CH 77

“I thought there would be a strong backlash from the Royal Art Association.”

“…….”

At that moment, Enoch’s forehead was deeply wrinkled as he listened.

‘Oh my..’

Helena glanced sideways at Enoch.

On the other hand, Ines, who had never noticed Enoch’s low mood, continued to explain softly.

“Honestly, the Royal Art Association still thinks of me as an eyesore.”

“Countess of Brierton.”

“If I accept this proposal, maybe I’ll cause a stir in the art world…”

Ines blurted out the end of her words.

Everything Ines had done so far has been divided critically between people.

The public cheered her move, but the established art world, including the Royal Art Association, looked down on her.

She couldn’t help but pay attention at all since it was obvious.

In addition, Ines intended to continue her artistic activities in the future, so there were difficulties in continuing to clash with the art world.

“Considering the backlash from the art world, it is better to work a little more in the country than to go to Kaldorov this time…”

But then.

“Why should you do that?”

She heard a stern voice.

It was Enoch’s.

Ines blinked in surprise.

“Duke?”

“There is a saying that in a one-eyed village, people with two eyes are treated abnormally.”

Enoch spoke in an uncharacteristically firm tone.

“I don’t know why a person with two eyes should lower herself to match a one-eyed person.”

“Uh, I….”

“Just do whatever you want.”

Enoch concluded his speech with determination.

“The Countess is too precious to be swayed by someone.”

“…….”

Facing Enoch, who seemed rather angry, Ines involuntarily swallowed her dry saliva.

‘Perhaps the Duke is saying that because he really values my talent without much meaning.’

However,

Ines clenched her fist on her lap.

‘……Whenever he says that, I keep getting excited.’

Meanwhile, an unexpected smile lingered over Helena’s lips as she watched the situation.

It was because she noticed the subtle air current flowing between Enoch and Ines.

‘Come to think of it, when the Duke of Sussex gets angry like that…’

Wasn’t it only when it’s related to the Countess of Brierton?

But it seemed that the parties involved were not even aware of how they felt for each other.

‘Wouldn’t it be okay to push them a little?’

With such self-interest, Helena opened her mouth mischievously.

“Come to think of it, Lady Margaret put a lot of effort into Kaldorov’s invitation this time.”

Margaret?

It had been such a long time since Ines had heard about her name.

Ines pricked up her ears.

At the same time, Helena added a curious explanation.

“Oh, I don’t know of the Countess of Brierton knows when I say Margaret. I mean the Marquess of Attlee.”

“If it’s the Marquess of Attlee…….”

At first glance, Ines knew the name.

She was the cousin of the current King Kaldorov and the wife of the Marquis of Attlee, one of the most prestigious families in Kaldorov.

She was also very interested in art, so she found new artists and sponsored them.

For a moment, Ines glanced sideways at Enoch without realizing it.

‘Why… she’s like the Duke of Sussex.’

They both were related to the royal family, and they discovered and supported artists.

It was strangely reminiscent of Enoch.

At the same time, Helena’s smile deepened a little.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve met Margaret.”

……Margaret.

At the friendly address, Ines’s brow furrowed.

It seemed like Queen Helena knew Lady Margaret personally.

And then.

Helena dropped the bomb casually.

“Well, Margaret once was involved with the Duke of Sussex. You didn’t know that, did you?”

“…involved?”

At that moment, Ines flinched.

It was clearly a look of agitation.

Helena watched her without missing a detail, and continued leisurely.

“Well, that’s a long time ago, though. Now, as the wife of the Marquis of Attlee, she has a profound influence on Kaldorov’s art world.”

“Well, I see. She’s a very talented lady.”

“Even in this exchange exhibition, Margaret sent me several letters. Saying that she’s very sorry she couldn’t attend.”

“…….”

Ines nibbled at the tender flesh in her mouth.

Meanwhile, Enoch, who knew nothing, looked back at Helena with a puzzled face.

“Come to think of it, I thought the Marquess of Attlee would attend the exchange exhibition, of course.”

“She said she was pregnant. So it’s hard to travel a long distance.”

Then Enoch smirked.

“Oh, Andrea must be happy to have a younger sibling.”

“Why don’t you ask Andrea yourself when you visit Kaldorov this time?”

Both Helena and Enoch had friendly conversations about the Marquess.

Ines, who was listening to the conversation, somehow felt low in her mood.

‘You remember the Marquess of Attlee’s family history as well as their names.’

How close were they?

Besides…

‘What do they mean, involve each other?’

Ines chewed her flesh.

She knew it in her head.

Enoch was already slightly over the marriageable age, more precisely the right age.

So it was not strange if he was involved with someone.

Ines herself, who was younger than Enoch, had already been married once and divorced.

Of course, she was well aware of those facts, but…….

‘My heart is stuffy.’

She felt like someone was ripping through the depths of her heart with a long skewer.

Just in time, Helena looked at Ines.

“Anyway, if you go to Kaldorov this time, you’ll be able to meet her.”

“Oh, yes. I’m also looking forward to meeting the Marquess.”

Ines hurriedly schooled her expression and smiled.

Helena looked at Ines with a strange expression and smiled at her.

But that smile felt like she knew something.

Ines had difficulty looking directly at Helena for no reason.

* * *

A late afternoon when the sun was shining brightly.

Finally, the conversation with Helena was concluded, and Ines and Enoch got up.

But then.

knock, knock.

The royal servant, who appeared with a short knock, bowed deeply toward Enoch.

“Duke of Sussex, His Majesty is looking for you.”

“Again?”

Enoch asked back in a curious voice.

Somehow, whenever he entered the royal palace, he felt like he was called by his brother without notice.

“Why is he calling me this time?”

“I don’t know that either. However, the King made sure to bring the duke and requested him to do so.”

“…….”

Enoch seemed wary, but he could not ignore the call of His Majesty the King.

He looked back at Ines with a sigh.

“Countess, I think you should go back first today.”

“I see.”

Even though she answered reflexively, Ines was still unfamiliar with her feelings.

Why on earth did she feel regret?

They were just moving together to the place where the carriage was waiting anyway.

She had her own carriage. So it wasn’t like they would ride together.

She couldn’t believe she was upset that she couldn’t be with him for that short travel time.….

At the same time, Enoch added in a regretful tone.

“It’s too bad I couldn’t go back with the Countess.”

“…….”

Certainly the Duke said it without much intention.

But she felt like he had read her mind.

“Then I’ll leave now.”

Ines turned away as if nothing was wrong.

* * *

“Brother.”

Stepping into the parlor, Enoch called Edward in a weary voice.

“Can you stop calling me without warning?”

Edward, who was leaning against the sofa and looking at the documents, lifted his eyes.

“Then would you have come happily if I told you in advance?”

“Well, that’s not true.”

Edward squinted at the brazen answer.

“This guy.”

“Anyway, why did you call me?”

Enoch, who was approaching, slumped across the sofa without asking Edward for permission.

Usually, Edward would roast him, saying it’s rude.

Edward now had a rare serious expression on his face.

“You know, in the Royal Art Association, there’s a lot of backlash against the Countess of Brierton, right?”

Edward got straight to the point.

Enoch’s eyes sank darkly.

“……I know that the Royal Art Association is taking the initiative.”