Odalisque - Chapter 57

“They must be crazy.”

At Dimus’s blunt muttering, Charles coughed awkwardly.

“They said the letter might not have reached properly, so they want to confirm it in person.”

“Even though I’ve already replied, it seems no one in that family can read.”

Dimus had sent the same reply several times, and Charles, like Dimus, wore a rather troubled expression.

“They’ve asked us to prepare for Lady Luzia Malte’s personal visit.”

“So I refused, yet they didn’t understand at all.”

Dimus twisted his lips and glared at the newspaper. The announcement of the Cardinal’s visit also listed the prominent nobles accompanying him, including Luzia Malte, the cherished only daughter of the Duke of Malte.

“What if she gets herself shot, wandering around recklessly?”

“This pilgrimage is under the guise of a peace mission. Even without worrying about Malte, if anyone harms the pilgrims, they’ll face the backlash of believers worldwide, so no one will dare to act carelessly.”

“Oh, so that’s what they’re banking on?”

Dimus let out a bitter chuckle, leaning back in his chair and pressing his fingers against his temples.

“Do they think I’m afraid of the church?”

“There’s a possibility.”

Luzia Malte wasn’t exactly a foolish woman. Like any daughter of a high-ranking noble family, she had completed a formal education and took great pride in her lineage. She knew how to use people and wield power befitting her status—an archetypal aristocrat.

Moreover, the Malte family was one of the great noble houses of Torsten. It was unlikely Luzia had ever faced something not going her way.

It was different from Dimus’s obstinate demeanor. Unlike Dimus, Luzia’s arrogance was a product of her upbringing. Her decision to come in person this time was undoubtedly rooted in that arrogance.

As a result, her limitations were clear, though she likely had no idea.

“It’s strange how someone raised in the same luxury could turn out to be so foolish.”

“…Excuse me?”

Charles, caught off guard, took a moment to process Dimus’s words.

“Ah, while we’re on the subject, let me also update you. The additional investigation on Miss Rodaise has been completed.”

Charles placed the report on Dimus’s desk, which had been delayed due to more urgent matters.

“Her parents were artisans, primarily serving a noble clientele. She has only one younger sister, and no relatives she stays in contact with. Her early years were relatively ordinary, and her reputation during her time at Clemence Boarding School was ambiguous. After losing both parents following graduation, she began working as a tutor through connections made at school. It appears she moved frequently due to work. Her previous workplaces didn’t have good things to say about her.”

Dimus, listening to Charles’s voice while skimming through the report, raised an eyebrow.

“That’s unexpected.”

She didn’t seem like someone who would have a poor reputation.

“Why was her school reputation ambiguous?”

“It seems she was the subject of some rumors. Clemence is a coeducational school with a high percentage of nobles, so her school life may not have been easy.”

Dimus recalled her face, which had a quality that might provoke something in others. He didn’t think that impression was unique to him.

Even without that atmosphere, objectively speaking, her appearance was not lacking, and her diligent demeanor during school years would likely have drawn someone’s attention.

“How about her previous workplaces?”

“Her reputation as a short-term tutor was good. However, at the two households where she worked as a live-in tutor, it was poor.”

Clearing his throat, Charles continued in a composed voice, “At Viscount Karin’s estate, she was dismissed for allegedly trying to seduce the baron’s eldest son. At Count Lucette’s estate, she was fired for inadequate teaching skills. They cited the young lady’s poor academic performance and refused to pay three months’ salary, instead demanding reimbursement for living expenses, which led to a dispute.”

Three months’ worth—that must have been a significant amount for Liv. Dimus looked at the report, incredulous. It seemed she had partially resolved the issue of living expenses, but ultimately, she hadn’t been paid.

“It appears she’s been struggling with financial difficulties for a long time. We can’t rule out the possibility that she aims to become a nobleman’s mistress to secure her future.”

After noticing Dimus’s unusual interest in Liv, Charles had volunteered to conduct a more thorough background check. He seemed uneasy seeing his master take such an interest in a woman, especially when Dimus had never shown such interest before.

And to top it off, she had these rumors trailing her—it wasn’t surprising that Charles felt suspicious.

Dimus didn’t entirely disagree with Charles’s reaction. To an outsider, it might seem like their relationship began with Liv’s desperate attempts to win Dimus over.

“If she were that type, she would have settled somewhere long ago,” Dimus responded nonchalantly, putting the report down and rubbing his temple lightly.

“Still, lately, she’s been behaving sensibly…”

When she came to the glass greenhouse with Corida, Liv had indirectly turned him down, saying they couldn’t engage in anything because she was there.

Dimus could have forced her, but he chose not to. He liked how Liv remained rational and unchanged, even after having slept with him—she didn’t act overly affectionate or treat him differently. On the contrary, her ability to consider her sister over him, even with Dimus in front of her, pleased him.

Not that he intended to forever tolerate Corida’s presence.

Still, with that level of self-awareness, Liv could likely figure out what he wanted in any situation.

“It might work out well.”

“Pardon?”

“A proud spirit, untested by adversity, tends to break easily over trivial matters. It’s a good chance to deal with some nuisances.”

Charles gave Dimus a puzzled look. Rather than explaining, Dimus tapped a spot on the newspaper with his pen. The ink left scattered marks on the place where the Cardinal’s visit date was printed.

While not explicitly detailed in the paper, it was likely that the advance party would arrive in Buerno first, followed by the Cardinal and his group after a few days.

“Lady Luzia’s request to visit me was before the Cardinal’s arrival. She’ll probably arrive in Buerno before him.”

Glimpsing the ink-stained paper, Dimus gave Charles an order, “Book an opera for Luzia’s visit.”

“…An opera?”

Charles’s expression grew increasingly alarmed.

“If you do that… You won’t be able to avoid rumors, even within Buerno.”

“I never intended to keep it a secret forever.”

Even if they didn’t reveal Liv Rodaise’s face, Dimus’s appearance with a woman by his side would make headlines throughout the city. However, Dimus wasn’t concerned. He was already accustomed to gossip, and unlike before, he had no need to worry about anyone’s judgment.

“Besides, is there any real issue if rumors spread?”

“Of course not, my lord…”

Ignoring Charles’s uncertain mumbling, Dimus rolled the pen across the newspaper. Drops of ink splattered haphazardly over the text.

If it became known that the woman involved with Dimus was Liv Rodaise, it might be a bit bothersome for her… but she’d probably manage it well enough.

And if things got so troublesome that she had to quit her job as the tutor of Lady Pendence, all the better.

“Oh, and I’d like to buy some jewelry.”

Having nowhere else to turn, she would take refuge in Dimus’s shadow, and Dimus would enjoy his newly acquired “collection” with delight.

He tended to lavishly reward valuable collections, and she would be no exception, yielding satisfactory results for both of them.

Just like that first night they spent together.

***

As soon as Million saw Liv’s face, she let out a scream.

“Aah! Teacher, did you see the pilgrimage list?”

“Yes, yes. Everyone’s talking about it,” Liv replied lightly.

There was no need to look at the newspaper. It was all anyone talked about whenever she stepped outside.

On her way to the Pendence estate, Liv had heard a few names repeated over and over by passersby until her ears hurt. And now, it seemed that name was also about to come out of Million’s mouth.

“Malte! Malte! Oh my goodness!”

“Your interest in Torsten is still unwavering.”

“Not just Torsten, Malte! She’s the one who made headlines recently with her broken engagement!”

Million, an avid fan of romance novels, repeatedly clasped her cheeks and screamed. In Million’s mind, Lady Malte had already become a courageous noblewoman who rejected an arranged marriage for the sake of a passionate love.

Moreover, Lady Malte was famous for her honey-blonde hair and beauty. It was as if she were destined to be the protagonist of numerous romance novels.

“Remember what I told you before? Teacher Camille knows someone who’s escorting the Cardinal. Well, apparently, that person is very close friends with Lady Malte! Their name is even on the pilgrimage list!”

At this point, it seemed Camille wasn’t even trying to hide that he had an extraordinary background. Liv nodded with a faint laugh, not particularly surprised by the news.

“So, are they staying at the Pendence estate this time?”