Odalisque - Chapter 94

“The painting has been removed. It wasn’t initially agreed upon, but today it was suddenly added.”

“I see.”

“We are also looking for the person who submitted the painting. The Marquis Dietrion must have heard the news by now, and he won’t sit still. Whoever did it, they’ve done something they can’t handle.”

“Is that so?”

“…Are you really okay, Teacher?”

Liv, who had been staring blankly into the air, slowly blinked and looked up.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

It was a voice that seemed perfectly fine to her, yet Camille’s face darkened even further. He glanced toward the warehouse door, hesitated for a moment, and asked cautiously.

“Did you perhaps not see the painting properly earlier?”

“If you mean the nude painting, I saw it.”

Camille closed his mouth as if at a loss for words. Liv, who had been quietly watching him, spoke plainly, “It was you who called the staff, wasn’t it? Thank you for removing the painting, Teacher Marcel.”

Camille, who had been silent with a complex expression, wiped his face with his hands.

“…I was also present when we selected the works to be used for the outdoor exhibition. I came today for the start of the exhibition to check, and when I found it, I immediately called the staff. I should have removed it sooner….”

He seemed embarrassed, perhaps even feeling guilty. Either way, his reaction was something Liv appreciated. It was even a little amusing.

Liv, who had been looking at Camille with an enigmatic expression, turned her gaze to the door.

By now, would the Marquis have heard that she was with Camille? He had told her not to associate with him, so surely he would be angry upon hearing the news. And since he must have also heard about the painting, he might be doubly furious.

But even if he got angry, would that stop the whispers outside?

“There must be a lot of talk about me in social circles these days, right?”

When Liv asked in a calm voice, Camille looked up in surprise, and when their eyes met, he flinched and froze.

“Teacher Marcel, you’re well-versed in gossip, aren’t you? So you must know.”

“That…”

Camille couldn’t bring himself to answer, but his attitude was the most certain answer of all.

“After today, I suppose I’ll become even more famous.”

As the Marquis desired, she was now in a position where she had to quietly hole up at home, playing the part of a pretty statue. Liv let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

If the shameful rumors about her isolated Liv, the Marquis would likely be pleased more than anyone. Wasn’t it even possible that the whispers tormenting her were orchestrated by the Marquis himself? He certainly seemed like someone capable of that.

Hadn’t he said he wanted to lock her up?

But if he locked her up and admired her until he lost interest, then what? Once he lost his interest, he would withdraw all his care without hesitation, as if nothing had ever happened. Then, she would be left alone in a cold basement, staring endlessly at a door that might never open.

And if the Marquis really did, as Lady Malte had said, leave behind this country life and seek his honor once more?

What would become of me, abandoned and desolate?

“I’m curious about one thing. What is the relationship between Marquis Dietrion and Lady Malte?”

Camille, looking flustered by the sudden question, slowly parted his lips.

“…I understand that they were once engaged to be married. But it was more of a political arrangement than a relationship based on affection. It seems the Marquis is also connected to Cardinal Calliope.”

Not only Lady Malte, but also Cardinal Calliope.

Great names like that being mentioned so casually only made them feel less real to her. All she could think was that, being involved with such grand people, it made sense that nothing had ever been explained to her.

He had said that it was as natural as water flowing downhill, that connections required people to be on the same level.

No matter how rough his life had been, resulting in those scars, in the end, he was a rose blooming loftily out of her reach. And she was the fool who had clumsily reached out to touch that rose, only to tumble into a thornbush.

“I’ve just been dismissed from the Pendence.”

“Ah… I’m sorry to hear that.”

“So, you mentioned that I could ask for help if I needed it.”

Liv looked Camille straight in the eye, a faint smile on her lips.

“It may be shameless, but could I ask for your help?”

I’m sorry, Corida.

I tried to hold on until you were fully recovered, but I can’t do it anymore.

***

Since the conversation at the restaurant, Dimus’s relationship with Liv had changed.

On the surface, it seemed the same, but Dimus instinctively sensed a subtle shift. He could do nothing but watch, as there was nothing concrete to blame.

Meanwhile, the constant news about Cardinal Calliope had also been putting him on edge. The voices praising the Cardinal from all directions, his presence in Buerno providing free services, the upcoming meeting with the Cardinal—it all irritated him.

And then this incident happened, and there was no way he could take it quietly.

Thud!

Roman, who had been kicked in the shin, gritted his teeth and endured the pain. He quickly steadied himself but was kicked again, causing him to stagger.

It was a mistake with no room for excuses, and Roman endured Dimus’s fury in silence. Of course, Roman’s endurance did nothing to reduce Dimus’s anger.

Lashing out at Roman wouldn’t solve anything, and after breathing heavily, Dimus gritted his teeth and gave his orders.

“Find every person involved in this immediately.”

“Understood.”

Roman bowed deeply. Adolf, who was standing pale-faced nearby, hurriedly led Roman out of the office.

It wouldn’t take long to find the culprit, nor would it be difficult to exact revenge. But dealing with problems only after they erupted wasn’t Dimus’s way.

Maybe he should have brought the painting to the Langess mansion from the start.

Dimus, seated with a cold expression, irritably drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair. His gaze fell on the easel placed beside him.

On the easel hung the crude, awful painting that Brad had started and some unknown painter had finished. The vile intent behind it was blatantly apparent.

Even though it was unfinished, the nude model was clearly Liv, and the vulgar additions painted over it disgusted him. He felt an urge to rip it to shreds.

“Master, Miss Rodaise is here.”

Philip’s voice came from outside the door. Without waiting for a response, the door opened, and Liv quietly entered the office.

She approached Dimus but suddenly stopped, having spotted the painting.

“…It was just at the outdoor exhibition a moment ago.”

Dimus finally looked at her, hearing her mutter to herself. Her face was calm as she gazed at the painting.

Was that calmness because she had already seen the painting once before?

He had heard that it was Camille who had brought Liv out from the exhibition. As one of those responsible for reviewing the exhibits, it seemed Camille had been present there.

How could he have reviewed it so poorly that such a filthy piece was displayed? There was not a single thing about that man that Dimus liked.

“If you had taken the carriage I sent, you would have arrived before the painting did.”

“I received help from Teacher Marcel, and I was thanking him, so I was late. Didn’t you hear?”

Of course, he had heard. Thanks to that, Roman had spent even longer being beaten.

What kind of gratitude required such an extended conversation? Dimus was displeased, but he chose not to press Liv, who had already been shocked.

Despite his displeasure, he had to acknowledge that Camille’s quick action had been helpful this time.

“…We will find those involved soon enough.”

“Alright.”

“We can’t burn that trash immediately because we need it for the court.”

“Court?”

“Public humiliation is necessary to stop others from talking recklessly.”

While Dimus did not shy away from violent resolutions, sometimes completely destroying someone socially was more effective. This was one of those times.

“But even so, we can’t erase the memory of everyone who saw the painting.”

“It will serve as a warning. It won’t take long, so refrain from going out in the meantime.”

“…By the way, the painting was originally kept at your mansion, Marquis. How did it get leaked?”

For a moment, Dimus found himself at a loss for words. He felt like an incompetent master who couldn’t even control his own servants. And indeed, that wasn’t entirely incorrect.

The rage that had momentarily subsided boiled up again.

Had he been too complacent lately? Unlike the past, he no longer needed to tightly manage his staff, and he had grown lax as a result.

“You didn’t deliberately release it, did you?”