Odalisque - Chapter 15

“I heard that while the work for you is ongoing, Marquis… you instructed Brad to halt all his other projects…”

That was what Brad had said when Liv subtly suggested they work on other projects simultaneously. He had looked troubled, explaining that there was a clause in his contract prohibiting him from working on other paintings until the Marquis’s piece was complete. This meant that Liv, too, wouldn’t be able to earn any extra income as a nude model until the Marquis’s painting was finished.

It was quite a problem for Liv. She already had very few days off, aside from the time spent as a tutor for the Pendence family and posing for the Marquis’s painting. Not many places would hire someone who could only work a few days a week.

The Marquis, who she thought would simply turn away and leave, suddenly looked back at Liv. His face was as cold and indifferent as always, the one Liv had seen countless times.

The desperate words that had slipped from Liv’s lips came back to her like a bucket of cold water. Her face flushed with shame, and she quickly looked away, her words tumbling out in a disordered manner.

“I’m sorry. What I said just now was a mistake. I’m just not in a good situation right now… If you could just allow Brad a bit more time to finish the work, I’d be grateful.”

Liv lowered her head even further, unable to meet the Marquis’s gaze.

She must have lost her mind, even if just for a moment. She had been so overwhelmed that she had forgotten who the man before her was and had blurted out such nonsense.

With shame came anxiety that took hold of her entire body.

What if her careless words had irritated the Marquis?

What if Brad’s work got delayed as a result?

As she anxiously darted her eyes around, her gaze fell on a neatly folded handkerchief, likely belonging to the Marquis. If he had the kind of heart that would lend a handkerchief to a crying woman…

A desperate hope arose from deep within her.

Maybe this man really did speak out of pity, without any ulterior motives.

“Teacher, would you consider taking on extra work?”

Liv looked up at the Marquis with a bewildered expression. His face remained impassive, his gaze filled with arrogance.

“I will pay you generously.”

By extra work, he must mean taking on more duties after the painting was completed. Liv was so taken aback by the sudden proposal that she couldn’t respond, her eyes wide with surprise. Seemingly understanding her reaction, the Marquis nonchalantly turned his body away.

“I’ll take back the handkerchief when I get your answer.”

The crisp sound of his footsteps echoed throughout the chapel. Still seated, Liv watched his receding figure in a daze, her hand reaching up to her face.

The tears on her cheeks had mostly dried.

***

The handkerchief lay on her old desk.

She hadn’t used it. She would rather soak her worn-out sleeves than dare use something that looked so expensive.

Yet returning it unused didn’t seem quite right either, so Liv pondered whether she should wash it. But what if the cheap soap damaged the fabric?

The items delivered to noble families were of a quality that couldn’t compare to the humble soap she had. The last thing she wanted was to accidentally offend the Marquis by returning a poorly washed handkerchief.

“Sister, who gave you this handkerchief, anyway?”

Corida, her face brimming with curiosity, had asked the same question countless times, showing a determined will to uncover the owner of the handkerchief.

Liv sighed at Corida. “I told you. He didn’t give it to me; he lent it. I plan to return it.”

“Then who lent it to you?”

“A kind person.”

Even as she spoke, Liv found it amusing. A kind person? Was Dimus Dietrion truly someone who could be called kind?

“Which kind gentleman would lend my sister a handkerchief?”

Liv hadn’t said anything about the owner being a gentleman, yet Corida grinned mischievously as if she already knew everything. Liv gave her a stern look.

“Corida.”

At least the handkerchief didn’t have any family crests or inscriptions. If it had, the Marquis likely wouldn’t have lent it in the first place, knowing it could spark some tawdry scandal.

The quality of the handkerchief was too good, though. While Corida may not have noticed, anyone with an eye for quality would easily deduce that it belonged to a noble.

She needed to return it as soon as possible.

“Sister, if you ever meet someone, you have to tell me, okay?”

“That’s not going to happen, Corida.”

“But you’re so pretty and smart and wonderful, I’m sure there are many people around who are secretly in love with you!”

Liv pressed her forehead and shook her head at Corida’s hopeful words, her eyes sparkling.

“It seems the medicine is working well since you’re so energetic. I’m glad.”

“Don’t refuse people just for my sake, alright?”

Corida’s concern wasn’t unfounded. Liv had met several men who showed interest in her, only to shy away upon learning she had a sick younger sister to care for.

She had never shared these stories with Corida, but her perceptive sister had figured it out and become melancholy. This was why Liv had firmly told the pharmacist to stop matchmaking for her.

It had been a long time since anyone had tried to introduce her to someone, but Corida seemed more worried about her not meeting anyone at all. No matter how much Liv explained that she was already past the prime age for marriage, it didn’t seem to reassure her.

“I’m fine…”

“It’s not because of you, it’s because I’m not interested. Let’s stop talking about this nonsense.”

It seemed the handkerchief had stirred Corida’s imagination. While it was good for Corida to find joy in something, especially since she rarely left home, Liv wasn’t thrilled with the topic. Trying to look indifferent, she picked up the handkerchief.

Perhaps Corida was having strange thoughts because she had seen Liv hesitating over the handkerchief.

She needed to wash it. The Marquis surely knew her circumstances, so he wouldn’t be surprised or offended if she used cheap soap.

And as for the Marquis’s “extra work” proposal…

“Corida, remember that side job I mentioned before? It looks like there’ll be more work, so I’ll be coming home later.”

“Really? You must be doing a great job, sister!”

“Yeah, something like that.”

From the start, Liv hadn’t had a choice. She didn’t even know what kind of work it was, yet the answer had been predetermined.

Clutching the handkerchief tightly, Liv turned toward the laundry room.

***

Once again, the artist’s session was short today.

By now, Brad had grown accustomed to the constant interruptions, his resigned expression evident as he packed away his tools. At least today he had managed to get started on the main coloring.

Dimus glanced briefly at the canvas, then shifted his gaze to the woman standing a little distance away, putting on her clothes in silence. Her hands moved swiftly, covering her pale skin with practiced ease. Dimus lightly wetted his lips with his tongue before speaking.

“I have something to discuss with the model. You can take the carriage back.”

“Pardon? W-with Liv?”

Brad looked bewildered, glancing between Dimus and Liv, then quickly bowed his head. After responding affirmatively several times, he hastily gathered his belongings and left the studio.

Liv watched Brad’s retreating back, looking like a child being abandoned by his parents. She swallowed dryly, her face pale with anxiety.

Instead of speaking to her, Dimus simply strode out of the studio. The thick smell of paint gave him a headache and made his stomach turn. Despite keeping the room well-ventilated and cleaned regularly, it was of no use. The scent of paint grew stronger, shortening the time he could tolerate being in the studio.

It was such a bothersome task.

Suddenly, Dimus found all this effort tedious and annoying. But his irritation subsided a bit when he heard the footsteps trailing behind him. At least the body was…

To his liking.

Liv followed Dimus without him needing to say a word. He appreciated her quick wit. He also liked how she moved without making a sound, her presence nearly undetectable.

Unlike others, Liv never tried desperately to catch his eye. Instead, it seemed she was making every effort not to be noticed by him.

Unfortunately for her, despite all her efforts, she was quite noticeable.

“Prepare tea.”

Entering the drawing room, Dimus instructed a servant before sitting on the sofa naturally. Liv, who had followed him into the drawing room, hesitated for a moment before taking a seat opposite him, maintaining perfect posture.

Her auburn hair, which had been disheveled just moments earlier, was now neatly tied back, and her clothes were buttoned all the way up to her neck, giving her a thoroughly composed look. She appeared every bit the proper teacher. It was astonishing, really.

Dimus found the stark transformation in Liv’s demeanor over just a few minutes intriguing. He hadn’t expected her to be such an interesting person when he first noticed her.