Chapter 8
“Do you think he might refuse?” muttered the marquis to himself, gazing at Liv thoughtfully. “I hold a slightly different view.”
A faint smile touched his lips—a smile that held no doubt that his wishes would be fulfilled, that others would bow down and comply without hesitation. It was an arrogant smile, one born of certainty.
“…You are right.”
Relying on Brad’s cooperation had been a foolish idea from the start. There was no need for cooperation in their relationship at all.
“Are you alright, sister?”
A cautious question broke through her tangled thoughts. Liv shook herself from her reverie and looked up.
“Huh? Of course.”
Seeing Corida’s worried gaze, Liv quickly brightened her expression. She was tired, but in the end, things had gone well.
Brad worked quickly, and once he started, he would throw himself into his work, day and night, without rest. It shouldn’t take too long. The marquis’s oversight was like a thorn lodged in her fingertip, but if there was no way to refuse it, it was better to ignore it and forget.
“Remember when I said I’d take on more work? I think it’ll start next week.”
“Is it hard work?”
“No, nothing like that. Just office support.”
After all, the marquis had seen the painting, recognized that Liv was the model, yet had given her a chance at her request. From his words, it seemed he would keep her identity a secret.
Recalling rumors about how the marquis had no interest in social activities, Liv felt relieved. The marquis she had spoken with was indeed indifferent toward others and didn’t seem the type to use Liv as fleeting gossip.
“Don’t worry, just lock the door properly when I’m not here.”
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to know more, so from now on, Liv decided to listen closely to any stories about the marquis.
***
“So, do you know what Marquis Dietrion said? He apparently shouted, ‘How insolent, kneel at once!’”
“That sounds… familiar?”
“Right? It’s like something out of a novel!”
Well, that’s because it is a line from a novel. The male protagonist who said that line was probably created at least fifty years before the marquis, but somehow, the marquis had been credited with it.
As a tutor, it was Liv’s duty to correct Million’s misinformation, but this time, she found herself hesitant to speak up. Though it might just be an exaggerated anecdote, there was still the possibility that he really had said it.
Of course, the Marquis Dietrion she had met did not seem like the type to dramatically shout such a pretentious line.
“Ah, how is the marquis so wonderful? I envy whoever will be his wife in the future.”
Million sighed, resting her face in her hands. Liv awkwardly smiled as she took a sip of her tea.
They were out on a picnic near the lakeside. Baroness Pendence didn’t allow Million to go out alone, so she often requested Liv to accompany her, which Liv gladly agreed to do.
Today was one of those occasions. The lakeside was a popular spot for walks, and Million liked it for the chance to meet peers, even by coincidence.
If only Corida were a bit healthier, she could have come along too.
Watching a group of girls her age chatter and play, Liv lowered her gaze.
“If only he would visit our estate one more time.”
“You said he came because of a statue, right?”
“Yes. It seems the sculpture my mother purchased was an unpublished work by a very famous artist. Apparently, because of that, artworks at auctions have become scarce lately.”
“I see.”
“If it weren’t for art, the marquis would have no reason to visit again. It would be wonderful if we could get that lucky one more time… You said you ran into the marquis that day too, right, teacher?”
“I did.”
“Since that day, I haven’t been able to sleep. Is this what lovesickness feels like?”
Liv smiled wordlessly in response. Million’s flushed cheeks looked endearing to her, though it also made her think of Corida and feel a touch of bitterness.
If Corida were healthy, she might have nurtured a dreamy romantic ideal like Million, rather than worrying about selling her birthday present to pay rent.
“So, teacher, I’ve decided to learn painting!”
“Oh?”
“Yes! My mother found someone, and they’re coming soon.”
“That’s wonderful. Will you show me your work when you’re done?”
“Of course! Just promise you won’t laugh?”
The young girl, smitten by her first love, seemed ready to do anything for it. Liv smiled gently at Million’s flushed face, then quietly turned her gaze away.
Liv, who had spent her days just struggling to make ends meet, was only now learning more about the marquis, whose stories captivated the world. Most of the tales she heard sounded incredibly exaggerated and unrealistic—depictions more fitting of a mythical being than a man.
Before, she might have thought of such tales as mildly entertaining, akin to hearing someone else’s love story. Since they had nothing to do with her, she wouldn’t have given them much thought before moving on. But now, having become entangled with him, she couldn’t be so dismissive.
Liv gazed quietly at the lake’s surface, watching the sunlight glint off the blue water. The strikingly beautiful man’s eyes came to mind.
The rumors couldn’t all be true. Stories spread through word of mouth tend to become embellished, to the point that they’re unrecognizable from the original.
However, there was one thing that was certainly true.
‘An arrogant and cold man.’
That handsome face could pull off anything, but a cold, even frosty expression seemed to be the most natural fit.
He probably never even smiled once in his life.
Liv still couldn’t quite believe that she was entangled with him. At times, it felt like a dream. He was the kind of person it would be extraordinary to even see once in a lifetime.
They lived in different worlds, had different acquaintances, and didn’t even share the same vocabulary. Someone might be thrilled to be linked to such a lofty and noble man, but for Liv, it felt like she’d eaten a meal too rich to digest.
‘If only the work could start soon and end quickly.’
Since the marquis’s oversight had been confirmed, their work schedule was entirely adjusted to his availability. Liv didn’t know what exactly he had told Brad, but when she visited Brad, he already knew everything. Unlike Liv, Brad seemed quite thrilled.
“If this goes well, I might end up with an amazing patron!”
Brad even had the wild hope that the marquis might take a liking to his work. To Liv, it seemed a hopeless fantasy, but Brad was serious.
“By the way, teacher, do you know?”
Liv, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention. She gave Million her habitual smile, trying to clear her complicated thoughts.
Not noticing anything unusual, Million lowered her voice conspiratorially, as if sharing a great secret.
“They say there’s something incredible in Marquis Dietrion’s basement.”
“Something in the basement?”
“Yes. You know how the marquis loves art? Well, apparently, what he truly collects are taxidermy specimens made from living creatures!”
A moment ago, Million had described the marquis as a fairy-tale prince, and now she was turning him into a monster. The abrupt shift was almost amusing, and Liv chuckled softly. Despite her lack of seriousness, Million continued without paying her any mind.
“They say Marquis Dietrion used to be a military officer. So he’s very experienced in killing—not just animals but people too!”
The rumor about him being a former officer had never been confirmed. It was merely speculation from those who had supposedly seen him frequently, but it suited him so well that it eventually became accepted as fact.
No one could verify its authenticity, so people just spoke carelessly, assuming it must be true.
“Hmm…”
And killing people? Liv thought of the cold, detached Marquis Dietrion. It seemed plausible enough.
“They say there’s a secret room in the mansion’s basement where human taxidermy specimens are displayed.”
A dark, eerie basement, a chilling atmosphere, and lifelike taxidermy of nude humans in glass cases—Million’s vivid description made Liv narrow her eyes.
Who knew Million had such a knack for storytelling? She could join a theater company immediately with that talent.
Of course, as the only daughter of a baron, Million had no reason to become a performer, so it was all just Liv’s idle imagination.
It might have been better if Liv herself had that kind of talent. Though the theater might be dismissed as a troupe of clowns by some of the upper class, it was popular among many citizens and made considerable profit. Even if she couldn’t gain social prestige, if she had a knack for it, she could at least secure a stable and ongoing income.
Thinking this, Liv shook her head pointlessly.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Maya Loureiro
Liv sendo absurdamente ingênua e million.dando dicas para o futuro – só acho