Odalisque - Chapter 81

Liv appeared bewildered, unable to immediately understand what Dimus had said, perhaps because of his casual tone. Her large eyes blinked at him, looking quite adorable.

It improved Dimus’s mood somewhat, which had plummeted vertically upon seeing her with that Eleonore brat.

“If that painter disappeared, there would be no one left to spread rumors about you being a nude model. It wouldn’t be hard, you know.”

Brad was already a man buried in debt. Who would find it strange if he suddenly dropped dead on the streets? His death wouldn’t attract any attention.

In this world, even death has value.

“Tell me. Do you want me to kill him for you?”

“…That’s not what I want.”

The words came out weakly, accompanied by a faint tremor.

“Why not? Is there a cleaner, more convenient solution than killing him?”

“I only wish for my relationship with Brad to end without trouble.”

Liv’s hands, neatly placed on her lap, tightened. Her small hands, clutching her skirt, looked rather desperate.

“How could I accept someone’s death as a comfortable solution?”

Dimus let out a cynical laugh. “I don’t know whether to call you soft-hearted or just scared.”

Whether she took his smile as mockery or not, Liv lowered her gaze dejectedly.

Today, she seemed unusually listless. Dimus was certain that Liv, usually quick to sense his moods, had no idea what he was feeling now.

He liked having her around because of her perceptiveness, but strangely, he didn’t entirely dislike her cluelessness today, even if it stemmed from her own emotional state. It was a new side of her, which made it rather amusing.

“Did you know?”

Dimus’s thumb brushed slowly along Liv’s eye.

“I’m being very generous with you.”

Liv’s eyelashes trembled slightly at his words. She looked up, her green eyes meeting his.

Those green eyes, which he had always thought of as obedient, now held an unusually vivid presence. No matter how fine an emerald one brought, it couldn’t compare to these eyes.

Dimus touched Liv’s eye area again, caressing it gently.

Maybe he had rubbed it too much, as the skin around her eye looked a bit red. With her reddened eye area, Liv looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.

“Don’t hang around with that brat.”

“Do you mean Teacher Camille Marcel?”

“Yes.”

Marcel, huh? Was that the name he had approached Liv with?

Dimus let out a mocking laugh as he thought of Camille—the black-haired, rather lively-looking guy who had stood there. Camille hadn’t even tried to hide his wariness, as if he knew who was in the pitch-black carriage. Instead, he’d deliberately raised his voice, offering Liv his ‘help.’

If he weren’t an Eleonore, Dimus would have taken care of him long ago.

Unfortunately, the Eleonore family held significant power in Beren. Even someone like Dimus, who cared little for others’ opinions, would find life in Beren troublesome if he openly dealt with an Eleonore.

On the battlefield, it might be different, but not in a society where one wore the mask of a gentleman.

Just thinking about Camille soured Dimus’s mood again. He frowned and clicked his tongue, and Liv asked in a quiet tone. 

“Is he still digging into your affairs, Marquis?”

Of course, he was. Dimus found it laughable, though—how much could Camille actually do with whatever information he uncovered?

Although Camille’s rat-like persistence was indeed bothersome, the reason Dimus repeated this warning to Liv wasn’t because of that.

“More than that, I just don’t like the way he looks at you.”

“…The way he looks at me?”

Liv seemed taken aback by the unexpected response. Dimus nodded indifferently.

“I can tell just by his gaze how aroused he is.”

Liv’s pale face flushed red. It reminded Dimus of the moment red paint was first applied to a blank white canvas.

“I have no relationship with Teacher Marcel. Our meeting earlier was a coincidence, and even then, I only sought his help briefly because I wasn’t feeling well.”

“Of course, there’s nothing between you. He’s the only one lusting after you.”

If there had been any connection between Camille and Liv, there was no way he would still be walking around unscathed. Even if his family’s name might protect his life, at least one of his legs would have been broken long ago.

“But, Teacher, no matter how urgent it is, don’t just ask anyone for help.”

At Dimus’s words, Liv bit her lip. There was an inexplicable sadness in her tightly pressed lips.

“Then, will you always be there when I need help, Marquis?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Haven’t I always been there for you?”

When Dimus answered in a puzzled tone, Liv fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words. He tilted his head toward her.

“Like today.”

He whispered softly in her ear, and almost simultaneously, Liv leaned into his embrace.

Like a child seeking comfort, Liv clung to him, and Dimus willingly held her.

***

Now, Liv used the black carriage for all her outings. The guards stationed near her house remained in place.

She didn’t go out often. Had she still been visiting the Pendence estate to teach Million, she might have had a reason to leave the house, but since guests had been visiting the Pendence estate for some time, she had stopped going altogether, leaving her with even fewer reasons to step outside.

Her already limited daily life had become even more restricted. The people Liv interacted with now were mostly those from Berryworth or Langess estates. Even then, aside from Philip, Adolf, and a few other familiar employees, she kept her distance from everyone else.

It was frustrating, but that didn’t mean she wanted to break free from this lifestyle. Not wandering through Buerno meant she didn’t hear the rumors circulating, which made everything feel a little less exhausting.

After all, she couldn’t stay like this forever.

Liv decided to think of this time as a short vacation. She had lived fiercely for so long, trying to make ends meet. It wasn’t such a bad thing to allow herself to relax and enjoy this uneventful period.

As she settled into this leisurely life, the day for the opera she had been given tickets for by the Marquis finally approached.

Although the event was scheduled for the evening, Liv began her preparations early. Unlike her usual simple attire, today required a lot more attention.

The newly tailored outfits were part of it. Changing into her clothes took longer, and she had to rely on Corida’s help.

“You look so beautiful, Sister!”

Corida clapped her hands in admiration. Liv gave her an awkward smile before sitting in front of the mirror.

Having never applied makeup to match such fancy clothes and accessories, she felt completely lost. But it was better to attempt something than to leave her appearance half-done.

True to their tailored fit, the clothes felt more comfortable than usual. However, despite not feeling any physical discomfort, there was still an odd sense of tightness. Ignoring that feeling, Liv took a deep breath.

In the mirror, she saw a pale-faced woman, her jawline appearing sharper from the recent weight loss.

Had she really been staying home too much? She seemed particularly lifeless—even more so than Corida.

“Wow, the necklace is beautiful…”

Liv, who was reaching for the makeup tools, glanced at Corida. Her sister’s attention had shifted from her outfit to the jewelry she would wear.

“Is this also a gift from the Marquis?”

“It’s not really a gift… Anyway, since I’m going to the theater as his partner, I couldn’t just go in anything. I had to make sure I at least matched his level.”

Though calling it ‘matching his level’ was an understatement—the jewelry was extravagant.

Corida, staring dreamily at the diamond necklace, suddenly turned her head and looked at Liv seriously.

“Sister, I think the Marquis must like you. Supporting my treatment is all because of you. I’m sure of it.”

Had she grown fond of romance novels after becoming friends with Million?

Liv momentarily thought so, then dismissed the thought.

Outsiders openly whispered that Liv was the Marquis’s mistress. Corida had even less exposure to the outside world than Liv, sparing her from such rumors for now, but who knew when she might hear something unexpected? It was far better for her to hold onto this romantic belief, even if it was mistaken.

Still, Liv couldn’t bring herself to agree with Corida’s words, so she quietly offered an excuse.

“He simply didn’t have a suitable partner today…”

“Sister, just because I stay home doesn’t mean I don’t know anything.”

Feeling somewhat caught, Liv looked at Corida with a slightly stiff gaze. Unfazed, Corida crossed her arms confidently.

“People don’t spend their time or money on someone they’re not interested in.”

Corida’s voice brimmed with confidence. Liv, who had been staring at her incredulously, squinted and asked, “Who on earth told you that?”

“Cyril did!”

Ah, her friend from Mazurkan.

“…You two seem to have a lot of conversations.”

Liv had wondered what on earth they could have so much to say that they used up so much stationery, but it seemed they were thoroughly engrossed in the interests of girls their age.

Liv let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected way she confirmed Corida’s friendships. Whatever Liv’s smile meant, Corida patted her back with a deliberately mature expression.

“Sister, have courage. In my eyes, you’re worth so much more.”

It was truly a ridiculous thing to say. But Corida probably meant it.

Even if the whole world criticized Liv for aiming beyond her station, Corida would give her a thumbs up and say her sister was the best.

“Just hearing that is enough, Corida.”

Thanks to Corida’s small help with the preparations, the remaining time passed relatively smoothly, and Liv was able to finish getting ready earlier than the scheduled time.