Odalisque - Chapter 72

“What?”

“Or do you like me?”

It was an audacious question, one that felt almost impudent. Dimus raised his eyebrows, looking back at Liv with a rather unpleasant expression. Liv quietly waited for his answer, her eyes meeting his calmly. It seemed as though she was begging for affection, but the look in her eyes was rational and composed.

That was refreshing. It meant that, more than anyone, she herself was acutely aware of just how meaningless her words were.

“I cherish you.”

So Dimus decided to answer benevolently.

“If I must define it, I cherish you.”

It was as though he had picked out his favorite piece from his collection and given it first place. Not unique, but not the same as the others either—treated just that much more preciously.

“Is there any other feeling you need?”

“I suppose not.”

Liv lowered her gaze and turned away. She walked towards the mirror, holding the other earring that Dimus had handed her. As if she intended to pierce her ear herself, just as Dimus had said.

Her movements were strikingly quiet, as if they made no sound at all.

Liv stood in front of the mirror, her presence barely noticeable, and touched her earlobe, carefully raising her hand. Her shoulders rose sharply, showing her nervousness.

Soon enough, the other earlobe sparkled with a clear, transparent diamond.

Blood stained the tip of the gold pin she had crudely pushed through, but it wasn’t visible from the front, so it didn’t matter.

***

Liv smiled bitterly.

The Marquis never asked about her feelings. He simply cared for her the way one would care for a beloved pet.

In hindsight, it had always been that way. From the beginning, it had been clear that this relationship would only cause her pain.

She had known it from the start.

Ah, this is why people need to know their place.

Liv stifled a sigh. The red velvet box she had brought with her caught her eye. She remembered how expensive the ruby necklace she had refused looked, but compared to the diamond necklace in front of her now, it seemed almost childish—a toy for playtime. The diamond necklace and earrings were so dazzling that she couldn’t even muster the courage to touch them.

Even so, Liv accepted them. If she refused, the Marquis would be angry. She didn’t want to incur his wrath.

“How about being honest, Teacher?”

No, in truth…

“Did you really not want anyone to see you by my side?”

Her greed had grown, making all her previous caution meaningless. That greed had pushed her to accept the box.

As the Marquis had pointed out, Liv didn’t want her relationship with him to remain entirely secret forever. She knew that making their relationship public would bring no benefit, and might even cause upheaval in her life.

But Liv wanted to confirm that she was special to him. For the Marquis to stand her by his side in front of everyone was the most definitive proof of that.

Just visiting the mansion for business drew enough attention—being his partner would create rumors beyond comparison. Many would question and take an interest in their relationship. Some might even try to pry into their past…

Whether their meeting had begun with a nude painting or whether he treated her as a collectible—it didn’t matter. Had it not been for these special circumstances, she wouldn’t have met him, and he wouldn’t have paid her any attention.

The Marquis was a man Liv could never have dreamed of having, if not for this extraordinary situation.

“I cherish you.”

The Marquis disliked whispers behind his back, so surely, he would provide her with at least minimal protection. He had always treated her generously. It would be wasteful to suddenly change now, given all the effort he had put in so far.

Liv ran her fingers over the box. It felt soft.

Unable to bring herself to open it again, Liv simply ran her hand over the lid repeatedly before lifting her gaze. In the small hand mirror sitting on the table, she saw half of her own face. There was a small scab forming on her pale earlobe.

When she woke up, both piercings were bleeding. She had disinfected and cleaned them in the morning, but another scab had quickly formed. She would need to take good care of them if she wanted the piercings to stay open and wear the earrings to the opera.

“Ha…”

Liv let out a deep sigh and stood up. Her belief that he would protect her was nothing more than a sandcastle built without a solid foundation—easily crumbled by even a wave of foam. But perhaps it wouldn’t collapse.

Did she need to be the one to destroy it, simply because it would eventually fall apart?

Liv decided to accept her growing greed.

Even if that greed continued to swell and eventually burst, leaving only shattered fragments behind, she could always gather the pieces and dispose of them when the time came.

***

A report came in that Corida’s condition was improving faster than expected.

It was a report separate from the one Liv received—a report that Dimus received independently. Of course, it wasn’t because he was concerned for Corida’s well-being. He was checking because he wanted to separate Corida from Liv as soon as possible.

After impulsively bringing Liv to the Langess mansion, Dimus had focused on her even more diligently.

Especially the moment he saw Liv standing among his precious collection in the basement—it was unforgettable. She was a woman who fit perfectly in the Langess mansion.

However, as long as Corida was around, bringing Liv to the mansion would not be easy. If he had to accept Corida as well, that would be one thing, but what Dimus wanted was Liv Rodaise alone.

Since her sick sister was an inconvenience, Dimus was more than happy to wish for Corida’s recovery. The money spent on Corida’s treatment was negligible, especially if it brought Liv’s goodwill—it was practically an investment.

And so, today’s outing had been an easy decision.

“It’s truly an honor to have you visit us in person!”

Dimus looked around the interior with a disinterested gaze as the head of Hyrob bowed deeply. The herbal scent typical of an apothecary filled the air, though it was more subtle than overwhelming, thanks to careful management.

“I heard a new medicine arrived.”

“Yes, indeed. It arrived early this morning!”

The distribution of the new medicine was done through official channels. Buerno was no exception, so to acquire it, Dimus had to go through Hyrob, which was authorized to handle it.

This was the very first distribution. Naturally, the supply was limited. It made sense for him to come personally—to both secure his share and send a message that others should not even think about obtaining it.

The head of Hyrob seemed to understand the significance of Dimus’s visit immediately. Clearing his throat, he cautiously began to speak.

“However, Marquis, as you know, the quantity is limited. If you could show a bit of leniency, more people could have the opportunity…”

Dimus glanced at the door leading further inside the shop and asked in a cold voice, “Is there a patient waiting for this medicine who will die without it?”

“We cannot know that. Our duty is simply to provide the best medicine to those in need…”

“Then fulfill your duty.”

Dimus continued without even looking at the head of Hyrob, “If a customer wants to buy medicine, why should your tongue be so long?”

Dimus had already obtained a list of those who had made reservations for the new medicine. None of them were critically ill or caring for someone who was. They were all people looking to buy the “new medicine” for its uniqueness and rarity, rather than for genuine need.

Compared to them, how much more urgent was his need? At the very least, it held more meaning than letting someone else have it.

The head of Hyrob broke into a cold sweat as the Marquis made it clear he intended to monopolize the supply for a while. For someone dealing with various noble clients, the Marquis’s stance was likely quite awkward. But Dimus wasn’t the type to concern himself with others’ business circumstances.

The head of Hyrob circled around, unable to say anything, like a dog with its tail on fire. Ignoring him, Dimus’s gaze shifted towards the commotion at the shop’s entrance. The head of Hyrob straightened up and moved towards the door.