Odalisque - Chapter 98

“I have no intention of cooperating.”

“…Even so, living like this doesn’t look good.”

A deep wrinkle formed on Calliope’s forehead. It seemed he had also wandered around Buerno and met various people, hearing the rumors about Dimus that were circulating in the city.

“Living a life of luxury with a mistress, like any other debauched noble…”

Calliope spoke with a voice that held nothing back, clearly conveying his displeasure. It was reminiscent of the solemn voice he’d used earlier in the vast chapel to recite the Blessing Prayer.

Dimus muttered with a bored expression, “Ah, is it time for a confession now?”

“These weren’t given to you so you could live like this.”

Given to him? The things Dimus possessed now, whether it was money or an empty title, hadn’t been “given” by anyone. He had merely received compensation for what he’d lost. Therefore, he felt no debt to Cardinal Calliope—not even for the support provided during his adolescence.

The wayward indulgence in his youth had merely resulted in consequences that needed managing. Why should Dimus be grateful for it? The Cardinal had simply taken control of his own weaknesses before anyone else could notice, exerting his influence over them.

And yet, here he was, acting as if there had been some noble purpose behind it all. It was ridiculous.

“Those were given to you so that you would wait for the right time, to teach you patience.”

“What ‘right time’?”

A smirk tugged at the corners of Dimus’s lips.

“Even if you become the Gratia, your son will never be able to walk proudly.”

The vow of celibacy taken by the clergy is both sacred and noble. No matter what happens, Cardinal Calliope, beloved by believers worldwide, will never reveal his sole, absolute weakness.

The blood that flows through Dimus’s veins will be denied forever.

“Before God, blood ties are insignificant. One can live a gloriously fulfilling life even without them.”

Dimus, rolling the cigar between his fingers, tilted his head. As their conversation stretched on, he felt growing boredom and irritation.

In truth, he’d felt uneasy since the morning. His mood had been off since he awoke. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t seen Liv in several days. Though she had asked not to be summoned, he hadn’t expected to feel so on edge because of it.

“What I’m asking is why my life isn’t glorious right now…”

Growing tired of his own sarcasm, Dimus clicked his tongue, a cold expression crossing his face.

“Your Eminence seems quite hard of hearing. Or perhaps your comprehension has declined with age?”

“I once thought you were a child with great ambition.”

“I still am.”

Dimus responded nonchalantly before taking another drag from his cigar.

“No need to be disappointed. I resemble you more than you might think.”

Unfortunately, there was no ashtray in sight—just a teacup filled with lukewarm tea.

“If it’s Malte, there won’t be any problems, so there’s no need to try and piece together the torn proposal.”

Stephan Zighilt was a coward, trembling even when dealing with his own fiancée, afraid of making any mistakes. He was truly a pathetic man. If one were to judge based on sheer courage alone, Luzia would be a better match. All Stephan had were feelings of inferiority and defeat.

So, he sought comfort in extensive investigations. Of course, Malte was part of that list. And it was all carried out by Dimus.

That meant every backdoor deal done in Stephan’s name was actually carried out by Dimus.

“I didn’t leave empty-handed. I had access to plenty of information.”

“…How much?”

“Are you curious?”

Dimus’s lips curled slightly. Though Cardinal Calliope maintained a composed expression, Dimus could clearly see his eyes light up momentarily.

His appearance at the time of discharge had resembled that of a beaten dog—no wonder Calliope believed he had lived powerlessly in hiding. Considering where Dimus’s blood came from, he should have known Dimus wouldn’t simply endure.

Dimus shook off the emotions tied to unwanted memories as he stood up.

“As long as you don’t touch me, I have no intention of bothering you. So, from now on, you should just lose interest in me.”

Dimus dropped his cigar into the teacup. Since he had barely touched the tea, the cup was full, and the thick cigar caused the liquid to spill over.

“It’s a very simple principle, so I trust I don’t need to explain it further.”

The tea, now filled with ashes, spilled across the table. Glancing at it, Dimus thought absentmindedly.

It seemed he, too, had reached his limit, just like the spilled tea. Liv had asked him not to call on her, but that wasn’t a reason to avoid seeing her.

He needed to see her immediately.

The sky was bathed in the light of the setting sun by the time Dimus finished his conversation with the Cardinal and arrived in front of Liv’s house.

According to recent reports, Liv and Corida, who had gone out, should be returning home soon. Dimus stared at the neat, modest house visible through the carriage window and let out a deep sigh.

His fingertips itched. It felt like an eternity since he’d last been satisfied by merely watching Liv from afar. He wanted to stroke that soft, pale skin, to delve into her delicate flesh. He wanted to feel her hands tenderly caressing his scarred body.

Even if he couldn’t take her back to the mansion, surely he could have his way with her in the carriage. Dimus imagined how Liv would greet him.

If he suggested doing it at her home, she would be horrified and hurriedly climb into the carriage. Such a small house wouldn’t be able to conceal their sounds. It wasn’t hard to imagine Liv shaking her head, saying she couldn’t let her younger sister hear her moans. She would surely fail to hide the blush rising up her neck, even as she tried her best to cover her embarrassment.

Or, perhaps, it could be the opposite.

The last time they’d been together, Liv had been far more proactive and wanton than he’d imagined. She had seemed like a courtesan well-versed in pillow talk. He had always thought she would remain reserved in bed, but perhaps she would wrap her arms around his neck this time as well.

Perhaps she would whisper that she missed him, that she wanted to touch his scars, that she wanted to see him.

Whether she murmured it shyly or crooned it seductively—either way, it would be good. Anything Liv said would be welcome. Her very existence made him feel noble.

He was her god, and she treated him as such.

As he indulged in these fantasies, night fell completely. One by one, lights began illuminating the streets, and the windows of nearby houses also began to glow.

The streets darkened by nightfall, yet Liv’s house remained silent.

Dimus, who had been waiting without concern, found his expression slowly hardening.

They were too late.

Liv always returned home before it grew completely dark—she feared the dark streets. Since she had started going out with Corida, she even returned earlier than usual.

By now, she should have already returned.

“…Master?”

When the Marquis stepped out of the carriage, a servant waiting near the coachman’s seat looked at him, puzzled.

“Find out what’s happening.”

After giving the brief order, the Marquis strode toward Liv’s house. It looked even quieter and lonelier in the dark, with no lights on.

Opening the locked door wasn’t difficult. Without even needing tools, the latch broke easily under a few firm pushes. Dimus stepped into the empty house, scanning the interior.

The living room was cluttered with boxes. They were all gifts Dimus had sent to Liv.

Dimus opened the lid of the nearest box. Inside was a dress, untouched, neatly folded.

“……”

He felt a chill travel from his toes upward.

Lighting the candles and lamps inside the house, Dimus slowly crossed the living room, opening each remaining door one by one. Except for the cool air, the house seemed full of signs of life.

And yet… something felt off.

Dimus paused in front of one particular room—Liv’s. Her familiar scent reached his nose.

Liv’s room was neat and tidy, much like her. It seemed to contain only what was necessary. Standing in the doorway, staring blankly at the scene, Dimus approached the nearby dresser. He opened the top drawer, revealing a familiar box.

It was a jewelry box he had given her, containing a diamond necklace and earrings. Next to it were other pieces of jewelry—all of them gifts from Dimus.

There were only things that Dimus had given her.