Odalisque - Chapter 4

Liv always sat in the middle. From there, she could see not only the stained glass in front of her but also the light pouring through it, casting a long shadow on the floor past the statue.

Today was no different. Liv sat down, briefly gazing at the shadow on the floor before folding her hands together.

After her parents’ death, Liv was left with only a meager inheritance and a sick younger sister. The inheritance had quickly been used up on Corida’s medicine, leaving Liv no choice but to enter the workforce to pay for their living expenses and Corida’s continuing medical costs.

It was then that Liv regretted not inheriting her parents’ exceptional craftsmanship as a family business. Among the jobs that paid right away, there was nothing Liv could do well.

After being turned down several times for her poor sewing skills and dismissed for her inadequate cleaning abilities, Liv finally found a proper job. It was a short-term teaching position, tutoring the younger sibling of a fellow boarding schoolmate.

Fortunately, teaching suited Liv perfectly. At last, she felt her time at the prestigious boarding school had paid off.

Her first job went smoothly. It lasted only a month, but through that, she received referrals for other short-term teaching positions, gradually building her experience.

Finally, Liv received an offer to be a live-in tutor for the first time. Even when she said she needed to bring Corida with her, they readily agreed. Relieved to no longer have to move frequently, Liv and Corida happily moved in.

She soon realized that the smooth experience of her first job had been pure luck.

Thump, thump.

Liv, who had her forehead resting on her clasped hands with her eyes closed, opened them abruptly. The loud sound of footsteps cutting through the chapel’s silence echoed.

Usually, anyone entering would instinctively soften their steps upon seeing someone praying, but the new visitor walked confidently, almost as if to announce his presence.

Blinking in bewilderment, Liv gathered herself and closed her eyes again. But when she heard the person take a seat directly behind her, she couldn’t help but be distracted. The person’s complete disregard for caution resulted in all sorts of noise.

Whoever it was, they were clearly inconsiderate. There were plenty of empty seats, yet they had chosen to sit right behind her, making noise without a second thought.

Once her attention was caught, it was impossible to regain her focus. Liv tried for a little while longer but finally rose to her feet reluctantly.

The reason Liv frequented this chapel was because it was less visited, and those who did come were quiet by nature. She had traveled the extra distance specifically to avoid situations like today.

Feeling annoyed, she thought she might at least take a look at the culprit. Liv raised her gaze with some disapproval, but her eyes widened in shock.

“……!”

She barely stifled a scream by covering her mouth.

Forgetting her earlier grumbling, Liv cautiously stepped back, her face drained of color. She tried her best not to make any noise, but the old pew let out a faint creak. The blue eyes she had been avoiding fluttered open.

Dimus Dietrion.

Thankfully, this time she hadn’t blurted out his name aloud. Still, as soon as her gaze met his blue eyes, her body froze. She recalled her neighbor Rita telling her, “They say Marquis Dietrion sold his soul to the devil for his terrifying beauty,” and felt sorry for scoffing at it back then.

The devil? No, this man was surely blessed by God.

It was Marquis Dietrion who spoke first, breaking the silence that had frozen Liv.

“You are the tutor from the Pendence family, aren’t you?”

His cool voice wasn’t loud, yet it sounded like thunder.

He recognized her. Liv felt as though a bolt of lightning were about to strike her. Heat surged through her body as if she had been caught in a sudden downpour.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you, my lord…”

Liv barely managed to lower her gaze, bowing her head deeply in apology. She hurriedly stepped away from him.

“I-I’ll leave now so as not to disturb you.”

Liv took quick, careful steps to avoid making eye contact. The chapel was small, so she reached the exit in no time. As she opened the heavy door and stepped out, she felt his gaze on her back.

Surely, he wasn’t planning to remember her just because she had annoyed him twice in a row?

***

After unexpectedly encountering the marquis twice, Liv’s heart pounded nervously whenever she left the house. However, as if her meetings with him had been nothing but a dream, Liv’s daily life remained unchanged. No dismissal letter came from the Baron of Pendence. On the contrary, the baroness even sent a box of high-quality handmade pastries through a messenger, apologizing for not properly preparing the promised gift.

“Sister, these are so delicious!”

Seeing Corida clap her hands in delight made it all worth it. She silently hoped that she could stay at this job for a long time.

Holding onto that quiet wish, Liv watched Corida for a moment before carefully taking out the gift she had prepared. “Corida, this is your birthday present.”

Corida, who knew their circumstances were far from comfortable, didn’t seem to have expected a gift at all. She stared wide-eyed at the wrapped present, then looked up at Liv.

Seeing her little sister hesitate to express joy over receiving a gift made Liv’s heart feel heavy. Corida had grown up too quickly.

Forcing a bright smile, Liv placed the gift in Corida’s hands.

“This month, we have enough money, so don’t worry.”

“But, sister…”

“It’s alright. Aren’t you curious about what it is?”

At Liv’s urging, Corida hesitated for a moment before slowly unwrapping the package.

Her cautious fingers moved faster as the contents were revealed. Finally, she unwrapped it all, revealing a small porcelain music box, engraved with a cute white horse.

“Wow!”

“Turn the key.”

Corida, her face flushed, eagerly turned the small handle on the side of the music box. With a creaking sound, the spring wound up, and soon a simple, cheerful tune began to play. It was a lullaby Corida had always loved.

Watching Corida’s excited face, Liv smiled softly.

She was glad she had decided to buy the music box for Corida’s birthday when she first saw it months ago. She had worried she wouldn’t have enough money, but thanks to Brad adding a little extra to her pay, she was able to buy the music box and still have a bit left over. She planned to use the extra money to prepare a hearty dinner for a change.

It was then.

Bang, bang, bang!

“Liv! Liv! Are you home?”

“Just a moment, Corida.”

Patting Corida on the shoulder, Liv hurried to the front door. Outside stood a short, middle-aged man. It was Pomel, their landlord.

“Ah, there you are. I’ve made several trips here for nothing!”

“What brings you here?”

“About the rent.”

He checked a few boxes on a piece of paper and handed it to Liv. She took it without thinking and frowned as she read it.

“I already paid this month’s rent.”

“It went up starting this month.”

“What? I wasn’t told anything about this!”

“That’s because you’re never home. I definitely told Corida!”

If Corida had been told, she would have mentioned it. Pomel often made up rules or got rid of existing ones, claiming it was his right as the landlord. This rent increase must have been a sudden decision, too.

Liv put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “This is absurd! You’re giving me no notice at all!”

“I don’t care. I told you, didn’t I? I’ll give you until the end of the month, so get the extra money ready.”

“Mr. Pomel!”

“The rent barely went up. It’s still the cheapest place in the neighborhood! If you don’t like it, leave!”

Pomel turned away, knowing full well that neither Liv nor Corida could do anything about it.

Liv opened her mouth in disbelief but then looked down at the paper again.

It wasn’t even for next month’s rent but for the increase this month.

“…Sister.”

Liv, standing absentmindedly by the open door, snapped back to reality and turned around. Corida, frail for her age of fifteen, was standing there, holding the music box with both hands.

Corida looked up at Liv with clear eyes, then held out the music box. “Let’s sell this.”

“This is your birthday present.”

Liv deliberately hardened her expression and shook her head, but Corida replied without flinching.

“The rent went up.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“We spent a lot on my medicine this month. I know our situation.”

“Corida!”

“Sister, I’m not a child.”

No, you are still young.

Liv couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud. Gone was the child who had rejoiced over eating handmade cookies. Now Corida looked more mature and composed than Liv, even smiling at her.

“Sister, if we don’t pay the rent, Mr. Pomel will come by every day, and when you’re not here, he’ll bother me. So let’s just pay it quickly.”

The excuse about Pomel’s harassment was just that—an excuse. She was merely trying to push Liv into selling the music box.

Knowing this, Liv still hesitated for a brief moment, looking at the music box. She did have some money left, but selling the music box would buy them some time to deal with the sudden rent hike.

But the moment was short-lived. Liv took a deep breath, calmed herself, and then closed the front door. She took the music box and placed it on the table next to the bed.