Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 73
He continued to feed Macy pieces of sandwich. She could no longer hold back her smiling lips. Amidst her mumbling, soft laughter bubbled up.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.”
Moments like this made her feel as though something significant had happened. It was already too late to turn back. Macy wanted to stay in this illusion forever, even if it was just an illusion.
* * *
Macy attended the outing for the first time in a while.
“You’re quitting the outing painter gig?!”
Kieran, startled, exclaimed as he carried his easel outside. The person who had made the announcement, however, seemed overly indifferent.
“Yes. Today’s the last day.”
“Why?”
“Just because. It’s how it turned out.”
Today was her last day of the outing. Macy had asked Eren if it was alright to quit so quickly after he introduced her, but he had responded:
“It doesn’t matter at all. You don’t even have to come on the last day.”
Still, Macy felt it was courteous to formally say goodbye, so she attended the outing.
She thought about why Eren had been so kind to her lately, and it seemed to be related to her staying in the cabin.
‘Maybe he liked that I said I’d stay in the cabin.’
When she first had this thought, she didn’t think something like this could have such an impact.
But recent behavior from Eren indicated that everything was connected. On days she stayed in the cabin without any promises, he always visited. Whenever a portrait was completed, he brought unexpected treats. And when she mentioned today was the last day of the outing, he even kissed her and praised her.
It was impossible not to notice such obvious signs. He seemed to welcome Macy’s isolation.
‘Since Eren said to stop, of course, he must be happy that I’m listening to him…’
But wasn’t it a bit much? Macy had only accepted it to keep Eren from leaving. It didn’t mean she disliked the change at all. In fact, it was wonderful. Thanks to his frequent visits, she didn’t have time to feel lonely.
If Eren continued to stay by her side, even the quiet forest seemed like a cozy paradise. It felt like she could endure anything.
And as Eren continued to be so kind, an unwarranted sense of hope began to swell inside her.
‘Could it be that Eren is starting to like me too?’
Lately, he had been so nonchalant about kissing her. He even said he didn’t mind kissing Macy.
There was hope that, if things continued this way, their relationship might progress. Eren had been especially sweet to Macy recently. She wanted to finish her work quickly and return to the cabin to share more kisses.
‘Calm down and focus on the painting. Focus!’
If she kept thinking about Eren, her face would turn red. The summer sun was already making her feel warm and flushed.
“Didn’t you say you’re not taking any more portrait commissions? Is it because of your partner in the cabin? Did they tell you to quit everything?”
Kieran’s sudden and accurate guess made Macy’s face visibly tense.
“So that’s right. So, are you not going to paint anymore?”
“No… I’m just not painting outside. I’ll continue painting alone. But how do you know I’m staying with that person?”
She had only told Anna and Hils about it.
“It’s already all over among the painters. Some nobles seem to know too. Was it Yannick who spread the rumors?”
“I didn’t know my brother knew about it…”
“I don’t know. The rumors must have leaked from somewhere. But why is your partner behaving like that?”
Kieran frowned in disapproval.
“Why is he so upset to keep you inside? And you, why are you being dragged around like this? It’s a mutual relationship, so there’s no need to bow down so much.”
“I like that person.”
Kieran stopped in his tracks, looking even more shocked than when he heard she was quitting the outing.
“And our relationship isn’t fair. I’ve had mine manifested since birth. Without that person, my limbs would stiffen up in less than three months. They don’t care if they find the next person for their Name….”
“Did that person actually say that to you?”
“Yes.”
“Keh…”
Kieran scratched his head, looking troubled. Macy wondered if she had said something wrong.
“Why do you like that person? It’s maddening. Even if you have no one to rely on, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for someone like that.”
“…”
“I’ve heard there are some possessive types among Name masters. You really picked a bad one.”
