Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 119
If she leaves for a foreign land, she wouldn’t hear much news about Eren. She would have to actively seek it out. She didn’t want to know if Eren got married or had children. Just seeing him disappear with his fiance was enough to break her heart.
She already felt overwhelmed by the thought of enduring what lay ahead.
“But, may I ask how old you are, Macy?”
Amid her turbulent thoughts, Benedict suddenly asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“I just became an adult this year.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Can I also ask your age, Your Highness?”
“Of course. I’m twenty-one.”
“I see.”
Prince Benedict looked youthful, similar in age to Macy. His platinum hair shone brightly even in the darkness. The clear gleam of his eyes and his slightly flushed cheeks gave him a fresh, almost boyish vibe.
Why hadn’t she noticed it before? He was beautiful, without a doubt.
Macy habitually examined his appearance. Perhaps feeling a bit self-conscious under her gaze, Benedict rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand.
“Is my face really that red? I had a bit of champagne…”
“No, not at all. I just think you look remarkable.”
“Please don’t say that. You are far more beautiful, Macy.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“It’s not flattery; it’s the truth. When I first saw you, I thought an angel had descended. Such beauty is reserved for someone like you. Compared to that, I’m nothing… ah, I’m not sure what to say.”
He stumbled over his words, looking flustered.
They had been engrossed in conversation, but now that he mentioned it, she noticed that his cheeks were indeed still quite red. Had Prince Benedict drunk more champagne than she realized? Suddenly, he staggered a bit.
“Ah, are you okay?”
Macy quickly steadied the Prince. With a slightly embarrassed look, Benedict covered his face with one hand.
“Yes, I’m fine. I just lost my balance… I must have drunk more than I thought. I tend to feel tipsy a bit slowly.”
Supporting an adult man for long was a challenge for Macy’s strength. She glanced around, then guided him toward a nearby tree.
“I’ll go get someone. Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness.”
“Wait a moment, Macy.”
Just as she was about to turn away, he grabbed her arm.
“Could you stay by my side and not call anyone?”
“What?”
“It’s just that if I rest a little, I’ll be fine. Just for a moment…”
Was Prince Benedict secretly afraid of being left alone in this eerie garden? She realized she would also not like being alone in a place like this.
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
Macy nodded and squatted down beside him.
Prince Benedict took a deep breath. Still, the effects of the alcohol seemed to linger, and he rubbed his face.
Macy watched him anxiously, wondering if he might be unwell. After a moment of catching his breath, Prince Benedict spoke in a quiet voice.
“Actually, I’ve thought about you often since that day, Macy.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
He looked at her with a dreamy expression, as if he was in a trance. His unfocused eyes drifted over to her.
“I thought I might never see you again, so meeting you like this feels like a dream. I thought it was just my own sentiment, and I can’t express how happy I am that you’ve called me to this garden.”
Why was he so happy about that?
Macy found it puzzling that he kept saying he was glad to be called to the garden.
As she tilted her head in confusion, his hand slowly rose to her cheek.
“Though I’m being foolish and making a ridiculous scene, would you accept my feelings?”
“What do you mean…?”
“It doesn’t matter to me if you have a name master, as long as you don’t love that person.”
What was this? A confession…?
His sudden declaration left Macy completely stunned.
Could she really refuse someone of royal blood at this moment?
Just then, his hand that had been on her cheek moved to the back of her neck. He suddenly pulled her closer, causing her body to lean forward.
“Your Highness!”
Macy collapsed against Prince Benedict, their faces uncomfortably close.
She locked eyes with his dreamy gaze that still seemed to be wandering in a daze.
“It seems I fell for you at first sight, Macy.”
“Ugh!”
Before she could even react, her mouth was covered. The sweet scent of champagne that lingered on his lips pressed against hers.
