Odalisque - Chapter 32

She had guessed it from the unusually increased artworks, but it seemed to be true that the Vendons were intending to make the Marquis come for a visit again. They would have thought that even if the Marquis did not come, they would not lose any money since the artworks would also serve as an investment.

The Vendons would be rich with money, so that shouldn’t be too much of a burden.

“But the Marquis doesn’t usually walk outside.”

“But he came to my house twice. I’m sure he will come again! My parents said they will invite him to dinner next time he visits. That’s why we’re fixing the dining room interior these days!”

Liv wanted to say it was too hasty, but she closed her lips.

He was a mysterious man, so he might really show himself again in the House of Vendons one day. If this were to happen, the friendship between the Baron of Vendons and the Marquis of Dietrion would become an established fact and it would spread to the people of Buerno.

Millian, half-dreaming, clasped her hands together and made a dazed look.

“Oh, I hope he will come soon!”

“Do you want to see him again so badly?”

“Of course! Teacher, it’s because you couldn’t see the Marquis up close. I mean, really, how could someone like him be human?”

Yeah, that face is really… astonishing to be human.

Liv smiled softly and nodded. While she thought it was amazing that his presence had been mentioned so much in her daily life during these few weeks.

***

As usual, Liv did the extra work today. Brad no longer found it strange that Liv moved separately, as if he had been informed about it.

Arriving at the deepest room at the uppermost level of the mansion, Liv, undressed, paused when she tried to sit as usual.

Actually, Liv always sat with her back to the Marquis during the few extra shifts.

He wanted an ornamental plant, not a conversation partner. Thus, there was no reason for her to face him. Sometimes the Marquis would click his tongue at her stiff back, but she pretended to not notice it and kept her back shown because he didn’t coerce her to make another posture.

But was it because her conversation with Millian stuck in her mind?

Liv suddenly wondered what kind of face would the Marquis have while sitting in this quiet room. So, literally, it was curiosity.

Everyone outside talked about how cold and indifferent the Marquis of Dietrion was, as well as how sensitive and temperamental he was. Perhaps they had never seen the Marquis of Dietrion smiling. And also the way he sat leisurely while smoking a cigar, or the way he drank wine dully.

The Marquis’ expression when he was enjoying this special hobby was probably different from what the others knew. The thought of it aroused intense curiosity.

How does he look at me? As he said on the first day, would he see me as a houseplant by the window, and appreciate me casually?

After agonizing for a while, Liv carefully repositioned herself. It was a long sofa next to the bed. From where the Marquis was sitting, it would probably look like she was sitting sideways. While for Liv, it was a place where she could see the Marquis’ movements by rolling her eyes slightly without turning her head.

Liv, who had impulsively chosen the sofa, touched the cushion on the sofa with a subtle nervousness. Then she glanced sideways at the Marquis.

At that moment, she made direct eye contact with the Marquis.

Of course, she had thought that he was looking at her, but when their eyes met like that, she felt like a mouse standing in front of a cat.

It felt too late to avert her gaze, so she was staring at him, and she saw the Marquis slowly raising his wine glass. His demeanor was very relaxed as he sipped his wine without breaking eye contact.

She wondered if it was because of the wine. The closed lips looked particularly red. Moreover, he was a fair-skinned man, so when the color came to his face, he looked very crafty.

“Would you like a drink?”

Liv, who had been staring at the Marquis in a daze, was surprised and involuntarily lowered her eyes. She heard the Marquis snort briefly. It sounded like he was laughing at her, so Liv looked up again.

“… Give me please.”

It was half a kind of smugness. She wondered if her manner would annoy the Marquis, but fortunately he did not mind and pulled out another extra glass.

The red wine swirled in a clear, round glass. The Marquis, who had filled the glass moderately, lifted it himself and offered it to Liv. He didn’t seem to have the intention to give it to her personally, but to tell her to come and get it.

Swallowing hard, she carefully pushed herself up and walked over to him.

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