Odalisque - Chapter 131
To be honest, Liv couldn’t fully relax.
Though the fear that she’d run away the moment he looked away had lessened, Dimus still wasn’t comfortable leaving her unattended. Even though Roman and others were assigned as her guards, it wasn’t enough for him.
These feelings grew stronger the more days they spent exploring the capital together, with Liv showing him around. Their relationship had improved recently, and Liv was smiling more often, which made Dimus want to spend more time with her, if only to witness her bright expressions.
However, despite his desires, Dimus still had responsibilities. While he and Liv roamed the capital so openly, Luzia, seething with frustration, was becoming an ever-growing nuisance. She had no idea that Dimus was secretly negotiating with the Malte family, and instead clung to the hope that her family would back her in her efforts to tarnish the reputation of Dimus and Liv.
In truth, he had been preoccupied with dealing with Luzia’s desperate final attempts to bring them down.
Even so…
“Eleonore?”
He was just now hearing that brat had come to the capital?
Dimus’ eyes shot a fierce glare at Charles, who flinched under the pressure. They were in the courtroom, with proceedings still ongoing. This wasn’t the time for personal conversation, but Charles had been keenly aware that delivering this news immediately was the only way to avoid a greater wrath later. He glanced nervously at those around them as he gave his report.
Despite Charles’ best efforts, Dimus gave him a look of unfiltered disapproval.
Camille had come to the capital—and it didn’t take much thought to guess who he would be meeting.
Dimus ground his teeth.
His fingers fidgeted with his pocket watch, betraying his irritation.
***
As Dimus had predicted, Camille had found Liv.
Today, Liv had planned to rest comfortably at the hotel instead of going out. She was taken aback when she ran into Camille in the lobby. She’d thought it possible they might meet again someday, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
Since there were things she needed to discuss with him, Liv greeted Camille readily. Seeing her reaction, Roman found a quiet shop where they could speak without drawing attention. He then asked for permission to keep watch over the two. Liv nodded understandingly at his request.
With Liv’s consent, Camille had no choice but to accept, though he wasn’t pleased about it.
Thus, Liv found herself seated across from Camille.
“I didn’t think we’d meet again like this,” Liv began, fiddling with her teacup.
“First, I want to apologize. You helped me, and it ended up putting you in an awkward position. I never imagined things would escalate as much as they did.”
Camille shook his head at Liv’s words, full of guilt. “It was awkward, yes, but not entirely unfounded. After all, I did court you, Teacher Rodaise.”
“Teacher Marcel…”
“Honestly, I expected to see you sooner. I was so surprised when I heard you were in the capital.”
Camille took a sip of his tea, his voice calm.
“You never made it to Arburn, did you?”
“I appreciate all you did, but circumstances turned out like this. I’m ashamed.”
Liv felt even guiltier seeing Camille’s unexpectedly gentle response. To Camille, this entire situation must have seemed absurd. She had left, determined to escape Dimus, but now she was in the capital, openly entangled in rumors with him. Camille’s efforts had amounted to nothing, and he had even been burdened with a tainted reputation because of her.
He had every right to be angry and accuse her of playing him.
“In fact, I have a small villa in Arburn. That’s why I wanted you to go there… but adding a bit of ulterior motive backfired on me quite badly.”
Camille shrugged with a wry smile, letting out a shallow sigh, which made Liv’s face grow even more serious.
“Were you put in a difficult position because of me? If there’s anything I can do to help…”
“Can I be frank with you?”
Camille frowned slightly and spoke in a playful tone, “If you took my hand right now and ran away with me, I’d feel like all my troubles had been repaid.”
Liv’s expression froze awkwardly. Seeing her reaction, Camille smiled, seemingly unsurprised, and lifted his teacup.
He had been in Buerno, witnessing firsthand the rage Dimus unleashed after Liv ran away. Knowing he shared similar feelings, Camille understood Dimus’ motives all too well. If Liv were to flee again, this time, Dimus might very well break her legs and confine her in his mansion.
Yet, even so, if Liv wanted to run away again, Camille wouldn’t be unprepared like before.
“There’s something I’d like to ask—would you answer me?”
“If it’s a question I can answer.”
After a brief pause, Camille spoke in a low voice, “Is being with him your choice, Teacher Rodaise?”
Despite stern rebukes from his family, Camille had come all the way to the capital to confirm something: hearing that Liv was seen with Dimus, seemingly on good terms, he feared she was being forced to act.
Now that Camille understood the depth of Dimus’ obsession with her, he knew his family’s influence could be used for a more thorough intervention this time. In Buerno, they had underestimated Dimus, unaware of what he was truly capable of.
But the Eleonore family wasn’t one to accept disgrace twice. If Liv was being used for one of Dimus’ schemes, then helping her escape again could serve as a way to retaliate against him.
Liv blinked slowly at Camille’s question. There was a hint of embarrassment in her faint smile—almost like a laugh, almost like she might cry. But her answer was resolute.
“Yes. It’s my choice.”
Liv lowered her gaze to her teacup, her voice softening.
“I want to stay by his side.”
The hope that had briefly shone in Camille’s eyes faded. Suppressing a sigh, he forced a smile and nodded.
“…He’s still good to you, then, Teacher Rodaise.”
“Though perhaps not to you, Teacher Marcel.”
“To me, he’s quite awful.”
Camille’s playful tone seemed like an attempt to lighten the heavy mood, and Liv gave a small smile, trying to respond in kind.
“Liv.”
At the sound of her name called in a gruff voice, Liv’s expression brightened immediately. It wasn’t a conscious reaction—it was instinctual. Camille’s smile faded as he turned to look behind him.
The man approaching them, his black coat fluttering as he walked, had fierce eyes that flashed at Camille. They were eyes filled with jealousy and distrust—eyes Camille had seen enough of in Buerno. He never thought he’d see that look on the face of Marquis Dietrion.
“Ah, you’ve come straight from court, haven’t you?”
The look that had been filled with malice turned soft the moment it shifted to Liv.
“What’s going on here?”
“As you can see, I ran into Teacher Marcel by chance and was having a conversation.”
Liv answered calmly, acting as though she hadn’t noticed Dimus’ sharp demeanor. Camille, watching her, showed a look of surprise.
Even if Liv cared for Dimus, that was different from not being afraid of him.
But instead of looking afraid, Liv seemed perfectly comfortable as she sat there. Dimus strode over to her.
“I’m sure I’ve already told you about the rumors involving this man.”
“Yes. He got caught up in rumors because of me, so I should apologize for that.”
Dimus scoffed loudly and glanced at Camille. “He got involved for his own benefit, and he chose to be part of the gossip.”
Dimus made no attempt to hide his wariness toward Camille, his hostility blatant. Camille, seeing that, gave up on being polite and smiled faintly.
“I have no interest in receiving an apology from Teacher Rodaise. If anyone should apologize, it’s you, Marquis Dietrion. You acted on impulse and ruined my reputation.”
“You should blame your lack of judgment for meddling in someone else’s business.”
“I simply responded to a request from someone I cared for.”
“This foolish brat…”
A soft sigh interrupted their heated exchange. Then, a gentle voice followed.
“Dimus, please sit down. I’ll ask for some tea.”
Camille, who had been about to show more resistance, looked at Liv with wide eyes. Even more surprising was Dimus’ reaction to being addressed by name.
“We can have tea somewhere else.”
“Then just sit down for a moment. We should finish our conversation. Let’s wrap this up, and then we can go somewhere else for tea.”
“Tsk.”
The arrogant, cold, and sharp-tempered man, tamed like a beast that had been trained.
MANGA DISCUSSION
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Villainess No.121
i love that now they truely look like a married couple. They are intmate and in love, much more than they were in the past. on a much deeper level. The fact that now that Liv has seen and accepted all of Dimus she doesn’t fear him, she feels safe with him. The opposite is the same too.