Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 142

“Do as you wish.”

“Really?”

“Yes. From now on, there’s nothing you can’t do in Obelit. Even if it’s taking a life.”

The anger that Eren had accumulated over time flickered in his eyes.

“But remember what I told you?”

“…Yes, Madam. You said not to lose my dignity.”

“That’s right. And now, start calling me Mother. You are the Duke’s heir, my one and only son.”

Arzena placed a gun, bearing Krygen Duchy’s seal, into Eren’s hands. Soon, the sound of a gunshot echoed through the dark warehouse.

Arzena smiled brightly. With that, they were bound together by fate.

From then on, Eren returned to the family estate to officially begin his training as the heir. However, Kallen Krygen, too, was included in the succession lessons.

Eren, who had expected to clearly outshine Kallen, found himself only keeping pace with the lessons, unable to achieve the kind of success that would satisfy Arzena.

She felt something was lacking.

“Kallen seems to get along well with your father.”

“It’s probably because they’ve spent more time together than I have.”

“Isn’t it because you’re being too indifferent toward the Duke?”

Even the estate servants and many of the nobles had already sided with the maid. For Eren to firmly establish his position as heir, Arzena needed to hold her head high, regardless of where she went.

“Don’t rush it, Mother. I will be the Duke.”

For him to be so nonchalant at a time when even the Duke’s slightest attention was crucial… Arzena knew that Eren had changed since he had agreed to her plan. The fiery hatred had faded, leaving only lukewarm contentment.

Thinking about it, from Eren’s perspective, he had achieved his ultimate goal of revenge. It was understandable that he no longer showed any real zeal.

He had fought so hard in the streets for the sake of that sick child, but Eren was never the type to be excessively ambitious.

‘This is why I told them not to kill the boy who was like his brother… Tch.’

But it was too late for that life. It needed a more active reason for Eren to live as Krygen’s heir.

He couldn’t just continue pretending to be the heir out of necessity, as doing so would put her life at risk if their deceit were discovered. There needed to be someone he cared about, someone worth protecting, so that he would want the Duke’s position for himself.

At that moment, the attendant brought over a flyer.

“Madam, please take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll understand once you see it.”

The attendant whispered softly.

The flyer mentioned that the daughter of a well-known artist from Laden had recently had her Name manifest since birth. The Name was ‘Eren Wood.’ The artist was looking for Eren.

Next to the text, there was a sketch of the daughter’s appearance, drawn with pencil. The girl looked as delicate and beautiful as a doll.

The Name master, said to be the soulmate destined by the heavens. The one who would be a savior to the other.

Arzena’s eyes gleamed.

“This is it.”

The next day, Arzena took Eren with her to see the girl. Macy could easily be found playing on the hill near the village every day.

With her bright olive-colored eyes and wavy hair, her wide smile was so lively that it was hard to believe she was marked by the curse of a Name.

“That girl is your Name master.”

“Does that mean my Name has manifested on her?”

“Yes.”

Before anyone could point it out, Eren was already looking directly at Macy. His previously bored expression, following behind her, suddenly froze into a sharp, rigid stare.

“That girl with the chestnut-colored hair. Her Name manifested from birth. The name ‘Eren Wood’ is common, so it could be someone with the same name as you.”

“…”

“Why don’t you try talking to her?”

“…No need.”

Eren’s gaze, which had been relentlessly following Macy, finally faltered. However, there remained a lingering curiosity in his sharp, downward glance.

“Even if your Name hasn’t manifested yet, someday, that girl’s Name could be written on your body. When that time comes, you’ll have to take her in, whether you like it or not.”

“…”

“Taking responsibility for a commoner girl shouldn’t be too difficult, as long as you’ve done your part by then.”

By ‘your part,’ Arzena meant the position of Duke Krygen. Even if Eren didn’t want to be the Duke, he would still be given a small fief. Taking responsibility for Macy wouldn’t be hard.

But, in any case, Eren had already found that deep connection with her.

Knowing Eren as she did, Arzena was certain he would feel a deep sense of responsibility. If he cherished even the friends he made by chance like that…

“If that girl dies before her Name manifests on me, would that not be an irreversible event?”