Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 136

They were like ghosts, quietly doing their tasks and disappearing without a word, which made her think there would be little chance for conversation. The mansion was so large that she might get lost and need to ask for help. If she accidentally spilled food, she would have to ask where the rags were.

Yet they must know that she was Eren’s mistress…

In truth, those were all excuses; what terrified her was how they might perceive her. She felt overwhelmed at the thought of how to act once Eren was gone.

“Is it very uncomfortable here?”

“Yes…”

Macy answered sulkily. He raised her downturned cheeks to meet her gaze and asked again.

“Is it more uncomfortable here than in that mountain valley?”

Eren seemed unable to understand.

“It’s just overwhelming. The room is too big. I think I’ll be scared to sleep alone once you leave.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

He chuckled softly.

“I feel like Yannick Horton will approach soon, and I want you to be here.”

Then he unexpectedly brought up Yannick. It seemed he was still concerned about the incident at Baron Shearton’s estate when Yannick had tried to kidnap her.

“If I’m only in the cabin, I won’t have to deal with him.”

“Are you really that oblivious?”

“What do you mean?”

Eren looked at her pointedly.

“Yannick Horton is hiding in the bushes in front of the cabin, watching you.”

“What?!”

Macy’s heart nearly dropped at his words.

“It seems like he’s just been watching you for now; rather than targeting you, it looks like he’s trying to find some leverage. Thanks to that, I’ve had to park the carriage far away and come in through the back door. I guess it’s nice not to have to do that anymore.”

The thought that Yannick had been watching Macy closely sent shivers down her spine. It seemed he had known about it for quite some time.

“Right. If you want, you don’t have to live here. If we keep a low profile, others will think we spent the night here. With a few soldiers stationed, Yannick shouldn’t be able to come close.”

“Isn’t that a bit excessive? Morgan is always around anyway…”

“Are you secretly hoping to go back to that house?”

“…”

Macy fell silent at his blatant taunting. She felt that if she refused any further, it might prevent her from returning to the cabin altogether.

“Come here and give me a kiss.”

Macy cautiously approached and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Eren looked taken aback, then cupped her face with one hand, pressing his lips against hers with a playful insistence.

What began as a teasing kiss quickly deepened. Their tongues entwined, refusing to separate for even a moment, as if they were obsessed with each other.

* * *

The Duke’s carriage that had brought them to the estate was prepared.

Morgan greeted her with a morning question about how well she had slept, but Macy couldn’t even look him in the eye and merely nodded repeatedly.

“You said you wanted to see Morgan, so why aren’t you talking to him?”

Eren asked with a smile. If he hadn’t been tormenting her in the carriage, she wouldn’t have felt so embarrassed.

“Are we going back now?”

As the carriage drew near to the cabin, Macy asked, leaning against Eren’s shoulder.

“We should be heading back now.”

Eren responded quietly, opening the window to smoke a cigar.

She couldn’t grasp how a week had flown by. When he first agreed to stay with her, she thought it would only be for about three days—just for the duration of the engagement banquet.

But a week had passed, and she had taken so much of his time. Yet, despite knowing this, she felt regretful for every moment he spent not looking at her.

As she stared at him, he glanced back at her and then extinguished the cigar in the ashtray.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Yes.”

“But you said it was okay before.”

“It’s just that we’ve been together for so long. I think I’ll feel a bit empty…”

“Then how about we live together?”

“What?”

Macy jumped in surprise, and Eren burst into laughter.

He seemed to be getting more playful by the day.

“I’ll visit often. I won’t be able to come next week, though.”

“Why? Where are you going?”

“To see Madam.”

“Madam?”

Who could he be referring to as ‘Madam’? He was the head of the Krygen family, after all. The title felt distant, almost as if it implied a subordinate position.

She tried to think of anyone he might call that, but no one came to mind.