Chapter 247
“How did he even paint like that? Brother isn’t the kind of person who can do that…”
If Macy wanted to prove she was the proxy painter, shouldn’t she first figure out what exactly happened in this mess?
But how could she find out? If she confronted Yannick to stop the fraud, he’d probably just dare her to try.
“This really might be impossible on my own…”
Macy thought hard for a long time, then spoke in despair.
“Like I said, when you do the Name treatment today, say you’ll accept his help. He’s in a tight spot now and needs you. What’s wrong with using someone who’s desperate to be used?”
Though she felt a bit guilty, Kieran’s advice was right.
“If you’re going to go to court, you need to move fast. Tell him to focus on you during the Name treatment.”
Still, Macy felt uneasy about letting Eren back in, fearing he might dig his claws in again.
“I know you had a really tough time. I just wanted you to be able to paint freely.”
Those words felt especially uncomfortable — it hinted that if they hadn’t gone their separate ways, their relationship wouldn’t have ended in disaster.
If Macy had known Eren wanted to help reclaim her name back then, she surely wouldn’t have chosen to become the court painter for Ciseina.
That path would’ve been easier and more graceful for her.
Just the chance to breathe freely might have made Macy stay by Eren’s side.
“Yeah, you’re right. I was foolish. Still, even now, I want to help you reclaim your name. It’s what you’ve always wanted, to be independent, financially and mentally.”
“…”
“To reclaim your name as an artist, paint the works you want, find a home, start a family… I won’t be part of it, but I want you to live well.”
Were those words sincere?
She tried not to care about it, but they kept echoing in her mind.
‘A life without Eren…’
Macy had always thought the only way to remove him from her life was death — so this was quite a shock.
That kind of future was something Macy hadn’t even dared imagine…
Still, she felt foolish for being shaken so easily by Eren’s words.
Even though everything was positive, she feared there was some hidden agenda — as if, like a dog freed from its leash, she still couldn’t stray beyond it.
‘I’m not alone anymore. I can’t let myself be shaken like this.’
For the sake of her only son, she couldn’t let herself be swept away.
Macy steeled her resolve, thinking of Adrian.
* * *
“Take care going home!”
Yannick bowed his head to the gallery staff as he carried the painting out.
He used to be arrogant and wouldn’t have even greeted properly, but he’d changed. Having lived a hard life, he now understood the value of those who sought him out.
“This is amazing! Doesn’t it seem like there are more customers than before?”
Catherine, holding back her smile for appearances, grinned broadly at Yannick.
“Hah! Of course. It’s quite the talk of the town.”
A genius artist overcoming a slump was always a hot topic — especially one who had been branded using a proxy painter.
With Macy, the supposed proxy, in hiding, news that Yannick had resumed painting was perfect timing to shed that stigma.
“Duke Krygen going after Macy? Better for him to make a comeback before that rumor gets boring.”
Besides, Macy had become the hottest woman in the empire. A high-ranking nobleman had been pining for her for a year, wasting away.
“I heard some strange rumors though — that Duke Krygen finally found Macy!”
“What? Probably another false article.”
Yannick frowned. He had seen countless gossip pieces like this before.
“No, actually, Duke Krygen confessed to the arson at Hallain Mountain!”
“Really?”
Yannick took the newspaper Catherine handed him.
<One Year Ago, Hallain Mountain Arson Case: The True Culprit Revealed to be Duke Krygen>
The article said the Duke had gone to the police and confessed personally.
“Is this for real?”
Yannick read the article again, eyes wide with disbelief.
“But why confess? Whether the Duke or Macy did the arson…”
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