Odalisque - Side Story 1

The morning scenery at the Langess estate was peaceful.

Lush greenery, a bright sky, and the distant sound of birdsong. The mansion, situated deep within private property, far from the city center of Buerno, was a place detached from the chaos of the world. If one didn’t make a habit of reading the regularly delivered newspapers, it was easy to remain unaware of the outside world.

Philip, who woke earlier than anyone else in the mansion, began his day by bringing the newspapers to Dimus’ study.

During this routine, he naturally skimmed the front-page articles. Usually, these articles featured topics of high public interest, and today, Dimus’ name was prominently displayed on the front page.

To be exact, it was about the fireworks that Dimus had set off at the lakeside. The article covered just how expensive those fireworks were, why he had gone through the trouble of securing government approval to take over the entire lakeside, and, most importantly, who all this effort was for.

This wasn’t the first time. Ever since Liv confirmed Corida’s enrollment and returned to the Langess mansion, Dimus had begun openly showering her with extravagant gifts and events for all of Buerno to witness.

Thanks to this, instead of focusing on the inaccessible Marquis Dietrion, people’s interest shifted to Liv, the recipient of his intense affections.

Some had rashly judged Liv and tried to wield their status against her, only to be humiliated and retreat. After a few such incidents, people realized that, like Marquis Dietrion, Liv was not one to be trifled with.

However, this didn’t lessen the public’s fascination. The volume of letters arriving at the Langess mansion also subtly increased.

“Oh.”

While sorting through the letters that had arrived with the newspaper, Philip found a neatly sealed one and let out a quiet exclamation. The letter was addressed to Liv.

Philip’s expression turned subtly complex upon checking the sender. He could already imagine how Dimus’ face would twist upon seeing it. Of course, Liv would be delighted to receive it.

What followed was obvious. Dimus would reluctantly suppress his emotions upon seeing Liv’s joy, likely resorting to smoking a cigar and snapping at those around him.

Philip walked calmly, deciding that it would be wise to discreetly warn the staff not to upset their master.

***

Half-asleep, Dimus became aware of the emptiness beside him.

A sudden, breath-stealing shock gripped his chest. Dimus, now wide awake, hastily sat up. At the same time, bright light poured into the once-dark bedroom. He frowned, turning his gaze.

He saw her pulling the thick curtains all the way open, letting the sunlight flood in. She had yet to notice that Dimus was awake. Her long, flowing hair cascaded naturally behind her.

Through the fluttering silk chemise she wore, her skin was faintly visible. The sunlight from outside highlighted the curves of her body even more.

Dimus, his initial shock quickly fading, quietly watched her back. Liv seemed intent on adjusting all the curtains in the room without turning around.

“Leave that to a maid.”

His voice, lower and lazier than usual from just waking up, echoed through the once-quiet room. Liv turned at the sound of his voice. Bathed in sunlight, her figure seemed to glisten.

“You don’t like the staff coming in and out of here.”

It was true. Since long ago, aside from a skilled servant cautiously entering each morning to open the curtains, there hadn’t been much fuss in his bedroom. For Dimus, who was far from having restful sleep, the bedroom was a highly sensitive space.

Moreover, since Liv had moved into the Langess mansion, access to the bedroom had become even more restricted. The servant who used to enter each morning to wake Dimus had stopped long ago, and now the staff simply waited for him to wake on his own.

Fortunately, Liv maintained a regular schedule, which meant the staff didn’t have to wait endlessly to serve breakfast. Dimus always followed Liv’s waking time, and the staff were grateful for her consistency. Liv seemed to understand this as well.

However, the current situation wasn’t ideal.

“Better this than waking up to find you gone.”

Liv’s eyes widened at his reply, then her brows furrowed slightly. Her lips pressed together, the corners turned down.

She was apologizing now. She knew how much comfort Dimus derived from her presence, especially given his frequent nightmares. She also knew that her past escape attempt had left him with a deep-seated anxiety.

“Did I scare you?” Liv asked, her voice tinged with worry, as Dimus ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Yes.”

Over time, Dimus had grown adept at expressing vulnerability. But Liv still hadn’t become immune to his uncharacteristic admissions. Whenever he said something so unlike him, she always took it to heart—like now.

As Liv moved closer to the bed, seemingly to check his expression, Dimus reached out, wrapping his arm around her waist as if he had been waiting. In an instant, Liv’s body fell atop his.

He could feel her warmth through the thin fabric of her chemise.

Dimus felt his mouth water. No matter how often he had her, his desire never seemed to be satiated—it only grew.

His hand slid sensuously along her slender waist, moving down to grab her round buttocks. Liv let out a soft noise—somewhere between a sigh and a moan.

“But if the staff came in here, you wouldn’t let me do this.”

“…Of course not.”

Liv, her face flushed a bright red, replied in a small but firm voice. It was the answer Dimus had anticipated.

She wasn’t the type to display affection casually in front of others, nor had she yet grown comfortable enough with the Langess staff to be entirely open around them.

Perhaps it was because of the tumultuous escape and chase that marked their relationship.

Dimus’ aides and the staff were overly attentive to Liv—almost excessively so. They seemed constantly worried that, should she be upset, a situation like before might happen again.

They were especially overzealous in serving whenever Dimus and Liv seemed on good terms, as if to remind him not to have any other thoughts.

Liv found all this attention burdensome, but Dimus made no effort to stop them. In fact, he was secretly pleased. Philip, as always, had likely handled the staff discreetly. It was the kind of capable response he expected from his butler.

In short, having the staff enter was out of the question.

If a servant were to enter their room each morning to wake them, Liv would surely change her nightwear immediately—opting for a long, cumbersome nightgown instead of the sheer silk chemise she wore now.

“Well, there’s no helping it.”

Dimus clicked his tongue in a feigned tone of regret.

“Then I’ll just leave the curtains alone.”

What did it matter if the curtains weren’t drawn? What was far more important was waking up and finding Liv beside him.

Burying his face into her neck as she squirmed in his arms, Dimus let out a deep breath.

It was the start of a peaceful morning.

***

Damn Buerno.

Perhaps he should take back what he said about it being peaceful.

Sitting with his arms crossed, Dimus thought that returning to Buerno in the first place had been a mistake. He should have stayed at the estate in Adelinde.

He had returned to ensure that people wouldn’t dare describe Liv as a mere mistress, gossiping behind her back. He had deliberately treated her with all the reverence she deserved, ensuring everyone in Buerno saw it.

His intention was to prove that all the circulating rumors were false, to make sure no one would ever dare to spread similar gossip again.

Dimus had expected the change in the attitude of Buerno’s residents. People’s nature was predictable, especially in high society, where ignoring past offenses was practically a virtue.

Still, one should have some sense of shame.

“Baron Pendance?”

How dare they send an invitation after dismissing Liv?

“To be precise, it’s from Milion.”

“There’s no way the Pendance couple wouldn’t have seen the letter addressed to my estate.”

Dimus responded in a displeased tone, glancing at the letter Liv held. It was obvious—the Pendance couple, now embarrassed, had pushed their daughter forward to extend an olive branch.

They were desperate to forge a connection with the woman who had Marquis Dietrion so utterly captivated. That letter was the best idea they could come up with after wracking their brains.

“A sudden reading session? How transparent.”

And the date was set for tomorrow. How inconsiderate could they be?