Odalisque - Side Story 4

Despite Liv’s words, Milion still appeared uneasy. Perhaps Baroness Pendance had given her specific instructions before the event began, as Milion occasionally glanced at Liv with concern.

Then, she quietly spoke to her again, “After the reading session, we should…”

She was likely about to suggest that they catch up since it had been a long time. However, Milion was unable to finish her sentence because the author once again directed her attention towards them.

“I heard you enjoyed my novel, Lady Pendance.”

“Oh? Yes, yes!”

“For someone who enjoyed it, you don’t seem particularly interested in me.”

Milion’s eyes widened at the author’s words.

“Or perhaps there’s an implicit protagonist for this event?”

he author asked this without a hint of a smile. It seemed she had guessed the true intention behind the reading session, which had initially appeared to be the pure endeavor of a young lady with a love for literature.

“You’ve shown quite a lot of interest in just one person, and I was curious.”

Milion’s smile turned awkward. Liv glanced at Milion’s embarrassed face, then turned her gaze towards the author. It was clear what the author was trying to criticize.

The author was expressing her displeasure with how Milion, as the event host, was focusing her attention solely on Liv.

But was there really any need to voice such displeasure in this way?

Picking on Milion like this would inevitably strain the relationship between her and the Pendance family. What reason could the author have for doing this?

“A protagonist must have a noble background, exceptional beauty, and an extraordinary story. No one is interested in the narrative of an ordinary woman. Since you’re one of my readers, I thought you would naturally understand that.”

Hearing the author’s words, Liv let out a quiet, involuntary sigh.

If anyone had an extraordinary story, noble background, and beauty, it was Luzia Malte. It seemed that the author wanted to indirectly insult Liv. Who knew just how close she had been to Luzia to openly express such animosity towards Liv?

Liv played with the handle of the teacup before her, contemplating for a moment.

If she reacted to every one of the author’s provocations, it would ruin the atmosphere of the event and put Milion in a difficult position. Judging by Milion’s anxious expression, she was clearly troubled by the situation.

Though Milion was the host, she was still a young lady in the early stages of learning her role. She probably hadn’t anticipated this kind of conflict, which only added to her discomfort. Liv thought it might be best to avoid unnecessary trouble, for Milion’s sake… but she didn’t see the need to hold back.

“If you can’t handle writing about diverse characters, isn’t that a lack of skill as a novelist…?”

She murmured as if talking to herself, but there was no way her voice wouldn’t carry. Liv had spoken clearly enough for everyone to hear. She widened her eyes slightly, as if realizing her mistake belatedly.

“Oh. That was just a personal thought.”

Liv, gently stroking her chin with her fingertips, then added in a calm tone, “But I do think it’s quite narrow-minded and lazy for someone who claims to be a creator.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Doesn’t everyone have a unique story? Every person is one of a kind. Yet, according to your perspective, it seems only certain people are meant to be protagonists.”

“Well, of course…”

“It seems you’ve relied too heavily on real people as inspiration for your writing. Perhaps it’s time to develop your own imagination and creativity. I hope you’ll explore a broader world of storytelling.”

The author’s lips parted, and her cheeks gradually reddened. Just as she was about to retort, her face contorting in frustration, there was a sharp sound that echoed through the hall.

Thump!

A loud, brief noise resounded, breaking the tense atmosphere of the event. Those who had been watching Liv and the author suddenly realized the presence of a new figure.

Liv also turned her head towards the source of the noise. Standing at the entrance of the event hall was a man, leaning on a cane. It was evident that the sound had been made by the cane striking the floor.

His piercing blue eyes, which had been scanning the hall, found Liv. His gaze, sharp as a well-honed blade, softened for an instant. The change was so subtle that no one but Liv might have noticed.

Most of the attendees were shocked by the sudden appearance of Dimus, but Liv wasn’t particularly surprised. In fact, she was more surprised by her own lack of reaction to his arrival.

It seemed she had unconsciously anticipated that he would be unable to wait for her and would barge in like this.

“Dimus.”

The crowd, who had been staring at Dimus in shock, now turned their astonished gazes towards Liv. Among them was Milion, whose pale face seemed on the verge of losing consciousness as she stammered, “Di-Di-Di…”

Liv, who had thrown the hall into chaos, rose gracefully, her expression composed.

“As you can see, someone has come to pick me up, so I’m afraid I must leave early. Milion, it was lovely seeing you after so long.”

No one stopped Liv, and she left the hall calmly with Dimus escorting her.

***

After returning from the reading session, Dimus immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the author who had antagonized Liv. Charles, alarmed by Dimus’ fury, dropped everything else to conduct the investigation, which led to a swift report.

“Her pen name is Miel, her real name is…”

“Who cares about her name?”

Dimus snapped sharply, causing Charles to cough awkwardly. He quickly flipped past the pages containing unnecessary personal details and cleared his throat before continuing.

“She was sponsored by Lady Malte. However, due to the recent trial, her sponsorship seems to have been jeopardized.”

“Is she bitter because she lost her patronage?”

Even so, why direct that bitterness towards Liv? It was Dimus, not Liv, who had brought Luzia to her current state. How incompetent did one have to be to fail to grasp such a simple fact?

Displeasure surged within him. To blindly lash out without understanding the full picture was utterly foolish.

Of course, Dimus could guess why the author had targeted Liv instead of confronting him directly—antagonizing Marquis Dietrion would be madness, so she had aimed for what seemed like an easier target. But anyone with even a bit of sense should have known better than to provoke Liv. After all, anyone who had crossed Liv, like Luzia, had faced dire consequences.

In every way, the author was foolish.

“She seems to be seeking a new sponsor now. She’s avoiding Torsten, likely due to the Malte family’s influence, and has moved to Beren.”

“So her goal was Baron Pendance’s money,” Dimus muttered coldly, furrowing his brow.

It seemed Miel had tried to win over Baron Pendance at the reading session. However, upon arriving, she found that Baroness Pendance had left early, and Milion, the event’s host, was solely focused on Liv, which displeased her.

The entire reading session had likely revolved around Liv. Dimus could easily imagine the scene without having witnessed it. The author, already frustrated due to the Luzia affair, must have been further incensed by the attention Liv received.

“It seems her spending habits are quite extravagant, and she can’t sustain them with her book earnings alone.”

No surprise there. Given that she had been sponsored by Luzia, she must have mingled with high society and grown accustomed to a lavish lifestyle beyond her means.

When Dimus first heard that the invited author had antagonized Liv, he could hardly believe it.

Dimus pressed his fingers to his temples, a look of irritation crossing his face.

“How pathetic.”

He leaned back against his chair, gesturing dismissively. Understanding the unspoken command, Charles quickly bowed and left the room.

After Charles departed, Dimus also stood. He intended to find Liv and comfort her, as her mood was surely ruined after an unpleasant encounter at the reading session.

“Where is Liv?”

“She is resting in her room.”

Upon hearing the servant’s reply, Dimus hurried his steps.

***

“Oh, sponsorship…”

After hearing Dimus’ explanation, Liv nodded, her expression subtly complex.

“I did find it a bit odd. The animosity she showed couldn’t be explained solely by her relationship with Lady Malte.”

Liv’s voice, as she murmured this, was so calm that she seemed like someone relaying a story unrelated to herself.

Dimus already knew what Miel had said to Liv. He had heard that Miel had belittled Liv, bringing up Luzia’s name, mocking her without overt insults but rather with sneering, sarcastic remarks. Liv, sharp as she was, couldn’t have missed the intent behind Miel’s words.

Attending the event to show herself confidently in front of others must have made the experience all the more unpleasant for her.

Dimus knew that, apart from matters involving Corida, Liv rarely showed her emotions. But even so, her demeanor was almost too calm. It reminded him of the day when her nude painting was displayed in public.

Instead of getting angry that day, she had remained composed, tricked him, and left him behind without hesitation…

A sudden sense of unease crept in, prompting Dimus to speak quickly.

“I’ve already instructed Charles to handle it, so there’s no need for you to think about that woman.”

At his words, Liv’s eyes widened briefly, then she smiled faintly.

“It seems like you’re more concerned about her than I am.”

Liv chuckled softly, almost as if she found the situation amusing.

“In the past, I think you would have agreed with her.”