Odalisque - Chapter 31

Malte and Zighilt.

The familiar family names prompted Liv to search her memory for a moment. It didn’t take long for her to remember seeing those names in a recent newspaper.

She hadn’t found the news she wanted about the new medication, but she had come across an article about the broken engagement of prominent nobles from a neighboring country.

Malte and Zighilt were the protagonists of that noisy broken engagement. They were esteemed noble families from Torsten, well known for producing illustrious cardinals, generals, and politicians over generations. At the time of their engagement, it had seemed so natural that it wasn’t even considered big news. However, the annulment was so shocking that it spread all the way to the distant town of Buerno in Beren.

“You must be very interested in Torsten, Million. I had no idea you were so into diplomacy. I’ll be sure to ask Baroness Pendence to nurture this talent of yours.”

Baroness Pendence was always deeply interested in her child’s academic progress. If Liv informed her about Million’s “new talent,” she would surely be delighted and make every effort to cultivate it, perhaps even excessively.

Imagining her mother’s intense enthusiasm for education, Million shrieked in horror. “Ah! Teacher! I don’t want more lessons! And besides, what I care about is love, not diplomacy!”

“That’s fortunate. Love unfolds in the world of high society. So, let’s get back to the textbook and accumulate the knowledge you need.”

In the end, their conversation returned to where it had begun. Despite her gentle smile, Liv was firm, and Million slouched in resignation, grumbling.

“Ugh… Teacher Camille’s stories about high society are way more interesting than this book.”

Million complained, saying the words in the textbook were just like her grandmother’s nagging.

“Teacher Marcel knows a lot about high society?”

“Definitely! If you listened to him, you’d realize just how boring these textbooks are.”

He acted as if he only knew about artists and their patrons, but it seemed he was more deeply involved in the noble society than she thought.

He said his family wasn’t noteworthy, but maybe that wasn’t the case?

“I’m sure Teacher Camille is quite popular with young ladies.”

“Right? I thought so too.”

“Exactly! I should ask Teacher Camille about the scandals in high society next time!”

Liv gave Million a faint smile as she channeled her enthusiasm into something completely irrelevant, then lowered her gaze.

It didn’t matter to Liv which family Camille belonged to or how popular he was. She didn’t have any reason to meet him unless they arranged an appointment.

Recalling the handsome young man who greeted her warmly each time they met, Liv furrowed her brow. She suddenly remembered that he had once asked for an address to send her letters if he ever needed advice.

‘Now that I’ve moved, should I give him the new address?’

After a brief consideration, Liv shook her head.

She wasn’t struggling with teaching Million, so there was no need to let him know. If it was truly urgent, he could pass the message through Million.

She shook off the thoughts that briefly crossed her mind and firmly opened the textbook.

This time, Million couldn’t find any excuse to slack off and had to diligently correct her mistakes before she could leave her desk.

It was only after finishing all the day’s lessons that the session finally ended. Despite that, it was still bright outside.

Liv had deliberately started the lesson early, knowing she needed to finish and get home before sundown for the time being.

Out of habit, Liv checked the sky, and seeing the sunlight still bright, she sighed in relief.

How fortunate it was to be able to move right after the incident. She couldn’t even imagine returning to that neighborhood.

Liv passed through the main gate of the Pendence estate, quickening her pace. Her heart pounded violently as the memories of the near assault began to surface.

She needed to distract herself. She needed to think about something completely unrelated…

At that moment, she sensed a presence drawing close behind her.

“Ah!”

Startled, Liv shrank back and turned around. The person who had approached her from behind looked equally startled.

“Teacher Rodaise?”

“Oh… Teacher Marcel.”

Camille stood behind her, his hand awkwardly outstretched. Embarrassed, he lowered his hand, his expression turning apologetic.

“You were walking so fast that I hurried to catch up, and it seems I startled you. My apologies.”

“No, I… I overreacted.”

Liv’s heart, still racing from the scare, hadn’t calmed down, and her face remained pale. She answered as calmly as she could.

Camille still looked apologetic, as if he could tell her words were empty reassurance.

“I was just happy to see you and wanted to say hello.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I came to see Baron Pendence. He asked me to look over some paintings.”

Perhaps due to his embarrassment, Camille added unnecessary details, rubbing the back of his neck repeatedly, a gesture that revealed his awkwardness.

Seeing his genuine remorse, Liv found it difficult to remain distant. Her face softened slightly as she nodded.

“I see. Then you should go on in.”

Seeing Liv ready to turn and leave, Camille quickly waved his hand.

“I still have some time before my appointment, so it’s alright. Besides, I heard you moved recently. Is that true?”

How did Camille know that?

Liv nodded without thinking but couldn’t hide her curiosity as she looked at him. He seemed oblivious to her question.

“I was worried I might end up sending a letter to the wrong address.”

The reason he wanted to write to her in the first place was for advice on teaching Million.

Would he even need to write to her? Liv thought back to today’s lesson. From what Million had said, it didn’t seem like she disliked Camille’s lessons at all.

In fact, she might even prefer them over Liv’s.

“From what Million has told me, it seems you’re getting along quite well. I doubt there’s anything I could add.”

“I just shared a few pieces of gossip that piqued her interest. Who knows when things might become challenging again?”

His response was smooth, accompanied by a faint smile. Liv, watching him with an uncertain expression, tilted her head slightly and asked, “…But how did you find out about my move?”

“I happened to learn it while chatting with Million. Was it supposed to be a secret…?”

Camille’s smile faded as he anxiously watched her, his demeanor like a puppy unsure if it had done something wrong. Seeing him like that, Liv found it hard to stay sharp with him. If that demeanor was intentional, Camille was a truly talented actor.

Liv tried to reason with herself.

Million often went off-topic during her lessons with Liv. It wasn’t surprising that she’d do the same in her art lessons, likely sharing all sorts of trivial details.

Yes, she probably even mentioned the cake shop on the Femon district to Camille.

Despite trying to convince herself, Liv still felt uneasy, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

“It’s not really a secret. I was just a bit surprised.”

“I’m sorry for startling you again. But moving so suddenly, I hope nothing happened?”

Camille, scratching his forehead awkwardly, looked at Liv with concern.

“Actually, I felt bad that I couldn’t properly escort you when we met at the chapel. The area around it didn’t seem safe at all. I think it’s good that you’ve moved.”

The day Liv ran into Camille at the chapel was the day she almost fell victim to a robbery. Though he didn’t know that, Liv turned her gaze away, feeling oddly guilty.

“…Nothing happened that day. Moving was already planned.”

She had considered moving, after all.

Liv tried to console herself and gave a vague explanation. Camille smiled at her words.

“I see. Then where should I send my letters now?”

Even though she had indirectly refused to share her new address, Camille pretended not to notice. The warmth that had returned to Liv’s face turned stiff again.

This was getting a bit much—wasn’t he being a bit too persistent? He didn’t seem like someone who couldn’t take a hint.

She had tried to let it slide politely, but maintaining her composure was becoming increasingly difficult. Liv looked at Camille with a displeased expression and spoke bluntly, “I don’t think there’s any need for us to exchange letters anymore.”