Chapter 44

“Teacher, teacher!”

“Hmm?”

“What on earth are you thinking about that you don’t even notice when I’m calling you right in front of you?”

Liv snapped out of her daze, frowning slightly before apologizing quickly.

“Ah, did you finish?”

“No, that’s not it, Teacher. You weren’t listening to me, were you?”

“I’m sorry. I just… can’t seem to focus today.”

Liv brushed her bangs back with a rough hand and let out a long sigh. Seeing Liv looking so visibly exhausted, Million quickly called for the maid standing outside. As Million insisted on preparing some healthful tea, Liv looked at her with a troubled expression, then shifted her gaze to the window.

It had already been three days since she’d returned from Berryworth Mansion.

In other words… three days had already passed since her kiss with the Marquis.

Since then, Liv’s daily life had been in complete disarray, and even on the third day, things had not returned to normal.

It was unavoidable. Wherever she looked, whatever she did, her thoughts were filled entirely with the Marquis. The short kiss they had shared, and the whole scene at that moment, had taken root in her mind, refusing to leave.

No, could that even be called a kiss? The Marquis had described it as “lesson,” and maybe he really had done it just to teach her how to smoke a cigar…

‘But that’s nonsense!’

No matter how he dressed it up, it was still a kiss. A brief, yet deeply intimate kiss. The kind of physical contact that only close lovers might share.

Of course, Liv had already exposed her naked body in front of the Marquis several times, so it wasn’t surprising that such contact wouldn’t startle her. She had even guessed that he might demand more from her.

‘But it wasn’t during extra work hours!’

It was just a normal, everyday situation where she had gone to thank him for his kindness. She wasn’t naked, nor was she there as a nude model.

When she undressed, she had at least been mentally prepared. But this time, she had been completely caught off guard, utterly defenseless, and had accepted his kiss without a thought of resistance. But if someone were to ask if she disliked it…

‘…How could I dislike it?’

Kissing a man whose face alone was enough to take her breath away.

Despite the Marquis’s infamous temperament, Liv could now understand a little of why so many women wanted to experience something with him.

Whether she loved him or not wasn’t important. The kiss itself was so stimulating that she couldn’t think of anything else. She found herself willing to throw herself into it for an even greater thrill.

‘I never imagined I could feel such desire.’

The candy he had given her lay untouched in her room, in her desk drawer. She felt that if she were to eat it, she might never be able to escape these maddening thoughts. Yet throwing it away wasn’t an option either, so she had tucked it out of sight.

But just because she couldn’t see it didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

Even earlier today, just before she had left for work, her eyes had been fixated on that drawer for a long time.

Liv rested her forehead on her hand, groaning. The more she thought about it, the deeper she felt herself sinking. She couldn’t afford to keep getting distracted like this. Even if it wasn’t about the Marquis, there were so many things in her daily life that needed her attention.

Million’s lessons, Corida’s health, the missing Brad, extra work… If she took on extra work again, she might see the Marquis…

Oh, when would these persistent memories ever disappear!

“Teacher, are you feeling alright?”

Million, who had returned with a tray from the maid, looked at Liv worriedly. Liv quickly dropped her hand from her forehead and shook her head.

“No, I’m fine. Sorry, Million. I’ll make up for today’s missed lessons with an extra session.”

“Ugh, no extra lessons needed! More importantly, Teacher, you didn’t hear me earlier, so I’ll repeat myself.”

Million seemed worried that Liv might schedule the extra lesson right then and there, so she hurriedly changed the topic.

“Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Dinner tomorrow night?”

“Yes. My parents want to invite you over. They would have asked you themselves, but they both had to leave suddenly today.”

Since her extra work with the Marquis had become increasingly irregular, Liv had tried to avoid making personal plans. It wasn’t like she particularly enjoyed socializing anyway, so she hadn’t found it inconvenient…

“They’re inviting some other teachers too. But you absolutely can’t be absent, Teacher! You’re the closest to me.”

When Liv didn’t respond immediately, Million pouted and elaborated.

It seemed that Million’s debut in society was approaching, and this dinner was likely meant to prepare for it, ensuring those around her would pay more attention to her.

After a brief hesitation, Liv nodded. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—that the Marquis might call for her suddenly tomorrow—but she forced herself to ignore that possibility.

Even if he did summon her, she honestly didn’t want to face him right now.

Meeting with parents was one of her regular duties as a tutor. And since the Marquis had already said he would respect her work at Baron Pendence’s estate, she could always use that as an excuse if needed.

Having come up with a plausible justification, Liv smiled at Million.

“Just let me know the time, and I’ll be there.”

***

It was her first time visiting the Pendence estate for dinner.

Although she had occasionally met with the Baroness separately, it had always been for a short tea time.

“Teacher Rodaise, is the food to your liking?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Liv smiled politely, but her eyes kept glancing nervously out the window. When she had arrived, the sky had been lit by the setting sun, but now it was fully dark.

From the moment she had left her home, her shoulders had been tense. Usually, she finished Million’s lessons before sunset and left before nightfall, and when she had extra work, she was always taken home by carriage, so she hadn’t needed to walk in the dark.

As a result, she had momentarily forgotten how terrifying the dark streets could be.

‘Distracted by the wrong things.’

She felt regret for accepting the invitation too hastily, but there was no turning back now.

At least on her way here, the sky had only been dimming, not yet fully dark. The real problem would be the return journey.

She knew the neighborhood she had moved to was much safer than her previous one, but rationality often failed to ease the mind.

‘It would be better to take a shared carriage on my way back.’

The distance was short enough that taking a carriage seemed almost wasteful, but the comfort of avoiding the dark streets was worth the expense.

“Please continue looking after our Million.”

The Baroness smiled warmly, and the guests seated around the table smiled in response.

Not all of Million’s teachers were present at this dinner. Liv thought the people here seemed to have been chosen carefully to be appropriate for the setting. In other words, none of the teachers were of extremely high rank or particular prestige.

While they hadn’t formally introduced themselves, Liv had heard enough to guess what subjects Million was learning and from whom. The teachers present were likely all highly skilled in their respective fields, but they were also likely commoners like Liv.

In that context, Camille’s presence at the table was particularly surprising.

Camille sat closest to Baron Pendence and his wife, seeming to be the most familiar with them out of all the teachers. It was quite peculiar, considering he had been hired last among them. It seemed that their recent frequent meetings about art purchases and hosting the Cardinal had led to this outcome.

Liv took a quiet sip of water, watching Camille. He was exchanging light jokes with the Baron, but when he felt Liv’s gaze, he looked over at her. She had no time to avert her eyes.

When their eyes met, Camille’s lips curved into a smile. His slightly wrinkled nose seemed to hint at a longing to speak to her, as if disappointed that they were seated too far apart.

But Liv turned her head away without hesitation. Any conversation she might have with Camille…

‘Oh.’

Now that she thought about it, Camille was said to be well-versed in social circles. How much did he know about the Marquis?

‘If I could find out whether he’s always done such things…’

If there were scandalous rumors about the Marquis, maybe it would help Liv control her wavering emotions.

Of course, hearing such rumors wouldn’t be particularly pleasant, but it would be easier if he had just toyed with her casually. Liv had dealt with plenty of people who tried to take advantage of her before.

After dinner, they would likely have dessert and some relaxed conversation. Liv decided she would subtly ask Camille then.

But she still couldn’t be certain that what she truly wanted to hear were scandalous stories about the Marquis.