Odalisque - Chapter 84

Next to the Berryworth Mansion’s hunting grounds, there was a moderately sized shooting range. It was built for use when hunting wasn’t an option, but in practice, it had hardly ever been used. No one at the estate was particularly attached to honing their shooting skills to the extent of coming here. It was simply left as it was, too much trouble to get rid of, and only now did it finally find a purpose.

Out of the various firearms stored at the mansion, Philip had found a small pistol. Made of dark mahogany and metal, it looked more like a toy to Dimus. But it would be different for Liv.

From the moment she stepped into the shooting range, Liv’s expression had been anything but pleasant. Thinking back, she never seemed to like violence or anything overly aggressive.

However, with more things likely to cling to her in the future, there was no guarantee that peaceful conversation would always solve everything.

“Take it.”

Liv, who had been looking around the shooting range with a doubtful expression, recoiled when she saw the gun placed in front of her.

“Me?”

“Yes, you, Teacher. I don’t use such a small pistol.”

“Why the sudden pistol…?”

Liv furrowed her brow, seemingly trying to guess Dimus’s intention. After a moment, she carefully voiced her assumption.

“Do you want me to accompany you hunting?”

“I doubt there will ever come a day when you can handle a rifle.”

Dimus replied with a chuckle, and Liv awkwardly pressed her lips together. Though he wasn’t wrong, being directly told so seemed to irk her a bit. Dimus, smiling unconsciously as he watched her, gestured toward the pistol.

“You wouldn’t even be able to catch a rabbit with a small pistol like this.”

“Then why are you making me hold a gun that can’t even catch a rabbit?”

“Because even if you can’t catch a rabbit, you could at least scare off a rat.”

Small pistols were often used as self-defense weapons by women. Small enough to carry in a handbag, they only held two bullets and had a very short effective range, but they were easy to handle, which was an advantage. Liv would likely have no trouble learning how to use it.

“Judging by what I’ve seen, you have quite a few nuisances hanging around you.”

Of course, those keeping watch around Liv were Dimus’s people, and her movements were limited to the areas he permitted.

So, this was less for fending off burglars and more for dealing with leeches like that Eleonore brat or that debtor painter. Or any other rats that might show up in the future.

“You need to buy yourself enough time for me to come and rescue you.”

Liv seemed lost in thought. She was probably recalling the attention she’d received at the opera house. Soon enough, she appeared to understand why she might need the small pistol.

Liv cautiously picked up the gun, her expression one of curiosity.

“It’s lighter than I expected.”

“There are no bullets in it right now.”

Liv, who had hesitated to do anything after picking it up, finally began turning the gun over in her hands, examining it.

Dimus took her wrist, pulling her hand toward himself. He corrected her awkward grip, guiding the muzzle to his own abdomen. Liv, startled, tried to resist, but she couldn’t match Dimus’s strength.

“The range isn’t long, so if you want maximum effect, you need to shoot from as close as possible. Hide it up your sleeve, then aim for a vital point without warning. Something like… here.”

Overlapping his finger on hers, he pulled the trigger. The gun made a clicking noise. Even though she knew there were no bullets, Liv flinched and relaxed her grip. Dimus clicked his tongue lightly and gave her a warning.

“In a real situation, you must never let go.”

The pistol was still pressed against Dimus’s abdomen. Since the barrel was so short, the distance between Dimus and Liv was also extremely close. Standing so near, Dimus could observe even the smallest changes in Liv’s expression.

Liv frowned as if she wanted to throw the gun away immediately, but Dimus held her hand firmly, leaving her no choice but to be restrained. Eventually, she gave up, sighing.

“I can’t believe something this small can hurt a person.”

“Whether it’s used to harm or to defend is up to the person holding it.”

Dimus lowered his head slightly.

“If you don’t want this gun to hurt anyone, it won’t. So there’s no need to be frightened of a mere piece of metal.”

Liv, who had been staring blankly at the pistol in her hand, slowly raised her head. Since Dimus was leaning down so closely, when she looked up, it brought them into a position where their lips were almost touching.

Dimus had tumbled with her at the Langess Mansion just last night. It hadn’t even been a full day, but being so close again stirred him. He had planned on sending her home today.

Just as he was about to lower his head further to press his lips against hers, Liv spoke, her soft breath brushing against him.

“What kind of weapon did you have, Marquis?”

Dimus stopped in his tracks.

“I’m curious. Which military were you in? You seem so capable—why are you here? And why does no one know anything about your past?”

“Does any of that matter?”

“It’s just a selfish desire to know more about you, Marquis.”

As her barely-parted lips moved, she exhaled warm breaths. Dimus neither pulled away nor initiated the kiss, keeping their close proximity. His eyes narrowed.

“The more you know, the more unnecessary risks arise.”

There was no way for Liv to uncover his past unless Dimus told her directly. She didn’t have the social standing or wealth to dig into his history. Perhaps that was why her curiosity was even more intense.

Did she share the same delusion as everyone else?

That he was an intriguing royal bastard hidden away?

“I always thought you had lived your life as a ruler, Marquis.”

“Most people think that.”

Dimus knew how his appearance came across. He had benefited greatly from it throughout his life, often using it to easily get what he wanted. Unless he spoke of it, no one would imagine a version of Dimus born on the streets, wandering in search of a place to belong.

Since there was no need to correct anyone’s misconceptions, Dimus had never told anyone about his past.

“But now I think otherwise.”

Dimus leaned back slightly to meet Liv’s gaze.

“If you had lived your life ruling over others, you wouldn’t have those scars. Perhaps you’ve had an even harsher life than I imagined.”

Does she pity me?

The thought crossed his mind momentarily before vanishing. There was no hint of pity in Liv’s eyes.

After all, given her own situation, she had no time to pity him. It was absurd for him to even think that, knowing her past.

If not pity, then why bring up his past so suddenly?

“So, what are you trying to say?”

“I find myself being greedy. The rose seems closer than I thought, almost within my reach.”

Dimus stepped back completely from Liv. When he released her hand, she slowly lowered the pistol.

“It seems you’re only brave when it comes to me, Teacher.”

Until just a moment ago, she had wanted nothing more than to postpone this shooting practice, yet now her mind seemed surprisingly clear. Dimus smirked cynically.

“Recklessly displaying courage amounts to nothing more than folly.”

He glanced around the shooting range indifferently.

“If we bring out some appropriate targets and let you shoot, you’ll get the hang of it.”

In a detached voice, Dimus added, “My scars are simply remnants of battles—of the many wars fought here and there. As you said, I’ve grown accustomed to death and have always been near it. There’s nothing special about those times.”

Liv was quick to pick up on cues. Realizing the clear boundary in Dimus’s words, she chose not to press the topic further and instead focused on the gun in her hand.

Her slightly bowed head looked subtly downcast, but as long as she knew when to retreat, it didn’t matter.

“There’s no need to be brave at every moment. Even following orders well makes for an excellent soldier, so don’t be discouraged.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, Liv offered a faint, bitter smile.

***

At some point, the Marquis had begun assigning Liv various tasks to do at the mansion.

Now, finding herself unexpectedly spending yet another night away from home, she was tasked with assisting him with his bath. Liv considered that if she were to continue staying at Langess Mansion, these would likely be her duties—helping the Marquis dress, assisting with his bath, and sharing his bed. Occasionally donning the clothes and jewelry he bought her and spending time with him.

Liv now understood that Dimus was extremely reluctant to expose his bare body to others. In that sense, it seemed special that he entrusted her alone with tasks like dressing and bathing him. Still, she wasn’t sure if this was something to be happy about.

Through these tasks, Liv could vividly sense how Dimus defined her. Though he never spoke the words, every situation made his perception of her unmistakably clear.

“You really have no talent for serving, Teacher.”

Startled by the low voice, Liv snapped back to her senses. The Marquis, reclined in the bath, had been quietly watching her as she sat on the edge of the tub.