Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 151

“Isn’t it ridiculous to be told now to protect the family’s honor? You took a beggar from the streets and made him the head of the house.”

Rubens desire to become the perfect head of the house had always been driven by Arzena’s own ambition. She wanted to solidify her position as the Duchess.

But now, what does she have left? Even the ducks on the lake have their families and friends, while Arzena has no one. Her marriage to the late Duke had been a political arrangement from the start and without love. She gave her only son’s name to someone else.

After falling ill, she lost both her role as the Duchess and her commanding presence in society. With her time running out, it became clear what truly mattered.

“Don’t end up regretting like I did.”

This advice was a reward for Rubens, who had shared in the struggles of Arzena’s fierce life. After all, he was the person who knew her best.

Yet, Rubens still watched her with a look of doubt. Given the consequences of their past actions, perhaps even the truth she spoke now would not reach him. If he couldn’t understand even after all that was said, then there was nothing more to be done.

“By the way, I enjoyed the tea you sent. The fragrance was lovely.”

Was it hard to believe that she, who was so close to death, could no longer harbor such intense emotions like anger or betrayal?

Rubens said nothing as he slowly pushed the wheelchair again. The cool autumn breeze stirred Arzena’s hair. Her dulled senses hardly registered the chill.

* * *

Macy held up a bottle filled with a transparent liquid, examining it in the moonlight. It had been given to her by Dia not long ago.

The bottle was about the size of two fingers, filled with a viscous liquid that had bubbles floating inside.

“Does this really work as contraception?”

When she first received the bottle, Macy didn’t feel particularly pleased. However, she wasn’t shocked or repulsed either.

She had been silently speculating about it after having s-x with Eren and receiving no word from him. It reminded her of something Anna had once said about how pregnancy wasn’t as easy as one might think, and how it could be avoided by simply being cautious with timing.

“Did Eren ask you to pass this along?”

Judging from the fact that he gave it to her late, it seemed like his rational mind returned. Eren didn’t want to leave any chance or possibility.

Macy felt a bit disappointed.

“The Duke didn’t say anything about it.”

“Then why…”

But Dia explained that it wasn’t Eren’s request. Macy was puzzled. If that was the case, it meant Dia had made the decision herself.

“We are trained to deliver contraceptives to women who have slept with the Duke, even if he doesn’t specifically order it. The reason you didn’t receive any at the Bayatten Mansion is because the food there is mixed with a small amount of contraceptive.”

“…Does Eren know about that?”

“Yes.”

Macy felt as though her head had been struck with a blunt object, a dull ache at the back of her skull.

The thought of Eren, who had disapproved of her skipping meals at the Bayatten Mansion, suddenly crossed her mind. Was this the reason for her unease? Her thoughts became muddled.

They had spent several days having s-x, so it was only natural that precautions needed to be taken, yet the thought of it left her feeling uneasy.

“The Duke didn’t give orders to check what you’re drinking, so taking that contraceptive is entirely up to you, Macy,” Dia said calmly despite Macy’s troubled expression.

“But I do hope you take it, Macy. I want you to take care of yourself.”

Macy turned Dia’s words over in her mind for a long time. Take care of yourself.

‘What exactly did that mean?’

Was she implying that if she didn’t take it, it would have a bad effect on her health? The common belief was that postpartum complications often followed childbirth, so perhaps this was a precaution for the possibility of pregnancy….

On the other hand, it made her wonder if this was a comment made in light of a pregnancy being considered in the first place.

Some people, like the Duke’s older relatives, his vassals, or even the woman who would become the Duchess, might frown upon the idea of her pregnancy.

She had once heard from Anna that an aristocrat’s mistress had been discarded after losing a child, so perhaps they only wanted the child and not her.

The thought of that chilled her heart.

‘I need to be more cautious from now on.’