Chapter 255
“Aren’t you angry because you’re afraid the Duke will take Adrian away?”
That seemed about right. That was likely the cause of her anger.
‘But is that the only reason? It feels like there’s something more…’
Macy thought over this uneasy feeling all night but couldn’t find a clear answer. The moment she saw Eren holding Adrian, her heart ached. Surprisingly, Eren looked quite natural cradling the newborn.
So she both wanted and didn’t want to see that scene again—Eren showing such a happy expression with Macy’s child in front of her… It was utterly unacceptable.
‘Eren said he wanted me to live well without him… but maybe it’s not like that for me?’
Looking at it that way, Eren was right. Macy still harbored hatred toward him—resentment and a wish for him to suffer.
She knew she had to let go of these lingering, complicated emotions to truly move on, but how?
Lost in thought and silence for a while, Anna cautiously added,
“Honestly, the Duke has a lot of feelings for you.”
“…”
“He loves Rian because he’s your child. He’s not trying to take him away. The Duke said he has no feelings for you now because I told him that’s the only way you’d agree to the Name treatment…”
Anna closed her eyes tightly and confessed everything.
“I’m really sorry! Please forgive me! But the Duke decided not to show any feelings toward you. He’ll only do the Name treatment like now—”
“I know.”
“Huh?”
Anna looked surprised and blinked.
“I know. Eren has feelings for me.”
How could she not? His heart raced every time they were close. Even when drowsy, she felt Eren’s hesitation and trembling.
Though her voice sounded calm, Eren’s eyes said otherwise. Those burning, desperate eyes held deep longing.
A feeling somewhere sharp and piercing inside…
‘What do I really want?’
She turned her gaze out the window, where the wheels of Duchy Krygen’s carriage, emblazoned with a silver eagle crest, slowly began to roll.
Behind it, Macy’s group’s carriage followed directly.
* * *
Public trials generally weren’t something random citizens could request. Therefore, Eren’s influence was needed to approve the public trial.
Laden Square was crowded with people, like a festival had returned after a long time.
“Do you think Duke Krygen will come today? It’s the trial of the mistress he was so desperate to find!”
“They might come in the same carriage. I heard the Krygen family helped prepare the trial.”
“Really? So is it true that the mistress painted Yannick Horton’s paintings for him? The Duke wouldn’t side with a fraudster.”
“Right? Why else would she dare to hold a public trial?”
The curious crowd whispered among themselves.
“Rumors say the Duke’s crazy about that woman now. He’s not the same Duke as before. Maybe he’s blinded by love, losing rational judgment.”
“Well, let’s just watch for now. Hey! There’s Yannick Horton!”
The first to appear in the courtroom was Yannick. Countless eyes focused solely on him, and his hands trembled.
‘Calm down. Don’t get shaken!’
He had been shocked when he received the lawsuit. Who would have thought timid Macy would take such a bold step?
It was obvious someone had provoked her to do this.
‘Duke Krygen must have definitely met Macy!’
No matter how well-backed she was, Yannick wasn’t the type to back down easily. Trying to keep a composed face, he took his seat in the defendant’s chair.
Soon, carriages arrived one after another, and Macy and her lawyer stepped out. Fortunately, Duke Krygen was not among them.
Macy looked healthier than ever, showing no signs of the Name curse.
‘Even while being chased, she must have consistently received Name treatment.’
Yannick glared at Macy with narrowed eyes, but Macy didn’t avoid his gaze and walked confidently forward.
However, as they drew closer, Macy’s expression faltered when she noticed Yannick’s arm.
‘Obviously, you’re trying to do something. Hah!’
Yannick sneered cruelly and subtly raised his casted right arm.
“I guess he caught on? That you’re planning to prove it by demonstrating your painting skills.”
Attorney Frederick, walking beside Macy, whispered to her.
“It doesn’t matter. We’re prepared for more than that.”
“That’s right. Looks like he’s pretty scared.”
Attorney Frederick and Macy ignored Yannick and sat at the plaintiff’s bench.
“The trial will now begin.”
The judge announced the start, marking the opening of a fierce battle.
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