Chapter 13

***

Ines entered the room.

Ryan had completely lost consciousness from drunkenness and was stretched out on the bed.

“Zzzzz, kaaaa!”

He snored loudly and coughed as if his throat was blocked.

The appearance was horrendous.

Ines, who had been staring at Ryan for a while, reached out and turned his collar down. At the same time, her dark green eyes narrowed. 

“Ha.”

Ines let out a short laugh.

On the collar of the shirt, red lipstick marks were clearly visible. It was Charlotte’s.

****

A few days later.

Enoch was going through a lot of papers.

What was contained in those documents was Ryan’s female history, and the many women he is currently interacting with.

“How can you be so shameless when you’re having an affair.”

Enoch let out an absurd laugh. It seemed that Ryan made very little effort to hide his affair in the first place. It wasn’t really a great investigation, but a lot of evidence came out.

Ryan had openly invited high-end waitresses to spend a debauched time, and a huge amount of money was spent in all kinds of pubs.

And.

‘Baron Jason’s daughter.’

In the black-and-white photo, Charlotte proudly held his arm as if she was Ryan’s wife.

As Enoch looked at the photo, the voice of Ines, whom he had met the other day, kept ringing in his ears.

“… My husband has never loved me.”

That calm voice that had no expectations for her husband.

When she realized that she had never been loved by the man she had decided to be with for the rest of her life. Was it the feeling of despair at that time?

‘I can’t even imagine.’

However, Ines decided to start a fight at the risk of ruining her own reputation. So, Enoch could only guess that it must have been very painful for her.

But Enoch knew.

The seemingly helpless Ines, given a very small opportunity, could sparkle dazzlingly.

Dark green eyes concentrating on the painting greatly, and hands moving without hesitation.

The appearance was very…

‘It was beautiful.’

For the first time, Enoch learned that a person who was passionately immersed in something was very beautiful in itself.

Perhaps it was because Enoch had hardly ever been so immersed in anything himself.

Ines’s image kept lingering in his mind.

‘Anyway, the cross-check to see if Countess Brierton’s statement is true is almost complete.’

As a result, there was not a single lie in Ines’ words.

Then. 

‘I’ll keep my promise too.’

Enoch rang the bell and called the old butler.

“Did you call me, Duke?”

“I’m thinking of holding an art exhibition, so please prepare for it.”

“Yes, Sir.”

It was a rather sudden command, but the old butler was not surprised at all and nodded his head.

Because Enoch’s orders always had a reason.

“The name is… Hmmm.”

Enoch grinned.

It was a smile as sharp as a blade.

“Artists of Sussex, that would be enough.”

Well, it wasn’t really that surprising so far.

Because Enoch had a history of supporting artists several times already.

But the next moment.

A shocking statement fell from Enoch’s mouth.

“And for this art exhibition, make sure that works are accepted equally regardless of age or gender.”

“Yes?”

For a moment, the old butler doubted his ears.

It was also because there had never been a precedent for women to submit paintings to an art exhibition before. Of course, there was no legal prohibition against women from engaging in artistic activities.

But in reality it was different.

This is because there was a widespread perception that women should take care of the family, and in fact, even women themselves could not give up the idea that ‘isn’t it a bit unusual’?

Because of that, so far, there had been very few works of art published under women’s names….

“Is something wrong?”

At Enoch’s question, the old butler quickly shook his head.

“No, sir.”

The old butler swallowed dry saliva.

Through this art exhibition, he felt like there was going to be a major upheaval.

***

When the news of the Duke of Sussex was opening an art exhibition, Lancaster’s social circle was turned upside down.

Everyone’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

“The Duke of Sussex is holding an art exhibition?” 

“Isn’t this kind of event hosted by the Duke quite rare?”

“Okay, I’m already looking forward to it…… .!”

The reason the Duke of Sussex opens an art exhibition is to discover and support promising artists.

The subject of the entries was freedom.

Anyone who wanted could submit a work to the art exhibition regardless of gender or status, but among the numerous works, very few works could be included in the art exhibition.

“The jury, including the Duke of Sussex, selects them himself, right?”

“I heard that too. All the painters in the kingdom are eagerly submitting their work.”

“Besides, the benefits are enormous. The artists who made it to the art exhibition are directly sponsored by the Duke.”

When people gathered, all they talked about was the art exhibition of the Duke of Sussex.

“He even named it ‘Artists of Sussex’.”

“Isn’t this proof that the host, the Duke of Sussex, attaches great importance to this art exhibition?”

But the backlash was not entirely absent.

The biggest backlash came from the Royal Arts Association, a gathering of established artists. 

“Let’s say that’s the status quo, the common people didn’t get a proper education anyway, so they couldn’t draw, it will be difficult to exhibit.”

“No matter how they draw it, they won’t be able to get up to the real level of the art exhibition.”

Starting with such arrogant remarks.

“But how can you post a woman’s painting?”

“Of course, ladies also learn to draw, but isn’t that just about learning it as a culture?”

“If you are a lady, you have to take care of your family, and if you are a lady from a good family, you should take bridal classes and prepare to become a wise hostess.”

“It is questionable whether or not he really possesses great knowledge as an artist.” The established artists have put up a vein around their neck like that.

“This is my opinion, but I have a feeling that the Duke of Sussex has pushed ahead with the art exhibition a bit too much this time.”

“How can women who are busy caring for the house submit their paintings?”

“I’d rather give other artists who haven’t been noticed yet more opportunities….”

In the midst of such skepticism, there was one of the loudest of all.

“Ines, did you hear me?!”

It was Ryan.

Ryan was now sitting in front of the dinner table that Ines had prepared.

The silver candlesticks cast a soft light, and the freshly cooked food emitted warm steam. But Ryan didn’t even touch the food.

Instead, he sat in a chair with an arrogant posture and looked at Ines.

“I said that the Duke of Sussex is holding an art exhibition. Ines, did you hear that too?”

At that excited voice, Ines, who was slicing the steak elegantly, glanced up.

“I heard you. Why?”

“You know you shouldn’t be this calm, right?”

Ryan asked in a voice full of excitement. However, Ines only looked at Ryan with an indifferent face.

Ryan spoke again.

“It’s an art exhibition hosted by the Duke of Sussex, not anyone else.”

“So?”

“So?!”

Enraged, Ryan raised his voice.

“You know how influential the Duke of Sussex is on Lancaster’s art world, right?”

“I know, I know.”

Ines shrugged lightly.

“But I don’t know what that has to do with me.” 

“Don’t you remember what my mother said?!”

Ryan gasped.

“She said that if your husband does well, then you do too! This art exhibition is an opportunity for me to become better!” 

“….”

It was absurd. 

Viscountess Gott. Ryan’s mother and the current hostess of the Gott family. And she would always tell Ines…

“If my son does well, then you do well too, okay?”

Once upon a time, Ines believed it to be the truth.

Ines, who had lost her parents early on, was very weak against the gentle affection of an elder.

‘All those mouthfuls were for Ryan in the end. How stupid I was.’

Shaking of her own stupidity, Ines put a piece of steak in her mouth.

Swallowing food, she swallowed the anger with it. On the other hand, Ryan was arrogant, as if he was representing the entire art world. 

“But it’s unique. Why did he give an opportunity for women to participate….?”

“….”

“Taking care of families is women’s happiness and joy.”

“…”

“I think the Duke of Sussex is still unmarried and doesn’t know much about these matters.”

“…”

The complaints went on without end. Ines, who had lost her appetite, was wondering if it would be better to stop eating at this point.

“So, Ines.”

At the same time, Ryan, who struggled to calm his excitement, spoke to Ines. 

“I need you to draw this entry.”

It was not a request, but an order.