Odalisque - Chapter 255

Demus was a man capable of hurting Camille, and he had the temper to casually break the rules of the world.

Liv swallowed a sigh. She had only meant to apologize to Camille, but somehow she had managed to incite Demus’ anger. Apart from feeling sorry for Camille, Liv had no intention of continuing her association with him.

“I won’t be seeing Mr. Marcel again.”

Liv immediately clarified, and Demus snorted.

“That’s obvious.”

Demus retorted bluntly, glaring in the direction Camille had gone, then glanced back at Liv.

“Same here.”

“What?”

“That it was love at first sight.”

The green eyes widened. Demus looked Liv straight in the eyes and continued in a cold, blunt tone.

“I was first before him.”

***

After meeting Camille, Demus’ demeanor became a little strange.

It wasn’t like he suddenly became fierce or affectionate. He would often stare at Liv, lost in thought, and seemed to be thinking about something. At first, Liv wondered if he was contemplating how to handle Camille, but the lack of hostility in his mood suggested otherwise. Yet no matter how many times Liv probed, he didn’t give a clear answer.

Then, could it be about the recent trial?

Liv looked into Demus’ sleeping face in the early hours of the morning and thought about what he was likely not telling her.

Demus had told her about his origins and his past so readily. It was a sign that he wasn’t going to hide anything from Liv anymore, a testament to their growing closeness. Thus, it seemed unlikely that he would create any new secrets.

Liv was sure the most likely explanation was the trial.

The story of the love affair between the Marquis of Dietrion and the young lady of Malte, which had been front-page news when it began, had faded, and the capital was abuzz with another palace romance. This was unfortunate for Liv, who had been following the trial’s progress through the newspapers.

She wondered if there was a change of circumstances now that the public’s interest in the trial had faded.

As she pondered, Liv heard a low grunt in her ear.

“Rrgh…”

Demus’ peacefully sleeping face contorted. His breathing became suddenly low and ragged, his jaw tightened, and glistening sweat broke out on his forehead. Liv quickly patted his chest. She could feel his heart beating rapidly across his heavily muscled chest.

She didn’t know how effective her actions were, but if she didn’t do something, Demus would awaken in a startle, and he wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep. So Liv chose to soothe him, being careful not to wake him up if possible.

Fortunately, her efforts were not entirely in vain. After Liv began to pay attention to his nightmares, his symptoms began to ease slightly.

Although not as long as others, for a few hours, Demus managed to fall asleep with Liv in his arms without medication. After Liv had been soothing his nightmares for days, Demus had fallen asleep again and again.

Seeing how her actions were useful, she couldn’t stop it.

And in fact, she found herself feeling somehow comforted as she patted Demus’ chest.

“As long as you’re with me, I’ll be all right soon.”

This was the surest way to confirm that she meant something to Demus. Of course, even without confirming it this covertly, he was no longer afraid to show affection wherever he could.

And it might seem a little creepy, but Liv was quite happy to confirm her significance without anyone knowing. Watching Demus calm down only under her hand filled her with satisfaction.

“That’s all I need.”

She was happy to be able to do something for this man who didn’t seem to need anything.

Demus’ bed would always be hers, and she would be the only one to see him sleep, even for a few hours. So from now on, only Liv would be able to soothe his nightmares. Only her.

As her regular patting continued, Demus’ ragged breathing gradually subsided to a steady rhythm. The man’s fluttering eyelashes steadied, and the lines on his face smoothed out.

Carefully withdrawing her hand, Liv wiped the sweat from Demus’ forehead, then placed a light kiss on his cheek. Demus was still asleep, breathing evenly.

Liv pulled a little smile and settled back into Demus’ arms. He hugged her tightly, even in his sleep.

Liv suddenly remembered the words he had spoken in his gruff voice.

“Same here. It was love at first sight.”

Closing her eyes, drunk on the drowsiness that washed over her, Liv mumbled a reply.

“… Me too.”

She couldn’t help but fall for this beautiful man from the moment they’d met in Baron Vendons’ drawing room. She’d fallen to her knees helplessly after their first meeting, when she’d faced his cold blue eyes straight.

Now she admitted it.

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