Odalisque - Chapter 122

[Should the entire country be thrown into chaos over just one mistress? Your anger has been sufficiently conveyed to everyone, so let’s leave it at that. It would be embarrassing to antagonize the great nobles over such a trivial matter.]

In summary, the letter urged compromise, emphasizing that a head-on confrontation would only lead to mutual ruin.

“Isn’t it absurd? All I did was mention Malte and Eleonore’s names in the newspaper a few times.”

Dimus’ cynical muttering made Adolf give an awkward smile. No one knew better than Adolf how much ridicule the two families had faced due to those few mentions in the press.

Through this incident, Dimus had not only created enmity with the two families but had also strained relations with other noble families close to them. Even if he planned to abstain from social activities, it was not advantageous to increase the number of enemies needlessly.

Therefore, the cardinal’s intervention came at an opportune time.

“If you push any further, people will start saying you’re going too far.”

“What did I even do?”

“… There’s no precedent for dragging a mistress’s insult all the way to court.”

Dimus’ hand, which was about to crumple the letter in frustration, paused.

“Adolf.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t let me hear that damned word ‘mistress’ again.”

“… I’ll be careful.”

Despite Adolf’s response, the scowl on Dimus’ face didn’t soften in the slightest. Mistress? No mistress in the world could compare to Liv. Liv isn’t just a mistress—

Liv is…

Dimus rose, his unfinished thoughts circling in his mind. It had been about ten minutes since he left the room, unable to discuss the trial details in front of Liv. When he had left, Liv was reading a book.

The thickness of the book suggested it couldn’t have been finished in just ten minutes, so she was probably in the same position as when he left. Yet, the longer she was out of his sight, the more anxious he felt.

Bang.

He opened the door abruptly and saw Liv perched on the large window sill. As he expected, she was in the same position as when he had left.

The only difference was that her eyes were now closed. The book was precariously balanced on her lap, her head tilted against the window, and she was fast asleep.

Sunlight poured in through the window, bathing her face in a warm glow. The warmth seemed to relax her, softening her features. Her auburn hair glimmered in the light, cascading messily over her neck.

Liv Rodaise isn’t just a mistress…

The unfinished thought kept drifting through his mind. Dimus stood in the doorway, staring at the sleeping Liv, then slowly stepped forward. Even the hand holding his cane moved with care, all his attention focused on not disturbing her rest.

Whether due to his careful approach or her deep sleep, Liv didn’t stir even as Dimus approached.

Up close, her cheeks were flushed pink, perhaps from the warmth of the sunlight. The loose strands of hair framing her face seemed especially endearing. All the annoying reports Adolf had delivered earlier vanished from Dimus’ mind, and all he could hear now was Liv’s steady breathing, coming from slightly parted lips.

Dimus, as if entranced, reached out and touched her lips.

Liv Rodaise is…

At that moment, Liv’s eyelids fluttered. Her green eyes, heavy with sleep, blinked in confusion before slowly regaining focus. Realizing she had dozed off, Liv let out a soft exclamation.

Dimus, who had watched her wake with rapt attention, suddenly had a thunderous realization.

‘Liv Rodaise is the only one.’

“Marquis?”

Liv’s puzzled expression met Dimus’ frozen gaze. He stood still, staring at her, his face pale, and his grip on his cane tightened.

“… Marquis?”

Sensing something was wrong, Liv called out to him again. The sleepiness had entirely vanished from her face, replaced by a look of concern. Yet, instead of answering her, Dimus turned away completely.

Now he understood the inexplicable anger that would sometimes flare up when he looked at Liv.

It wasn’t directed at Liv—it was at himself.

It was the anger of someone who had fumbled at the very beginning, oblivious to their own mistakes. Deep down, he had known instinctively that she was the only one capable of shaking him to his core.

The name of the desire to possess her, confine her, and never let her go…

The world would likely call it love. Though it was a word he had never uttered before, it seemed to fit.

The moment Dimus realized that all his anxiety, obsession, and irrational behavior stemmed from love, he acknowledged his complete defeat.

He had lost to her, and he would continue to lose for eternity.

Dimus was now afraid of Liv.

***

Dimus’ sudden announcement that he was leaving Adelinde was utterly bewildering.

Only when Liv heard his declaration did she realize that, despite repeatedly asking when he would leave, she had never truly expected him to go. She had unconsciously grown accustomed to his presence as their time together dragged on.

“I don’t know what brought this on so suddenly.”

Liv wasn’t the only one caught off guard. Adolf, Philip, and even Roman, who had been in charge of guarding the mansion, were all scrambling to adapt to the unexpected news. Roman, in particular, was busier than ever, as Dimus had ordered him to stay in Adelinde to guard Liv.

“How can I leave your side, Marquis?”

“There won’t be any danger without your protection.”

“You’ve seen how recklessly Lady Malte acts.”

“That’s why I’m leaving you here.”

Dimus ignored Roman’s protests as he packed his belongings. At that moment, he looked over in Liv’s direction. Liv returned his gaze, silently watching him.

Would he urge her to hurry and pack as well?

Before she could even fully form the thought, Dimus averted his gaze, as if there was nothing more he expected from her.

Given that Roman was staying behind, it seemed he hadn’t entirely decided to give her complete freedom. However, it was still strange that the man who had acted as if the world would end if she wasn’t in his sight was suddenly preparing to leave the mansion.

But more than anything, what bothered Liv the most was that she didn’t feel happy about it.

Once, she had wanted nothing more than to distance herself from Dimus, but now, with him actually leaving like this, she felt uneasy and unsettled.

Biting her lip, Liv approached Adolf and cautiously asked a question, “Is he going back to Buerno?”

“No, he’s heading to the capital.”

“I see.”

If it was the capital, could it be related to the dispute with Malte? Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t kept up with the newspapers lately. There might have been new developments that she was unaware of.

Since the riverside visit, Liv had spent her time absorbed in novels, using her ankle as an excuse but really just trying to distract herself from her confusion.

“I’ll always be here to brush off the dirt.”

She couldn’t get the image of Dimus casually tending to her ankle out of her mind. In truth, she couldn’t get rid of it at all. No matter how much she buried herself in books, all that came to mind was his gleaming platinum hair as he knelt before her.

To make matters worse, he hadn’t discarded the mud-stained gloves. Instead, he had gone so far as to bring them along and firmly instruct that they be cleaned properly. She had seen him continue to use the gloves she had gifted him, but she never imagined he would refuse to discard them, even when soiled with mud.

Given all this, it was impossible for Liv to remain composed. And now, Dimus was suddenly leaving.

This was the man who wouldn’t let her out of his sight for even half an hour, who always kept meetings with his subordinates as brief as possible. And now, immediately after announcing his departure, it was as if all his past behavior had been erased—he left her alone, as if she was nothing to him.

Was the matter in the capital truly that urgent? Or had his interest in her finally waned?

“Sister, did you hear?”

Liv, staring blankly at the bustling staff, felt a nudge in her side. Corida had approached her, gently poking her.

“Uncle Adolf said we can keep living in this mansion. They’re leaving behind enough guards and staff. Even Dr. Thierry will be staying.”

“I see.”

“He said he’ll help me with my studies again once the urgent business is over, so I should keep working hard until then.”

“Alright.”

“But he also said that it’s uncertain whether the marquis will return.”