Odalisque - Chapter 73

“What’s going on? I told you not to receive any visitors today!”

The shopkeeper, who had left the door firmly closed, slightly opened it to berate the gatekeeper.

“Well, this woman kept lying about having an appointment, causing a commotion. I’m sorry.”

“Do you know who’s inside right now? Making such lies… Never mind, I’ll take care of it quietly!”

The shopkeeper, who had been scolding the gatekeeper through the crack in the door, gasped in surprise upon noticing Dimus approaching the entrance, and immediately lowered himself.

Ignoring the shopkeeper, Dimus focused his gaze on the slightly open door of the shop.

“Let her in.”

“Yes, I’ll send her away immedi… Pardon?”

“She said she had an appointment, yet this pharmacy keeps a deaf person as the gatekeeper?”

The sarcastic remark, delivered in a calm tone, caused the shopkeeper to hurriedly open the door. Thanks to this, the figure of the person hidden from view became visible.

Dimus clicked his tongue instinctively upon confirming the woman standing there in shabby attire.

He should have brought her to a tailor’s first, not to the pharmacy. No wonder she had been turned away in that state.

“Are you really sure you have an appointment… ?”

The shopkeeper and gatekeeper, looking incredulous, alternately glanced at Liv and Dimus. It was clear they couldn’t comprehend what they were seeing. Judging from appearances alone, they probably belonged to completely different worlds. Dimus let out a cold scoff.

“How you manage to run a business with such poor judgment, unable to even recognize your own clients, is beyond me.”

“I, I’m so sorry… Hey, apologize immediately!”

The shopkeeper, who had reflexively tried to apologize, quickly scolded the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper, still wearing a vacant expression, turned to look at the woman standing next to him.

The woman, Liv Rodaise, appeared indifferent, as though she was unaffected by everything happening. But moments ago, when the door had first opened, her neck and cheeks had been visibly flushed. She must have felt humiliated.

After all, Liv Rodaise had a stronger pride than most would expect

“I apologize, miss.”

Liv’s expression as she received the gatekeeper’s apology was rather peculiar. Perhaps she was recalling some past incident not too long ago?

Dimus already knew about the time Liv had been turned away here. He had had someone following her for quite some time now, and keeping an eye on an unguarded commoner like her was hardly a challenge for a trained person.

“You should manage your staff better. If an offended customer decides to ‘visit a more welcoming place,’ what will you do then?”

Dimus’s taunt was loud enough for both the gatekeeper and Liv to hear. The gatekeeper, who had been shifting his eyes nervously while bowing awkwardly, turned pale.

“I sincerely apologize. It will never happen again, so please forgive me just this once!”

The gatekeeper bent so deeply that it seemed as if he would fall to the ground, and this time, Liv looked visibly flustered. She waved her hand, signaling forgiveness, and even reached out as if to help the gatekeeper up.

Seeing this, Dimus frowned. “How long are you planning to stand at the entrance, Teacher?”

“Ah, yes.”

Before Liv’s hand could reach the gatekeeper, she withdrew it. Dimus’s frown also relaxed a little.

The shopkeeper from Hyrob now acted as if he couldn’t even see Liv’s shabby appearance, treating her with utmost respect as he led her inside. Liv, clearly uncomfortable with his sudden change in attitude, hesitated before moving closer to Dimus. She had unconsciously sought someone to rely on.

Dimus liked that. He willingly pulled her closer to his side.

“From now on, all the new medicine supply will be given to this woman.”

The shopkeeper immediately agreed without any argument. Liv, on the other hand, was the one who seemed startled. Dimus had only told her to come to Hyrob without explaining the details, so he now offered a belated explanation.

“It’s the new medicine from Dominian. Since I can’t accompany you every time, you should be the one to receive it.”

“New medicine…”

“Isn’t it needed?”

Gradually, color returned to Liv’s face, which had been blank with confusion. Her green eyes shone brightly, more vividly than ever.

“…Yes, it is needed.”

Liv, who spoke with a small but resolute voice, bit her trembling lips firmly, causing them to turn pale.

A kiss right now would taste perfect.

Dimus was entertaining this thought when the staff who had gone to retrieve the medicine returned. Holding a tightly sealed package, the staff eyed Liv, standing beside Dimus, curiously, though they wisely kept their questions to themselves.

“Here it is. When administering it, be sure to consult a physician once more and familiarize yourself with the usage instructions.”

“Yes.”

Liv took the medicine from the shopkeeper with a peculiar expression. With their business concluded, Dimus turned away without hesitation. The carriage was already waiting in front of the shop.

Dimus stepped into the carriage first, followed by Liv. In that brief moment, he felt a few curious stares directed at them.

He could have avoided those gazes, but he chose not to, and Liv seemed to be aware of that, saying nothing about it.

Inside the carriage, Liv fiddled with the medicine package on her lap.

“How did you know?”

“Know what?”

The carriage started moving, swaying slightly. Dimus, leaning back comfortably, glanced at Liv.

“How I was treated at Hyrob before.”

“I’d be disappointed if you were asking because you truly don’t know.”

Liv wasn’t a fool. He hadn’t made much effort to hide that he knew about her daily life, so she must have had some idea.

As expected, Liv didn’t show any particular surprise at Dimus’s words. She fell silent again, her gaze deepening as she stared at the medicine package, lost in thought.

“When did you start caring for me, Marquis?”

“Does it matter?”

“Knowing even that would help me decide how to act in the future.”

Dimus tilted his head slightly. “Isn’t the present more important than the past? As long as you remain by my side wisely, you’ll always receive this kind of treatment.”

“Wisely…”

Liv repeated Dimus’s words under her breath, then suddenly moved the medicine package to the empty seat next to her. She then scooted closer to Dimus. He looked at her blankly, wondering what she was up to, when she hesitated for a moment before gently placing her hand on his chest and looking up at him.

Liv’s face, looking up at Dimus from such a close distance, was composed yet somehow exuded a mournful vulnerability.

Gazing at him with her calm green eyes, Liv softly asked, “May I kiss you?”

Dimus raised an eyebrow. Liv’s shoulders shrank slightly, perhaps misinterpreting his reaction. She was like a shy mimosa—approaching boldly, only to shrink away just as quickly.

“I thought you might have wanted to kiss me earlier. Was I mistaken?”

Liv asked in a much less confident voice than before, her eyes darting nervously before she tried to pull back. But her attempt was futile, as Dimus immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

“Ah!”

With her balance completely lost, Liv fell against Dimus’s chest. Dimus lowered his head towards her, their lips meeting a bit hastily.

Liv clung to Dimus’s clothes, her awkward position making it difficult for her to steady herself. She struggled to regain her balance, but Dimus’s deep kiss—his tongue invading her mouth—made her lose control entirely. It wasn’t long before wet saliva trickled from between her parted lips.

“Mmph…”

The sound of Dimus’s tongue sucking hers, along with her faint moans, filled the carriage. Dimus scraped Liv’s soft palate with the tip of his tongue. Each time, her breathless panting revealed her heightened state of arousal.

After thoroughly exploring her mouth, Dimus finally pulled his lips away. As soon as he did, Liv gasped for air, resting her forehead against Dimus’s shoulder. The kiss, made more challenging by their awkward positions inside the moving carriage, had left her more breathless than usual.

Dimus let her catch her breath, silently offering his shoulder as support while looking down at her. Through her neatly tied hair, her pale nape peeked out.

“If it weren’t for the tailor’s appointment.”

He would have ordered the carriage to turn back to the mansion.

Dimus muttered, his gaze fixed hungrily on her tempting neck, and Liv flinched.