Odalisque - Chapter 123

From what Liv could see, Coryda and Cyrielle clicked. They even hit it off within a day of meeting and were writing to each other almost daily. She had no idea what they talked about so much, but their letters were always three or four pages long.

“Haha. Miss Cyrielle has also made a good friend, so it’s a win-win.”

“All of you always take care of us, and I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“It’s fine. We do it because we want to.”

“Tell me if there’s anything I can help you with.”

Philip let out a hearty laugh at Liv’s sincerity.

“Haha. I’m happy enough with you visiting this mansion. If it weren’t for you, Miss Rhodes, I would never know this mansion was inhabited.”

That said, it seemed like there were a lot of employees working in this mansion.

Well, no matter how many people there were, life wouldn’t be very dynamic if they had to guard a remote mansion like this all day long. In that sense, entertaining a guest could actually be a fun routine.

Liv, smiling like Philip, asked casually.

“Do you reside in this Verworth manor, Mr. Philmond?”

“To be precise, I’m going back and forth to serve the Marquis.”

“Going back and forth?”

Liv made a questioning look. Philip nodded and when he was about to say something, an aloof voice interrupted the two.

“He’s the butler in charge of the main house.”

Philip and Liv’s gaze turned to the source of voice at the same time. At the top of the stairs, which curved gracefully upward, the Marquis, his hand lightly resting on the railing, was looking down at them.

Liv looked up at the Marquis with a surprised expression on her face as she had expected him to be waiting for her in the room.

The Marquis was in his attire for the outing, buttoned all the way up to his neck, rather than the casual attire she had been seeing lately.

“He goes back and forth between the Lanxess and Verworth manor.”

He added nonchalantly, slowly walking down the stairs.

“By Lanxess, the one with taxidermy…”

Liv, who muttered to herself without realizing it, flinched and closed her mouth. Philip, who heard her muttering, chuckled. It seemed that Philip had also heard somewhere about the rumor Liv muttered.

“The Lanxess manor was once known as the haunted mansion in Buerno. This led to a lot of vicious rumors circulating since the dawn of time. Now it’s just an antique manor after Master purchased and renovated it.”

The Lanxess manor was the house of the Dietrion family.

Although it was unknown if it was really the main house, or if that place was just set up for that.

“It’s a shame when you’ve come this far. I have to go back to Lanxess.”

“Ah…”

“Philip, get ready.”

Having descended the stairs, the Marquis ordered Philip with a cold voice. Philip nodded immediately and turned around after telling Liv to wait a moment as he would prepare her a carriage back.

Walking down the stairs she hadn’t climb much, Liv arrived at the lobby and stole a glance at the Marquis. The Marquis’ face looked expressionless like the usual, but on a closer look, irritation was evident on his subtly furrowed brows.

“… Is it a bad thing?”

The Marquis glanced at Liv, rolling his eyes only, as he heard her faint question.

“It’s annoying enough to have your personal time interrupted without having to think about it.”

“Oh, I see.”

There was no need to ask to know about it. Liv nodded abashedly and lowered her gaze. The Marquis’ gaze stayed on her face for quite a while.

Then he suddenly changed the subject.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“Sorry?”

“If the rumors are true.”

A question flickered in Liv’s eyes. The Marquis still had an aloof face, but the faint irritation had left his face.

“I’m talking about taxidermy.”

“Oh, that’s…!”

“Aren’t you curious if I’m really collecting taxidermy in the basement?”

Liv wasn’t sure if she understood the Marquis’ intention right. To her ears, it sounded like the Marquis was asking her to go to the Lanxess manor with him.

“It’s not taxidermy, but there’s something else.”

“Something else?”

The Marquis didn’t speak any longer. He only stared at her.

“Miss Rhodes, your carriage is ready!”

Philip returned just in time. After telling Liv to go home safely, Philip took care of the Marquis’ coat and hat.

Like someone who couldn’t remember the conversation he shared a moment before, the Marquis ignored Liv and accepted Philip’s assistance. He, with his coat on and hat pressed down, walked out the lobby with his cane in hand.

At that moment, the Marquis stopped his steps and looked down. His gaze landed on Liv’s hand clutching his cuff.

Philip looked at Liv in wonder. Liv, belatedly realizing that she was acting like a child, slowly let go of his clothes.

The Marquis, who had been looking at his cuff, finally looked up. He reached out his gloved hand to Liv. Liv swallowed dryly and put her hand on his hand gingerly. The man’s firm hand took hold of her and led her away.

The black carriage Philip had prepared became useless. Instead, Liv would ride with the Marquis to the Lanxess manor.

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