Chapter 18

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Ryan came home the next day, late in the morning when the sun was in the middle of the sky.

“Ines…?”

Ines, who was having breakfast, raised her gaze slightly. Ryan rubbed his haggard eyes and walked closer to Ines. As the distance between her and Ryan got closer, the stench of alcohol stung her nostrils. 

“What about the painting?”

There was no apology for staying out without a word.

At the attitude of asking only for his own business, Ines wrinkled her brows involuntarily.

“I have already applied in your name.”

“Oh, well done Ines!”

Ryan’s smiling face suddenly turned pale.

“Ugh!”

It was because he drank too much the night before, and his stomach was churning. Ryan covered his mouth and ran to the bathroom.

“…”

Ines, who was looking at his pathetic back, quietly set the tableware down. There was no way she could have an appetite after seeing that.

After a while.

“Ugh, I’m dying.”

Ryan staggered and came back.

Ryan, who pulled the chair across from the dining table and sat down, snapped at the maid.

“Ah, it hurts. Go and get something!”

“Yes, Count.”

The maid, who retreated with a troubled face, brought him honey tea, which was good for relieving a hangover. Ryan, who drank the honey tea, set the teacup down on the table with a bang. At the same time, Ines asked a question.

“By the way, Ryan.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you curious what kind of picture I drew?”

It must be so, wasn’t it a painting that was applied in Ryan’s name?

If Ines was in Ryan’s position, she would have taken a look at the painting before it was turned in. However, Ryan seemed to have no intention of checking the painting at all. As proof of that, Ryan’s face was full of wonder.

“Why should I be curious about that?”

Ines was momentarily speechless.

Ines, who was staring at Ryan with a surprised expression, replied back.

“It’s a painting submitted in your name. Shouldn’t you at least know what kind of picture you drew?”

“Well, Ines, you must have done well. Is that right?”

Ryan shrugged his shoulders and stood up, scratching his head.

“Oh, I’m tired from staying up last night. I need to get some sleep.” 

So Ryan left his seat.

Looking at his back, Ines bit her lip.

‘It’s okay, Ines. There is no need to be hurt again.’

In fact, Ryan had always been like that.

The pictures she drew were just a tool for Ryan to win the envy and fame of the people.

But now. ‘That painting will be the most effective weapon to attack you.’

Ryan’s ignorant remarks hurt her heart, but someday it will be okay. Ines comforted herself that way.

****

So, finally, it was the opening day of the art exhibition.

Ines left the townhouse early in the morning.

It was to visit the art exhibition in time for the opening. The Duke of Sussex’s art exhibition will be held by renting a permanent exhibition hall owned by the royal family.

In fact, renting the royal pavilion itself was a great thing.

The Royal Pavilion was basically only the art works of masters or artists belonging to the Royal Art Association, no matter how he was the current king’s only brother, exhibiting works in such a place, regardless of newcomers and established artists…

‘The Duke is amazing.’

As Ines admired Enoch inwardly.

“Oh my gosh.”

At the crowded scene that unfolded before her eyes, Ines blinked in bewilderment.

Because carriages of high-ranking people lined up around the exhibition hall. This may be because the Duke of Sussex’s art exhibition was a hot topic in the social world…… .

‘Still, I didn’t think there would be so many people.’

At the ominous feeling that invaded her body, Ines let out a painful sound in her mouth. 

‘I think it will take quite some time to get into the exhibition hall.’

But then.

Knock. Knock.

Someone knocked on the window of her carriage.

“Yes?”

Ines looked out the window with a puzzled face.

A young man was standing outside the carriage, looking at Ines.

“Are you the Countess of Brierton?”

Judging by the well-dressed uniform, it seemed that he was an employee belonging to the exhibition hall of the royal family.

Ines nodded.

“That’s right.”

“The Duke of Sussex has sent me. It’s very crowded here, so I’ll take you in separately.”

At those words, Ines blinked blankly.

“The Duke…”

Come to think of it, she had said something in passing.

But.

‘He remembered that and placed a staff in place in advance? … for me?’

Enoch always gave unexpected attention to detail.

… Unlike Ryan.

“Countess of Brierton?”

At the same time as the voice of the staff calling her, Ines came to her senses.

“Oh yes. Let’s go.”

With the help of the staff like that, it was only after a period of hardship.

Ines was finally able to set foot in the exhibition hall.

As soon as she entered the lobby, the whole room was noisy as if it was a beehive.

“Did you see those paintings?”

One of the ladies couldn’t hide her surprise and opened her mouth.

“Count Brierton had submitted a painting this time!” 

In an instant, Ines clenched his fists in exultation.

‘I succeeded!”

“Why is it the same painting under Countess Brierton’s name?”

“I mean, I thought it was a series, right?”

“By the way, did the Countess know how to paint?”

Not only the ladies, but also other visitors seemed to have doubts about the paintings. 

“Or did Count Brierton paint two paintings and submit them in his name and in his wife’s name?“ 

“But it’s strange. There is no need to do such a cumbersome task, is there?”

Everyone was talking, so the whole lobby was noisy.

Meanwhile,

One of the spectators found Ines standing at the entrance.

“Oh my God, Countess Brierton?”

“I beg your pardon? Is the Countess here?”

“Where, where is she?”

People’s eyes turned to Ines in an instant. Ines stopped, bewildered.

Of course, getting people’s attention was her goal, but… Still, the situation itself was burdensome to see so many people looking at her with harsh eyes.

Some even looked at her with reproaching eyes.

“I see that the paintings of the Count and the Countess are similar.”

Someone opened their mouth with a shrill voice.

“But even so, how can a noble lady submit a painting?”

“She has to protect and take care of the family.”

“Besides, the Brierton is one of the most prestigious in the kingdom.”

“You mean that the hostess of such a family did not take into account the issue of damaging the dignity of the family?”

Gossip whispers seem to cut through Ines’s body with knives.

Her shoulders shudder at the rush of tension.

But for a while.

‘It’s okay.’

Ines took a short deep breath.

‘It’s far better than being betrayed by Ryan and Charlotte, ridiculed and insulted all my life.’

Her eyes, which had been blurred for a moment, became sharp.

Ines, clenching her fists, straightened her back and looked straight into the eyes of the audience.

‘Because I already knew that people wouldn’t give me the reaction I wanted.’ 

No matter how crazy people were talking, Ines did nothing wrong. She didn’t do anything shameful, so why should she back down?

‘Above all, this… It’s my choice.’

To reclaim her work, her life. There was a gleam in her eyes. Ines approached the audience confidently with a dignified step.

“What, what?”

“I thought she would be discouraged….”

“She’s not ashamed at all, is she?”

On the contrary, the audience was somewhat perplexed.

But then.

“Countess Brierton.”

A smooth voice called for Ines.

The people quickly turned their heads towards the source of the voice, and then their eyes widened.

“The Duke of Sussex!”

It was Enoch.

Enoch, who immediately focused people’s attention, approached Ines with an elegant gait. As he moved, people retreated like waves.

At last Enoch stood before Ines. Then his eyes bent gently.