Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 52
Macy felt wronged. However, expressing her frustration here…
“If you have a problem with my judgment, you may leave.”
Baron Shearton responded coldly. His usual smile was gone, replaced by a stern and frosty demeanor.
“It seems Kieran won’t be coming back, but what about you, Macy?”
“No! I have no complaints!”
Macy immediately dropped to her knees and cried out.
“Kieran won’t have any complaints either! I’m sorry for causing trouble. Please, just give him one more chance, Baron. Please.”
“Hey, what are you…!”
“Quiet. This isn’t helping me.”
Macy whispered to Kieran as he tried to help her up. It was rude to a noble, it could have been considered a serious offense.
Kieran’s face remained angry, but he didn’t make any further disturbances.
“Kieran, I don’t want to be evaluated by my own money. Remember this if you wish to participate in future outings.”
Baron Shearton gave a stern warning and turned away. It was a cold voice Macy had never heard before.
* * *
On the way out of the Baron’s estate, Macy spoke to Kieran.
“Why did you do that? You almost lost your job.”
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t get to be an outing painter! It’s not like they’re the only ones who’ll hire me!”
“It does matter to me. Since this is the only place available, I have no choice but to accept whatever decision the Baron makes.”
Macy was also frustrated, feeling belittled by people like that. But what could she do? Macy was in a position where she couldn’t survive by painting only what she wanted.
Baron Shearton was right. This wasn’t a place where one could question his judgment.
Art doesn’t have a clear right or wrong; it’s heavily influenced by the tastes of those who evaluate it. He must have thought that Macy’s painting was lacking and that Ivan’s piece, with its crowd, was more needed.
Perhaps he was even trying to exclude Macy’s work because it resembled Yannick’s style.
Even though Macy couldn’t understand it, as long as she was receiving money from Baron Shearton, she had to accept the outcome. Like any ordinary artist, she now had to paint what the client wanted.
“And I don’t want to see anyone else suffer because of me. I hate that it’s affecting you too…”
Macy felt a deep sense of guilt for almost costing Kieran his job due to her involvement. Although Kieran claimed to have other opportunities, Macy felt responsible for the trouble Kieran might have faced because of her.
“Don’t ever take my side again.”
“Really, I’m fine!”
“Please. I want to keep painting with you for a long time.”
Macy’s feelings for Kieran must have grown since she cared so much about his involvement.
“…Alright.”
Kieran, who was usually stubborn, softened his stance.
“But why do you only have work here?”
Kieran then asked with genuine curiosity. Macy flinched for a moment, wondering if he was truly unaware of the situation.
“I’m a woman and a newcomer who hasn’t even debuted yet.”
“What’s that got to do with it? You paint so well.”
Macy had no response. Was Kieran truly unaware of how the art world operated?
“Even without a debut, word of mouth helps people get commissions. That’s how I end up doing most of the portrait work.”
“Then I can’t even get started. I don’t have any connections, and I haven’t been painting people for long enough to have a chance to show my work.”
There were many reasons, but the last one was the most significant.
If a piece from the outing was selected, it would be displayed at the Baron’s residence or given as a gift to the nobles who attended. If they were pleased, they might personally commission more work.
But since Macy was never selected, she never had that opportunity. There was no gallery to showcase her work, and no one to see it.
“I’m confident I can do well if given the chance. No one is more frustrated by this situation than me.”
“Can’t you ask Yannick to introduce you to someone? He must know a lot of people.”
“I left home for personal reasons. I haven’t been in touch with my brother for quite a while.”
“You left home? Then where are you staying?”
By now, Morgan had arrived at the front gate with the carriage. Kieran glanced at Morgan, as if questioning the purpose of the carriage.
“At a friend’s house… Anyway, the situation is a bit complicated.”
If Kieran was a fan of Yannick, he might know that Macy’s name had emerged since birth, but she preferred not to discuss her name too much. Once she started, questions could follow, and although Anna had let it slide, she didn’t want to reveal the existence of the cabin.
“Then would you like me to introduce you to someone?”
“What?”
