Odalisque - Chapter 30

“Millian, it’s really been a long time.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

At first glance, Millian’s smile was no different than usual. Seeing that her cheeks had become a bit slimmer, she seemed to have lost weight, but Millian did not seem to want to talk about the time when she was sick.

But when she opened the textbook, she quickly whined with a gloomy face.

“My head hurts because it’s been a while since I’ve studied. Can’t I take a break today?”

Instead of being really sick, she looked like she wanted to play because she didn’t want to study.

Liv, who was about to shake her head as strictly as usual, soon changed her mind. Although she didn’t hear anything from Millian, she was certain that something had happened to her during the break.

She didn’t know what had happened, but Millian must have been in a lot of trouble, so it would be good to relax for a day.

“All right. If Lady Vendons allows us, let’s go out today for a change.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I heard they’re floating a boat decorated with flowers on the lake these days. Aren’t you curious?”

“I’m curious!”

“I will go and ask, so wait a minute.”

She thought it might get turned down because it was an impulsive outing, but surprisingly, Baroness Vendons told her to go willingly and prepared a carriage. She, too, seemed to have been aware of her daughter’s gloomy condition.

“If anything, it’s something I’m grateful for. I was worried because she didn’t eat properly and didn’t go outside.”

Baroness Vendons added that the child, who had never been sick in her life, was suffering badly from a cold and seemed to have lost a lot of energy. It was implied that they could go out for a change, but not to overdo it. Liv nodded coolly and accepted her request.

A maid joined them on their schedule, having hastily packed refreshments in the kitchen. The preparations were not too bad for an impulsive outing.

“Wow, look at the sky!”

Liv breathed a sigh of inner relief at the sight of Millian pointing out the carriage window excitedly. The liveliness at Millian’s complexion told her that it was a good decision.

The scenery of the lake, which they used to sit by, was beautiful as ever. The open landscape moved her like no other landscape painting could. There was no frame to limit the view, so as far as the eye could reach was simply a painting and a work of art. It was even enough to make people forget a moment of worry.

“Teacher, it’s a flower boat!”

Millian, who was waiting for the refreshments prepared by the maid, exclaimed and pointed to the lake. Sure enough, in the distance, a small boat filled with colorful fresh flowers floated gently by.

Liv had heard about it in the store, but it was also her first time seeing it in person.

“Wow, it’s so pretty. Can’t we ride it?”

“I don’t think we can.”

First, the boat was too small, and it was full of flowers. Millian made a sullen face and drooped her shoulders as she heard Liv’s answer. But then she made a resolution with a coy face.

“I’m going to ask my dad to buy me a boat! A boat that’s much prettier than that!”

“A boat?”

“Yes! I’ll invite you first if I buy a boat! You have to ride it with me, okay?”

She would be the first one to go on the boat if she bought one? Liv smiled awkwardly, thinking that it might not be useless for Camille to come to her to ask for help with the teaching method.

“Wouldn’t it be more fun to ride it with your friends?”

She asked insinuatingly, recalling many of Millian’s friends, but the response was not good.

Millian, pouting her lips, poking the scone in front of her with a fork and confessed in a raspy voice.

“Actually, I had a fight with them.”

“You had a fight?”

She had guessed it, but a problem really happened it seemed.

Liv opened her eyes wide and stared at Millian. Millian, who had been making a mess of her scones, sighed and spoke up.

“It was toward the end of the birthday party. Well, Jaylene said that I’m getting the Marquis’ attention with money and laughed at me.”

“Oh, my…”

Jaylene was the daughter of the prominent Delli Merchant Guild who made their fortune in the maritime trade. Everyone didn’t talk about it, but they knew that they had bought the genealogy of a certain poor viscount.

In any case, the Master of Delli Merchant Guild bought an aristocratic genealogy, made his daughter an aristocratic young lady, and sent her into aristocratic society. As far as Liv knew, he also had a business partnership with the Vendons family.

“So I answered that it is true that my family is rich, but the Marquis is not a person who will be interested in anyone for money. I said it in a calm, cultured way, as I learned from you, Teacher. But then Jaylene cried. The others said I was being inconsiderate of Jaylene’s situation and being insensitive.”

“I see.”

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