Chapter 103

“What I want to see is you alive, not dead and beautifully decorated, Teacher.”

His breath was hot from up close. Liv could feel the hand holding her chin moving slowly. It rubbed and glided across the chin, then down the neckline, and finally to the back of her neck.

It was entirely up to the Marquis to decide where and when this intimate contact would stop. Nevertheless, she could not leave it entirely to him.

After running her tongue across her lips, Liv spoke calmly.

“I came to Verworth Manor for Coryda’s treatment.”

Her voice naturally came out lower due to the close distance. Still, Liv at least tried not to tremble or stutter. She didn’t come to this mansion alone after all.

An hour from now, Coryda would be looking for her. Considering the one night she had spent with the Marquis, he would never finish such a thing in an hour.

“I hope you will consider it, my Lord.”

“You’re getting good at making requests, Teacher.”

“I’m giving it a try.”

Liv, who had been looking away, moved her pupils slightly. The blue pupils in front of her looked like fancy jewelry that could suck one’s soul dry. Therefore, she couldn’t help but stare straight into them. Although she didn’t know how that would reflect on the Marquis’ eyes.

“Since I think that’s what you want.”

The Marquis narrowed his eyes. Liv realized she had once again picked the right answer.

“You’re a fast learner. ”

I’m proud of you.

His last sentence was lost in the overlapping lips.

***

The date for Cardinal Calliope’s visit to Buerno had been announced.

Or more accurately, the cardinal’s pilgrimage itinerary had been made public, and Buerno was among the stops. The Cardinal would spend a few days visiting some of the chapels and orphanages in the city.

By now, the attention of the people was no longer on the cardinal’s visit, but on the specific schedule he would spend in Buerno. There were already a lot of one-off events being organized by the city itself to honor the Cardinal, and typically these events would be attended by all sorts of famous people.

Some were hoping that this time for sure the Marquis of Dietrion would make a public appearance. In particular, the press; they prepared their cameras, hoping to get a few good shots of the Marquis of Dietrion, who tended to avoid showing his face at all costs.

Not surprisingly, all of this attention was none of Demus’ business.

“We’ve given the press a heads up, but they’re still looking forward to it.”

Carefully studying the expression on Demus’ face as he read the newspaper, Charles reported.

“They can’t release the photos even if they have taken them, though.”

“They don’t know about it, sir.”

With a faint sneer, Demus tossed the newspaper onto his desk. On the front page was a large picture of the Cardinal smiling and waving his hand benignly.

“For now, I’ve adjusted your schedule accordingly.”

“I doubt my schedule is so busy that it needs to be adjusted.”

In general, Demus’ day-to-day routine was tedious. He had no aristocratic duties or responsibilities, no pressure to lead his family, and no sense of mission.

The most he did was periodically meet with the directors of art galleries to make art purchases and attend private auctions. Except recently, meeting Liv had added a bit of spice to his otherwise dull life.

While he thought it was unnecessary to adjust his schedule according to the Cardinal’s visit, Demus didn’t criticize Charles. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.

“Shall I arrange a date?”

“He said he’d come himself, so I have to see him.”

He thought he might give him an hour for the trouble of traveling to his place of exile.

Muttering cynically, Demus stared at the man in the picture. Even after all these years, the Cardinal was still a handsome man.

That alone made it easy for the Cardinal to win the hearts of the believers. It is human nature to seek beauty; Demus realized this as he watched the Cardinal’s followers.

In addition, Cardinal Calliope was a particularly outspoken advocate of peace within the Order. In this continent of conflicts, great and small, no believer would dislike a benevolent and kind-hearted cardinal who wished for peace.

“I heard that this time he’s truly going to be the next Gratia.”

Demus slanted one corner of his mouth up at Charles’ words.

As the highest cleric and head of the Order, the Gratia was elected from among the Cardinals. The most honorable position, the one that stood tall and was revered by everyone.

In order to get that position, blood had to be spilled, and it had to overflow to form a river.

Demus let out a blatant sneer, then muttered to himself.

“Didn’t they say Cardinal Augustine was the strongest contender?”

“It seems that his standing within the Order has taken a major turn for the worse since the battle between Elba and Torsten last year. Would you like me to investigate further?”

“No need. I’ve sort of figured it out.”

It was none of Demus’ business to find out the details. He had long since exited the stage they had created. Judging by how they were acting friendly toward him now, they’d probably concocted a silly storyline involving an ex-cast member being brought back to the stage…

But that was their business.

Just as he was about to look away, Charles continued his report.

“Next, Malte sent someone over.”