Odalisque - Chapter 93

Buerno was abuzz with excitement over the Cardinal’s visit, but Liv’s house remained quiet.

Despite the minor disagreement at the restaurant, nothing had changed in her relationship with the Marquis. He still summoned her often, desired her body, and frequently encouraged her to stay overnight.

However, whether the Marquis had given instructions or not, Adolf no longer spent time alone with Corida, and it didn’t seem like he said strange things to Corida when Liv wasn’t looking. Judging by Corida’s reaction—well, maybe nothing had actually changed, but Corida was now cautious about what she said around Liv. Corida could tell, after all, which words might hurt her sister.

In the grand scheme of things, life hadn’t changed much. But Liv no longer trusted anything. She no longer harbored the ridiculous delusion that great fortune had appeared in her life.

She no longer anxiously sought the Marquis’s attention, nor did she strive to learn more about him.

Instead, she simply maintained the obedient attitude that he wanted from her. For some reason, the Marquis seemed displeased by this attitude of Liv’s, but she found it puzzling. After all, it was he who had wanted her to be like a delicate flower.

It didn’t matter.

All of Liv’s attention was focused solely on Corida’s health. Fortunately, the new medicine suited Corida well, and now, even if she got hurt, she no longer bled excessively. She had gained weight, appearing plump and healthy.

The only regret Liv had was that she couldn’t take Corida out. There were still rumors circulating about her, and she couldn’t bring herself to go out in public with Corida.

Liv had hoped that the Cardinal’s visit might alleviate things, but sadly, the gossip about her seemed to be treated as a separate matter. In fact, it seemed to have intensified.

Proof of this was the serious expression on Baroness Pendence’s face, whom Liv was now facing.

“It’s been a while, Teacher Rodaise.”

They were in a private room at an upscale coffeehouse in Buerno. The Baroness had reserved the place unilaterally, and from the setting alone, it was clear that she had no intention of having anyone see her meeting with Liv.

“Yes, it’s been some time. But aren’t you busy with recent guests at your estate, Baroness? If you had contacted me, I could’ve come to your residence.”

At Liv’s composed words, Baroness Pendence’s expression turned awkward.

Did she mean that the rumors were so bad Liv couldn’t even enter the mansion? If that was the case, perhaps Liv should be grateful that the Baroness was even willing to meet her one last time.

“Teacher Rodaise, I’m well aware of how hard you’ve worked to teach our Million all this time. Million also relied on you a great deal. I’m truly grateful.”

Baroness Pendence, apparently seeing no need to extend the formalities, got straight to the point.

It was, to some extent, a conversation Liv had anticipated. She had sensed it the day Million and Corida’s appointment had been canceled.

Ah, so it ends like this.

“With the Cardinal visiting Buerno, I don’t want to cause any disturbances.”

“I understand.”

Liv nodded silently, and Baroness Pendence pressed her lips into a firm line. Looking at her cup with a troubled expression, she let out a sigh.

“I tried to watch quietly and decide carefully. After all, you aren’t like the person the rumors make you out to be. But I can’t let this continue any longer. It seems to be having a negative impact on Million.”

“Yes, I understand completely… but could you at least let me say goodbye to Million one last time?”

Liv understood that she couldn’t continue teaching Million. However, given the time they had spent together, shouldn’t she at least say her farewells in person?

At Liv’s request, Baroness Pendence gave a reluctant shake of her head.

“I was too embarrassed to bring it up, but I saw a painting on my way here today—by chance. I was shocked. After seeing that, I can’t let you meet Million.”

“A painting?”

“Yes.”

Baroness Pendence narrowed her eyes as she looked at Liv’s expression.

“You don’t know?”

Liv blinked rapidly, her lips parting slightly. Her mind was gradually turning blank.

“What painting… are you referring to?”

“The outdoor exhibition that started today.”

Now that she thought about it, she vaguely remembered. Camille had mentioned that there would be an outdoor exhibition near the art museum to commemorate the Cardinal’s visit.

But what did that have to do with her? What kind of painting could possibly be there?

Liv’s already pale complexion turned even more ashen. A chill ran down her spine.

***

Liv didn’t even know how she managed to say her goodbyes to Baroness Pendence. The Baroness had subtly advised her to cover her face if she decided to go to the outdoor exhibition.

All the way to the exhibition, Liv’s palms were damp with cold sweat. Even though she didn’t want to, countless anxious thoughts filled her mind.

A painting related to her—there was only one that came to Liv’s mind.

The nude painted by Brad.

But all of Brad’s nudes belonged to the Marquis. A man as obsessively possessive and fastidious as the Marquis would never have sold the nude now, of all times.

As Liv anxiously fidgeted with her skirt on her lap, the carriage finally arrived at the exhibition. She pulled her bonnet down as far as it would go before stepping out of the carriage.

In the wide open space in front of the museum, wooden easels stood at even intervals. One spot, in particular, had drawn a large crowd, and Liv instinctively knew that was where the painting mentioned by Baroness Pendence was displayed.

With a stiff expression, Liv strode over.

“…Could someone paint that without seeing it in person?”

“I saw her measurements when they were taken, and it looks about right.”

The women, who were whispering to each other, flinched and stepped back when they saw Liv. Without even looking at them, Liv pushed her way through the crowd. Some people muttered irritably as they were jostled, but upon seeing Liv’s face beneath her bonnet, they quietly stepped back. Thanks to that, Liv managed to reach the painting with little trouble.

“It’s just shameful.”

A woman standing beside Liv clicked her tongue, muttering under her breath, but stopped when she noticed Liv. However, Liv paid no attention to her reaction. Her gaze was fixed on the canvas, displayed without a frame.

It was a nude painting of a woman’s back.

As if to expose exactly what had just happened, her body was depicted with splotchy bruises, while luxurious ornaments lay scattered around her.

The slightly turned profile wasn’t distinct enough to identify the subject, but the upturned corners of her mouth hinted at something provocative.

The rough brushstrokes and the vaguely familiar form.

This was the very painting Brad had worked on at the Marquis’s mansion. And yet, at the same time, it wasn’t Brad’s painting.

For one, the profile was new. The original work had only depicted the back, without those bruises on the body. The ornaments in the background were also unfamiliar. It seemed as though someone had added to Brad’s unfinished painting. Naturally, it had a different atmosphere from the other nudes Brad had painted.

And yet, the model in the painting was unmistakably Liv.

…This nude was of Liv Rodaise, the mistress of Dimus Dietrion.

“Teacher!”

A desperate voice called out behind her as Liv stared blankly at the painting. Suddenly, someone grabbed her firmly and turned her around.

It was Camille, his forehead glistening with sweat, breathing heavily as if he had run. A few men followed closely behind him.

“I’m sorry, but this painting is not for exhibition.”

“Please step back.”

As the men moved to remove the painting, someone complained irritably, asking why they were taking it down when it was such a good piece. The loud protest seemed to pull Liv out of her daze.

“Let’s move somewhere else for now.”

Camille took hold of Liv’s arm and led her away. People continued to watch them, but no one stepped in their way.

***

The rumors about her promiscuity will only grow worse now.

It was a thought that occurred to Liv after she had stopped walking, like someone under a spell. Yet her emotions were calm. She felt no worry, anxiety, or fear.

Liv glanced down at the arm Camille was holding and looked around. They had entered what seemed to be a storage area. Multiple easels were piled up, tins of paint were stored all over, and boxes, likely filled with art supplies, were stacked here and there. It appeared to be a warehouse set up near the museum.

“Teacher Rodaise, are you alright?”

“…Yes.”

Despite Camille’s concerned gaze, Liv felt strangely serene. It was such an eerie calm that even she found it odd.