Odalisque - Chapter 96

Dimus felt the prominent curve of Liv’s spine beneath his hand, the raised vertebrae and the distinct outlines of her ribs under her soft breasts. The hollow of her collarbone was also more pronounced, and even when he pushed against her lower body, he could feel the hardness of her skeletal structure.

“Why…”

Liv questioned, her voice strained, when Dimus suddenly stopped moving. She released her hold on his neck, using both hands to cup his face, their eyes locking.

Her green eyes glistened with moisture, making them shine more than usual, reflecting his face as if they were mirrors. For the first time, Dimus looked at his reflection through her gaze—a familiar face twisted, with no trace of composure, like a foolish, lovestruck adolescent.

When had he started losing his rationality in front of her?

As an unfamiliar emotion welled up from the depths of his chest, Liv leaned up with effort and kissed him, instantly obliterating what little control he had left. He withdrew his hips only to thrust forward deeply.

“Ah!”

The force of his thrusts made their flesh slap together, the wet sound resonating alongside the creaking of the desk as droplets splattered, leaving a trail on both the desk and floor.

“Ahn, ah!”

With each deep thrust, pressing into the farthest part of her belly, Liv’s moans grew louder. Usually, she held back her sounds in her throat, but today she gave herself fully to the pleasure, moaning freely. She paid no heed to how her raised voice only made Dimus’s movements grow more intense.

“It’s so deep, ah, too much!”

Dimus moved with such force that the heavy desk began to rattle. The few remaining items on it fell to the floor. Gritting his teeth, Dimus grabbed Liv’s waist, which had been inching away from him, and pulled her back down. The thick length that had partially slipped out plunged back in with force. Liv’s moans were mixed with sobs as the overwhelming pleasure seemed to converge entirely in her core.

“Khh…”

Feeling the soft ridges of her inner walls tightening around him, Dimus released deep inside her. Almost at the same time, Liv reached her peak, her body trembling as she twisted beneath him, but Dimus held her tightly, not allowing the slightest distance between their joined bodies.

Even after spilling his seed, Dimus continued to press the tip of himself deep within her, his eyes lifting to see the red marks left on her skin wherever he had gripped her.

“Mmm…”

Her chest, drenched in sweat, rose and fell continuously. Her nipples, stiff and aroused, caught his eye, tempting him like ripe fruit.

An almost primal urge washed over him—he wanted to take them into his mouth, to taste the sweetness he imagined. Just as he was about to give in to his impulse, Liv spoke, her voice breathy and soft.

“Today, ah… I was dismissed from my position.”

Her gaze was languid, perhaps due to the afterglow of their intimacy. The way she looked at him was unfocused, her eyes half-lidded.

“…So I thought I might spend some time with Corida.”

Was this her roundabout way of asking not to be summoned for a while?

Dimus narrowed his eyes. Liv’s smile seemed to falter, perhaps noticing his displeasure.

“You said before that protecting someone too closely isn’t a good way to raise them. I need to help Corida become independent, just as you said.”

Her voice was gentle and composed as she continued, “There are many events happening in Buerno these days, and I think it’s a good opportunity to make some memories together.”

If Liv had indeed decided to help her sister become independent, it made sense that she wanted to create lasting memories before that happened.

Corida had been too frail to go out until now, so it was natural for Liv to want to make happy memories while she could. And now, Buerno was bustling with festivities to welcome the Cardinal, with all sorts of events taking place.

But Liv’s situation was not ideal for freely enjoying those festivities.

“Didn’t you say you were concerned about others’ eyes on you?”

Dimus remembered how drained Liv had been after just one visit to the opera.

And now, after that trash painting had been briefly displayed, she would be the focus of even more inappropriate attention. Yet, she wanted to go out in public with her beloved sister?

“There are many visitors in the city these days. If I cover my face well and keep my identity hidden, I think it will be alright.”

Liv, who had been smiling awkwardly, suddenly reached out, her sticky hand carefully brushing aside the damp hair on his forehead.

“The carriage you’ve provided for me is quite recognizable, Marquis. So, for now, I think it would be better to use an ordinary one—something cheap, like everyone else uses. If I’m cautious, it should be fine.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“I don’t want Corida to hear the rumors about me, Marquis.”

It was such a simple and understandable request from her perspective.

“I’m going to end up living in this mansion anyway. So can’t you give me one last chance to spend time freely with my sister?”

Dimus found himself holding his breath without realizing it. Hearing Liv speak about moving into the mansion herself was startling.

He had always planned to bring her into this mansion, and he was determined to make it happen. Yet hearing her say it herself, it felt strangely unfamiliar. Though it was an unexpected shock, it wasn’t unpleasant—instead, it filled him with a thrilling satisfaction.

Perhaps misinterpreting his silence, Liv’s smile faded slightly, her lips moving faintly as she spoke.

“Please.”

A wave of heat spread through his body, as if there were a fire smoldering deep inside. The length still buried inside her twitched, regaining its firmness.

Liv seemed to sense the change, letting out a pained moan. She pressed her thumb to Dimus’s lips, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Dimus bent over her, capturing her lips in a consuming kiss. As Liv parted her lips, letting his tongue in, she ran her nails down his arm, clenching around him. The wet walls that had begun to dry grew slick again, urging his movement.

Dimus, pulling away from the kiss, willingly complied. Unlike his hurried movements from earlier, he now moved slowly and deliberately, drawing a gasp from Liv with each thrust. Her flushed eyes gradually grew wetter.

“Just for a few days… I want to spend time with Corida. So, please, don’t be angry if I can’t respond to your call right away.”

Not only did she want to be without his carriage and driver, but she also hoped Dimus wouldn’t summon her for a while.

He found himself questioning whether all of that was truly necessary, but since she was asking for some final time to make memories, he decided he could afford to be lenient—especially since she had promised to come live in the mansion.

With a frown, Dimus finally responded.

“…Fine.”

Hearing his answer, Liv’s eyes widened, and soon after, she smiled, her eyes softening.

“Thank you for understanding.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding in a cautious tone.

“Dimus.”

Hearing his name from her lips felt like an unexpected reward, like praise for something well done.

Dimus swallowed, pulling her into his arms.

The desk in the office shook for a long time once again.

***

Liv and Corida began traveling around using the common shared carriages that were the most popular in Buerno, instead of the black carriage they had previously used.

With their hoods pulled low, dressed plainly as they used to, Liv and Corida wandered the streets. Several of Dimus’s men, following his orders, stayed close behind them. When the sisters were swept up in a crowd at a large event, it was sometimes hard to keep sight of their target.

However, perhaps due to Corida’s stamina, their outings were never very long. The sisters always returned home before sunset, and in the evening, Corida’s excited voice could be heard echoing beyond the courtyard wall, recounting their day.

Hearing the report, Dimus thought it would be better to clear the places Liv and Corida visited. As a result, the men who had simply been following the sisters now had additional tasks—removing anyone who might recognize Liv.

Though they briefly lost sight of the sisters a few times, it was always in Buerno, and the outings were never long enough to cause serious concern.

And so, on the fifth day,

The sisters did not return home.