Odalisque - Chapter 23

“…What is this?”

Under the bed, where there should have been nothing but dust, was a basket. In this small house, there was no way something could exist without Liv knowing about it, so she didn’t hesitate to pull the basket out.

When she lifted the thin cloth covering it, she saw cloth, needles, and thread spools inside. Liv, who had often taken up sewing in urgent times, immediately recognized what it was. What puzzled her was why it was under the bed.

Liv, staring down at the basket with a bewildered look, picked up the cloth on top. Seeing the clumsy stitches, Liv turned to Corida with a look of disbelief.

“Did you do this?”

“I-I mean…”

“Is it a new hobby?”

Alone at home all day, she must have gotten bored and taken up a hobby like this later on.

Liv tried to understand, but she saw Corida hesitating, her face turning red as she avoided eye contact and stared down at her feet.

There was no mistaking that reaction.

“Who taught you this?”

Liv had never handed Corida a needle. Not just needles—she had also kept her away from kitchen knives. She had always taught Corida to avoid dangerous tools unless absolutely necessary. And that was because, in the past, Corida had hurt herself, and the bleeding hadn’t stopped easily, causing great trouble.

Corida knew better than anyone that when she got hurt, her bleeding was heavier and lasted longer than it did for others. She had lived cautiously, always mindful of that.

At least, Liv had thought she was careful. Until she found this basket.

“It-it’s not that hard, so… I just…”

“Corida, who gave this to you?”

There was no way Corida, who never left the house, could suddenly acquire sewing materials like this.

Could Pomel have said something foolish about rent, convincing Corida to do this? Liv gritted her teeth, putting down the basket and jumping to her feet.

“It was Mr. Pomel, wasn’t it? Did he tell you to do something like this to cover the rent?”

Seeing Liv looking ready to confront him, Corida spoke hurriedly, “No! It was… Rita!”

“Rita?”

“I learned it from Rita… She said sewing is something you can do at home, so…”

Rita, their neighbor, cared a lot about Liv and Corida. She was about Liv’s age and had such a knack for handiwork that she supported her family with her embroidery. Since she worked at home, she sometimes kept Corida company, which Liv had always been grateful for.

But if she had known Rita was teaching this, she would have said something sooner.

Seeing Liv’s expression, Corida’s eyes welled up as she tried to explain.

“I-I begged her to teach me! I’m old enough to work now!”

Sure, Corida was fifteen, and depending on the family’s situation, many girls her age started working. But that was only true for healthy fifteen-year-olds.

“You did? Don’t be ridiculous, Corida. Who told you to work? I told you, didn’t I? I started extra work, and now my pay is enough.”

“But you haven’t been eating dinner, working late…”

At that moment, Liv thought about the “extra work” she did without dinner. The secret work where she bared herself and became a man’s entertainment.

Corida believed that Liv was staying up late with books and paperwork on an empty stomach. She could never imagine her sister stripping before a stranger to make money. So, of course, she tried to help by earning whatever she could.

Liv’s face flushed red with shame and embarrassment. The indignation caused by her unseemly work was unfairly directed at Corida.

“What if you push yourself and collapse? Who will take care of you then?”

“I’m not stupid! I can handle my own body…!”

“You’re already alone at home—what if you get hurt doing this? Your bleeding doesn’t stop easily; what will you do then?”

“I just wanted to help, even a little.”

“Helping means not getting hurt or sick!”

With Liv’s raised voice, silence settled over the house.

Liv, her breath ragged, looked at Corida’s pale face and clenched her teeth. She felt a wave of regret so strong it made the back of her head throb.

“I’m sorry. I went too far.”

Liv pressed her forehead with her hand and apologized in a drained voice. Corida, who had been staring at her blankly, suddenly shook her head vigorously.

“No, it’s only natural for you to worry.”

“I just…”

Liv opened her mouth but couldn’t look Corida in the eyes, dropping her gaze.

“I just worry about you so much. If anything were to happen to you while I’m gone…”

“I’m sorry, sister.”

Corida, at a loss, stomped her feet and apologized. Her reaction only made Liv feel more ashamed, and she couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.

“I’m making plenty of money these days. So, please don’t do things like this. Got it? I can take care of us with my earnings; you don’t need to work.”

Liv spoke calmly, her gaze fixed on the floor, then glanced up at Corida. Corida still looked downcast and dejected.

“If I were healthy, things would be better.”

“You’ll get better. You’ve held on this far, haven’t you? Actually, I heard while I was at the pharmacy—they said a new medicine has been developed.”

The pharmacist’s words were a comfort in times like this. Liv couldn’t promise it would cure Corida, but she painted a vague picture of their rosy future, hoping to give Corida some hope.

Corida didn’t look entirely convinced, but her expression was much calmer than before. Liv, feeling inwardly relieved, gave her a gentle smile.

Maybe the new medicine would truly restore Corida’s health. If it could make their lives even a little better. If she could just get Corida treated by a more competent doctor. If only they didn’t have to struggle to make ends meet every day, everything might improve.

If Million were in Corida’s situation, the wealthy Pendence family would have found a solution long ago.

“But Liv, since you work for a noble family, maybe you could use your connections to get it somehow?”

The innocent suggestion from the pharmacist echoed in Liv’s mind.

Use connections to get the new medicine? That kind of luck wouldn’t happen to her. God had never even answered her smallest prayers.

But…

“Who knows? A miracle might happen.”

The Marquis had said that humans could achieve anything, and he had granted her prayer.

Liv had never imagined she could hope for anything more after escaping her immediate hardships. But without realizing it, she found herself wondering.

Could he create another miracle?

Could he…

Liv shook her head fiercely, cutting the thought short. It was an absurd idea.

Pray to him? Ask for the new medicine? Ask him to heal Corida? That was far different from simply earning a little extra money. There was no reason for him to grant such a request.

Determined to rid herself of these foolish thoughts, Liv busied herself with chores. Housework was the perfect way to ground herself in reality.

***

The largest street in Buerno ran through the city center.

In the middle of this central street was a plaza. At the center of the plaza stood a tall clock tower, with a bell that rang every hour. The clear sound carried throughout Buerno, drawing tourists to the plaza.

On either side of the clock tower stood twin fountains. Their picturesque beauty often caused passersby to stop and catch their breath.

The newspaper boy had set up his stand in front of one of these fountains.

Liv, clutching her coat, cautiously glanced around before spotting the boy and breathing a sigh of relief.

The central street wasn’t a place Liv frequented. It wasn’t part of her usual route, and the large, luxurious shops along the boulevard were places she had no reason to visit.

The street was overwhelming, with carriages, horses, and the occasional automobile bustling about. Well-dressed people filled the sidewalks, making her feel stifled just watching them. Liv moved quickly, wanting to finish her business and leave.

“Newspaper! Get your newspaper here!”

Navigating her way through the crowded street, Liv finally reached the boy and pulled out some coins. The rough texture of the newspaper soon filled her hands.

In truth, she could have gotten a newspaper elsewhere—there were many streets where they were sold. Even along her usual route, she could have found a few newspaper boys. But Liv had come all the way here because the newspapers sold on the central street were published by the largest newspaper company in the country, often featuring even international news.

Stepping to the side to avoid the passing crowds, Liv unfolded the paper. She quickly skimmed past the articles that didn’t interest her, but then her gaze came to a sudden stop.