Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 109
‘And to dare mention the name in front of me.’
It was clearly Isabella’s mistake to bring up that topic. Did she really think Rubens would blink an eye over something so trivial? She might have thought she was being clever, but it seemed she had misjudged him completely.
On the other hand, it was somewhat fortunate. By making such a blunder, Isabella had freed Rubens from the hassle of having to meet in secret. He could now visit Macy even after sleeping in the same bed.
It was incredibly convenient that the misunderstanding about loving the name master had come up.
If Isabella were to mention this tomorrow and refuse to get engaged, Rubens was prepared to seek another woman. One who wouldn’t complicate his meetings with Macy.
He was thinking of elevating such a woman to the position of Duchess. While this would mean forgoing a significant opportunity with the Werfel family, Macy was worth it.
He didn’t want to see her heartbroken any longer. He didn’t want to witness her pushing him away. When had he started caring for her so much?
Rubens twisted his mouth into a wry smile. It seemed he was gradually losing his mind over Macy, whether or not it could be called love. Such a change could never be love.
“I need to go to the cabin. Get it ready.”
“Right now?”
Kronen looked startled by the sudden command.
“Is your health not good?”
“No, I just want to hold someone.”
“Excuse me?”
“Do I need to report to you who I want to hold?”
Kronen immediately lowered his head at the sharp inquiry.
“No, but it would be better for you not to go today.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you’re about to be engaged to another woman.”
The response came out as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“No matter how much you soothe her, do you think Miss Macy will feel at ease?”
“Taking into account the feelings of your superior’s mistress, what a truly capable assistant you are.”
Only then did Kronen awkwardly close his mouth. Despite saying that, Rubens found himself deep in thought.
Normally, he would go to relieve this frustration regardless of Macy’s feelings, but the image of Macy, who couldn’t hide her gloomy expression while nestled against him, lingered in his mind. His head throbbed, and he desperately craved her touch, but Rubens took a breath and swallowed the pain.
“Leave me now. I’ll be going to bed.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Kronen’s expression brightened slightly. It was almost confusing whose assistant he was.
‘Clearly, she wasn’t feeling well that day.’
Rubens lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time because of that thought. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about Macy being late that day.
Why? Eventually, he drifted off to sleep, only to be troubled by dreams of Macy crying.
* * *
Macy woke up late in the afternoon, with the sun hanging over the mountain ridge and casting a reddish hue across the sky. She had intentionally gone to sleep watching the sunrise, but the day hadn’t quite passed yet. She muttered to herself weakly,
“Has the ceremony ended…?”
Today was the day of Eren’s engagement. It was to be held in the grand cathedral, with only a select few nobles invited. The banquet would take place at the Duke’s residence, and Macy’s painting would also be unveiled during the event.
Turning her gaze slightly, she spotted Eren’s shirt draped over a chair. His cigar case, ashtray, and cufflinks were neatly placed on the side table. Having Eren’s belongings around in the cabin oddly brought her some comfort. The presence of his things made her feel less lonely, even when she was alone.
Was she subconsciously trying to find some happiness in this? Did she think things wouldn’t get worse from here?
“Why were you late? Did something happen?”
Seeing Eren while he observed her expression at the Count’s townhouse, she wanted to believe she had become someone special.
“Nothing happened. I just… took a while looking for my brush.”
As Eren was about to add something, he fell silent when Lady Werfel entered the room. At first, his expression, which showed no cracks in any situation, turned angry and spiteful. She felt a surge of frustration at the fact that he had deceived her without a hint of hesitation.
Yet, she also felt a mix of pity and admiration for him. He had lived his whole life pretending to be someone else….
‘How dare anyone pity him? Eren isn’t struggling with this situation.’
In fact, he might even be enjoying it—kissing a high-ranking noble lady while mocking Macy, who was to become his mistress. If not, then the events of that day were something Macy couldn’t comprehend.
Since then, Eren hadn’t come to the cabin, probably too busy with the preparations for the engagement. No matter how irregularly he came and went, he would always make an appearance on Fridays.
But with the engagement happening the next day, he hadn’t shown up this time.
