Chapter 153
What had Macy gained from Rubens? Money? Love? Attention?
None of these sat well with Isabella. She could have had it all. That perfect man was supposed to be hers!
“That’s something you should worry about with someone else.”
While fuming inside, Isabella was snapped at by Rubens’s cold stare. His gaze seemed to say that perhaps those who are dissatisfied should be the ones doubting what they can’t have.
“Are you warning me? You should be worried, not me!”
“It’s something we’ll see in time. It’s clear how much you dislike me.”
“It’s not that I dislike you. I… I’m thinking about your honor, the damage that your reputation would take being involved with Macy!”
Isabella was frustrated. Yes, she wanted to find Rubens’s weaknesses, but her intention was to gain his attention back, not to harm his reputation in any way.
“Macy already has the scandal with painting for Yannick Horton. Now, getting involved with the Duke in a sordid affair will just make it worse. She is a painter of commoner origin, there will be plenty of fools trying to exploit her, because of her connection to a great noble. They’ll belittle her, and laugh at Duke Krygen because of it. Why did you have to involve yourself with someone so low?”
Rubens had been looking at her as though he’d listen to her rant, but in an instant, his gaze turned sharp.
“Was, was what I said wrong?”
Isabella felt scared, but she stubbornly spoke her mind. She had already said it, there was no taking it back.
“No. There are always ignorant people who stir things up, wherever you go.”
His voice dropped low, cold as ice. It felt as though a chill had swept through the carriage, as if a winter storm had suddenly hit.
“But for your own sake, stay away from those idiots, even if it’s just in jest. Unless you want to end up even more pitiful than them.”
“…”
“Consider this a warning. Don’t ever insult Macy in front of me again.”
Isabella bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. His sharp eyes made her feel as though they were about to pierce through her. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.
‘Sigh… What should I do?’
Isabella grew anxious. Truthfully, she had told one of her acquaintances to make sure to put Macy in her place if she ever showed up. She hadn’t given specific instructions, but she knew that person would crush Macy in ways that would satisfy Isabella.
‘I don’t know. I wasn’t directly involved.’
Even though she thought this, Isabella couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. She kept tearing at the edges of her nails, unaware that Rubens’s eyes were on her hands.
* * *
Before stepping out of the carriage, Macy took a deep breath and got out.
“Macy, do well. Hold your head high! Don’t let them see you falter!”
“Yes, Morgan. Thank you! I’ll do my best!”
With Morgan’s encouraging words, Macy stepped forward. The butler, with a slight smile, led her to the drawing room.
“Good afternoon, Marchioness Lingston.”
“Macy! It’s been a while. How have you been?”
After a brief wait, Marchioness Lingston entered.
Macy had been anxious about this meeting, but when she arrived, Marchioness Lingston greeted her warmly, completely easing her nerves.
“Yes, how have you been, Marchioness Lingston? I came to check if the portrait commission from before was still valid…”
“Oh, of course! I’ve been waiting for your reply with much anticipation. You must have had a line of commissions now that you’re the most famous artist in Leden. I’m so grateful you remembered me!”
“Not at all, Marchioness Lingston. You were the first I should do.”
Macy’s expression, which had been stiff with tension ever since entering the mansion, softened as she felt more at ease. She had been overly nervous for no reason, it seemed.
“Ah, but is it possible to change the subject of the portrait? Perhaps someone else instead of me?”
“Who do you have in mind?”
Suddenly, Marchioness Lingston suggested something unexpected.
“I heard that Miss Macy painted for Baron Shearton’s outing. My husband is hosting a gathering at our house, and it seems that some of the gentlemen there are quite interested in your work. Would you be able to capture the scene of them enjoying their time?”
“A gathering? What kind of gathering is it?”
“They’ll be playing cards, billiards, and darts, just the usual games men enjoy.”
Marchioness Lingston shrugged nonchalantly, as if to say she didn’t understand what was so interesting about it.
“How many people will be there?”
“Not many. Maybe about five.”
As she said, it wouldn’t be difficult for Macy to capture a memorable scene of the event with the passing time.
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