Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 239

The moment Rubens stepped into the room at the end of the third floor, he had a strong instinct.

‘Macy is definitely in this room.’

The room was thick with the scent of the woman he had longed for over the past year. The warm and refreshing fragrance was so sweet that just taking a deep breath seemed to ease his persistent headache.

“Are you the mother of this maid?”

However, the euphoric thrill of finally finding her quickly faded as he realized the woman occupying the bed was not Macy. His face hardened coldly.

“How could someone of such noble standing be in a place like this…”

Rubens barely paid attention to the old woman’s words as his eyes scanned the room.

By the window sat a wheelchair, books, a checkered blanket, and a newspaper resting atop it.

On the front page was a false article claiming Macy had been found recently.

‘So she knew all along I was going mad while hiding here, huh?’

It was like being hit hard from behind. The saying ‘darkness under the lamp’ fit perfectly.

Who would have imagined she was staying at a villa owned by the Krygen family? If she was here, it must have been with Arzena’s help.

‘But why exactly did Arzena hide Macy?’

There was no point in asking now. The dead speak no words.

Besides, it seemed Macy had fled as soon as she sensed Rubens entering the villa…

“I apologize for not showing proper manners as my legs are unwell.”

“…Enough of that.”

Rubens stepped back for the time being. Making a fuss would only heighten their suspicions.

After a brief rest, he left the Lettern mansion as planned and sneaked back that night to the room at the end of the third floor.

“Macy…”

There she was—his long-sought woman, peacefully asleep. It was as if the past years had been a lie, for she hadn’t changed one bit.

Still delicate and youthful, her soft breathing quietly filled the room beneath her long eyelashes, like a gentle curtain.

Drawn as if in a trance, Rubens approached silently and took in Macy’s image. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Macy slightly frowned, as if disturbed by the lamp he carried.

He quickly extinguished the light and reached out toward her cheek.

Her warm, soft skin felt fragile and precious. He carefully caressed her face as if holding a fragile glass bottle, then gently traced his thumb along her lips.

Her moist breath dampened his hand vividly, confirming she was still alive, causing his fingers to tremble faintly.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Then, barely audible, Macy began to murmur.

“I’m sorry… please stop… I was wrong. Please don’t do this. I won’t lie again. Please… sob.”

Her murmurs grew clearer as she pleaded with closed eyes.

She was dreaming again of the Bayatten mansion from over a year ago. Her pained expression quickly became soaked with tears.

Not knowing what else to do, his trembling hand pressed firmly against Macy’s cheek.

“Anna…?”

Macy snapped out of her dream, and at the sight of Rubens, had a seizure. Her eyes were filled with deep terror.

“Get out of here right now. If you don’t want Macy to die right here.”

Anna’s firm order left Rubens no choice but to leave. As Eren disappeared from sight, Macy gradually regained her breath.

The helplessness of having found her but being unable to do anything overwhelmed him. Just seeing his face had almost led to losing her.

The trembling he caught from Macy’s convulsions lingered in his hands. The fear of almost losing her before his eyes drained all blood from his body.

The chilling feeling wouldn’t subside.

Anna Rose calmed Macy and stepped outside.

“How’s Macy? Is she alright now?”

“Yes. She took a sleeping pill and fell asleep.”

“Sigh…”

Rubens let out a sigh of relief. Watching him cautiously, Anna carefully spoke.

“Duke, do you plan to take Macy back?”

“Yes.”

“She’s calm now, but if you take her, she might hyperventilate and have seizures again.”

“We’ll have a doctor on constant watch.”

“Macy wouldn’t last a day with you! She’s had seizures and even tried to kill herself just from dreams about you. If you take her away, she’ll definitely…”