Odalisque - Chapter 67

As they passed through the front gate of Langess Mansion, the sky was tinged with the colors of sunset.

The mansion, set against the red-hued sky, was so grand that it was hard to believe it was the source of all those ominous rumors. Of course, neither Dimus nor Philip showed any sign of being moved by the scenery, having grown accustomed to it.

More eye-catching than the impressive view outside was Liv Rodaise, who could not hide her astonishment.

“What do you think?”

Philip, who had played a major role in transforming the dusty old Langess mansion into what it was now, spoke to Liv with a proud expression. Liv replied, still unable to take her eyes off the approaching mansion, speaking almost to herself.

“…It’s more like a castle than a mansion, isn’t it?”

“Haha, it’s a mansion. At least for now.”

“No one would ever imagine such a splendid castle exists near Buerno.”

“It’s not a castle, but… it is impressive, isn’t it? There’s no one to boast to, so I’ve felt quite disappointed. I worked hard to make it look good, yet all it did was generate strange rumors.”

“It must be tough to maintain, Mr. Philemond.”

“Finally, someone appreciates my efforts!”

Philip kept the conversation going in his usual easygoing manner, prompting Dimus to click his tongue softly. Liv, completely absorbed by the scenery outside, did not notice Dimus’s gaze at all.

He usually disliked seeing her attention diverted elsewhere, but for some reason, seeing her like this didn’t bother him.

In fact, he found it somewhat amusing. Her flushed cheeks and sparkling green eyes were rather endearing.

For someone who always tried to act so mature and composed, seeing her like this showed a more childlike side.

Liv’s behavior became more expressive as she opened her heart. Judging by her sparse personal connections, she likely showed this side of herself to only a select few.

Dimus felt satisfied every time he confirmed that he was among that “select few.”

“Ah, there’s a visitor…”

Liv, who had been looking out with an excited expression, suddenly widened her eyes at the sight of someone.

Noticing her reaction, Dimus also glanced out the window. There was someone standing near the mansion’s entrance, holding a horse.

It was the very person responsible for calling him here.

It seemed the person had noticed the carriage returning to the estate. His casual demeanor quickly turned formal.

As the carriage stopped, the man immediately approached. He opened the door skillfully, and upon noticing Liv sitting by the window, their eyes widened in surprise. Equally taken aback, Liv stared out with a bewildered expression.

After a moment, her gaze shifted, carefully observing Dimus’s expression.

“You’ll need a step to get out. I’ll go first.”

It was Philip who intervened between the two awkward individuals. He was the first to get out of the carriage and unfolded the retractable step.

“Alright, you can get out now, Miss Rodaise.”

With Philip’s escort, Liv clumsily descended from the carriage and kept her distance from the stranger. The stranger also regarded Liv with wary eyes.

Seeing the awkward tension between them, Philip tried to mediate by asking Dimus a question.

“Shall I escort Miss Rodaise elsewhere?”

Liv’s face instantly brightened. Noticing her reaction, Dimus twisted his lips slightly in a mischievous manner.

“No need. Just prepare a room.”

“Understood.”

Liv, who had been hoping to follow Philip, looked visibly disappointed. Her eyes followed Philip longingly as he went inside the mansion, making Dimus feel a sudden urge to tease her even more.

Dimus stepped out of the carriage. The stranger, who had been eyeing Liv warily, quickly saluted Dimus.

“I had urgent news, so I contacted you without delay. I apologize, sir…”

“Sir Roman.”

Dimus cut him off coldly.

“How many times must I correct you?”

“I will rectify it, sir.”

Roman swiftly lowered his hand, though his squared shoulders and rigid stance gave away his origins without him needing to say it. Dimus frowned, averting his gaze indifferently.

“I’ll hear the report inside.”

“Yes, sir.”

Just as Dimus was about to continue walking, he reached out to the side. He grabbed Liv’s arm, pulling her to his side as she was slowly attempting to retreat.

“Marquis?”

Liv’s eyes went wide in surprise as she was pulled to his side.

“What?”

Dimus released her arm and instead placed his hand on her waist. As his fingers brushed along her slender waist, Liv’s body stiffened.

Liv glanced at Roman nervously.

“Um, well…”

“Is there a problem, Teacher?”

“N-no, my lord.”

The back of her neck and her ears flushed bright red. It wasn’t just embarrassment—it was a mix of unease and shame visible on her partially turned face.

Ignoring the emotions he noticed in her expression, Dimus firmly pulled her close. Liv ended up nearly pressed against him as they walked.

It was an impulsive decision, but having her body close felt satisfying. Roman glanced at them curiously, but fortunately, after having been reprimanded earlier, he remained silent.

“Welcome back, Master.”

The massive front door of Langess swung open, and the household staff bowed deeply to greet their returning master. When they noticed Liv standing beside Dimus, they looked visibly surprised.

Philip must have informed them, but they couldn’t seem to hide their reactions, likely due to their astonishment at the scene before them.

After all, Dimus usually kept human interaction to a minimum, so seeing Liv beside him like this must have been quite the shock.

Liv seemed to feel their stares as well. Her face, already flushed from earlier, only grew redder.

She twisted her body, trying to put some distance between herself and Dimus, but he instead pulled her closer, making her cling to him right in front of the staff.

Liv glanced at Dimus uneasily, speaking softly, “Marquis, perhaps I should wait elsewhere.”

Her constant attempts to distance herself had initially seemed cute, but they were becoming irritating. Dimus glanced down at the top of Liv’s bowed head.

“Come when called, go when dismissed…”

He didn’t bother finishing the sentence. But Liv likely understood the implication: “Undress when commanded.”

“Isn’t that right?”

Liv didn’t reply, but he could feel the tension drain from her rigid body. Dimus’s previously sinking mood lifted slightly.

The body in his grasp was soft.

***

I have no idea what the Marquis is thinking.

Liv sighed quietly, raising her head as she sat alone in a corner of the Marquis’s office. She had ended up being dragged along and was now left sitting there.

The Marquis was standing some distance away, listening to the report from the man named Roman. At first, Roman seemed conscious of Liv, but he couldn’t disobey the Marquis’s orders and continued his report.

Thus, Liv was forced to listen to their conversation, albeit unwillingly. Thanks to Roman’s clever omission of subjects, she couldn’t understand everything, but she was able to infer a few things.

“Considering that they managed to evade their people in the first place, they might actually be quite skilled.”

“Or maybe it’s just the influence of Eleonore.”

Not only was the Marquis well aware of Camille’s existence, but he was also keeping an eye on him. It even seemed as though he had recently tried something with Camille but had failed.

Liv lowered her gaze, trying to hide her troubled expression.

Why was the Marquis letting her hear this?

“Shall we respond more aggressively?”

“Aggressively?”

The Marquis let out a faint sneer at Roman’s suggestion.

“He hasn’t given up on hovering around Baron Pendence.”

“Are you sure it’s ‘Baron Pendence’ he’s hovering around?”

With a nonchalant expression, the Marquis pulled out a cigar case and glanced at Liv. She had been sitting as quietly as possible, but when their eyes suddenly met, she blinked in surprise.

The Marquis kept his gaze on Liv as he held a cigar between his lips. She could see the tip of his tongue flick out between his slightly parted, red lips.

“Really?”

His platinum hair fell across his tilted head.

“What do you think, Teacher?”

The Marquis’s sudden inclusion of Liv in the conversation made Roman look bewildered.

“…Marquis?”

“Sometimes it’s good to get an outside, objective opinion, don’t you think?”

The Marquis answered dismissively, lighting his cigar before addressing Liv again.

“You seem to be quite close with him, so give me your answer.”