~CMWDD 19~

Chapter 19

Olentia was carefully examining the mansion, noticing details she hadn’t seen during her brief previous visit.

The Odor Manor featured an impressively extravagant chandelier, and every column gleamed as if gilded in gold.

Moreover, the most noticeable change was the abundance of porcelain decorations. Expensive porcelain was displayed everywhere, as if meant to impress visitors at a glance. The patterns were so delicate and intricate that her eyes almost spun from the sight.

After surveying the mansion, Olentia let out a small, amused laugh and looked at Count Odor.

“Uncle, didn’t you go a bit overboard just because Grand Duke Belial is coming? This doesn’t feel like the Odor Manor I know…”

The Count scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Of course. I can see a few spots that aren’t exactly harmonious.”

“I just didn’t want to look weak, niece. Just pretend you don’t notice.”

Count Odor’s face flushed a cute shade of red. Unlike his mother, Malisa, he had quite a few flaws.

Olentia found her uncle’s imperfections endearing.

She smiled and spoke.

“Ha! Understood. By the way… where is His Excellency, the Grand Duke? Where are you staying?”

Curiosity arose since Dimidius wasn’t visible in the mansion. Of course, she didn’t expect he had come out just to see her—she was merely curious. Which floor would he stay on? What kind of room? Why had he summoned her? Was he genuinely worried?

At Olentia’s question, Count Odor tilted his head.

“Why are you curious about that?”

She had expected this. Count Odor would find the relationship between her and Grand Duke Belial puzzling.

Olentia shrugged and avoided his gaze.

“Oh, just… I don’t want to make a mistake.”

The Count spoke to her as they ascended the smooth marble staircase.

“His Excellency is on the fifth floor. You’re on the third, so please don’t make a mistake. Understood?”

He was very particular about mistakes. That was probably why he hadn’t told Archbishop Werbu why he had come to Odor territory.

‘Right. It must be inconvenient for Uncle. And for His Excellency…’

Thinking of Dimidius Belial made her face warm subtly while her heart sank. It was contradictory. She figured it was because of all the embarrassing incidents that had occurred before. The odd mixture of chills and warmth she felt would linger for a while.

Having reached the third floor, Olentia asked the Count, who was personally guiding her to the guest room.

“How did the negotiations go? Were they successful?”

The Count flinched in surprise.

“How would you know that?”

“Well… you’re not exactly close to the Grand Duke. So it must have been business, right?”

That level of deduction didn’t seem odd.

Count Odor chuckled.

“It went well. I got what I wanted, and His Excellency got what he wanted. I’m glad it wrapped up nicely.”

His voice was filled with sincerity.

‘If the negotiations are finished, then His Excellency will leave soon, right?’

The thought of Dimidius leaving Odor territory brought relief. Olentia inspected the guest room with a more relaxed mind.

A lavish canopy bed, a charming little table, and a display case full of dolls stood out.

Not much had changed since her previous visits. This room was essentially her dedicated space whenever she came to the Odor Manor.

Feeling subtly reassured by the familiar setup, Olentia changed into her loungewear as soon as Count Odor left and took a rest.

She must have been quite tired. The moment her head touched the pillow, she fell asleep and woke up feeling thoroughly refreshed, without having dreamt a thing.

Yet the sun was already high in the sky, and Bobi hurried in with a basin of washwater.

“I didn’t wake you on purpose, Miss. You seemed to be sleeping so soundly.”

Olentia tidied her disheveled hair and yawned.

“Ahh! Good call. Definitely more comfortable than the villa.”

“Of course. Even though knights were stationed at the villa, this place is much safer. I’m sure you were unconsciously uncomfortable there. I’m so glad you’re finally here in the main building.”

Olentia agreed. Stretching her arms upward, she felt much more refreshed.

Without realizing it, she mentioned Dimidius.

“It’s thanks to Grand Duke Belial.”

Because Dimidius had granted her understanding, she felt that way.

Bobi looked at her curiously.

“Have you grown close to His Excellency without me noticing?”

Nonsense. Olentia quickly waved her hands.

“No! Not at all. It’s just… coincidence after coincidence.”

It was a problem when some people tried to frame such coincidences as fate. She would absolutely dislike someone like that.

Yet, ironically, when Olentia first met Dimidius, she had thought the encounter was fate.

Shaking her head to clear distracting thoughts, she murmured thoughtfully.

“When will I get a reply, I wonder…”

She felt that Ancedo would respond immediately, but it hadn’t happened.

Olentia had patiently waited for three days.

She longed for a reply. Once it came, she could tell whether her premonition had been true or false, and also get a sense of what kind of person Ancedo really was.

It would be best if it turned out to have been a simple misunderstanding.

After all, she had no desire to have premonitions that only a saint could experience.

Just then, with her arms crossed and lips pouting, there was a knock.

Knock, knock!

Bobi opened the door, stepped out, and returned with a message.

“Miss, Count Odor says that since you’re here in the main building, he’d like everyone to have lunch together in the garden. It was originally scheduled for breakfast, but since you were sleeping, it became lunch.”

Olentia chuckled in disbelief. Her uncle was definitely teasing her. Still, thinking of whether Dimidius had been waiting for her made her blush slightly.

Looking through her wardrobe for a dress, she said hurriedly.

“I’ll need about an hour to get ready. Tell him that’s fine.”

Bobi smiled and left, and Olentia finally chose the dress she would wear today.

Olentia wore a flounced dress with many pleats. A white ribbon hung on the chest, and the overall color was blue.

The large bell-shaped dress was inconvenient for movement, but she didn’t want a too-comfortable style. She accessorized with yellow diamond jewelry that complemented the blue, giving her an elegant appearance.

In the Odor Manor’s garden, where spring flowers bloomed abundantly, Olentia sat at a white table, looking at the food the maids had prepared. She could feel Dimidius’s gaze from across the table but tried to act nonchalant.

‘Why are you staring so intently? Uncle will find it strange.’

Count Odor, sitting beside her, looked puzzled. He glanced between Olentia and Dimidius.

“Do you two know each other already? Somehow, it feels like it.”

Olentia flinched slightly and faced Dimidius.

He, seemingly unconcerned, sipped his aperitif under the mask.

“Our chance encounters persisted. Three times, maybe four. That much.”

‘Please, don’t call it fate!’

Olentia pleaded silently, but Dimidius spoke plainly.

“It can be considered fate. That’s how our relationship has become, Count Odor.”

She had heard the words she disliked the most. Dimidius truly was incompatible with her.

Olentia quickly shook her head at Count Odor.

“No, no! We’re not like that. His Excellency is joking! Hahaha!”

Her laugh was awkward.

“Are you really joking? How did you end up meeting so often?”

“By chance on the way here. Mostly on the way to Odor territory.”

Count Odor looked puzzled for a moment, then gestured toward the abundant meal.

“Talk later. Eat first. The chef outdid himself today.”

Indeed, it seemed so. Olentia started with a fish-rich soup, then moved on to duck cooked long in red wine. The flavors of the southern Bonus Empire delighted her palate.

Even while eating, Dimidius didn’t remove his mask. The Bauta mask was designed for eating and drinking, but it was still remarkable. Why would he never take it off?

‘He must be hiding something about his face…’

‘It’s been ten or fifteen years? Whatever the exact reason, there must be one. I think so too.’

She recalled how noblewomen at social parties would secretly gossip behind fans. They must have been hiding some unsightly features.

Olentia tried not to think about those things. She could just ask Dimidius directly.

Trembling slightly from curiosity, she asked him:

“Isn’t the mask… uncomfortable?”

It seemed like a reasonable question. Eating with a masked person felt somewhat awkward.

Dimidius, using his cutlery casually, replied:

“As I said on the train, the mask is my face. It seems that the uncomfortable one is the lady, isn’t it?”

Caught in the act.

Olentia quickly looked away, regret washing over her for asking.

After drinking a glass of cold water, she spoke as gently as possible.

“No, there’s nothing uncomfortable for me. You don’t need to worry at all. By the way, since the negotiations are finished, you’ll be returning to the capital soon, right?”

She smoothly changed the topic but still felt Dimidius’s piercing gaze. Enduring it was more uncomfortable than any other matter. His eyes clung relentlessly.

Count Odor interjected.

“You said you’d leave tomorrow morning, right?”

‘Really?’

Olentia sighed with relief. If he left the main building, she could stay more comfortably.

‘Please, leave as soon as possible.’

But Dimidius suddenly propped his chin on one hand and mischievously said:

“Plans have changed slightly. May I stay a few more days?”