”

Dimus spoke, and for just a moment, he looked pleased.