CH 93

After a long time of questions and answers.

Andrea’s face became relieved and she smiled.

She said, “It’s so nice to meet the Countess like this and get advice.”

“I’m glad I was helpful.”

Ines also smiled at Andrea.

Then Andrea wiggled her fingers and asked cautiously.

“Well, how long will the Countess stay here?”

“I do not know. Probably a week?”

“Ah…”

For a moment, Andrea’s expression darkened slightly.

“Can’t you just stay a little longer?”

“Yes? What is that..?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be stubborn.”

Even though she apologized, Andrea had a sad face.

“I wish I could ask many teachers like this……  .”

For some reason, Ines felt a little sorry for Andrea at that low self-talk.

Come to think of it, Ines and Andrea were in similar positions in many ways.

Parents care about education regardless of the child’s gender, but they are still hungry for learning.

‘The Marquis’s daughter is much younger than me, but I can’t believe she hasn’t improved at all compared to when I was young.’

Ines, who was thinking so, suddenly felt as if she had been hit in the head.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t the Marquess of Attlee also talk about the academy earlier?’

Academy.

A place where you can get advice from numerous teachers, interact with peers, and grow while sharing various perspectives.

A place where you can dramatically broaden your growing child’s horizons.

However, very few children were currently allowed to go to school.

Even in Lancaster, there was only one art school, and only male children of high-ranking aristocrats enrolled in that school.

Children who grew up in the academy become established artists and furthermore became members of the Royal Art Association.

‘Kaldorov talks about being freer than other countries, but they can do very little.’

<Even Andrea wants to study painting, but no matter how much I search, there is no academy where girls can enter. That’s the reality.>

Looking back at the words of the Marquess of Attlee, it seemed that Kaldorov’s situation was not too different.

She couldn’t improve this solid system by herself.

‘Besides… Commoners make up the vast majority of Lancaster.’

They couldn’t cross the academy threshold just because they were commoners.

At the same time, aristocrats could receive education if they exceed the limit of gender, but commoners could not overcome the double triple bond and eventually collapsed. 

‘Then.’

Ines looked at Andrea.

What if we nurture young students who will break this rigid art world?

Like this little girl in front of her, with children who have willpower but face the limits of gender.

Even the numerous commoners who had sparkling talents but were not discovered because of their social status.

By teaching all these children equally.

* * *

After that,

Ines separated from Andrea and went to see Enoch and the Marquis of Attlee.

But Enoch was a little dissatisfied.

It was because while she was served tea and went out for a walk on the beach, Ines was almost lost in her own thoughts.

“…..es”

“……”

“Ines!”

Ines, startled, turned to Enoch.

Enoch was watching her with his eyes narrowed.

“What are you thinking?”

“Ah…”

What kind of rudeness is this to keep having different thoughts in front of people?

Ines was a bit embarrassed.

“Just, I remembered my conversation with Andrea earlier.”

“Andrea?”

Enoch asked with a sullen face.

“Has been with Andrea ever since you arrived at the Attlee’s residence. Do you still want to spend more time with Andrea again?”

“No, that….”

Ines laughed awkwardly.

“I haven’t organized my thoughts yet. I’ll tell you when I’m a little organized.….”

“That sounds like you’re trying to focus on other thoughts while you’re with me.”

“…..”

Ines was at a loss for words.

However, Enoch was determined not to back down until he heard the answer.

In the end, Ines could not overcome Enoch’s sad gaze and opened her mouth.

“A while ago, Andrea was disappointed that it was difficult to experience various things. The Marquess of Attlee also complained about that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. So I naturally thought of school…”

Still, as she explained to Enoch step by step, she felt that something was a little more concrete.

Ines explained.

The idea for the school came from a conversation with Andrea and the Marquess of Attlee.

Come to think of it, even in Lancaster, there were very few children who could receive formal education in the arts.

“Because I’m a commoner, because I’m a girl, because my family is poor…”

Many reasons were blocking children’s aspirations for learning.

“…I want to teach such children without discrimination as long as they have the will to learn.”

That’s what Ines concluded.

Enoch asked in a cautious voice.

“So to sum up, you mean you want to build a school, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Honestly, I think it’s a very excellent idea. However…”

Enoch slurred.

“It will be very difficult.”

“……”

Ines was silent for a moment.

If Enoch, who usually helped and supported Ines in both physical and mental ways said that then…

Perhaps it would be really difficult.

However,

“I still want to do it.”

Ines replied resolutely.

Enoch stared at Ines.

Those sparkling green eyes, determined to carry out what they believe.

It’s beautiful.

Because of the dazzling passion that made her move without hesitation.

He was enchanted again as if it was a given.

“Your Excellency?”

Enoch’s gaze fixed on her, Ines tilted head.

‘Oh, dear.’

He was too distracted.

Suddenly, Enoch came to his senses and mischievously corrected her words.

“It’s Enoch, not Your Excellency.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

Perhaps a little embarrassed, Ines cleared her throat and looked away.

“Still, since this is the private property of the Marquis Attlee, wouldn’t it be better to be a little more careful about the title?”

“Who cares, it’s just the two of us right now.”

Enoch shrugged and asked back.

“And when I called you Ines earlier, you didn’t dissuade me.”

“…..”

At that sharp point, Ines closed her mouth in dissatisfaction.

“I understand Ines’ grand plans for the future, but can you focus a little on me today?”

Enoch’s voice, which asked so, was full of mischief.

“This is the first time I’ve been alone since Ines ‘mistake’.”

“Really, stop talking about mistakes!”

Ines was frightened of being heard.

Smirking, Enoch suddenly asked.

“Can I kiss you?”

“…….”

For a moment, Ines doubted her ears.

‘Are you kidding me, or are you serious?’

But Enoch was just looking at her with a smirk.

Ines felt her face heat up.

“…Do you really have to ask about that?”

Unable to overcome her embarrassment, Ines scolded him for being stupid.

However, the answer that came back to the pin out was needlessly serious.

“I will not do anything without your permission.”

“……”

At that moment.

Even the habitual assumption of ‘what was Ryan like?’ was completely forgotten.

It just felt like her heart would explode at Enoch’s kindness.

Her lips moved wildly as she answered his question.

“You don’t have to ask for permission or anything like that.”

Ines casually replied, shocked by what she said.

Still, she did not back down.

Instead, she added her words like driving nails.

“Enoch, if it’s you, it’s fine.”

As soon as her permission was granted, his long, graceful fingers gently caressed Ines’s cheek.

His fingers gently lifted her chin.

Ines closed her eyes as if it were natural.

Their lips met.

The feeling.

Her entire body relaxed, and Ines’ lips parted slightly.

A soft piece of flesh dug through her lips, caressing her delicate mouth, sweeping her teeth without hesitation.

“Oh….”

Ines involuntarily gasped for her breath.

Her whole body seemed to melt away at the sweet pleasure that invaded her whole body.

‘I’m happy.’

Ines reveled in her heart-rending satisfaction.

The sandy beach with white foam and the deep blue horizon sparkling with sunlight.

A cool sea breeze tossing her hair.

And even this beautiful man who was messing with her.

It was a perfect moment.

[T/N: aww , so sweet]