Chapter 111
He thought the aftereffects of the manifestation had faded and he wouldn’t have to walk for a while.
However, his head throbbed, and the name etched on his back ached throughout the engagement ceremony. Each time he felt the pain, that name master naturally came to mind. It was even more distracting since he had dreamt of her crying again.
When he asked about Macy’s situation after the ceremony, he learned that she hadn’t woken up by noon.
In a way, that was a good thing. On a day like today, Macy would undoubtedly have felt restless. However, he found it puzzling that while she occasionally overslept, she had never woken up this late.
Was it possible that she was also feeling unwell because of the name? He couldn’t shake the worry that she might be enduring something in silence, which made it hard for him to focus on the ceremony.
‘I suppose I should finish early and stop by the cabin tonight.’
The banquet was scheduled to last for three days, so a brief visit wouldn’t hurt. Surrounded by the headache-inducing scent of perfume, he longed for Macy’s fresh fragrance.
“The Duke is still getting ready.”
At that moment, he heard voices outside the door.
“It’s fine. Just let him know I’ve arrived.”
“He has requested that no one disturb him, as he wants to rest for a moment.”
One voice belonged to a servant stationed outside Rubens’ room, while the other belonged to his fiance, Isabella, who was going to marry him.
“Am I just anyone? I am soon to be the mistress of this house. How dare you block my way?”
“…….”
Isabella seemed determined to push her way in if the servant continued to block her. Before the tone escalated, Rubens gestured to Kronen to let her in.
“Please come in.”
With a glare, Isabella entered.
“I have something to say.”
She was fully dressed up, wearing a red bustle dress that accentuated her slender waist and hips. Her brown hair, appearing soft as velvet, was half-tied, and a tiara adorned her head. With ruby jewelry embellishing her necklace and earrings, Isabella resembled a fragrant rose.
She was elegant and resplendent, worthy of admiration from onlookers. However, to Rubens, whose senses were heightened, her colors felt overly stimulating. He frowned slightly, making it clear to the servants to leave the room.
It was then that Isabella slowly began to speak.
“I am now the official fiance of Duke Krygen.”
“That’s correct.”
“Those who see the portrait today will understand that we will be marrying soon.”
“Yes.”
Such an obvious statement felt oddly surprising. Rubens loosened his cravat slightly and responded without much interest.
“You told me to maintain boundaries. The Duke must also adhere to that now. I won’t mind what you do outside, but fulfill your obligations to your fiance.”
Rubens’ gaze shifted. He narrowed his eyes and, in a deliberately polite tone, asked,
“Have I done anything to upset Lady?”
“That lip of yours.”
“Oh.”
Rubens understood at once, rubbing his lips with a sense of realization. They were still rough and stiff with scabs from the injury. The sharp pain from that day resurfaced, causing a fleeting smile to appear on Rubens’ face.
“Indeed, that was my mistake. Since I’ve been warned, there won’t be any visible traces left from now on.”
“…….”
Even without being prompted, Rubens revealed who had left those marks. It was easy to predict that he would engage in more contact than this with that person.
Isabella’s lips trembled slightly. She seemed to be biting her lips from the inside, trying to suppress her feelings, but the tremor was too strong for it to be effective.
“……You will have children with me, right?”
“Of course.”
“The heir to the Duke’s house must be my child.”
“Yes. That will be the case.”
“I hope it won’t be an illegitimate child…”
“Don’t worry. I have no desire to tarnish the family name.”
“Good. That’s all I needed to hear…”
The conversation felt too dry for a couple that had just gotten engaged. Isabella, though ashamed, turned to leave as if she had said everything that needed to be said.
“However, you should be careful with the acting.”
“Excuse me?”
Rubens’ sharp voice halted her in her tracks.
“You have someone else to whom you are emotionally attached, don’t you? I’ve heard that you want to bring them along after the marriage.”
“Th-that…”
Her eyes visibly flickered. She fidgeted nervously, unable to hide her confusion.
Rubens was aware that Isabella had been having an intimate relationship with the butler whenever she stayed at the townhouse in the capital.
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