Chapter 22

***

***

‘Whatever it is, the age of marriage will soon pass.’

Edward looked at Enoch with dissatisfaction and opened his mouth.

“I didn’t know that you, who used to look at women like stones, now used Elton to make the problem so big.”

“It’s worth it for Countess Brierton.”

Edward doubted his ears for a moment.

“What did you just say now? … Is the Countess that special?”

“Yes.”

Enoch answered firmly.

“She is a genius.”

“No … ”

Edward couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Enoch, is it enough for you to say that?”

“That’s right. This is my opinion, but….”

Enoch concluded in a serious voice.

“She has the talent to shake up the art world in the future.”

“Hmm, Countess Brierton. Was her name Ines?”

Edward was deep in thought.

Ines Brierton.

The Brierton was one of the most prestigious families in the Lancaster Kingdom since ancient times. Wealth, fame, and even a long history comparable to the royal family.

A family that had everything.

Ines, the only heiress of that family, who was once said to be the kingdom’s best bride.

Edward could vaguely recall her social debut.

A beautiful young girl with long dark brown hair in thick braids, decorated with fresh flowers, and wore a snow-white dress.

At first glance, she looked like a fairy.

After that, Ines stopped appearing in society and news had come that she was married. 

‘I thought she was only living well because she got a husband.’

If the calm woman caused such an uproar, it seemed that the relationship with her husband was not very good.

Edward, who was thinking with his chin on his hand, suddenly opened his mouth.

“Then I think I should go to the exhibition once.”

“What? Brother?”

Enoch openly expressed displeasure.

Enoch made a distasteful expression on his face.

Edward looked at Enoch sullenly.

“Why, can’t I come? She’s an artist whom you praise so much that I want to meet her in person at least once.”

“Stop it.”

Enoch said it as if giving an order.

“The Countess is already tormented to and fro. You’ll put a burden on her if you go there.”

“Enoch, what the hell is your reaction?”

For a moment, Edward’s eyes lit up. Enoch’s shoulders stiffened.

Because every time Edward put on such a curious face, things never worked out so well.

“Have you been seeing the Countess for a long time?”

“… You are mistaken.”

“Hey, I’m not mistaken. How long have we been brothers?”

Edward opened his eyes mischievously.

“You care so much about the Countess. Hey, I’m getting more and more curious about this.”

As Edward’s smile grew darker and darker, Enoch’s face became more and more distorted.

Edward leaned back in the armchair with his legs crossed.

“So where is Countess Brierton now? There’s this uproar, so I don’t think she’s staying at her house.”

“Is that an order from the king?”

“What, then?”

“I still can’t tell you.”

“This guy really.

Edward looked at Enoch playfully for a while then added.

“Anyway, well, if she goes ahead with the divorce, I will see the Countess in court.”

“…”

Divorce.

At that word, Enoch stopped.

It was the only way for Ines to step out of the position of Countess of Brierton and get the Count title back.

And if she gets out of marriage and returns to her old self….

“…”

Enoch felt like his mouth was dry for some reason.

He couldn’t figure out why he was strangely nervous just thinking about Ines.

‘Useless thoughts.’

Enoch tried hard to pretend to be calm and straightened his expression, and fixed his gaze on his older brother.

“So, what kind of judgment will you make in this divorce trial?”

“That I don’t know?”

In response to Enoch’s question, Edward shrugged his shoulders sarcastically.

“After examining the data properly, I will make a judgment that does not favor anyone. but why are you curious about that?”

“… it’s nothing.”

“What is it? That’s not a face that says there’s nothing.”

To be really troublesome for Enoch, Edward wasn’t the type to miss an opportunity to tease his brother. In the end, Enoch had to suffer for a long time at Edward’s mischief.

***

At that time, the top floor of the Hamilton Hotel.

Ines pulled the curtain and peered out the window. Numerous reporters gathered around like clouds.

‘Unbelievable.’

She felt like her stomach was going to explode.

Ines, who closed the curtains again, slipped and sat down on the spot.

‘It’s good that it became an issue. It’s good…’

Well, the intended purpose itself was achieved.

Because it was true that she was going to make an issue of divorce from the beginning. 

But.

‘It’s hard to even live a normal life!’ 

Ines screamed inwardly and ruffled her hair.

After the first day of the exhibition.

Ines immediately filed for divorce.

And as soon as the media heard that she had filed for divorce, they rushed in and began to encamp in front of the Brierton’s townhouse.

Nervous, Ines left the townhouse and started staying at the Hamilton Hotel.

Of course, she didn’t know if Ryan was suffering from the media or not.

‘Well, it seems that the media has contacted Ryan a few times.’ 

Ryan was claiming to be a victim too, but compared to Elton, other ordinary newspapers had a different presence.

In line with the incident at the art exhibition, public opinion generally seemed to give Ines more power.

But the problem was.

‘Other media outlets are quite persistent.’

When she left the townhouse, she thought she could avoid them.

The press was now chasing Ines like crazy, and they had gathered like clouds in front of the hotel.

The Duke of Sussex had already compensated for the disruption to the hotel business… As if he had foreseen this situation, Enoch had asked the hotel for understanding and paid the compensation in advance.

Ines also went through the compensation process with Enoch.

Recalling that time, Ines naturally thought about Enoch…..

‘Come to think of it, how did the Duke deal with all these reporters?’

Ines became more respectful of Enoch.

As the most famous celebrity in the kingdom, he seemed to attract people’s attention naturally.

To be honest, Ines wanted to kick Ryan out of the Brierton Townhouse in the first place…

‘Then I don’t know how much the nobles will talk about me behind the scenes.’

Ines wrinkled her forehead.

It was not long before the divorce. There was no need to make a verbal attack.

Rather than that, it would be advantageous to thoroughly guard the position of the victim.

‘But.’

Ines quietly lowered her eyes.

‘If it was the Duke, would he have dealt with it in a different way?’

A man who was always confident and dignified.

From birth, Enoch seemed to be a different kind of person from Ines.

He shone brightly alone, and she kept looking….

But then.

Knock. Knock.

Someone knocked on the door of her room.

Ines raised her head.

‘Who is it?’

There was a faint vigilance on her face.

In the first place, Enoch directly booked this hotel, and a lot of people were strictly forbidden from entering. So even the reporters couldn’t get inside and only stayed outside the hotel.

So if it was someone who could come all the way here….

At the same time, a bright voice of a middle-aged woman called out to Ines.

“It’s me, Ines!”

Ah.

For a moment, Ines froze.

That voice was familiar to her.

That voice that sounded a little nervous…

‘Viscountess Gott.’

Ines bit her lips.

Viscountess Gott was Ryan’s mother and Ines’ mother-in-law. She could get in probably because she knew someone at the hotel. 

“Can I come in?”

Ines hesitated for a moment.

“I came because I heard that you are here!”

Bang! 

“Can’t you open this door right now?!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“An elder is talking to you, but you have no manners. Ines!”

Viscountess Gott screamed while banging on the door violently. Even so, she was the one who always talked about the dignity of a noble family.

Thinking that other guests would also be affected, Ines got up with her eyes tightly closed.

Click.

The door opened.

The first thing she saw was Viscountess Gott, standing proudly with her arms crossed. The curious guests were all looking this way.