There were two extra works after Liv went to the main boulevard. And on those two occasions, Liv felt someone’s gaze when she got out of the black carriage.
Perhaps it was her increased nervousness that caused her to feel unnecessary scrutiny for no reason. It would be better if it was just her overreacting.
But once the anxiety bloomed, it kept growing.
If it were known that she was being paid for the extra work daily, someone would target her for a crime. No, it would be good if she was the target. Wasn’t the sick Coryda waiting for her and guarding the house alone until late in the evening?
Liv immediately checked the security of the house. She increased the door lock, and locked the windows tighter. She reminded Coryda to be careful of strangers.
However, she couldn’t be at ease at all.
She was just happy to make a lot of money, but she didn’t think she would find such an unexpected problem.
Shade was all over Liv’s face in a few days. Even Baroness Vendons was worried and advised Liv, saying, “If you are sick, don’t feel pressured and rest.” Liv tried to smile and replied that she was fine, but it didn’t sound convincing to the Baroness.
Should I just move?
She did have such a thought. However, when she thought about the place to move, there was no suitable place.
The only reason she could afford the lifestyle she had now was because she lived in one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Buerno. Moving to a safe neighborhood required more living expenses. It was too dangerous to increase fixed living expenses only by relying on extra work that could end at any time.
What if the extra work ends as soon as I move?
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became with no answers. Liv sighed unconsciously.
Wouldn’t there be someone else watching her today, on the way back? If they noticed that there was a big envelope in her arms…
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“What are you thinking?”
“Oh…”
Liv, who had been sitting in a daze, leaving her body to the flow of time, belatedly came to her senses. Blinking in confusion, Liv realized that this was the Marquis’ room and that she was working extra hours.
Today, the Marquis did not drink wine. Instead, a lit cigar was burning between his fingers.
“You haven’t stopped sighing since you walked into this room. Are you tired of your job?”
His tone sounded as if he would let her quit her job immediately if she wished. Liv’s heart sank for a moment.
“No, my Lord.”
The Marquis’ treatment of her had softened considerably lately. More precisely, it had been since the day she drank the wine. But it surely wouldn’t last long, and the Marquis was a sensitive man who could change his attitude as much as he wanted.
So instead of leaning on the tantalizingly close proximity to share her concerns, Liv opted to brace herself more.
“I apologize for bothering you.”
It seemed that her choice wasn’t wrong. For the Marquis, who nodded his head indifferently, did not seem curious enough to pry into her story.
He just seemed to be dissatisfied that Liv was not really concentrating on the work. Although it didn’t seem that sitting still required more concentration.
“If you’ve come to your senses, why don’t you open the box over there?”
The Marquis snapped his fingers and pointed. There was a box on the small side table next to the bed. The box itself, with its bright colors and large ribbon, was obviously very expensive.
It was something she would not normally be able to see, but she hadn’t noticed it for a long time, so it was clear that she really was out of her mind. Liv tried to ignore the rush of tiredness and stood up.
She had to untie the ribbon to open the box. Liv paused as she saw it appeared to be wrapped as a gift to someone.
Awkwardly touching the soft, expensive turquoise satin, she pulled the end of the ribbon. The ribbon flowed down without a hitch.
“This is…”
As Liv stood there, staring down into the open box, the impassive voice of the Marquis came from behind her.
“Why don’t you try it on?”
The thing inside the box was a necklace.
There was only a teardrop-shaped ruby dangling from a string so thin that it would be hard to notice if it wasn’t sparkly. The ruby was cut into an exquisite shape, and its color was so vivid and clear, making her afraid to touch it.
Liv looked back at the Marquis absently. The Marquis, smoking the cigar flatly, frowned at Liv, who was hesitant.
His response was like a push on Liv’s back. Liv carefully picked the necklace up.
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