Chapter 275
“The princess? Why would I?”
“They said that if you found me, you would accept the imperial marriage proposal…”
“Oh, the imperial family didn’t find you.”
“Huh?”
Eren smiled calmly, as if that explained the serious look on his face.
“I found you, so I don’t have to accept that proposal. The Emperor might have caught on to my secret, but with my reputation like this, I doubt they’ll push for the marriage anymore.”
“But you recently met Princess Christian, didn’t you?”
“How do you know that?”
“Well… I heard it through the grapevine. Everyone seems to know.”
Eren found Macy’s innocent denial cute and pinched her cheek playfully.
“That was just a chance meeting when passing by. We talked to clear things up. Turns out the princess has someone else she’s interested in.”
“Ah…”
“Feeling a bit relieved now?”
“Well, I wasn’t really worried to begin with…”
“Were you worried I’d keep you as my mistress?”
“…”
The moment he said ‘mistress’, Macy felt her breath hitch. Her expression darkened and she fell silent. Eren held her close and said,
“If I went through all that and still kept you as a mistress, I’d be a damn fool.”
His elegant voice spoke words far from elegant. The sound behind her ear was hauntingly sweet.
Eren lazily caressed Macy’s wrist like a well-fed beast with a faintly chilling touch.
“I’m going to put on a legal shackle so you can never leave me again.”
“Huh…?”
“Come with me.”
He took her hand and led her somewhere. Opening a large silver-adorned door, they saw an elderly woman seated on a couch.
It was Ottilie Krygen, Rubens Krygen’s grandmother.
“I intend to marry Macy Horton.”
“What…? So you’ve finally gone mad.”
Ottilie’s eyes twitched in disbelief at the sudden announcement.
“If marrying Macy is madness, then I’ve been mad for ten years. Wasn’t it you, Grandmother, who happily accepted that madman as the head of the ducal family?”
“You have no idea where you are to speak so rudely…”
“Don’t think I came here to ask for permission.”
His cold gaze flashed sharply. He had come to deliver a unilateral declaration.
“Please don’t force me into disrespect. It will be better for you, and for the family’s honored name you cherish, if we don’t clash.”
“How dare you…!”
Ottilie trembled all over. She was left speechless as Eren took Macy’s hand and left without another word after having said his business.
* * *
And so, somewhat abruptly, they married—celebrated by nobles across Obelit with a grand ceremony.
No matter their hidden contempt or mockery, none dared show discomfort in Eren’s presence.
But not everything went smoothly.
“Damn devil who swallowed the heir of the Krygen family! Die!”
At an imperial event, suddenly an egg was thrown, hitting Eren’s forehead. Through the sticky yolk, cold eyes fixed on the culprit.
“Look at that wicked glare! There’s no way he’s of the Krygen bloodline!”
The man who threw the egg trembled as he shouted.
“Are you alright, Duke Krygen? Such rude behavior!”
Most people were concerned and sympathetic, but some noblewomen covered their mouths with fans, sneering.
Gentlemen smirked behind their polite facades.
“I’m fine.”
Eren calmly brushed his hair back, as if refreshing himself in a cool rain, and gave a cold command,
“Detain the culprit. It’s good to show what happens to those who don’t know their place.”
Anyone who harms a high-ranking noble couldn’t escape execution. The man took the risk deliberately.
But Eren went further—he had the man sentenced to life imprisonment, and even imprisoned his entire family.
Rumors spread in Laden that he tormented the criminal and his family and made him beg for death to escape their torment.
“Is the real Satan possessed by the Duke of Krygen or what…?”
“Shh! Watch your words!”
People now kept quiet even in neighborhood taverns—the Krygen family’s ears reached everywhere in Obelit.
“Macy, I think I have a bruise.”
“Oh my! Who would do such a thing?”
That evening, Eren came home with drooping eyebrows and collapsed into Macy’s arms.
“Someone threw an egg at me. I might even lose my sight.”
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