Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 17
“If I were in that situation, what would you do, Duke?”
Isabella asked.
“I would ensure you receive treatment.”
“Even if it means I must be with another man?”
“Yes.”
His answer came sternly.
“And what if there were problems…”
“My lady.”
Suddenly, Rubens’s voice deepened. It felt like a warning, making Isabella tremble inside.
“Marriage is a sacred vow taken before God. It is a union between families and a ceremony where lifelong companions pledge love and loyalty to each other. I would not choose a spouse without that level of trust.”
His tone felt distinctly colder, making Isabella cautious. It was clear that her remarks had irked him and he was setting things straight.
Isabella considered stopping there, but he chuckled dismissively.
“Besides, it’s only a matter of nighttime, isn’t it? No matter how dark it gets, a single beam of light dispels it.”
“What?”
“It means there’s no reason to fear such trivial matters.”
A slow smile spread across Isabella’s face.
In other words, Rubens also viewed the name bond, something people called as strong as fate, as a fragile connection. And that the name master could disappear as easily as they appeared if overshadowed by nobility.
“Still, I think it would be sad if the person I trust were to betray me.”
“Ah, Duke, really. You know I wouldn’t do that.”
Rubens spoke with a nonchalant expression, clearly not distressed by the conversation. Isabella was pleased with his attitude towards the name, and her earlier worries quickly dissipated.
As the atmosphere warmed again, he wiped away his smile and looked back outside. Although he maintained his composure, Isabella knew he didn’t enjoy boat rides.
It was a test just for her.
‘No matter what my family needs, it doesn’t matter. After all, this man is mine, right here before me.’
A reassurance that she was needed by Rubens. A reassurance that their marriage would proceed without issue.
The only family that was worthy of the Krygen family in Obelite was the Werfel.
Isabella watched her future husband that was more splendid than any landscape and smiled happily.
* * *
“Ha….”
As soon as he climbed into the carriage, Rubens quickly took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeve.
There were fine lines of tension etched into his normally immaculate brow. He had anticipated since entering Senew Street that he would be irritated.
It was the first time in a while for the typically antisocial noble, Rubens Krygen to make an appearance.
It was a venue unusually public
‘Why do they even enjoy this…’
Boating was a luxurious pastime, flaunting the wealth and social standing of the nobility. Rubens despised such ostentation.
The Krygen name alone was enough, without needing to parade his status. While other nobles might relish the attention, Rubens was thoroughly displeased with it. He felt like a monkey on display.
‘But, unexpectedly, I saw a face.’
Among those watching from the bridge, there she was.
The pale girl who seemed almost ethereal in the glow of the fireplace. The slender girl was so faint in color she might disappear under the light. Macy, though of age, appeared naively youthful under the veil. Her clear olive eyes still sparkled as they looked down on him.
“I think I saw that girl.”
“That girl… Miss Horton, you mean?”
Kronen, his aide, who was also riding in the carriage immediately recognized whom Rubens referred to. Rubens nodded silently.
‘That girl’ could only be Macy. He kept referring to her as that, as if perhaps he had forgotten her name.
“What was she doing today?”
“This morning’s report said she was at home. Lately, she hasn’t even come out to the front yard, just staying in her room.”
“She should just stay home; why come out?”
Rubens clicked his tongue, unable to hide his annoyance. Even on days not scheduled for the name treatment, he regularly received updates about Macy.
“It’s only natural to be curious, isn’t it? Especially since she hasn’t frequented such crowded places since her childhood. She’s at the age of peak curiosity, after all.”
“That may be, but she’s been able to walk for quite some time and yet has chosen to stay secluded in her room for so long.”
“Perhaps she’s just now found the courage to venture out.”
Kronen’s voice carried a hint of amusement. Rubens stared silently at his aide, then let out a short, dismissive laugh.
“Whatever that girl has done to you folks, she’s certainly made an impression.”
“Ahem.”
Kronen cleared his throat awkwardly.
Rubens wasn’t just referring to Kronen.
He meant the ‘guards’ he had sent along, Morgan and Philips, and even Dia who was said to be from the Krygen brokerage.
In fact, Morgan was the stable master at the Duke’s manor, Philips the gardener, and Dia served directly under Rubens as his personal maid. To ensure secrecy, those involved in the name treatment were all trustworthy personnel from Krygen’s own staff.
But lately, it seemed that Krygen’s servants had grown quite fond of Macy, often sharing laughs with her. They competed, in a manner of speaking, to see who could befriend her the most.
Their affection for her was so evident in their tones and actions towards Macy that one might think they were her actual family.
Even the stern Dia had been known to set aside delicious desserts to bring to Macy on the days they went to the cabin.
