Odalisque - Chapter 3

“Ah, teacher. What should we do? A distinguished guest has made a sudden visit, so it seems we won’t be able to have tea today.”

“It’s quite alright, madam. The offer alone was more than enough.”

“I’ll pack the snacks we were going to have for you as a gift instead. Please accept them if you don’t mind.”

The baroness quickly gestured to a maid. After confirming the maid had hurried to the kitchen, the baroness turned back to Liv.

“I apologize, but I must leave now. It seems I should freshen up my appearance. The maid will be back shortly, so please wait just a moment. Marie, see to it that Teacher Rodaise is escorted out when she leaves.”

The middle-aged woman who had whispered to the baroness earlier nodded in acknowledgment. The baroness apologized once more and hurried upstairs.

Who could have arrived to make her so flustered?

Liv, who had taken a seat on the sofa in the parlor under Marie’s guidance, cast glances at the window. There was nothing much visible beyond the parlor window.

Judging by how the baroness was rushing about, it must be a high-ranking noble. Someone capable of surprising the Baroness of Pendence…

Liv was running through several names in her head when she suddenly looked up. Though only a few minutes had passed since the maid had gone to the kitchen, Marie, who kept glancing at the clock nervously, seemed unable to wait any longer. She cautiously asked for Liv’s understanding.

“I’m sorry, Teacher. It’s taking longer than expected, so I thought I might go to the kitchen myself. Could you wait here for just a moment?”

“Yes, it’s alright. I’ll stay here.”

Liv wasn’t sure of the exact circumstances, but one thing was clear—the visitor had everyone in the household on edge. Watching Marie clutch her skirt and rush off, Liv folded her hands neatly on her lap.

The gift would most likely be a treat, right?

She could finally bring some delicious pastries for Corida. Even during lessons, she often felt guilty about Corida, who was always at home.

Thinking of her sibling’s delighted face, Liv felt a sense of warmth. At that moment, voices could be heard murmuring outside the parlor.

It must be Marie. Liv picked up the bonnet she had set aside and stood. Just then, the parlor door opened, and someone stepped inside.

“Ah…”

It wasn’t Marie who paused at the entrance. Liv’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected person.

He was a tall man with strikingly handsome features. Platinum-blonde hair, pale skin, and cold blue eyes. He frowned slightly upon noticing Liv.

His gaze slowly scanned the inside of the parlor before settling back on Liv. His tightly closed lips showed no sign of speaking first, and his slightly raised chin gave the impression that he was accustomed to others greeting him first.

“Uh…”

Liv knew she should say something, but her lips wouldn’t move. Meeting his gaze made her mind go blank.

To put it simply, he was an exceptionally handsome man who left her speechless.

“Teacher… Oh my! My lord, Marquis!”

Marie, who appeared belatedly, gasped in shock and bowed. Her exclamation snapped Liv out of her daze.

Marquis?

“Marquis Dietrion?”

The words slipped out louder than intended. The man’s brows furrowed deeper at her remark.

Liv, startled by her own blunder, quickly covered her mouth and bent her knees in greeting.

“I apologize for not recognizing you and for my rudeness. My deepest apologies.”

“I’m truly sorry, my lord. There was a mistake in the guidance. Please, allow me to escort you again.”

Marie, sweating nervously, kept bowing her head. The marquis paid her no attention, however. Instead, his gaze lingered on Liv before he tilted his head slightly and asked a question.

“And you are?”

“…I am Liv Rodaise, a tutor employed by the Baron of Pendence. I had just finished the lesson and was about to leave…”

Liv tried to explain calmly but stopped when the marquis gestured dismissively. He shifted his focus to Marie, indicating he was no longer interested.

Marie, afraid of having offended him, quickly picked up on his gesture and moved to guide him.

“This way, my lord.”

Following Marie’s lead, the marquis started walking away. The steady, measured sound of his steps grew fainter until it could no longer be heard, and only then did Liv finally let out a deep breath.

Clutching her chest, she sank back onto the sofa. Good heavens, the Marquis Dietrion. Now she understood why the baroness had been so agitated.

Dimus Dietrion was famous throughout the city. His almost surreal appearance alone was enough to keep people talking for weeks, even months. Liv had heard countless rumors about the marquis’ astonishing looks.

Still, she had assumed that descriptions of him were exaggerated, as most rumors were…

Seeing him in person, though, those descriptions had not only been accurate but had fallen short. Especially his blue eyes, which many said seemed to pull at one’s soul—they truly had an almost magical quality.

To think that such an exceptionally handsome man was also an unmarried marquis. Of course, he was the man every lady in the city dreamed of.

She never imagined she’d run into someone like him in a place like this!

As she tried to gather her thoughts, Liv suddenly remembered her earlier blunder. Her face turned pale as she looked up. She had spoken far too casually in front of the marquis.

Dimus Dietrion wasn’t just famous for his remarkable looks or his noble status.

He had suddenly settled in the city one day, and he was known for being proud and cold-hearted. He rarely appeared at social clubs or parties and had a reputation for being unsociable and temperamental. Rumor had it that he treated even ladies with a lack of courtesy. His unknown past, mixed with his personality, had led to numerous exaggerated stories—some even claimed he had been exiled from a foreign country because of his temper.

Such a man had asked for Liv’s name.

Surely it was to hold her accountable for her rudeness!

“…Could I really lose my job over this?”

The thought alone was terrifying. Though the modeling work had provided some extra income, it was only a temporary measure for urgent financial needs. If she lost her tutoring position, she wouldn’t last even three months. Daily expenses were one thing, but more pressing was the cost of Corida’s medicine.

Overwhelmed with anxiety, Liv stood up abruptly and began to pace.

The thought of the notoriously ill-tempered marquis knowing her name gnawed at her. But she couldn’t just run after him now. That would only make her initial mistake worse.

“Teacher Rodaise.”

Marie, who had gone to escort the marquis, returned. Her face showed just as much shock as Liv’s, and she wiped sweat from her forehead as she spoke in a weary tone.

“I apologize. The servant made a mistake, which put you in an awkward situation.”

“I’m alright. But… the marquis—did he seem angry?”

“He didn’t show any signs of being upset, as far as I could tell. Don’t worry too much, teacher. Even if he was displeased, he would direct it at us.”

Marie reassured Liv, saying the blame would fall on the servant who had initially made the mistake of directing the marquis to the wrong room. Liv forced a smile, trying to calm her startled heart. After an encounter that had left them both rattled, Marie and Liv exchanged worried glances before bidding each other goodbye.

As Liv finally left the mansion, it was quite some time before she realized she had forgotten to collect the gift she was promised. Marie must have completely forgotten about it too, given how shaken she was.

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

Liv slumped her shoulders, trudging along.

Was the lack of sweets really an issue? She had just made a blunder in front of that frightening marquis.

***

Liv Rodaise was born the eldest daughter of a typical middle-class family.

Both her parents were artisans, once famous for working on commissions from notable noble families. They chose not to pass their craft on to their eldest daughter, Liv. Instead, they focused on her education, hoping she could rise to a higher social status.

Thanks to their efforts, Liv attended a boarding school that most middle-class children could only dream of and graduated with fairly good marks.

Liv expected, as her parents wished, that she would find her place among the well-educated or perhaps connect with a suitable family through marriage. Indeed, during her time at school, she had been popular. Boys from aristocratic families subtly expressed interest in her, and she made a few friends from respectable families. Upon graduation, they had all promised to meet again in society.

Upon returning home after graduation, Liv met her younger sister for the first time. Corida, ten years younger, had been frail since birth.

Around that time, their parents’ work began to dwindle, while Corida’s medical expenses continued to rise. Still, it wasn’t the worst situation. Though their workload had decreased, her parents were still highly skilled artisans. They managed to get by.

That was until the sudden carriage accident that took their lives, leaving the two sisters alone.

“Welcome, Miss Liv.”

A young man sweeping in front of the chapel greeted her warmly. His name was Betryl, a student of the clergy who was also doing volunteer work. He seemed to feel a strong affinity toward Liv, who visited the chapel regularly.

There were many chapels in the city, and this one, being the smallest and quietest, likely considered every visitor a precious believer. Moreover, chapel attendance had dwindled lately.

“How is Corida doing?”

“She’s doing much better, thanks to your prayers. Thank you, Betryl.”

“It’s thanks to Miss Liv’s devotion to prayer. Corida will surely recover soon.”

“I hope so.”

Smiling as she expressed her gratitude, Liv pushed open the chapel doors with all her might. The faint sound of hinges echoed as the door opened, revealing the empty interior at a glance.