Odalisque - Chapter 21

Seeing the numerous new artworks, Liv had a suspicion that they intended to invite the Marquis again. Even if he didn’t come, they likely saw the purchases as an investment, ensuring no loss either way. For the Pendence family, who were swimming in wealth, this much was hardly a burden.

“The Marquis doesn’t usually go out much.”

“But he’s visited our house twice already! I’m sure he’ll come again! When he does, they’ll invite him to a meal. That’s why they’re currently redecorating the dining room!”

Liv was about to say that it was too presumptive but then closed her mouth. He was an unpredictable man, and there was always the chance he might suddenly show up at the Pendence mansion again. If he did, it would finally cement the relationship between Marquis Dietrion and the Pendence family in the eyes of the people of Buerno.

Million, half lost in her own daydream, clasped her hands together with a dreamy expression.

“Oh, I hope he comes soon!”

“Do you really want to see him that much?”

“Of course! You haven’t seen the Marquis up close, teacher. It’s unbelievable… How could someone like him be human?”

Yes, his face was indeed astonishing, almost too beautiful to be considered human.

Liv quietly smiled and nodded. It was surprising how often his presence had cropped up in her daily life over the past few weeks.

***

Once again, Liv proceeded with her extra work today. Whatever Brad had been told, he no longer found it odd that she moved separately from him.

Arriving at the room at the far end of the mansion’s top floor, Liv undressed and was about to sit down in her usual position when she paused. For the few times she’d worked extra hours, she always sat with her back to the Marquis.

He didn’t want a conversation partner; he wanted a decorative plant. There was no reason for her to face him. Occasionally, he clicked his tongue at her stiff posture, but since he hadn’t forced her into a different position, she kept her back to him.

But perhaps it was because of her recent conversation with Million that Liv suddenly found herself curious about what expression the Marquis wore in this silent room. It was a simple curiosity.

People outside always spoke of how cold, indifferent, sensitive, and irritable Marquis Dietrion was. They probably had never seen him smile, nor seen him leisurely smoking a cigar or casually sipping wine.

The expression on the Marquis’s face while indulging in his peculiar hobby might be different from what people usually knew of him. Thinking so, her curiosity flared.

How was he looking at her? As he’d said on the first day, did he gaze at her as dispassionately as one would look at a potted plant placed by the window?

After some hesitation, Liv carefully changed her position. She chose the long sofa next to the bed. From where the Marquis was seated, she would be angled slightly sideways. For Liv, she could observe him simply by glancing sideways without needing to turn her head.

Impulsively choosing the sofa, Liv nervously smoothed out the cushion. Then, she stole a sidelong glance at the Marquis.

At that moment, their eyes met directly.

Though she expected him to be looking at her, meeting his gaze like this made her feel like a mouse cornered by a cat.

It felt awkward to avert her gaze now, so she stared at him blankly. The Marquis leisurely lifted his wine glass while maintaining eye contact. He sipped the wine slowly, his demeanor relaxed.

Perhaps it was the wine, but his lips appeared especially red. His pale skin only accentuated the color, giving his face a strangely seductive air.

“Would you like a glass?”

Liv, who had been staring at the Marquis absentmindedly, was startled and looked away. She heard him let out a short scoff, which sounded like he was mocking her, prompting Liv to force herself to look up again.

“…Please.”

It was partly out of defiance. She wondered if her response would irritate him, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to care. He pulled out an extra glass without a word.

The red wine swirled in the clear, rounded glass. The Marquis filled the glass to an appropriate level, then extended it toward Liv. He made no move to approach her—he expected her to come get it.

Swallowing nervously, Liv cautiously stood and approached him.

This was the closest she had ever been to the Marquis while naked since she started the extra work. She hesitated, but eventually reached out to take the glass.

The Marquis, handing her the glass, turned his head away indifferently, focusing back on his own wine.

“It’s sweet enough that it shouldn’t be unpleasant.”

Listening to his nonchalant muttering, Liv returned to the sofa with a strange feeling. Today, the Marquis seemed unusually kind. She didn’t know why, but perhaps he was in a good mood.

Staring at the delicate, transparent glass that seemed like it would shatter with the slightest pressure, Liv cautiously brought it to her lips. The wine barely wet her tongue, not even enough for a full sip.

Contrary to the sweet aroma lingering at her nose, the taste was quite bitter and astringent. Liv involuntarily frowned.

“Not used to alcohol, are you?”

She thought he had looked away, but the Marquis must have seen her expression change. Instead of answering, Liv tilted her glass again, this time taking a larger sip. The wine burned slightly as it traveled down her throat, warming her insides.

“It’s not sweet at all.”

“How unfortunate.”

“…I’m simply not used to it,” Liv retorted, her voice defensive.

The Marquis narrowed his eyes. “You’re twenty-five, correct?”

The sudden topic was her age. She tightened her grip on the glass but managed to nod calmly.

Nobles typically became engaged before adulthood and married as soon as they came of age. By their standards, Liv was already well past the typical age for marriage. But among commoners, it wasn’t uncommon to reach one’s early twenties without marrying.

So being twenty-five wasn’t so bad. She had long since given up on marriage, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Yes, I’m twenty-five,” Liv answered clearly, lifting her chin a little more defiantly.

The Marquis studied her for a moment before muttering in an indifferent tone, “Unfortunate.”

Liv’s expression turned incredulous at how easily he had dismissed her as “unfortunate.” However, the Marquis had already shifted his attention away from her once more.

Just because she couldn’t drink, he dismissed her as a child.

Liv, her face slightly twisted in annoyance, forced her expression back to neutral. She took another sip of wine, trying to act unaffected.

No matter how many sips she took, she didn’t enjoy the taste, but she felt like she had to finish at least half the glass. Besides, the alcohol gradually relaxed her, making it easier to endure the time spent here.

Indeed, it was true. Aside from a few sips of beer during her school days, Liv had no experience with alcohol, and she quickly felt its effects.

For the first time, she understood why Brad was so enthusiastic about visiting the tavern. It made her body feel warm and her mood lighter. It tasted awful, but the effect was undeniable.

“You’d better keep enough of your wits to dress yourself.”

The sudden voice startled Liv, and she instinctively turned her head toward it. Her wide eyes fixed on the Marquis.

“A drunkard…”

The glass tipped at her lips, spilling a little wine.

The red liquid trickled down her chin, gathering at its tip before dripping down. The droplet fell onto her pale chest, tracing a line along her skin.

The Marquis, in the middle of speaking, fell silent, his gaze fixed on Liv.

More precisely, his gaze was fixed on where the wine had spilled.

Realizing where he was looking, Liv shivered slightly, her shoulders hunching. The tension that had briefly dissipated under the influence of the alcohol now tightened more than ever.

“…There’s no room for you to stay the night.”

His voice had dropped to a low murmur. The Marquis licked his lips, seemingly just to clean off any lingering wine.

But with his gaze still on her chest, it felt like that tongue was actually touching her skin…

Liv blushed deeply, startled by her own thoughts.

Goodness, Liv Rodaise! What kind of fantasies are you having about the Marquis?

“I-I won’t become a drunkard.”

Her face flushed, Liv hurriedly placed the glass down on the side table. She rubbed the wine stain on her chest with her hand, the sticky liquid clinging to her skin. The prominent stain faded a little, and the Marquis’s gaze finally shifted away.

He now looked indifferent, as if his intense stare from moments before had been nothing but her imagination.

After that, they didn’t exchange any more words. The lingering scent of wine made Liv’s head swim, and she forced herself to stay tense, trying to keep her wits about her. Inwardly, she repeated to herself over and over again that the heat on her cheeks was entirely due to the unfamiliar wine.