Chapter 11

Despite her worry that the Marquis might try to mock her during the work, or that he might click his tongue at her shabby appearance, the Marquis observed the work very quietly. Brad, who seemed to be so cautious of the Marquis for even drawing a single line, gradually picked up the pace. Once he started working, he seemed to be able to concentrate.

Unfortunately, Liv could not do that. This was because she felt the gaze on her skin all too clearly.

It could have been her inferiority complex. No, it was surely something like that. Knowing that the Marquis was in the studio, she thought that she could feel his eyes on her.

What made it even more unnerving was that she, sitting with her back to the Marquis, had no idea what he might be doing. It would have been better to forget his existence, but the scent of wine subtly coming along with the smell of paint kept reminding her of the Marquis’ existence.

In fact, Liv thought he would watch for an hour at most before leaving the studio.

An hour, huh? She could have praised him for being very patient even if he lasted only 30 minutes. How boring must it be to see the painting that was only a sketch and a model who was only sitting without changing her posture?

Surprisingly, however, the Marquis remained in place for more than an hour.

But how long will that patience last?

When Brad was focused, he could usually work for hours without being interrupted. Once Brad forgot the Marquis’ existence and focused on the painting, the work would last longer than expected.

Now he might be amazed and watch while sipping the wine, but soon he would lose interest.

For that reason, she was more focused than ever and tried to meet the request from Brad. All while recalling the few models in the paintings she had ever seen. Then, at the moment she finally got used to this unfamiliar space little by little,

Clang!

A loud noise rang out. There was only the sound of sketching with a pencil and the sound of someone’s breathing at best, so the sudden noise felt especially loud and sharp.

Liv, who shrunk her shoulders in surprise, looked back at the place where the sound was made without realizing it. At a short distance from where the Marquis sat, she could see a shattered wine glass and red liquid spilled everywhere.

“Oh, my! Are you all right, my Lord!”

Brad threw his pencil down. The work which seemed like it was finally picking up speed quickly came to a halt.

“Oh, it slipped out of my hand.”

Said the Marquis in a rather insincere tone. Brad, who was making a fuss asking if he was hurt, rushed out of the studio, saying he would call a servant.

Liv, who suddenly came to her senses after hearing the loud closing of the studio door, immediately wrapped the blanket around her. She had no intention of showing her body to a servant who came in to clean up the wine.

Liv, who wrapped her whole body in a blanket, glanced toward where the Marquis was sitting. The Marquis was still sitting on the sofa. Leaning obliquely backwards with his long legs propped up on a stool, he held a thick cigar in his hand.

Nonetheless, he looked like a neat-obsessed man who would frown upon cigar smoke.

The moment she opened her eyes wide at the unexpected appearance, the Marquis said in a cold voice.

“Excuse me.”

While he asked for understanding, his tone was practically a coercive declaration. She didn’t deserve to hear him saying “excuse me,” even if it was an empty word, so Liv averted her gaze and replied that it was okay. Soon, the strong smell of cigars began to mingle with the aroma of wine.

Liv glanced again as if drawn to the scent. Perhaps because it was the Marquis who seemed to be upright anytime, anywhere, he looked very relaxed just by holding a cigar. He closed his eyes, seemingly unaware of Liv’s gaze, and remained silent in thought.

That reaction of treating her like she wasn’t there encouraged Liv. Liv observed him for the first time without fear or nervousness. The slightly disheveled platinum hair, beautiful nose, and close lips were indeed well-made sculptures.

And look at those long limbs. The clothes design itself was common, but when the Marquis wore it, it looked like clothes of the century.

Liv’s eyes turned to his hands, which hung relaxedly on the armrest. He was wearing white gloves.

Huh?

Liv suddenly looked down at the floor, puzzled.  Traces of wine were seen everywhere. Liv’s head tilted slightly to the side.

The moment the puzzled look flashed across her eyes, the Marquis, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly opened them.

Startled, Liv quickly looked away. She shrunk her neck while pulling the blanket tighter for no reason, but the door of the studio opened and Brad returned in time.

“For-forgive me, but there’s no servant nearby…”

Brad hunched over, looking contrite. The Marquis, who had been staring at Brad with hardly any emotion, rose to his feet.

“Let’s call it a day.”

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