Chapter 55

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“You can call me Ines like before.”

“But how can I call the Countess…”

“We have known each other for a long time. I hope you don’t call me that.”

At that soft voice, Mrs. Lant hardened her shuddering shoulders.

Ines continued with a serious face.

“I want to be friends with Mrs. Lant as Ines, not Countess of Brierton.”

“Really?”

Mrs. Lant, who was dumbfounded, looked at Ines with wide eyes.

Ines nodded her head quickly.

“Yes. So there’s no need to be so awkward.”

“Well, if you really say that….”

It was for a moment that Mrs. Lant was relieved a little like that.

‘Wait a minute. That one!’

As soon as she found Enoch standing behind Ines’ back, Mrs. Lant was once again contemplated.

In the past, she had speculated that Enoch was just a wealthy commoner. He hung out with Ines, who bought expensive art tools, and didn’t feel any pressure.

However, 

‘Why didn’t I notice at all?’

Such a remarkably gorgeous appearance and graceful behavior that exuded from his body.

In addition, considering the art exhibition that triggered Ines’ divorce……

“He, I, Sussex, the Prince… the Duke…”

Mrs. Lant, who was frozen tight, her lips quivered.

The playful conversation she had with Ines the other day flashed through her mind.

“Isn’t this the first time Ines has visited an art studio with a man? Is he your lover?”

“What?”

‘What the hell am I supposed to do with the Duke…… !’

Mrs. Lant’s face turned blue, then red, and then turned white.

Enoch, unable to see the colorful colors of her face, shook his head. 

“Just call me Mr. Fitzroy like before.”

“Yes?”

Mrs. Lant jumped up from her seat. It was strange that she had never noticed until now.

Sure enough, ‘Fitzroy’ was the middle name of the Duke of Sussex!

But Enoch still had a calm face.

“There is no need to reveal my identity. It’s just troublesome.”

“Uh, that, but…… ” 

“Please.”

Enoch spoke politely but firmly.

The Duke himself said that, so she couldn’t refuse, but to call him ‘Mr. Fitzroy’ as before…..

It was also very difficult. When Mrs. Lant rolled her eyes, not knowing what to do.

Fortunately, Ines saved Mrs. Lant, who was about to faint.

“Madam, I’m going to buy some of those paints.”

“Oh, paint? okay! Just in time, there is a new paint…… !”

Mrs. Lant turned around hurriedly.

‘Wow, Mrs. Lant is very nervous.’

It was only for a moment that Ines laughed quietly. Then she swallowed her breath.

Apparently, it was because she met Enoch’s eyes.

‘Ha’ Ines turned around and tilted her head.

‘…… But, is this my mistake?’

She felt like Enoch had looked at her several times like this before.

As if Enoch was looking at Ines all the time…

‘No, I must be sensitive.’

Still, she couldn’t help but be conscious about Enoch.

Ines spoke to Mrs. Lant to change the awkward atmosphere.

“Oh, besides paint, I need a new water bottle and a palette. Can I take a look?” 

“Water bottles and palettes…… It’s over there.”

Mrs. Lant trembled and led Ines to the corner of the room.

After looking at the tools for a while, Ines glanced back without realizing it.

And,

“…”

Once again, she met Enoch’s eyes. Enoch smiled, not surprised as soon as their eyes met. Ines hurriedly lowered her head toward the tools.

‘It makes people’s hearts flutter, why do you keep smiling like that!’

***

So, after finishing the art supplies shopping.

“Thank you, Ines!”

Mrs. Lant’s face was in full bloom.

It was true that she was very nervous at first. Living as the owner of a small art store, how often could she meet aristocrats with such a high status?

However, that tension has now melted away in front of the considerable sales that Ines had purchased.

“I can have the workers load the supplies you bought now into the carriage like before?”

“Yes, thank you for that.” 

Ines, who said thank you, suddenly asked a question.

“Ah, the 5th floor room I rented last time. Did someone else rent it?”

“No, not yet.”

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In response to that answer, Ines asked again with a smile.

“Then can I take a look?”

Although it was not a studio where she stayed for a long time, the place was special to Ines.

It was the place where the series of Hwabang Street that led to Ines’ divorce was drawn.

Fortunately, Mrs. Lant nodded her head graciously. 

“Do as you please. Ines is the biggest customer of our store, so you can do whatever you want.”

“Thank you!”

Having obtained permission, Ines moved to the 5th floor. Climb the creaking stairs and open the locked door. A view of the spacious room spread out.

“Ah.”

Ines somehow felt her chest tighten.

The art tools she brought in had long since been removed, so the room was empty. Only dust shining golden in sunlight floating in the air. 

‘Here… … I used to paint the two paintings to be exhibited in the art exhibition.’

The art exhibition and even divorced.

It had happened for a couple of months at most, but it felt like a long time ago. Even her horrific marriage with Ryan now felt like a very distant past. Ines, who was walking through the room soaked in her vague mood, approached the window and pulled up the curtains. The lively scenery unique to Hwabang Street filled the field of vision.

“Is this the scenery?”

Just then, a calm voice was heard.

Enoch was approaching and was looking out the window.

“The subject of your paintings exhibited at my art exhibition.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Ines nodded her head.

Enoch suddenly remembered that Ines was painting in this room.

The blazing twilight and the back of Ines, who seemed to fall into the painting at any moment.

Even the bright and beautiful dark green eyes that only looked at the paintings.

Unknowingly, Enoch glanced at Ines.

The white and elegant side face carved out of ivory was looking at the street scene, not Enoch. At the same time, his blue eyes sank deeply.

Again.

Even though he knew it was childish, he wanted Ines to only look at himself. As much as Enoch’s nerves were focused on Ines, he hoped she would be conscious of him too.

Enoch smiled faintly.

‘What kind of childish thought this is!’

But then.

Unexpectedly, Ines turned her head and looked directly into Enoch’s eyes.

“Sir, is there anything you want to say to me?”

It seemed like he was looking at Ines too deeply.

He didn’t expect her to notice his eyes and ask him back.

In an instant, the nape of his neck warmed up.

Enoch was momentarily perplexed, but fortunately he had something to say to Ines.

He tried to pretend to be calm and opened his mouth.

“It will be difficult to see you for a while.”

“Yes?”

For a moment Ines felt her heart pounding.

Fortunately, Enoch didn’t seem to notice Ines’s hardened expression.

Then Enoch added an explanation.

“There will be an international art exchange soon.”

“An international art exchange?”

“Yes. This exchange exhibition is hosted by the Queen, and I have decided to help out as well.”

Only then did Ines relieve the tension in her body a little.

‘I’m glad it’s not that I can’t see the Duke anymore….’

She was just relieved.

Ines, unable to overcome her complicated mind, grabbed the hem of her dress tightly.

‘What the hell’s wrong with you, Ines.’

She clearly thought that she should distance herself from Enoch.

Why did her heart keep turning to him?

She could never figure out why.

‘Okay, stop thinking nonsense.’

In order to shake off her mundane thoughts, Ines opened her mouth pretending it was nothing.

“It’s been almost seven years since we have had an exchange art exhibition.”

In fact, it was a topic of interest for both painters and nobles of the kingdom in many ways.

It was an art exchange between countries with a long tradition.

However, due to the long history of feud between Lancaster and Kaldorov, it was an event that often spread like a fight for pride.

“By the way, the last exchange was held at Kaldorov, wasn’t it?”

However, the result of that exchange was not good.

At that time, it was said that Kaldorov focused heavily on exchange, and that the Lancaster came back overwhelmed by their freestyle.

How it was a blow to Enoch’s self-esteem at the time, and even led to the founding of the Royal Artists Association….

“Then the Duke will be very busy.”

Ines, who seemed to have been deeply in thought for a moment, smiled brightly.

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