Chapter 254
‘I’d rather sleep in until the sun’s high than waste time on this crap.’
Still fuming, Kallen stomped toward the newspaper to crush it with his foot—but then his eyes caught the headline on the front page.
<Yannick Horton vs. Macy Horton: Will the identity of the genius painter finally be revealed?>
“What’s this?”
Next to the headline was an illustration of the woman who’d set Obelit abuzz for the past year. Small, delicate features, objectively young and beautiful.
Rumors said the illustration didn’t even come close to her real appearance, making it all the more intriguing.
‘This must be the woman Rubens is obsessed with.’
Kallen calmed himself and read the article with keen interest. It described how Rubens’ mistress had filed a lawsuit against his brother.
A public trial was scheduled at Laden Square, and there was speculation whether Duke Krygen himself would show up.
‘So he’s not coming from the Lettern mansion, because he found her nearby? That’s why he’s coming to the capital now?’
Just knowing Rubens was headed to the capital set off alarm bells for Kallen. He’d heard Rubens wasn’t visiting the Krygen mansion lately, but now that he’d found his mistress, who knew?
He might regain his health and return as the dignified Duke Krygen.
‘That can’t happen!’
If Rubens showed up now, Kallen’s fate was sealed.
He might be exiled back to the island, forced to care for his mad mother, and die there.
Losing this vast power and fortune to the illegitimate son was unbearable.
Now that it was known Rubens was the Duke’s illegitimate child, wasn’t Kallen even more suitable to be head of the family?
‘That bastard doesn’t even have a drop of Krygen blood!’
So he vowed never to be pushed aside again—not like before, weak and powerless.
“Anyway, this woman is his weakness, right?”
The proud, aloof man had been obsessed for a year, desperate to find this woman.
Rubens had said he was willing to accept any disadvantageous imperial marriage as long as he found her.
Once he did, he immediately cleared her arson charges and even planned to restore her name as a painter.
It seemed like he was frantic to win back the woman’s lost heart.
“Tch. Lowborn breeds attract lowborn, huh.”
Kallen sneered as he crumpled the paper in one hand.
“Just wait. I’ll tear them apart so badly they won’t recover.”
His long-suppressed thirst for revenge burned fiercely.
* * *
Finally, the trial date approached. Kieran and Hils decided to go up to the capital together for it.
The Lettern village regained its peaceful atmosphere after the snowstorm passed. Though still cold, warm sunlight bathed the land.
“Macy! A seat opened in our carriage—want to ride with us?”
Macy, ready to leave, was asked brightly by Hils.
Not far away, Eren stood in front of the Krygen family carriage. He glanced at them, furrowed his brows slightly, then avoided eye contact with Macy and boarded the carriage.
“No, I’m staying with Rian.”
“You must be nervous about the trial—shouldn’t you rest on the way?”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay, got it! Come visit anytime if you want.”
“Okay.”
Leaving the disappointed Hils behind, Macy got into the carriage she’d originally planned to take.
Inside, Anna was already sitting, holding Rian.
“Macy! You’re early.”
“Yes. I’ll hold him. You had a lot of work until last night.”
“Oh, it’s fine…”
Anna reluctantly handed Adrian over to Macy. Since Macy had seen Eren holding Adrian in the nursery, Anna and Macy had been somewhat awkward.
After enduring the uncomfortable silence, Anna fidgeted nervously and finally spoke.
“Macy… about that… I’m sorry for letting Rian stay with Duke Krygen without your permission. That was my fault…”
The usually gentle Macy could be colder and firmer than anyone when angry.
She must have been deeply disappointed after trusting Anna with Adrian.
“No, I understand. It’s hard to watch the baby alone.”
“It’s not that…”
Anna stopped mid-sentence and hesitated. Macy just looked at her expectantly, so Anna finally opened up.
“The Duke isn’t coming to see Adrian for the reasons you think!”
“What do you mean?”
“Aren’t you angry because you’re afraid the Duke will take Adrian away?”
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