Odalisque - Side Story 12

The pre-prepared flower boat was quite large for just two people. They could sit far enough from the oarsman that, without raising their voices, they could easily have a personal conversation.

Dimus, seated against the backdrop of beautiful lilies and peonies, looked as if he were part of a painting. Liv, who had personally chosen the flowers, couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.

“These days, young ladies are lining up just to ride the flower boat.”

Liv spoke in an excited voice as the boat slowly made its way toward the center of the lake.

“I thought you were only meeting that Pendance child.”

“Milion sometimes brought friends along.”

Though Liv’s visits to the Pendance estate had been primarily for her painting, they weren’t limited to that. As word spread that Liv was visiting the Pendance estate, some people made a point to visit just to see her. Liv had tea with a few of them who were close to Milion, considering it a form of thanks for Milion’s help in lending her the studio.

“Actually, some of the young ladies subtly asked to see you.”

Recalling those she met at the Pendance estate, Liv spoke cautiously, “But I refused.”

“If you wish it, I could show myself.”

“That’s…”

Dimus disliked mingling with others, so his offer was undoubtedly a significant gesture. However, Liv had no intention of accepting his kindness.

In fact, the reason she had rejected the young ladies’ requests so flatly wasn’t only because of Dimus’ temperament.

“Do you know why I didn’t attend the reading session with you?”

Liv, who had been gazing at the softly rippling lake surface, took a small, deep breath. The farther they moved from the lakeshore, the more the only sounds they heard were the gentle splashing of water and the occasional call of distant birds.

This allowed their voices to reach each other more clearly.

“The truth is, I didn’t want others to steal glances at you.”

Not having the courage to look at Dimus, Liv lowered her gaze, fiddling with her skirt.

“We’re not yet married, and I can’t completely claim you as mine.”

The word “claim” felt so explicit that it made her face flush.

Despite mulling it over, Liv couldn’t find a better way to express it. What she wanted was the right to declare Dimus as hers. The clear evidence that this man—the one who gave her such peace—would belong to her for the rest of her life.

“Teacher Marcel was right. We’re merely lovers, and no one knows what the future holds. You’re handsome, and everyone wants you.”

Of course, Liv wore the ring Dimus had given her. However, this diamond ring alone couldn’t deter others from gazing at Dimus.

“So, I felt jealous in advance—over something that hasn’t even happened yet. Foolishly.”

Throughout Liv’s confession, Dimus wore an expression she’d never seen before. It seemed he’d never imagined her feeling jealous.

Dimus, frozen like someone who had been struck, squinted as he asked, “Are you confessing this because you’re determined not to be jealous anymore?”

“No.”

Of course not. Liv couldn’t promise that she wouldn’t be jealous again. Instead of making that futile pledge, she decided on something else.

Liv took out the canvas she had prepared on the boat.

“I can’t afford an expensive ring like you.”

Dimus seemed unsurprised as he took the canvas—perhaps he had already guessed it had something to do with this. He calmly unwrapped the cloth covering it.

Despite having braced herself, Liv felt embarrassed and ashamed when handing over her first completed work. She fidgeted with her fingers, hoping her flushed face would be mistaken for the glow of the sunset.

Finally, the revealed painting came into view. It was a clumsy first work, made with awkward brushstrokes and simplistic colors.

Liv, watching nervously, licked her lips.

“Instead, I’m giving you myself.”

It was a self-portrait.

Dimus gazed at the canvas without a hint of a smile. Judging by his expression, Liv couldn’t tell what he was thinking or feeling.

Seeing him unable to take his eyes off the canvas, Liv grew anxious. She swallowed hard and spoke cautiously, “Honestly, I thought you might like this more.”

She had thought so, but now she was feeling less certain. Perhaps she should’ve painted Dimus instead?

But the painting was already done, and she had given it to him. There was no taking it back, so Liv decided to proceed with her original plan.

Her green eyes, warmer than ever, gazed at the man.

“So, if you’re okay with it, will you have a beautiful wedding with me?”

Finally, Dimus’ gaze shifted from the canvas to Liv. His blue eyes shimmered like the lake beneath them.

Meeting his eyes, Liv’s nervous heart slowly calmed. She was able to smile as she finished speaking.

“So everyone can know we belong to each other.”

Dimus stared at her without blinking. The time spent waiting for his answer felt like an eternity.

The calm she had barely regained began to deplete again. Just as Liv was starting to feel an unavoidable sense of unease at his stillness, Dimus finally spoke—letting out a low sigh and murmuring.

“Ah, a grand wedding.”

If his quickly blinking eyes looked somewhat overwhelmed, could that be a misinterpretation?

Liv, watching him carefully, called out to him in a worried voice.

“Dimus?”

“A grand wedding, huh.”

“…Are you alright?”

Was her proposal for a beautiful wedding that shocking?

Liv began to feel embarrassed.

But hadn’t he also intended to marry her? Or did he plan on skipping the wedding?

Seeing Liv’s complicated expression, Dimus spoke slowly, “Of course, I’m alright. I was just momentarily stunned by my own stupidity.”

“Stupidity?”

Without giving Liv time to ask, he murmured, covering his mouth with his hand.

“I was so focused on the marriage oath that I hadn’t even considered the wedding.”

He seemed genuinely shocked, his rare pale complexion betraying it.

Dimus, lost in thought for a while, finally nodded as if coming to a conclusion. It seemed his previously paralyzed rationality had begun to recover.

Returning to his usual cold and indifferent demeanor, he said, “We’ll need some time to find the most beautiful location in Buerno.”

“Yes.”

Of course, it would take time. Liv nodded in agreement, thinking it was only natural.

“So, shall we hold the wedding next week?”

Liv, who had been about to agree without hesitation, paused and asked again, incredulous.

“…Next week?”

“Ah, we’ll need to fit the dress too. It should be possible if the tailor works through the night.”

Dimus, having wrapped the canvas back up and set it beside him, seemed to genuinely ponder. His voice, drifting out as if talking to himself, was utterly serious.

“What else do we need? Rings?”

Seeing his earnest expression without a hint of playfulness, Liv frowned in astonishment.

“Wait a moment. Holding the wedding next week is impossible.”

“Why?”

“…Are you seriously asking that?”

Dimus’ face twisted in frustration at Liv’s question.

“You know I’m not a patient man.”

This had nothing to do with patience. Liv shook her head firmly.

“Even so, it’s not possible. I don’t want a rushed wedding. I want to plan it meticulously and invite everyone in Buerno. Plus, we need to call Corida.”

“Oh, yes. That’s something we agree on—especially your younger sister. She won’t be convinced until she sees with her own eyes that her sister is mine.”

Liv held back the question that rose to her throat—why exactly Corida needed to see it—instead focusing on calming Dimus, who looked ready to book a venue and order a wedding dress the very next day.

“If you don’t know, let me tell you. Adelinde School for Girls doesn’t allow students to leave during the semester. And the semester just started.”

Dimus’ already displeased expression soured further.

“You don’t mean to wait until she graduates, do you?”

“Even I can’t wait that long. But we can at least wait until the end of the semester, can’t we?”

Dimus pressed his lips into a thin line. Seeing the dissatisfaction on his face, Liv suddenly thought he looked quite endearing. No one would agree with her, but that was how she felt.

Smiling without realizing it, Liv gently placed her hand over his. Dimus, as if he had been waiting for her touch, pulled her into his arms.

Looking up at him, Liv asked, “So, are you accepting my proposal?”

The question, though unnecessary, was one she wanted an answer to.

Dimus, tilting his head for a kiss, let out a small chuckle.

“Of course.”

It was an arrogant acceptance, befitting him.

***

In the center of the basement of the Langess mansion, a woman’s clumsy self-portrait hung in place of a nude painting.

The man who had hung the frame himself stood before it, lost in thought for a long while. It still felt as if the scent of lilies hung thick around his nose.

Whether the woman knew it or not, lilies were the purest flower, dedicated to those who had served faithfully until the very end. And now, surrounded by those noble flowers, he had received the most unique gift in the world—a moment he would never forget.

His heart was calmer than it had ever been. After staring at the self-portrait for a while longer, he slowly turned away.

A gentle darkness settled over the gallery.

At last, there was peace.