Odalisque - Side Story 2

Unlike the disgruntled Dimus, Liv had a calm expression.

“It seems they met the author by chance and hastily arranged this event. Milion had always wanted to invite the author of that famous romance novel, and I had promised to attend the reading session if it ever happened.”

“The famous author just happened to visit Buerno by chance? It’s far more plausible they paid a hefty sum to hastily schedule this event.”

Their intentions were transparent.

Having been eager to reconnect with Liv, the Pendances likely clung to some trivial promise made during a class to hastily prepare this event. That Lady Pendance, Milion, who had always liked Liv, must have cheerfully written the letter.

Had the invitation come from Baron Pendance or his wife, Liv might not have readily accepted. However, since it was Milion who sent it, Liv seemed genuinely pleased. She had been regretful about not properly saying goodbye when she was dismissed and still appeared to feel some lingering attachment.

Moreover, the reading session was not to be held at the Pendance mansion but rather at a location rented in the city of Buerno, which made the invitation much less burdensome for Liv.

It wasn’t difficult for Dimus to predict that Liv would eventually accept the invitation.

“Do you not want me to attend?”

Dimus narrowed his eyes at her question.

It wasn’t that he disliked the idea of Liv attending the reading session. He just disliked the thought of her reuniting with Milion there.

Milion was a girl around Corida’s age.

Liv, who cherished her sister dearly, might try to fill the void left by their separation with Milion. And Milion was like a duckling following its mother—no, more like a young lady who followed Liv everywhere she went.

Dimus had no desire to share Liv’s attention with anyone else. Even his feelings toward her relationship with her sister, Corida, were tinged with irritation, let alone having Liv devote herself to someone else’s daughter.

“If that child from the Pendances clings to you, you won’t be able to shake her off.”

“I’ll make sure to conduct myself so as not to cause any trouble for the Dietrion.”

“I couldn’t care less about causing trouble.”

After all, even if Liv attended the reading session, there wouldn’t be any problems that affected the Dietrion. It was just…

“I don’t like the idea of expanding ‘the places your gaze touches.'”

If they met again, it wouldn’t be surprising if Liv and Milion rekindled their connection. This only reinforced Dimus’ regret about returning to Buerno in the first place. The rumors could have been quelled in other ways. He should have stayed with Liv in Adelinde, surrounded by strangers who knew nothing about her, monopolizing her entirely.

But then again, if they had stayed longer in Adelinde, it was likely that annoying children like Milion would have appeared there too, clinging to Liv. Liv was kind and polite to everyone, which would undoubtedly have drawn attention, even in Adelinde.

Having a popular lover was truly exhausting.

Liv found herself at a loss for words, staring at Dimus’ petulant jealousy, which seemed incongruous with his otherwise nonchalant demeanor.

Only after seeing Liv’s expression did Dimus begin to wonder if he might be acting somewhat petty. Still, he unabashedly expressed his dissatisfaction. If he didn’t like something, he wasn’t going to pretend otherwise.

Liv looked at Dimus, her lips pressed into a tight line. After a moment of silence, Dimus’ voice softened slightly.

“…I’m not trying to force you to stay away.”

He hesitated briefly before adding, “I just want to say that you don’t have to put yourself through something unpleasant.”

Dimus remembered Liv mentioning how she found others’ judgmental gazes intimidating.

His efforts to change Liv’s reputation within Buerno were one thing, but Liv having to face those people directly was another.

From Liv’s perspective, seeing the people who used to gossip about her suddenly acting obsequious was revolting. If it twisted Dimus’ insides just watching it happen, how much worse must it be for her?

“If you truly want to reconnect with Lady Pendance, we could arrange a more comfortable and private meeting instead.”

The reading session was nothing more than a pretext. Considering the other guests that would be in attendance, it would undoubtedly be an event full of uncomfortable glances. If anything, the Pendance family would probably prefer a private meeting rather than a formal event.

Liv’s expression turned slightly enigmatic at Dimus’ suggestion.

“Of course, if you did that, it would be more convenient for now. But it would only be a temporary solution. I can’t keep avoiding gatherings like this forever.”

With her lips pressed firmly together, Liv looked at Dimus before clearing her throat softly and turning away.

“If I am to stay by your side for the rest of my life, I need to be resilient in the face of others’ opinions.”

How mature and wise she was. It was a stark contrast to a certain baron family who sent invitations pretending that nothing had ever happened.

Dimus barely managed to suppress a sigh. The idea of showcasing such an incredible woman to others filled him with frustration and irritation. He found himself feeling a completely unnecessary sense of jealousy toward the attendees of the reading session, people he had never even met.

“You’ve already changed my reputation for the better. So now, I want to carry myself confidently.”

“Then I should attend with you.”

“Oh, I know you have other plans for tomorrow.”

As if plans couldn’t be changed. True, Dimus had an appointment with guests coming from the capital, and postponing it would likely make Charles faint from shock. But Charles would adapt. Dates could always be rescheduled.

Liv either didn’t know what was on his mind or simply ignored it. She looked perfectly at ease, her earlier hesitation completely gone, as if she had made up her mind.

“Besides, with all the dresses and jewelry you’ve given me, I need to go out more often if I’m ever going to wear them.”

“You don’t need an invitation to wear those things…”

“But I’d like to show off the gifts you gave me, to someone, anyone.”

Speaking gently, as if soothing a child, Liv cupped Dimus’ cheek and gave him a light kiss.

“I’ll boast about it as much as I can—about how much I’m loved.”

Having gone this far, there was nothing left for Dimus to say. Frowning, he finally nodded.

“Do as you please.”

A brief image of an entire room filled with dresses crossed Dimus’ mind. He was glad he had already prepared an abundance of clothing and accessories for her.

Now that it had come to this, he’d ensure she had the best outfit and jewelry for her outing.

***

The reading session was held near Buerno’s central plaza.

Dimus personally dressed Liv from head to toe before escorting her to the venue. Even that was enough to be considered overprotective by many, but Dimus took it a step further—he decided not to return home and instead waited nearby. The reason was simple: the venue was close to the central plaza.

The very plaza where Liv had once tried to flee from him.

Dimus had sent Charles to meet the guest from the capital in his place. He even suggested that Charles use the opportunity to take a tour of Buerno. Though Charles had been shocked, it was more important to Dimus to stay close to Liv than to entertain some visitor.

Of course, Dimus understood rationally that Liv wasn’t going to run away. It wasn’t just a matter of logic; emotionally, he knew she had accepted him. Only yesterday, she had promised to stay by his side for the rest of her life.

It wasn’t that he doubted her feelings. It was just…

This was more like a lingering trauma—an inevitable side effect of having lost her once before.

By now, Dimus wondered if it might have been better for him to simply accompany her, but Liv had turned down the suggestion once again that very morning.

“It’s a gathering for young ladies and madams. If you come, it won’t be a reading session anymore.”

Liv had gently declined his offer and went into the building alone. He thought he saw attendants at the entrance fussing over her, leading her inside with much fanfare. He couldn’t see what lay beyond the entrance.

As Liv said, the reading session was a women-only event. It seemed Baron Pendance and his wife, concerned about their daughter’s reputation and safety, had gone out of their way to make this clear.

If Dimus were to follow her in, it would be seen as… quite unnecessary. Even if the Pendances wanted to strengthen their connection with the Marquis Dietrion, there were limits.

“I should have assigned a proper maid sooner.”

Dimus bit his lip nervously, regretting his oversight.

The maids at the Langess mansion were few, and they were still in the process of hiring a new one specifically to attend to Liv. In particular, selecting a maid for Liv required extra care, which meant the position had not yet been officially filled.

Liv had chosen one of the existing maids, a competent one, to accompany her today, but that wasn’t enough for Dimus.

The maid needed to be highly skilled in various areas—not just in attending to Liv’s personal needs but also in terms of her family background, personality, health, and even basic self-defense abilities. Unfortunately, the applicants kept falling short when it came to the self-defense requirements.

For today, Liv was accompanied by a maid who had been temporarily assigned. Dimus doubted the woman even knew how to handle a gun and worried about her ability to properly serve her mistress.

“It seems the event is proceeding without any major issues.”

“Can you not see inside?”

“No, it’s not visible through the windows.”

Roman, who had been tasked with keeping an eye on the reading session, reported carefully from outside the building. Dimus frowned, glaring across at the building opposite.

If they were going to hold an event, why not host it somewhere open? What was so secretive that they needed to rent such a hidden venue?

From beginning to end, there was nothing about this situation that pleased him.