Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 14
The Horton couple and Yannick had spread the word throughout the neighborhood that they were searching for Eren Wood, so everyone knew about the name inscribed on her body.
“Recently, she found her name’s master and began treatment. She’s improved enough to come to the festival with me now.”
Anna explained to Hils, as it wasn’t a secret.
“So, you really are Macy?”
“Yes… Hello, Hils. It’s been a long time.”
Macy greeted him awkwardly. Hils’ mouth opened and closed before his cheeks turned red. He busily rummaged through the basket of flowers and then handed Macy a bouquet of the same flowers he had given them earlier.
“Macy, I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you! And congratulations on your treatment! Will you accept my apology?”
“It’s okay. I didn’t recognize you at first either.”
“No, really. How could I not recognize you? I’m so sorry!”
“It’s really fine…”
Macy was unsure whether to accept the flowers, but Anna intervened.
“Oh, Hils. You’re making Macy uncomfortable. That’s why things don’t work out for you.”
“Ha ha, is that so?”
Hils laughed awkwardly. Despite her hesitation, Macy accepted the bouquet since it was clear he meant well. Hils then proudly declared that he knew Senew Street well and would guide them.
They bought hot dogs by the fountain, enjoyed a street performance with sweet violin music, and even danced in the middle of the street when Anna and Hils spontaneously started dancing, making Macy join in clumsily.
“Macy, you’re a great dancer! I think you have a talent for it!”
“Don’t tease me, Anna. Whew, but I’m getting a bit tired.”
“Ah, we’ve been walking around for too long. Let’s find a place to rest.”
Anna looked around for a place to sit. Just then, Hils clapped his hands as if he had a great idea.
“Let’s go to Romanci Bridge. There are benches there, so we can rest while watching the boating.”
“I was planning to go there anyway. I almost forgot!”
Though she had come to find a scenic view to paint, Macy had almost missed properly seeing the Senew River.
As they headed towards the bridge, the river flowed calmly beside them. Noblewomen, their dresses puffed out elegantly, enjoyed boat rides on wooden boats. The bright sunlight made them shield their faces with parasols and fan themselves to stay cool.
‘That looks fun.’
Yet, part of her worried—what if a boat sprung a leak, or a gust of wind capsized one? Lost in such thoughts, they arrived at Romanci Bridge. The inside of the bridge was covered with tourists’ graffiti and was arched in shape.
“Here! We’ve got a spot!”
Hils quickly ran to secure a bench that had just been vacated.
“This is perfect! Good job, Hils!”
Anna praised him, and Hils, puffing up his chest, replied proudly.
“Of course! Who do you think I am? I’ll go get us some juice. You ladies rest here.”
“Thanks, Hils.”
Hils ran off to the juice stand next to the shops. He was still the bright and kind boy she remembered from their childhood, though sometimes a bit overwhelming.
“Macy! Look at that! The river is sparkling.”
Anna had already turned around on the bench, kneeling to look over the edge. Macy joined her, climbing onto the bench.
“Wow!”
The clear cobalt blue water glimmered like gold under the sunlight. The arrangement of colorful houses and small shops along the river was picturesque. She could even see the clock tower in the square in the distance. The nobles on their decorated boats were excellent subjects for a painting.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Right? So, what do you think? Are you getting any inspiration?”
“Hmm?”
Anna looked at her expectantly.
“You know, inspiration. You said earlier that nothing was coming to you. Great artists say that seeing something beautiful can hit them like a bolt of lightning.”
“I don’t know… It is beautiful, but I’m not sure.”
The scenery was breathtaking, but the urge to paint it wasn’t there. Maybe she was too exhausted or perhaps it was because she was in an unfamiliar place.
Even now, several artists were setting up their easels on the bridge, capturing the festive atmosphere on their canvases.
‘Why don’t I feel like painting?’
Macy found herself deeply pondering this question.
She observed the scene before her, dissecting every element. The falling petals, the nobles leisurely waiting by the pier for their boat rides, the clusters of people watching from the bridge—all of it was serene and natural. It perfectly matched her vision of a festival.
‘Ah. Maybe that’s it…’
The realization hit her. While Macy did react to beauty, she was particularly drawn to things that were out of place. She found charm in the unusual and the dissonant.
The loneliness of a sunrise, the brightness of the night sky compared to the day, and the feeling of being an outsider—these were the things that captivated her.
She looked around, searching for something special and out of the ordinary.
“Wow! Look, there’s Duke Krygen!”
Anna exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.
“Duke Krygen?”
