Odalisque - Chapter 229

“Master, you already know that there are some things, however hard they may be to admit, that can only be mended by acceptance.”

Demus was no longer scowling. Philip studied Demus for a moment, then smiled widely.

“I’ll tell the others to look into some good places to visit. A new place can be useful for refreshing the mind.”

***

There was a change in life at Adelinde.

The change came after Philip’s arrival, to be precise. The hired hands who had been driven out of the main building by Demus’ menacing presence were now coming in and out of the main building at Philip’s beck and call. Some even seemed to have taken up residence at Philip’s command.

The mansion, which was cold with only the two people in it, became a little noisy. Demus still kept Liv in his sights, but the feeling of being locked up and watched all day had eased considerably. Phillip’s cheerful chuckle helped to lighten the mood.

Liv had no idea what Philip had said to convince Demus, but Coryda also came in and out of the mansion with ease. Coryda was busy these days, preparing for the entrance exams for the Adelinde Girls’ School. The exam was held twice a year, and the deadline for the first exam was so tight that she was trying to prepare for the second one.

“… Are you sure you don’t want me to help you?”

“No, Liv. Uncle Adolf knows a lot more than you do.”

Liv looked embarrassed at Coryda’s blow. Just then, Adolf, who had entered the room carrying a stack of books, spotted her and stopped awkwardly in his tracks.

He hadn’t been comfortable with Liv since he realized that she had discovered his lie. Yet he and Coryda were still on good terms.

It was true that Adolf had tried to send Coryda away to faraway Mazurkhan… but it had occurred to Liv recently that he might have been genuine in his desire to help.

After glancing at Adolf, who hesitated to approach the desk, Liv spoke first.

“Thank you for watching over Coryda’s studies.”

“Ah, well, it’s better for me to do this than to kill time doing nothing.”

Adolf seemed to have given up hope that he would be able to return to Buerno anytime soon. He had come all the way to Adelinde with nothing, so his ability to fulfill his duties here was limited.

Adolf’s face showed sincerity as he said that he was glad to help Coryda with her studies and pass the days without boredom.

“With you serving the Marquis, you are giving me some breathing room.”

Adolf added appreciatively, but Liv made a vague smile when she heard his gratitude.

Rather than ‘serving,’ it would be more accurate to say ‘carrying him around.’

People began to come in and out of the main building, and Liv began to go out every day. Philip had organized all of Adelinde’s sightseeing spots and even made a list of them. Liv had only expressed a desire to get some fresh air, but before she knew it, she was being given a tour of Adelinde.

Demus went along for the tour like it was a given. Liv thought he followed her along to give her suspicious glances and ridicule her, but he never did.

Sure, he’d lose his temper once in a while, but it was much less frequent, and he’d spend more time looking at Liv in silence.

In some ways, it was similar to the days of the extra work, when she’d been naked and under his scrutiny. But Liv knew that then and now were completely different.

“Where are you going today?”

“They say the flowers are in full bloom by the river, and Mr. Philmond insists that I must go there today, as the weather is fine.”

Just as she answered, she heard the maid’s voice outside saying that the carriage was ready.

Demus was waiting for Liv by the door, and the poor maid, who stood beside him, looked at Liv anxiously, wishing her to come out quickly.

Aside from his strange change in demeanor toward Liv, Demus was still the same cranky, cynical man to everyone else. If anything, the reactions of his employees seemed to indicate that they were more afraid of Demus these days.

Hearing the voice of the maid, who looked as if she might faint at any moment, Liv sighed and left the study.

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