Odalisque - Chapter 87

The interior of the carriage was as luxurious and splendid as its exterior.

Perched on the edge of the sleek leather seat, almost hesitant to fully sit down, Liv took a deep breath. Luzia, who had seated Liv in front of her, silently observed her for a long while. Her gaze was filled with curiosity.

“How disappointing. You don’t seem all that impressive.”

Luzia clicked her tongue lightly as she murmured in a casual tone, “Is it true what the nanny said—that you’re skilled in bed?”

“If you could tell me what exactly you’re curious about…”

“I didn’t give you permission to speak.”

Liv, who had struggled to start speaking, found her words cut off again.

“They say you’re a tutor, but it seems you’re not particularly clever. Then again, given you’re a commoner, how high could your standards really be?” Luzia muttered petulantly, extending her hand that held a folded fan. She tugged at the ribbon that tied Liv’s collar neatly, causing it to loosen and expose her neck.

Startled, Liv instinctively tried to pull back, but she stopped herself when she saw Luzia’s glare grow fiercer. Luzia was not just any “rude person” but the “Duke Malte’s daughter.” As Liv mentally reminded herself of Luzia’s status, the neckline of her dress opened carelessly, revealing her neck.

Luzia’s gaze landed on the exposed skin, specifically where there was a red mark.

“Well, at least I’ve learned that he’s not impotent, thanks to you. That’s one thing to be glad about.”

Her voice, tinged with amusement, carried the lazy arrogance typical of those in power. The tip of her fan scratched carelessly at the mark on Liv’s neck.

“It isn’t the mark of another man, is it? No matter how promiscuous you might be, it’d be wise to behave while seeing him.”

Resting her chin in her hand, Luzia continued, then suddenly let out a low exclamation as if she had realized something.

“Oh, did I forget to give you permission to speak? I’ll allow it now.”

At a glance, she seemed astoundingly arbitrary.

However, Liv quickly recognized that Luzia wasn’t acting thoughtlessly. She was acting precisely this way because she understood her position perfectly.

Otherwise, Luzia’s haughty gaze, which fixed itself on Liv, wouldn’t be so cold.

“…If you have something you want to know, please ask clearly.”

“Didn’t I just ask? That mark—is it from another man?”

“The one who left this mark is probably the person you’re thinking of.”

At Liv’s answer, Luzia’s lips curved into a pretty smile.

“Dimus?”

The name of the Marquis flowed casually from Luzia’s lips, and it sounded foreign to Liv. It was a stark contrast to the “Dimus” Liv had struggled to utter just recently.

It wasn’t hard to imagine the Marquis addressing Luzia by name. Unlike Liv, the two of them lived in the same world.

Liv, who had been hesitating, slowly opened her mouth. “It seems you’ve found out quite a lot. Did you come to confirm the truth from me?”

“It’s just surprising that someone like you, who’s lived so promiscuously, caught the eye of such a particular man like Dimus.”

“I don’t know where this certainty of promiscuity comes from.”

“Oh? Didn’t you try to seduce the eldest son at your previous job and get kicked out for it? And they say you were involved with a male teacher at the house where you currently work.”

Since when had her past become such widely shared gossip? It might not have been difficult for people in power to dig into the background of a commoner woman, but hearing a stranger bring up her past, which she wanted to forget, made her stomach churn.

And the next statement was even worse.

If by her current workplace, Luzia meant the Pendence estate, then was she implying there was a scandal there?

Liv mulled over Luzia’s incomprehensible words, and then suddenly sighed. Now that she thought about it, Baron Pendence and his wife were well aware of Camille’s interest in Liv.

Ah, that must have turned into a new rumor as it spread. Liv lowered her gaze gloomily, feeling a faint sense of resentment toward Camille. Even though she knew it wasn’t entirely his fault, she couldn’t help it.

Furthermore, she felt a surge of defiance toward Luzia, who belittled her so easily. Despite knowing how vastly superior her opponent was, Liv couldn’t bring herself to respond politely.

“It seems the Malte family doesn’t teach refined speech.”

“Refined speech is only used when the person is worth it. Those beneath us can’t understand refined words if we don’t speak down to their level.”

Luzia’s eyes narrowed as she smiled brightly. Liv’s meek defiance seemed to have no impact on her at all.

“So there’s no need for you to act so reserved. I’ve seen all sorts of mistresses in my life. Although, you’re the first mistress of Dimus I’ve ever met.”

There wasn’t any special device in the carriage, yet Liv’s lips kept drying. She wet her lips with her tongue and looked calmly at Luzia.

“Is what you’re curious about the secret of how I caught Dimus’s eye?”

“That’s right.”

“Why should I tell you that?”

“…What?”

Luzia’s eyes widened in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected such a response. Staring blankly at Luzia, Liv recalled the Marquis’s words.

He had said he wouldn’t invite anyone to the house where he had slept with her. Luzia was a guest who had not received an invitation from the Marquis. Unlike Liv. It meant that even to the Marquis, Luzia wasn’t worth that much.

After a moment of silence, Luzia smoothed her expression into a smile.

“How foolish of you. You must not know what kind of relationship I have with Dimus.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Malte, but as far as I know, you haven’t been invited to Lord Dimus’s house.”

For the first time, Luzia’s face lost its perpetual arrogance. Her expression turned cold, drastically different from the spoiled rich girl’s demeanor she’d worn just moments before. Perhaps this cold expression was the real Luzia.

“You speak quite boldly. Are you acting this way because you think Dimus will protect you?”

“He seems to appreciate my straightforwardness,” Liv replied plainly.

Luzia, narrowing her eyes, scanned Liv with an emotionless gaze before speaking in a dry tone, “I have no interest in becoming jealous over a mere mistress. No matter how much attention you’re getting from him now, his interest will soon fade. After all, that is inevitable.”

It seemed that she wasn’t merely referring to Dimus’s fickle nature. Liv found herself unconsciously ruminating on Luzia’s words.

“…It will end soon?”

“Dimus isn’t the kind of man to throw his life away for a woman. He’s bound to grow tired of country life soon.”

There was clearly something else at play that Liv didn’t know about. What could it be?

Suddenly, Million’s words about romantic love came to mind. The relationship between the famous, recently broken-off engagement of Duchess Malte and the unmarried Marquis Dietrion.

It probably wasn’t as romantic as Million imagined. But since the word “relationship” had come from Luzia’s mouth, it was clear they were entangled in some way.

Luzia’s sudden visit to Buerno was also likely related to that.

Liv had repeatedly told the Marquis that she wanted to know more about him. And each time, he had ignored her words.

That was a realm Liv had no access to.

“If it’s ending, I will hear it directly from him.”

Luzia might be right. Liv now realized that “the end” could come as soon as tomorrow. She had gotten drunk on the Marquis’s generosity and small acts of care, foolishly trying to grow accustomed to this life.

Perhaps she should never have made an effort in the first place.

“How foolish. Then again, it’s probably why you’ve ended up embroiled in such a scandal.”

Liv clenched her teeth and took a deep breath. She understood everything about Luzia’s words and attitude. But just because she was a mistress destined to be discarded didn’t mean she deserved this mockery.

“I still don’t see why I should answer your questions. If you want to catch his eye, make an effort on your own.”

“Do you think I’m asking because I need to win Dimus over?”

A faint sneer appeared on Luzia’s otherwise expressionless face.

“I don’t need to hear your answer. As I guessed, it’s all about what happens at night. The only reason I called you here was out of curiosity. If you’ve been dishonorably discharged and ended up here, you should’ve kept a low profile, but I heard you got involved in some cheap scandal.”

Dishonorable discharge?

Liv stiffened, surprised by the unexpected term, and Luzia let out a short, incredulous laugh.

“Ha, telling me to put in effort?”

With a flourish, Luzia’s fan snapped open. Leaning back casually, she fanned herself as she spoke, “You’re fearless, which makes you interesting. With that kind of sharp wit, it wouldn’t be boring to have you around. It’s a shame you’re Dimus’s mistress.”

Luzia even chuckled softly, as if it were truly amusing.

“Since you’ve amused me, let me offer you some advice as a reward. Dimus will soon leave country life behind. Make sure to get as much as you can from him before it’s too late.”

Her voice was surprisingly gentle.

“You didn’t expect to stay by his side forever either, did you?”

As Luzia watched Liv remain silent, she opened the carriage door herself.

“Did you say someone was waiting for you?”

Pointing her chin towards the slightly open door, Luzia smiled.

“You may go.”