Chapter 177
“Oh, and by the way, the Duke arrived earlier.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Dia, while adding a few more logs to the fire, spoke as if she had almost forgotten.
After hearing the unexpected news, Macy’s face brightened, and she immediately headed toward the bedroom.
‘What’s going on so early in the morning? He hasn’t come this early before.’
But then Dia’s words caught her attention.
“The Duke is in the studio.”
“In the studio? Why there…?”
With a hint of curiosity, Macy turned toward the studio. Suddenly, she remembered the letter from Prince Benedict, which she had tucked away deep inside a drawer.
‘Oh no! I can’t let him find it!’
Macy quickly ran to the studio and opened the door. Just then, Eren was about to open a drawer that was slightly ajar.
“Stop!”
At her sudden shout, Eren’s gaze shifted toward Macy, freezing in place. Macy rushed over and closed the drawer he was about to open.
“Why are you coming into the studio without permission?!”
“Permission? Are you the owner of this cabin?”
“……”
She was left speechless. The owner of the cabin was Eren. Therefore, the studio inside the cabin belonged to him as well.
“What’s the big deal?”
Eren forcefully opened the drawer. Due to the force, some of the letters, neatly organized by type, fell to the floor.
“I knew letters were going back and forth in your name at the Krygen agency. Something about commissioning a portrait and sponsoring or holding an exhibition, wasn’t it?”
He was already aware of the offers coming to Macy.
“Why are you trying to hide it from me like it’s some big deal?”
Eren tapped each letter, reading off the names written on the envelopes. Macy’s heart sank as she quickly scanned the room with her eyes, searching for the letter from Prince Benedict. She noticed it, marked with the royal seal, at the corner near Eren’s left foot. It was positioned a little farther back, so it seemed Eren hadn’t seen it.
Deciding it was of no importance, Eren turned toward the sofa. Macy casually walked over to where he had been and gently stepped on the letter from Prince Benedict.
Eren sat on the sofa and took out a cigar. As the match flame touched the end of the cigar, smoke quickly began to rise.
‘Smoking in the studio will make the canvas smell…’
It didn’t bother her that he was smoking in front of her, but she was slightly concerned about the smell lingering on the canvas.
However, if it were any other time, she would have tried to speak cautiously, but Eren seemed very upset, so she couldn’t even bring it up.
“I’m sorry. I won’t hide anything from you in the future…”
She decided to apologize first. It was her priority to calm his mood, since he seemed to dislike the idea of being kept in the dark.
“I can get a little sensitive in the studio… I won’t do it again. The cabin and the studio both belong to you, Eren.”
“Did you forget something?”
As she tried to recall the words he wanted to hear, Eren asked pointedly.
‘What did I forget? The bedroom? The kitchen? Is he talking about the sofa he’s sitting on?’
Unable to read his intentions, Macy stared at Eren for a moment.
“You’re mine too, aren’t you? My name is written on it.”
“Ah…”
“Or not?”
Eren particularly enjoyed saying that Macy belonged to him.
“Yes, I belong to you, Eren.”
Macy thought to herself that no matter how much Eren’s name was written on her body, no one could truly own another person, but she pretended to agree for the moment. Finally, the corner of Eren’s mouth curled up in satisfaction.
If answering like this would make him feel better, she was willing to do it.
“Come here.”
He said softly.
‘If I move, the letter will be visible…’
It was far enough that he wouldn’t be able to recognize the royal seal or the signature, but still, Macy’s heart fluttered.
When she hesitated and didn’t move, Eren’s eyebrows twitched. It was a sign that his mood was about to sour again.
Macy quickly walked over and sat next to him, making sure to slide the letter beneath the easel with the tip of her foot. Thanks to that, the letter was hidden deep under the painting box.
“Where have you been running around lately?”
“I’ve been going to the art supply store and attending early morning mass…”
“What are you painting?”
“I’m working on a landscape.”
“Let me see.”
“What?”
Eren’s probing questions were persistent.
‘The painting is still in the living room.’
Macy thought for a moment and then, slightly embarrassed, replied.
“Can I show you once it’s finished? It’s not good enough to show anyone yet…”
Eren’s brow furrowed. He clearly didn’t like her answer.
Just as she thought he might insist she bring it to him, he exhaled a short sigh.
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