Odalisque - Chapter 69

The Marquis now focused on the act in silence. Only the sound of his rough breathing revealed his current state.

He was aroused. The blatant reality stirred something within Liv.

She could arouse him with her clumsy and inexperienced actions.

“Ugh!”

The Marquis’s shaft tensed, swelling solidly, and a suppressed groan escaped above her head.

“Mmph!”

“Haa…”

The member in her mouth twitched significantly. The head, positioned near the root of her tongue, discharged without giving her time to spit it out, and it went straight down her throat.

The shaft, pulsating multiple times as it was seized by sharp pleasure, finally withdrew slowly after discharging every last drop into her throat.

“Huff, huff.”

Liv gasped for breath, her chest rising and falling heavily. The overwhelming scent of his seed filled her mouth, and the strange texture that remained in her throat left her tongue feeling numbed by the taste.

Everything felt strange, but the strangest part was her own body. Despite not having touched herself at all, her senses were heightened, her lower back sweaty, and her panties damp.

She felt an overwhelming urge to cling to him, to beg him to embrace her immediately.

“Oh dear, did it hurt?”

As Liv panted uncontrollably, her body filled with intense excitement, the hand that had been gripping her chin now gently stroked the corners of her mouth. The skin stung with every touch of his fingers.

She didn’t need a mirror to know that her lips had torn. Liv blinked slowly.

Sex with the Marquis was rough as it was, but the thrusts today had not just reflected his sexual preference.

There was certainly irritation behind his roughness today. And the reason for that irritation…

“You said I have no eye for people, right?” Liv spoke in a hoarse voice that resembled a metallic rasp, looking up at the Marquis.

He was still dressed impeccably, not having undone a single button. Despite his pants being neatly put together, only his member was out, a look that would seem perverse on anyone else, yet somehow, even in this state, the Marquis could excite others.

So Liv, kneeling before him, didn’t find her current position shameful or embarrassing. On the contrary, it was maddening.

“Did I misjudge you, too?”

“No.”

The response came out indifferent and flat.

“Having no eye for people has nothing to do with me.”

The shaft, despite having just climaxed, was still half erect. It jerked slightly as though it could regain its full glory with just a little stimulation, displaying its presence.

But instead of pushing the head between her lips, the Marquis stroked her swollen lips gently with his thumb, muttering to himself.

“I am your god.”

His blue eyes, still clouded with lust, held an inscrutable expression. He looked as though he wanted to strip her and crush her under him immediately, but also as if he wished to kiss the lips that had just held his member.

What was clear was that desire filled his gaze. One climax had certainly not sated his lust.

“Reality is better than imagination.”

“Did you imagine it?”

Had he imagined receiving oral pleasure from her?

He didn’t answer. Instead, he wiped his member with a handkerchief and adjusted his pants without a word. Liv looked up at him, her face showing bewilderment, as though she’d expected something more.

Having returned to his usual composed self in an instant, he opened a window himself to air out the room. Liv awkwardly stood up.

Her mouth and face were still a mess, but at least her clothes weren’t too stained. Swallowing everything had made cleaning up easier.

The Marquis checked her face and handed her an extra handkerchief.

“Go out and ask Philip to give you a tour of the mansion.”

The Marquis, watching Liv belatedly clean herself up, added in a blunt tone, “If you’re bored, you can even check if I really have taxidermy in the basement.”

When Liv mentioned wanting to see the basement, Philip was very surprised. He seemed unable to accept the fact that the Marquis had permitted entry to the basement.

Not only did Philip ask Liv multiple times to confirm the truth, but he even subtly checked with the Marquis before apologizing for doubting her and guiding her to the basement.

What kind of place was this basement that made Philip react that way?

Liv had spoken impulsively, but now she was scared.

What if she saw something she shouldn’t? What if her life was in danger?

Under normal circumstances, Liv would have been disinterested in the mansion’s secrets or eerie rumors, waiting obediently in the drawing room for the Marquis’s summons. If she had done that, she wouldn’t have to bear this worry.

‘But…’

Liv recalled the image of the Marquis just before she left the office. She felt as though he genuinely wanted to show her the basement.

Was that just her delusion?

Lost in thought, Liv suddenly looked up, realizing the surroundings had changed. The walls and the shelves were filled with an assortment of weapons.

Philip, noticing that her pace had slowed, began to speak lightly, “This is the Long Gallery. These are weapons that are no longer in use, so there’s no need to be alarmed.”

“No longer in use” implied that they had been used in the past.

Liv’s gaze fell on a nearby firearm. The grip showed significant wear, which she found striking. There were various types of guns she wasn’t familiar with displayed all around. There were also swords.

“Isn’t a Long Gallery typically decorated with paintings?”

“Well… Usually, yes, but the Marquis dislikes leaving behind portraits.”

Indeed, Liv couldn’t imagine the Marquis posing for a painter with an imposing demeanor.

Nodding in understanding, Liv accepted Philip’s answer and muttered to herself, “It’s cold here.”

“Perhaps it’s all the metal?”

Philip gave a lighthearted response, and Liv simply smiled quietly. Philip seemed to take her words lightly, but Liv was genuinely impressed by the Long Gallery.

It wasn’t just because of the weapons that filled the space. On reflection, she realized that it wasn’t just this room—she hadn’t seen any artwork in any part of the Langess mansion.

There were no small landscape paintings, which were commonly displayed, in the lobby, hallways, or even the Marquis’s office. It was a little puzzling considering that the Marquis was known as a prominent collector in Buerno. Of course, it was possible that he kept his collection in a private gallery…

If he genuinely liked art, wouldn’t he want to keep some visible in his living spaces? Moreover, this was his main residence.

It wouldn’t be out of place to decorate this space with the most expensive and valuable artwork.

‘If he really wanted, he could fill this entire Long Gallery with his collection.’

Deep in thought, Liv suddenly stopped. She had spotted a sword that particularly caught her eye.

“Miss Rodaise?”

“That sword…”

“Oh, you have a keen eye. Beautiful, isn’t it? It’s the most valuable item in the Long Gallery.”

Listening to Philip’s explanation, Liv approached the glass case containing the sword. As Philip had said, it was indeed beautiful.

The blade sparkled as if it had been polished recently, adorned with intricate engravings. The handle featured elaborate curling vines and lush flowers, finely carved, with gems inlaid, likely diamonds.

It was indeed beautiful.

So beautiful, in fact, that it felt out of place.

“It doesn’t fit.”

The other weapons seemed to carry a sense of history, but this ceremonial sword felt detached, like an artificial flower blooming vibrantly among withering real ones.

Its prominent display felt less like a boast and more as if it was meant to emphasize its incongruity.

As if mocking the ceremonial sword itself.

“Pardon?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Liv shook her head quickly and turned away.

“The basement is quite far, isn’t it?”

“There’s only one entrance. We’re almost there.”

After leaving the Long Gallery, they arrived at a door. It was smaller than the other doors and located next to a staircase.

“Here it is.”

Philip stopped, opening the door that led to the basement. Liv looked at him, puzzled, and Philip smiled kindly.

“The basement is off-limits without the Master’s permission. So I’ll wait for you here at the entrance.”