Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 189

‘Even if the whole world is like that, you can’t be like them. You’re the woman with my Name on you.’

Every time he inhaled, it felt like his insides were burning, not from the cigar but from something deeper.

He couldn’t tell whether his anger was directed at Macy, who might have betrayed him, or at himself for weakening and giving her the chance to escape.

The longer time passed, the more cigarette butts accumulated beneath the easel. Recalling the memories he shared with her, the trust he hadn’t even realized he had slowly shattered.

The image of her sweetly calling his name, her shy words about only needing Rubens, even the way he couldn’t help but smile at her no matter how much he tried to hide it—everything felt pathetic now.

What kind of delusion had he been under? Rubens’ life couldn’t have been that sweet.

The death of his friend, the scam he’d joined in the Duke’s house, and the curse he couldn’t escape—they were all tragedies. The more he tried to escape, the deeper he sank into the abyss. The more he tried to hide, the more the bloody stains on his hands became evident.

Rubens’ hands were already stained a deep red. To get anything, he only knew how to force it, to bend, break, and destroy. No matter how much he tried to act like everything was fine, the fact that he was a mess never changed.

Even if he hid it with white gloves and pretended not to see it, every time he misaligned with Macy, the truth became painfully clear.

And now he wanted peace? It was absurd.

From the beginning, their future could never have been beautiful. Anyone deeply entangled with Rubens in the future would catch the same curse. Rubens had piled up so many sins that he was already marinated in this misfortune, twisted and numb to it.

He had tried to change for Macy, but if the result of that was losing her…

“Your Grace…”

“Hmm?”

The night had passed, and morning light was already breaking. Rubens, with bloodshot eyes after spending the whole night by the easel, responded to Kronen’s call.

“Miss Macy’s carriage…”

“Speak.”

She hadn’t arrived at the cabin by morning. Rubens took out a fresh cigar and lit it with a match.

“…It’s shaking.”

His hand, heading towards the end of the cigar, froze.

“They say they hear the voices of a man and woman… and the sound of muffled sobs.”

The corners of Rubens’ mouth slowly curved. A brief, hollow laugh escaped him, following the curve.

“Let’s go.”

“Your Grace…”

Kronen sighed with pity.

Rubens, without hesitation, dropped the match to the ground. He poured oil for the oil paints over it. A small flame slowly began to grow.

“This will be the last time I’ll ever be here.”

The man’s face, which had burned through the bittersweet memories with her all night, was now left covered in ash.

* * *

“Macy!”

Macy woke up suddenly at the call. Prince Benedict entered as he opened the door.

“Have you been waiting since yesterday? I thought I should check just in case…”

“Yesterday?”

Macy pulled back the curtain from the window. She had seen Prince Benedict enter as he opened the door, but just like when she had gotten into the carriage, it was still light outside.

But there was something off about the sky, a subtle bluish tint that felt strange, as if there was a faint fog, making it seem like early morning.

“What day is it today?”

“Saturday.”

“Oh my god!”

She had ended up sleeping through until the next morning in the carriage.

‘How could I have stayed out overnight!’

In a panic, Macy quickly gathered her painting and prepared to leave, but then paused.

It was done now. The fact that she had stayed out was likely already known to Eren, but the check on the painting wouldn’t take long, so it was better to just finish everything before leaving.

“Your Highness, what do you think?”

Macy unwrapped the paper holding the painting and showed it to Benedict. He looked a bit stunned and responded.

“Yes, it’s perfect… I’m sorry I’m late. Macy’s letter fell to the floor and I only just found it.”

“It’s fine. I’ll be leaving now. I’ll send the completed painting to the Ciseina royal court.”

“Wait. Are you in a hurry?”

Benedict hurriedly grabbed Macy’s wrist as she tried to leave.

“Yes, just a bit…”

“You’ve forgotten, haven’t you? We were supposed to have a meal together today.”

“Ah…”

Macy suddenly remembered. Benedict had promised to reserve a table at a scenic restaurant. But it was morning now, and it didn’t seem like the place would even be open yet.