Odalisque - Chapter 47

“You’re late.”

Demus said in a flat tone as he checked the table clock on the mantelpiece. Hearing that, Liv slowly opened her pale lips.

“I’ve been treated.”

“You’ve been treated?”

Demus’ eyes turned to Adolf, who stood behind Liv.

“It’s a light bruise.”

He thought he wasn’t too late.

“So there’s a scratch…”

Even though Demus showed his displeasure without any hesitation, Liv didn’t care much. Or, more accurately, it didn’t seem like she could be bothered to care about Demus’ mood.

Well, she surely couldn’t notice his mood in this kind of situation. She almost got attacked by a stranger, and she saw him get shot right in front of her. Above all, it was from such a close distance that she got his blood splattered on her.

Demus gestured to the sofa across from him with his chin.

“Let’s sit down for now.”

“You can sit over here, Miss Rhodes.”

Adolf supported Liv’s arm and led her to the sofa. Demus, who was staring at Liv walking carefully, squinted his eyes.

“Didn’t you say it was a light bruise?”

“She sprained her ankle when she fell. It’ll get better with enough rest.”

Demus’ gaze went down. The thin ankle peeked out from under the hem and disappeared.

“Have a talk then.”

Adolf, who carefully supported Liv, bowed politely and stepped back. Liv, who had been following Adolf’s lead half-dazed, glanced back at him. There was a hint of worry and pleading in the faltering gaze. That must mean she had relied mentally on Adolf in a short period of time.

Demus only stared quietly at Liv. Liv, who looked pitifully at Adolf, sighed as she saw the door being closed.

“Are you all right, Teacher?”

“Oh, yes.”

“You don’t look good.”

“Because I’ve been through something unfortunate.”

Liv’s hands trembled as she said so. She clutched her skirt tightly, as if trying to hold back the tremor. It was completely different from her usual dauntless attitude.

“Indeed, it was an unexpected incident.”

“… I owe you a favor. How do I repay this favor?”

Rather than sincere, Liv’s thanks was more like speaking out the words she had prepared in advance. Even as she rambled on, her anxiety was evident throughout her body.

From her shrinking shoulders, eyes looking at her feet, and the pale lips.

“If I had known you would get hurt, I would have moved a little faster.”

Liv, who was rambling conventional words of thanks, paused. She, who had been only looking at the floor all the time since entering this room, slowly raised her head. The wide opened green eyes stared straight at him.

“Was it you who shot the gun?”

The Marquis tilted his head as he saw she was surprised as if she had never imagined that.

“Who did you think it was?”

“… I, thought it was obviously Mr. Adolf.”

Liv, who was stuttering, gradually regained her composure. A faint suspicion blended into the gaze that was simply of a surprise. It seemed that she didn’t think Demus would have come forward and done anything.

Of course, no one would think that Demus would have stepped forward in person in this situation.

Demus glanced around the room. He ignored Liv, who was staring at him as if she wanted a definite answer.

“It was a pretty bad neighborhood. I don’t think what happened today will end in a one-off. Am I jumping to conclusions?”

Anxiety crossed over Liv’s face at that.

“Today is a rare occasion. That alley wasn’t always like this…”

“The problem is the fact that you became the target.”

Liv closed her mouth as he replied indifferently.

“Can you walk through that alley comfortably?”

Of course, it wouldn’t be possible. She would surely feel reluctant to walk through that alley even if it only got a little dark. The fear of that time would be revived every time she passed through that alley even though the blood was no longer there. The threatening shadow, the desolate surroundings where there was no place to ask for help, and the cool and dark air.

Just look at her now. When asked if she would be able to walk through that alley, Liv’s expression froze at once.

Demus turned to her and pretended to speak in a generous tone.

“Live in this house. I’ll only accept as much as you’ve been paying for your rent.”

“… Do you mean this house?”

Liv finally looked around the room. It seemed to dawn on her that this wasn’t the secluded mansion she had always visited. Rather, it was more like a normal family home, albeit one that hadn’t been lived in for a long time and was a bit dreary.

“I don’t think it’s going to be bad for you.”

Liv, looking around the house with shaking eyes, furrowed her brows. The bewildered tone reflected the confusion she was feeling now.

“That’s way too much help for me. Why… Why are you being so kind?”

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