Chapter 282
This was the first time Christian had witnessed Duke Krygen like this.
“That woman… do you love her a lot?”
Maybe because of that, Christian asked a question she probably never would have asked in a lifetime.
Even though the newspapers boldly announced the Duke’s deep love for a commoner painter, she never truly believed it.
But now, seeing him so shaken. Duke Krygen was looking at her with a strangely subtle expression. Christian quickly spoke again, worried about causing misunderstandings.
“The person I like is also a commoner. He’s a court musician who taught me piano. Because of the rumors with the Duke, we’re not on good terms right now…”
She kept talking, then suddenly realized she had shared more personal details than necessary.
“The Duke seemed like the kind of man who wouldn’t let emotions sway his marriage, so it surprised me.”
The Duke lowered his eyes, lost in thought. His dim, heavy gaze seemed weighed down.
“The feelings I have for that woman are too grotesque and disgusting to fit the word ‘love.’”
“So you don’t love her?”
“I accepted it because there’s no better word to describe it than love.”
His answer was vague and ambiguous. Seeing Christian frown slightly, he added, as if to explain:
“Not all love in the world is as pretty and sparkling as yours, Princess. Depending on who feels it, love can ruin and poison a person’s life.”
“Then will you let her go?”
“I’d rather hang myself than let her go… She might be happy if I died. She would hate me to my very bones.”
He smiled as he spoke, and it looked a little tragic. Christian tried to comfort him gently.
“That can’t be true. You must have loved her once. She wouldn’t do that.”
“No. It’s my fault. I made it this way. So I understand. No matter what she does to me, I accept it.”
“…”
“I’m just grateful she keeps living.”
Christian couldn’t say anything in return.
She had been trying to see if there was even the slightest chance their marriage could happen, but instead, she only made him recall painful memories—and felt sorry for that.
So she packaged some cake that was popular among women and gave it to him as an apology. The Duke accepted it happily and smiled.
His steps as he left were light and somehow cheerful.
Christian became curious about the woman who could make the Duke make such an expression.
Secretly, she hoped the Duke would find happiness with a woman.
But a few days later, an incident happened at a public trial, and soon after, news was published that the Duke had decided to marry his mistress.
Christian finally met the Duchess Krygen at the wedding celebration. Having already built some closeness before meeting her, she treated Macy warmly from the start.
She also needed Macy’s paintings to meet with her lover.
“So that’s what happened…”
Macy listened with a slightly stunned expression.
“The main point is that the Duke wouldn’t change his mind so easily. He said he’s just grateful you keep living. How could his feelings have changed so soon after marriage?”
“That’s true.”
Macy agreed but honestly, the princess’s words didn’t fully sink in.
“Come inside and eat. I don’t care what you do.”
“So I understand. No matter what she does to me, I accept it. I’m just grateful she keeps living.”
Coincidentally, Eren had said something very similar to the princess before—and yesterday, he said almost the same thing to Macy.
Yesterday it sounded indifferent, but hearing the princess’s words made Macy realize the meaning was slightly different.
‘Was he really saying he didn’t care because he had no interest?’
Maybe Eren thought that even if he was displeased, he had to accept it all. If he still felt strong guilt over what he did… then surely…
Macy recalled when they finally reconciled and first had intimate contact.
They kissed, the mood heated, and Macy trembled from nervousness and the long absence.
Eren teased her by gently nibbling her nose, then kissed her so deeply she almost lost herself before falling asleep.
It had passed so naturally she hadn’t noticed—but maybe he thought she was afraid of having s*x again..
“Oh, and by the way, I heard Duke Krygen has been seeing the same psychiatrist I see?”
“A psychiatrist?”
Macy suddenly became worried and asked in surprise.
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