Odalisque - Chapter 90

Adolf had told Liv that they couldn’t keep protecting Corida forever, and that she should actively seek treatment for her with a good doctor. He mentioned that the Marquis would surely be able to find an excellent physician, and later added…

“What if your sister recovers?”

“If your sister becomes healthy enough to leave your side, I mean.”

“Since you want her to be healthy, you must also consider this possibility.”

Yes, he had said something like that. It was the first time Liv had considered Corida’s independence.

Corida was now much healthier compared to before, even able to go outside. With the new medication, she might soon be nearly fully recovered, just as Thierry had predicted. The healthy Corida would want to meet more people and dream of exploring the wider world. She was a curious and cheerful girl.

Adolf, who had grown close to Corida, likely knew this as well.

Liv, who had been standing idly, glanced at the reception room and slowly moved. She headed to Corida’s room.

After getting their own rooms, the sisters had spent more private time apart. When Corida stayed in her room, Liv no longer knew what she was up to. Unlike the past, where a mere turn of the head let her see her sister, now a door stood between them.

Standing by the doorway, Liv looked around the room. One corner of the neatly arranged room had a small desk. Liv strode towards it. Proof of Corida’s busy correspondence lately—neatly placed ink and stationery—lay on the desk. Liv opened the top drawer and found a bundle of letters.

They were letters from Cyril. She opened the top envelope, revealing round, neat handwriting.

It began with the usual greetings, talking about daily life, hobbies, and then…

Liv, who had been quickly skimming through personal matters, suddenly stopped at one part. It mentioned her.

Cyril wrote that he understood Corida’s concerns and that if Liv had indeed fallen in love, Corida, as her sister, should support her wholeheartedly. The letter then discussed ways to study abroad in Mazurkan.

Cyril was a reading friend Adolf had introduced to Corida.

Liv folded the letter and placed it back into the envelope. She closed the drawer and quietly left the room, heading towards the reception room. Gently opening the door, she saw Thierry checking on Corida’s condition with a serious demeanor.

Thierry, who appeared to have great pride, didn’t seem the type to play around when it came to Corida’s health. It truly seemed she intended to make Corida well again.

Adolf, who spoke of Corida’s independence, and Cyril, who encouraged her to study abroad in Mazurkan.

It was hard to believe there wasn’t any intent behind it all.

Adolf was a man who acted on the Marquis’s orders.

“Your sister is old enough to manage alone, isn’t she?”

The Marquis had recently encouraged Liv to stay out more often, as if wanting to practice separating from Corida.

If Adolf had an agenda, it must have aligned with the Marquis’s will. But why? If the Marquis wanted to distance her from Corida, what was his motive?

What on earth did he want from her?

Liv’s thoughts, tangled and confused, abruptly ceased when the reception room door opened, and Thierry stepped out.

“Fortunately, the prognosis is very good. The new medication is working well, so if you continue taking it regularly, you’ll see results soon. Keep your body moving, even if it’s just a light walk outside. You need to get sunlight and exercise to regain your strength.”

“Yes, I understand!”

“As for diet… well, you seem to be eating well enough now.”

Thierry nodded as she looked at Corida before turning her gaze to Liv.

“Now, Miss Rodaise, it’s your turn for an examination.”

“I don’t need one.”

“The Marquis ordered me to check on your condition.”

“I’m fine.”

Liv took a step back. Thierry raised her eyebrows in surprise at her unexpectedly firm refusal.

She knew that Liv usually displayed compliance regarding the Marquis.

Realizing her stern refusal must have seemed strange, Liv quickly added, “I’m recovering. No fever, and everything else is fine.”

Thierry looked unconvinced. However, since the person in question vehemently shook her head, she couldn’t force her to comply.

“…Alright then. If that’s the case, I’ll leave some antipyretics and cold medicine just in case. Use them if you need to.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank the Marquis. This is the first time he’s taken such interest in anyone.”

At that moment, what came to Liv’s mind was the basement of Langess Mansion. The space so secluded that even Philip, the head butler, couldn’t enter it. The deepest place in the mansion, holding every beautiful nude artwork in the world, all for the eyes of a single viewer.

Liv realized it. He wanted to place her there now. To become a statue isolated from the world, existing solely for him.

“Since the examination’s over, I’ll be on my way.”

Thierry, with a cold expression, picked up her medical bag and moved towards the exit.

“Thank you for coming all the way here. Take care, Dr. Gertrude.”

“…Since you’ve refused an examination, I’ll let it go for now, but you should rest more. You don’t look well.”

Leaving that troubling remark, Thierry departed, while Corida approached Liv with a concerned expression.

“Sister, are you alright? Are you feeling worse again?”

“Corida.”

“Yes?”

“I need to apologize first. I read your letters while checking on something.”

“…What?”

“So, I can’t avoid asking—do you want to study abroad in Mazurkan?”

Corida, who had been looking up at Liv in confusion, widened her eyes. She blinked rapidly in surprise, then stammered, “Oh, well, um, that’s…”

“Please be honest. If you want independence, I won’t be angry. If you’ve been holding back out of consideration for me…”

“No! I’d never do that!”

“Then what’s this talk of studying abroad?”

“It’s just…”

Corida, hesitant and avoiding Liv’s gaze, cautiously spoke up, “I also want to become a craftsman like our parents, so I was looking into how to study without it being a burden.”

“Is going abroad on a scholarship that way?”

“Well, everyone else says that’s how they study…”

Liv gazed at Corida silently. Her mind was a mess, and it was difficult to define her emotions. She felt bewildered and dumbfounded by how meticulously this plan to separate Corida from her was being orchestrated. She even felt a strange sense of betrayal. If she hadn’t found out now…

And yet, when she thought of Corida becoming healthier and being able to study as she wished, she wasn’t sure if she could honestly resent it.

When she thought about it, the sense of betrayal and anger bubbling within her crumbled into an awful feeling of helplessness.

“Sister?”

“…I just don’t have the ability…”

The ability to even qualify for being angry in this situation.

Words she couldn’t bring herself to say piled up, pressing down on her heart. Liv, who had been opening and closing her mouth, eventually turned away without saying much more.

The only thing the Marquis wanted was Liv herself. He must be trying to rid himself of Corida. From the start, he disliked anything cumbersome and messy and had no qualms about removing obstacles.

If Liv was to enter his beautiful gallery, she had to be just like that, regardless of what Corida meant to her.

“I’m going to rest for a while.”

What had she lived so diligently for until now? All it took was selling her cheap pride to gain someone’s attention, and everything resolved so easily.

“Sister, sister! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Corida. I’ll feel better after some rest. I’m sorry for reading your letter.”

“No, it—it’s fine. I should apologize for not telling you earlier. But I haven’t decided to study abroad! I just heard it was an option!”

“Alright.”

“I’m serious! I don’t want to go overseas by myself!”

Liv, who was about to enter her room, stopped at Corida’s outburst. She remained silent for a moment before turning halfway to look at Corida. Corida’s eyes were red.

“How could I live without you, sister…”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as Corida, struggling to hold back her sobs, finally let them fall.

“I’m sorry, sister. I know I ruined your life… I’ve been too selfish…”

“What are you saying, Corida? My life isn’t ruined because of you. Don’t say things like that.”

Liv sternly denied Corida’s words. But Corida looked far from comforted. Instead, her face twisted, and she began to cry even harder.

“Sister, you should be living your own life… but you’ve been stuck taking care of a sick little sister, unable to live freely, just working all the time…”

It was true that Corida had always worried about Liv in various ways, but this reaction seemed excessive. Liv, sensing something was wrong, approached Corida with a serious expression.

“Why are you suddenly saying things like this? I’ve never felt held back by you.”

“I’m not a child anymore! Uncle Adolf said he could connect me with a good sponsor, so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“…You had that conversation with Mr. Adolf in the study? He told you that you’d ruined my life?”

Perhaps feeling the anger in Liv’s voice, Corida shivered.