Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 123

“Both of you?”

“Yes.”

Morgan’s mouth fell open in disbelief. Then, glancing at Eren, who looked like he might choke Morgan if he asked again, he bowed respectfully.

“I understand. I’ll bring the carriage right away.”

Morgan hurried off, while the onlookers whispered among themselves, casting curious glances at the pair. Among them were some servants of the external guests attending the party. If the two vanished like this, rumors about Eren and Macy would surely spread.

“Are you cold?”

Macy unconsciously tightened her grip on Eren’s coat. Noticing this, Eren looked at her with concern.

“No, it’s just… I wonder if it’s okay to be like this…”

“Are you uncomfortable being seen as my mistress?”

Macy bit her lip, feeling foolish. She buried her swollen face in Eren’s chest, mumbling weakly.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Just do as you please…”

It was bound to come to this. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t escape her future. But now Eren had said he loved her. He had promised to pretend, at least.

So it was okay. Just knowing she didn’t have to watch him leave with another woman made it easier to breathe. Eventually, he would stand beside Lady Werfel, but for tonight, she didn’t want to go back alone.

She needed Eren’s embrace. Macy felt the dazzling lights of the party stinging her, and she curled into him, holding her breath.

“To the Bayatten Mansion.”

The carriage finally arrived, and Eren commanded it briefly before stepping inside with Macy.

“Weren’t we going to the cabin?”

“You’ll be the Duke’s mistress, so you should have a fitting place to stay.”

“What?”

He simply smiled gently as he settled Macy next to him. When he turned on the light inside the carriage, the interior brightened.

On either side were sofas made of silvery-gray velvet, and the ceiling was adorned with the silver eagle emblem of the Krygen family. It was an excessively spacious and luxurious carriage.

Eren gently laid Macy back against the cushions, enveloping her in the soft fabric. His dark eyes, resembling the night sky, scrutinized her face intently.

“You still look like you might cry.”

His gentle touch as he caressed her eyes felt soft. Ever since he began to touch her tenderly, it had become increasingly difficult for Macy to hold back her emotions.

“Please hold me tightly so I don’t think about anything.”

She wished he would push away the guilt with that vivid intensity of his. She wanted him to indulge in her without giving her time to wallow in self-pity for her foolish decisions. Macy wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Eren responded willingly, kissing her softly.

Although the passionate heat lingered, the kiss was cautious and slow, filled with tenderness. Macy swallowed her rising sorrow and fiercely pulled at Eren’s lower lip. A heavy breath escaped his lips.

“Hey, don’t be in such a rush. It’ll take a while to get there. You wouldn’t want to have your first time on the street, would you?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s not great to sound so resigned.”

Eren looked at her with a slight frown, clearly displeased.

“Show a little more enthusiasm. You said if I loved you, you wouldn’t think about dying.”

“That’s not…”

“Are you changing your words?”

Was that why Eren suddenly changed his attitude? He hadn’t even blinked when she first mentioned dying…

“Don’t say you want to die in front of me again. I went through all the trouble to save you, and hearing that just drains my energy.”

However, he didn’t seem to take it too seriously. It felt like a mere disappointment if she was to die after he saved her. That was the kind of sentiment one could express only when they felt a slight regret.

Eren, who had been voicing his discontent, inserted his gloved fingers into Macy’s lips, tapping them lightly, and she bit the tips. When he withdrew his hand, his long, elegant fingers were revealed. He removed all ten fingers in the same manner.

They looked delicate like a sculpture, yet felt rough due to calluses. The sensation brought back memories for Macy, making her throat tighten.

“You know, you’re quite hopeless. What’s so appealing?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Just by looking into your eyes, I can tell. If you want to suck, just say so.”

“No, I wasn’t thinking that…”

Before she could make any excuses, his hand had already slipped between her lips. Macy’s mouth moved restlessly. She nibbled on his finger as she glanced around, and Eren, seemingly pleased, patted her head.