Chapter 78
Seeing that the Duke’s mood was worsening, Yannick hurriedly returned to Macy and helped her up.
“No, we’ll take our leave now. I apologize for the commotion!”
“Let go of her hand.”
“Pardon?”
Yannick, who was about to leave, stopped abruptly.
“That girl is the painter who attended the event as part of the Shearton party. The event is still ongoing.”
“Oh, right. But we need to discuss something privately as a family…”
“Do it here.”
“W-well, you see…”
Yannick stood there, restless and flustered, unable to find the right words. Eventually, the Duke took hold of Macy’s arm.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take her with me.”
“Wait, Your Grace!”
In his urgency, Yannick reached out to Duke Krygen, but the Duke sharply slapped his hand away.
“How dare you touch someone without permission?”
The fierce blue eyes bore down on him. Yannick looked like a filthy germ in the Duke’s disgusted expression.
Krygen wiped his white gloves on the air as though trying to rid himself of Yannick’s presence.
Yannick glanced between the Duke’s clean gloves and his own dirty hands before asking in a subdued tone.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. But do you have business with Macy?”
“If so?”
“But didn’t you say that the Horton family should avoid drawing attention? This girl is Macy Horton…”
“The name may be Horton, but it seems she’s long since abandoned that name in practice.”
Macy’s gaze shifted back to the Duke. The grip on her arm tightened.
“It seems you don’t want to follow him.”
“No! It’s just that it’s been so long since we’ve met, and Macy was just startled. Macy, tell him, no! You want to go home, don’t you?”
The lingering menace in Yannick’s eyes made Macy shiver in fear, her jaw trembling just from looking at him. Duke Krygen observed Macy with an expression that seemed ready to let her go if she said nothing more.
Macy, who had only managed to stammer until now, began to speak more clearly.
“Ah, n-no, I…”
“Good! You’re returning to your family—”
“This person… he’s no longer my family!!”
The cry, almost a scream, echoed through the area. As the desperate voice faded, an unusually oppressive silence settled in. Tears began to flow from Macy’s eyes as if a dam had burst.
“This man tried to kidnap me. Please help me, Your Grace. Ugh, don’t leave me…”
Yannick was now less than a stranger to her. As the Duke had said, Macy had left home with the intention of cutting ties with Yannick.
Had he really cared for her all this time? He had only ever reacted with violence when his temper flared. The sting of the slap she received from him still lingered. To Yannick, Macy was merely a source of income and a stress relief toy.
While he was praised as a top-class painter outside, at home, he was desperate to torment her.
Macy clung to the Duke, sobbing.
“What’s going on over there!”
At that moment, soldiers from the Shearton Barony rushed over, apparently having heard Macy’s scream.
“Stop him!”
“Catch him!”
Yannick fled into the bushes. His suspicious actions immediately prompted the soldiers to chase after him.
“Duke Krygen, are you alright?”
One of the soldiers, momentarily stopped his pursuit, asked the Duke.
“The security at the Shearton Barony is lacking. It’s unacceptable for an unauthorized person to be wandering around freely.”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. Did you see the fugitive’s face?”
The Duke looked at Macy. When she remained silent, he replied flatly.
“No. Make sure he doesn’t come back.”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldier then went after Yannick. Macy felt embarrassed and ashamed, having only shown such a disheartening side of herself to the Duke. Slowly pulling away from his side, she bowed her head.
“Thank you for your help, Your Grace… I’ve caused a great deal of trouble today.”
The Duke said nothing. Even though he wasn’t meeting her eyes, Macy could feel the sharpness of his gaze.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
“That won’t do.”
“What?”
Macy looked up.
“Didn’t you have business with me?”
Hadn’t that just been an excuse?
“Come with me.”
The Duke issued a brief command and turned to walk away. Macy followed him with hurried steps in a daze.
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