Odalisque - Chapter 37

Adolf raised an eyebrow at Liv’s rather resolute response. Pressing his lips together into a straight line, Adolf pondered for a moment before nodding readily and replying, “Oh, I see. Such sibling affection is admirable. Your sister is fortunate to have such a good older sister.”

Adolf didn’t press further.

The conversation with Adolf left a thorn lodged in Liv’s heart, its presence surfacing intermittently. It wasn’t just the advice about asking the Marquis for help regarding Corida’s illness—it was everything else they had discussed as well.

‘Corida’s independence…’

Liv had taken care of Corida since she was eight years old. She couldn’t imagine Corida as an independent adult. Well, she could picture an adult Corida, but envisioning her living alone, separate from Liv, was impossible.

Or perhaps it wasn’t that she couldn’t imagine it, but rather that she didn’t want to.

Liv brushed her fingers through her throbbing head. If Corida recovered, her personality would undoubtedly drive her to live independently.

Corida had already shown her proactive side by taking on needlework from Rita and helping Adolf repair the fence. Liv could currently restrict Corida’s actions because of her illness, but if she regained her health…

Of course, Liv wanted Corida to recover. How could she not? Yet, the idea of being left alone if Corida moved out made Liv uneasy. This fear, it seemed, was hers alone.

Liv depended on Corida just as much as Corida relied on her.

“Is anyone there?”

Liv snapped out of her daze when she heard someone calling her from outside.

There wasn’t really anyone who would come to visit.

Liv stood up with a puzzled expression. She thought of Camille and her face hardened. He was the man who recently wanted to know her address. Could he have somehow tracked her down? His obsessive questions about her movements had made her suspicious.

Liv cautiously approached the front door, gripping the doorknob tightly as she answered, “Who is it?”

“The coachman. I’ve come to fetch you.”

The coachman?

Liv blinked and cautiously opened the door. Standing neatly in front of her was the coachman who always drove the carriage whenever she visited the Marquis’s studio.

…But she had already been to the studio today.

“I wasn’t informed of any work today.”

“The master ordered me to bring you. Are you busy?”

Liv’s expression turned perplexed. Behind the coachman was the black carriage she always rode in. It seemed true that the Marquis had summoned her.

But it had only been a few days since she last saw him. She had no idea what this sudden meeting could be about.

“The master also said not to bring you forcibly if you were busy.”

The coachman seemed ready to turn away without hesitation if Liv refused. Liv swallowed nervously, contemplating her options before glancing behind her. Corida was napping in her room. Whatever this was, surely it would be fine to leave a note and step out for a while. It was the Marquis, after all—turning down his summons wasn’t something she could easily consider.

“I’ll be out shortly. Please wait a moment.”

Upon arriving, Liv, who had alighted from the carriage as usual, realized this was an unfamiliar location.

This wasn’t the secluded mansion she always visited for her nude painting sessions. The mansion before her certainly seemed remote, but there was something distinctly different about it—both in its appearance and the surrounding scenery.

Could it be that it wasn’t actually the Marquis who had summoned her?

A belated worry surfaced, and Liv glanced back at the coachman with apprehension. He was calmly tending to the horse without showing any sign of concern.

Was she really supposed to enter that mansion ahead? But how could she possibly know who or what awaited inside? Just as her anxiety threatened to surge uncontrollably, someone approached her from the entrance of the mansion.

“Are you Miss Rodaise?”

The approaching figure was an elderly man with a benevolent expression and a full head of white hair. He bowed politely to Liv, his refined attire matching his genteel demeanor.

“Welcome to Berryworth Mansion. I am Philip Philemond, the butler. Please, just call me Philip.”

Philip’s gentle voice and flawless mannerisms instantly inspired a sense of trust. However, Liv, her wariness still intact, cautiously accepted his greeting.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Philemond.”

Philip wasn’t surprised by Liv’s distant tone. Instead, he kept his warm expression as he graciously offered to guide her.

“This way, please. Was your journey comfortable?”

“Before that, Mr. Philemond, I have a question.”

“Please, ask freely.”

Liv hesitated briefly, looking back and forth between the carriage and the mansion before posing her question.

“Who exactly requested to meet me…”

“It is Marquis Dietrion.”

Philip answered clearly. As soon as Liv heard his response, all her worries seemed to wash away like dirt in water.

Liv unconsciously let out a sigh of relief and then offered an embarrassed smile.

“Oh, it’s just that this is my first time meeting the Marquis here…”

“That’s quite all right. Shall we proceed inside now?”

“Yes.”

Philip led the way toward the mansion while casually engaging Liv in conversation.

“If there are any food ingredients you avoid, please let us know.”

“None, really.”

“I see. Are there any particular ingredients you prefer?”

“Ah… I’m not very particular about food.”

More accurately, she had never had the luxury to be picky. Given her past circumstances, there was no room for such preferences. Liv cleared her throat awkwardly and glanced at Philip, who was walking ahead.

“You’re very kind.”

“It’s been quite a while since Berryworth Mansion welcomed a guest, so I suppose I’m a bit excited,” Philip spoke with an upbeat tone, as if to prove he was genuinely telling the truth.

With his consistently gentle smile and gentlemanly demeanor, Liv felt her tension slowly dissipate. It was impressive how, with just a few words, he managed to ease her anxiety—a stark contrast to the Marquis, whose mere gaze could provoke intense unease.

They soon entered the mansion, and as they stepped inside, Liv couldn’t help but let out an involuntary gasp.

The interior of the mansion was decorated in a vintage style, evoking immediate admiration.

Even the lobby alone featured an expansive space, adorned with a thick, ornate carpet, and a large chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, casting a bright light.

A wooden staircase was positioned at the center of the lobby, spiraling in two directions, with a handrail so well-maintained it gleamed even from afar.

“Where is the master?”

“He’s in the study.”

A servant waiting near the entrance answered politely. He appeared ready to take Liv’s hat or coat, but she showed no inclination to hand anything over, so he respectfully stepped back.

A thought crossed Liv’s mind that perhaps she should have given him her hat at least, but she dismissed the idea and followed Philip.

Upon climbing the impressive staircase, they reached a hallway lined with large, clean windows, each letting in ample sunlight thanks to the drawn-back curtains.

The sunlight not only illuminated the corridor but also created a gentle warmth. This made Liv feel even more positively about the grand and elegantly old-fashioned mansion. Unlike the mansion she had visited for her painting sessions, this one had the distinct atmosphere of a lived-in home.

“There is a very large arboretum behind the mansion—it’s a wonderful place for a stroll.”

Philip said softly, as if sensing Liv’s appreciation. She had been so absorbed in admiring the mansion’s interior that his comment startled her, causing her to quickly lower her gaze.

“I see.”

“There’s also a glass greenhouse inside the arboretum.”

“That sounds lovely.”

“It’s one of my few prides.”

Liv responded with a smile instead of words. After all, no matter how beautiful the glass greenhouse might be, she doubted she’d have any occasion to see it, but she couldn’t deny that Philip’s attitude was genuinely pleasant.

“The study is here.”

Philip stopped in front of a large, ornately carved door. He knocked lightly and called inside.

“Master, Miss Rodaise is here.”

After a brief moment, permission to enter was granted from within. Before Liv had any time to prepare herself, the heavy door slowly opened. Philip stepped aside, gesturing for Liv to proceed.

The first thing she noticed was the strong scent of paper, like a wave hitting her senses. Bookshelves filled the walls of the room, towering up to the ceiling, giving the space an overwhelming sense of grandeur.

It wasn’t just bookshelves; large windows at the upper level allowed plenty of light to stream in, complemented by neatly hung thick, red velvet curtains. A sturdy-looking redwood bookshelf matched well with a white fireplace.

The grand space reminded Liv of Clemence Boarding School’s library, which she had frequently visited during her school days. Though it had been large, it lacked the openness of this room.

Liv suspected there might be even more space beyond what she could immediately see. Although she wanted to explore every corner, she stifled her curiosity and turned her head to look for the person who had summoned her.