Chapter 143
“If that girl dies before her Name manifests on me, would that not be an irreversible event?”
“Hm, I suppose that’s possible.”
“I don’t want to worry about something that may never happen. I’ll take my leave now.”
Eren spoke indifferently, but Arzena clearly saw the turmoil in his expression. It seemed as though, having already lost someone dear, Eren instinctively avoided people who could become his weakness.
Sure enough, after saying it wouldn’t happen, his attitude changed.
“For my coming-of-age birthday gift…”
“Mm? Is there something you want?”
“Please grant me the management rights of some of Krygen’s businesses.”
“Management rights?”
Eren had always refused any gifts, even small ones, saying he needed nothing. Yet now, he was asking for business management rights.
“Could you give me control of the steel industry?”
Without even realizing it, Eren was laying the groundwork to take responsibility for Macy Horton. The late Duke Krygen had been deeply involved in business, so Eren’s interest in it pleased him.
Having mastered both business and politics, Eren easily ascended to the position of Duke after the previous Duke passed away in an unfortunate accident.
That was over ten years ago. Now, that same girl, Macy, had grown up and become Eren’s mistress.
Arzena couldn’t help but laugh at how things had turned out. Eren, who had once declared that it wouldn’t happen, had taken Macy to the Bayatten mansion on the night of his engagement banquet.
“Taking her to the Bayatten estate… it seems he still doesn’t fully grasp Macy’s significance.”
“Huh? What did you say, Madam?”
“Nothing. It’s just amusing how things are unfolding. When will Duke Krygen arrive at the estate?”
“Next week. He’ll be coming with Lady Werfel.”
“Ah, I’ll be glad to see some familiar faces again.”
A smile spread across Arzena’s face. After such a long and lonely battle with illness, it seemed she would finally have some amusement again.
* * *
“What?! Yannick Horton came?!”
Morgan, who had dropped Eren off at the Duke’s residence, returned and stood up abruptly when he heard the news that Yannick had arrived.
“Where? Where is he? I’ll—”
“Morgan, calm down!”
“Yes, please calm down. He’s already gone.”
Morgan, with fury in his eyes, looked around wildly, but stopped when he heard Macy and Dia’s voices.
“Is that so? Are you both alright? Is Dia okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m okay too. He knocked for a while, but soon gave up and left.”
“Phew, that’s a relief…”
Morgan slumped back down into his chair.
“I shouldn’t have left…”
He sighed deeply, as though he regretted it.
“The Duke has already said we need to strengthen the perimeter around the cabin. He’s going to send some of the Duke’s soldiers.”
“I’ve heard about that… Couldn’t you talk the Duke out of it?”
“Why? Is something bothering you?”
“Yes. All the soldiers are strangers to us…”
The Duke’s soldiers. Just hearing about it made Macy feel uneasy. The thought of those men—who guarded the Duke’s main gate with such stern discipline—coming here made her anxious. Macy was uncomfortable around strangers.
It wasn’t always this way, but ever since she was known as Duke Krygen’s mistress, whenever anyone glanced at her or whispered quietly, it felt like they were talking about her. It made her self-conscious.
‘That’s why I want to leave the Bayatten mansion.’
Dia and Morgan were both kind to Macy and had known her for a long time, so she felt safe with them, but she didn’t want to encounter anyone else. Especially those who knew her as the Duke’s mistress….
She was embarrassed and ashamed, wondering what they might be thinking about her.
After a brief silence, Morgan, looking at Macy with a somewhat sympathetic expression, tried to persuade her.
“But don’t you think it would be dangerous if I leave and he comes to us like last time? Even if you’re with Dia, you’re both women. I can’t guarantee Yannick Horton will come alone next time.”
“True, but…”
“If you’re really uncomfortable, I’ll ask the Duke to station guards at the entrance of the mountain. After all, this whole mountain is the Duchy’s property.”
“The entire mountain belongs to the Duchy?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you know? The whole Hallain Mountain range is the Duke’s estate.”
Macy’s jaw dropped. She had thought the cabin was the only property Eren owned, but to hear that the entire land was his…
No wonder, even though this place was a remote mountain far from the town, it still seemed odd that there wasn’t a single person around. It wasn’t that the area was entirely unmanaged. There were paths wide enough for carriages.
“I’ll try to convince him to station soldiers only at the entrance. Don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you. And I’m sorry…”
“Sorry? Having people nearby would just cause a fuss. I prefer it this way, just the three of us. Isn’t the peace and quiet the best part of living in the mountains?”
Morgan gave Macy’s shoulder a reassuring pat.
Despite his words, Macy couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being a burden, and she still felt sorry.
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