CH 93
When I Stopped Being Your Shadow
After a long time of questions and answers.
Andreaâs face became relieved and she smiled.
She said, âItâs so nice to meet the Countess like this and get advice.â
âIâm glad I was helpful.â
Ines also smiled at Andrea.
Then Andrea wiggled her fingers and asked cautiously.
âWell, how long will the Countess stay here?â
âI do not know. Probably a week?â
âAhâ¦â
For a moment, Andreaâs expression darkened slightly.
âCanât you just stay a little longer?â
âYes? What is that..?â
âSorry, I didnât mean to be stubborn.â
Even though she apologized, Andrea had a sad face.
âI wish I could ask many teachers like thisâ¦â¦Â .â
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 childâs gender, but they are still hungry for learning.
âThe Marquisâs daughter is much younger than me, but I canât believe she hasnât improved at all compared to when I was young.â
Ines, who was thinking so, suddenly felt as if she had been hit in the head.
âCome to think of it, didnât the Marquess of Attlee also talk about the academy earlier?â
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 childâs 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.
âKaldorov talks about being freer than other countries, but they can do very little.â
Looking back at the words of the Marquess of Attlee, it seemed that Kaldorovâs situation was not too different.
She couldnât improve this solid system by herself.
âBesides⦠Commoners make up the vast majority of Lancaster.â
They couldnât 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.
âThen.â
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.
ââ¦..esâ
ââ¦â¦â
âInes!â
Ines, startled, turned to Enoch.
Enoch was watching her with his eyes narrowed.
âWhat are you thinking?â
âAhâ¦â
What kind of rudeness is this to keep having different thoughts in front of people?
Ines was a bit embarrassed.
âJust, I remembered my conversation with Andrea earlier.â
âAndrea?â
Enoch asked with a sullen face.
âHas been with Andrea ever since you arrived at the Attleeâs residence. Do you still want to spend more time with Andrea again?â
âNo, thatâ¦.â
Ines laughed awkwardly.
âI havenât organized my thoughts yet. Iâll tell you when Iâm a little organized.â¦.â
âThat sounds like youâre trying to focus on other thoughts while youâre with me.â
ââ¦..â
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 Enochâs sad gaze and opened her mouth.
âA while ago, Andrea was disappointed that it was difficult to experience various things. The Marquess of Attlee also complained about that.â
âIs that so?â
âYes. So I naturally thought of schoolâ¦â
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.
âBecause Iâm a commoner, because Iâm a girl, because my family is poorâ¦â
Many reasons were blocking childrenâs aspirations for learning.
ââ¦I want to teach such children without discrimination as long as they have the will to learn.â
Thatâs what Ines concluded.
Enoch asked in a cautious voice.
âSo to sum up, you mean you want to build a school, right?â
âThatâs right.â
âHonestly, I think itâs a very excellent idea. Howeverâ¦â
Enoch slurred.
âIt will be very difficult.â
ââ¦â¦â
Ines was silent for a moment.
If Enoch, who usually helped and supported Ines in both physical and mental ways said that thenâ¦
Perhaps it would be really difficult.
However,
âI still want to do it.â
Ines replied resolutely.
Enoch stared at Ines.
Those sparkling green eyes, determined to carry out what they believe.
Itâs beautiful.
Because of the dazzling passion that made her move without hesitation.
He was enchanted again as if it was a given.
âYour Excellency?â
Enochâs gaze fixed on her, Ines tilted head.
âOh, dear.â
He was too distracted.
Suddenly, Enoch came to his senses and mischievously corrected her words.
âItâs Enoch, not Your Excellency.â
ââ¦Well, thatâs true.â
Perhaps a little embarrassed, Ines cleared her throat and looked away.
âStill, since this is the private property of the Marquis Attlee, wouldnât it be better to be a little more careful about the title?â
âWho cares, itâs just the two of us right now.â
Enoch shrugged and asked back.
âAnd when I called you Ines earlier, you didnât dissuade me.â
ââ¦..â
At that sharp point, Ines closed her mouth in dissatisfaction.
âI understand Inesâ grand plans for the future, but can you focus a little on me today?â
Enochâs voice, which asked so, was full of mischief.
âThis is the first time Iâve been alone since Ines âmistakeâ.â
âReally, stop talking about mistakes!â
Ines was frightened of being heard.
Smirking, Enoch suddenly asked.
âCan I kiss you?â
ââ¦â¦.â
For a moment, Ines doubted her ears.
âAre you kidding me, or are you serious?â
But Enoch was just looking at her with a smirk.
Ines felt her face heat up.
ââ¦Do you really have to ask about that?â
Unable to overcome her embarrassment, Ines scolded him for being stupid.
However, the answer that came back to the pin out was needlessly serious.
âI will not do anything without your permission.â
ââ¦â¦â
At that moment.
Even the habitual assumption of âwhat was Ryan like?â was completely forgotten.
It just felt like her heart would explode at Enochâs kindness.
Her lips moved wildly as she answered his question.
âYou donât have to ask for permission or anything like that.â
Ines casually replied, shocked by what she said.
Still, she did not back down.
Instead, she added her words like driving nails.
âEnoch, if itâs you, itâs fine.â
As soon as her permission was granted, his long, graceful fingers gently caressed Inesâs 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 Inesâ lips parted slightly.
A soft piece of flesh dug through her lips, caressing her delicate mouth, sweeping her teeth without hesitation.
âOhâ¦.â
Ines involuntarily gasped for her breath.
Her whole body seemed to melt away at the sweet pleasure that invaded her whole body.
âIâm happy.â
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]