Chapter 25

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At the same time, Enoch opened his mouth.

“If I were to report the Viscountess Gott, would the Countess be offended?”

“What?”

Ines opened her eyes wide.

It must be so, because Enoch, who had always been relaxed, had a rare expression on his face.

‘His Excellency looks very unhappy for some reason…… ’

Why is that?

Ines quietly looked into Enoch’s eyes. Enoch spoke in a hard tone.

“The Viscountess Gott forcefully came in, and she also threatened and insulted you.”

“Well, yes.”

“I can’t tolerate the disrespect that Viscountess Gott has committed this time.”

Facing Enoch’s stern face, Ines blankly blinked her eyes.

‘Is he angry right now? For me?’

At the same time, Enoch shook his head and spoke.

“But it’s up to the Countess, not me, because I can’t do things my way.”

“Ah, Your Excellency.”

“However, if Elton magazine handles this in detail, it will definitely help the Countess’ divorce…… ..”

“I will do that.”

Ines answered without hesitation.

Enoch, who was preparing numerous explanations to convince her, was startled. 

“Are you really okay with it?”

“Yes. Actually, after the divorce, she will no longer be my mother-in-law. ”

Ines shrugged her shoulders and smiled bashfully. 

“Can you do this for the divorce?”

“….”

Enoch stared at Ines like that.

‘Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?’

Ines, who was touching her cheek as if checking for something, cautiously called out to Enoch.

“Uh, Your Excellency?”

“… Ah, yes.”

Enoch, who roughly nodded his head, hurriedly changed the topic. 

“By the way, I think it will be difficult for you to stay at the Hamilton Hotel any longer.”

“Yes, I guess I’ll have to find another place.”

As she said so, Ines had a rather dark face.

If even the Hamilton Hotel, which was said to have strict security, had reporters camp like this…..

‘There are so few places where I can stay.’

There were a few villas owned by the Brierton, but the problem was that they were too far from the capital, Langdon.

She couldn’t stay too far away from Langdon because the divorce case would start soon.

‘Even if I stay away from Langdon to avoid the reporters, it is difficult if I stay in an area more than 30 minutes away from Langdon.’ 

Ines was suffering from such a headache.

Enoch, who had been in deep thought, suddenly opened his mouth.

“Then how about my villa?”

“What?” 

At the unexpected suggestion, Ines became surprised with rabbit eyes.

Enoch continued to speak calmly.

“I own a villa near Langdon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The reporters won’t follow you to the royal villa, and it’s easy to get to the courthouse when the divorce hearing starts.”

“You would lend me your villa?”

Ines opened her eyes wide as she asked.

“I’m staying in the townhouse in Langdon for the time being, so you can stay as comfortable as the Countess would like.”

Enoch shrugged his shoulders lightly, as if there was no problem.

“Because you have already been harassed several times by reporters, the Countess must be protected. In fact, the people will not disagree.”

“Yes, but….”

“Don’t worry. We will take measures so that even if you are alone, there will be no inconvenience to your life.”

Ines, who was stunned for a moment, hurriedly spoke.

“Yes, I like it. I’m really grateful, thank you… are you really alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think the Duke is giving me too much.”

Ines said with a little difficulty. 

“You’ve already helped enough, so maybe you’re overdoing it because of me…”

“Countess Brierton.”

But then, a stern voice rang out.

Ines, startled, raised her head.

Enoch was looking at Ines with firm eyes.

“Do I look so irresponsible?”

“What? No, it’s not like that…… ”

“I don’t know what kind of person the Countess thinks I am.”

Enoch narrowed his brows and continued.

“I’m not that bad of a person to throw away what I’ve decided to take responsibility for just because it might be a bit annoying.”

“Well, I didn’t mean it that way. I just….”

“You’re also the artist of my choice. Aren’t you an artist of Sussex?”

Sussex’s artist.

The word was unusually catchy.

“So it is only natural for me to protect the Countess.”

“Is that… because the Duke thinks my paintings have value?”

“Of course.” Enoch added with a light shrug.

“There is someone in a difficult situation right in front of me, and I have the ability to help that person, so why shouldn’t I?”

“….”

“It’s also because it doesn’t fit my personality to ignore.”

Suddenly, a bitter smile appeared on Enoch’s beautiful lips.

As if his help was nothing, and it wasn’t great at all.

‘You don’t know how much strength your support gives me…… ’ 

Gratitude swelled up to the end of her neck, and Ines was a bit choked up.

“Then I will be in your care. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

Enoch, who was himself again, asked playfully.

“Isn’t that the deal we originally agreed to do?”

“……Your Excellency.”

“I have already featured the Countess’s work in Elton, and Elton’s sales have increased tremendously.”

Enoch, who returned to the businessman’s face, continued the explanation in a proud tone.

“Above all, it’s encouraging that the purchase rate not only of the aristocrats, who are the existing readers, but also of the common people has risen to a great extent.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that means I’ve already received a reasonable price.”

Enoch smiled softly.

“So the Countess deserves help from me, to your satisfaction.”

“…..”

“So, don’t feel burdened and think that you are getting what you deserve.”

Hearing that answer, Ines somehow felt overwhelmed. Enoch mentioned about the deal that had like it was nothing.

In fact, the words themselves were enough consideration for Ines. Strictly speaking, Enoch had already paid all the price to be paid to Ines.

Enoch promised to create an ‘favorable environment for divorce’ by publishing an article in Elton.

His promise was strictly kept.

Now, Enoch even wanted to protect Ines?

Even for all the things he has done for her, he refused to hear any price or thanks.

Unlike Ryan.

“…… Still.”

Ines, who licked her lips and was about to refuse, decided to say something different.

“I am always grateful to you, sir.”

And the moment Enoch saw Ines smile.

“…”

He felt a tingling sensation deep in his heart.

At the same time, Ines rose to her feet.

“If that’s the case, then, should we move quickly?”

“… Let’s do it.”

Hurriedly following Ines, Enoch touched his collar and pretended to tidy it up.

Strangely, it was difficult for him to look straight into Ines’ eyes.

‘What was that feeling just now?’

Somehow, when Ines was in front of him, he seemed to be acting a little more unnatural than usual. He couldn’t figure out why at all.

Feeling frustrated, Enoch narrowed his brow involuntarily.

****

Ines and Enoch’s carriage left the city of Langdon and ran for a long time happily. Then they arrived in a secluded country village near Langdon.

The village was very small, and it seemed that there were no more than ten households.

Ines thought he was going to stop at the village, but the carriage continued to move and headed for a low hill located beyond the village.

Above it stood a pretty two-story house with a red roof and white walls.

“Wow, what a beautiful place.”

Ines got off the carriage and admired it while shading her hand over her forehead.

“It’s like a doll play set.”

Bright sunlight, blue sky.

A picture-like house that could be seen clearly in the sunlight, and the small village nestled down the hill.

Enoch said with a grin.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Like it?”

Ines glanced at Enoch.

Her dark green eyes gleamed with excitement.

“The surrounding scenery is very beautiful. It makes me want to draw right now!”

“…That much?”

“Yes!”

Ines clenched her fists proudly.

Enoch’s smile grew a little deeper. “Then I guess I made a good decision.”

At the unexpected words, Ines stopped while clenching his fists.

“A good decision?”

“Yes.”

Enoch answered proudly.

“I had the basic drawing tools in the villa. Fortunately, I don’t think you’ll be bored during your stay here.”

“Oh my gosh!”

While Ines’ both eyes wide open, Enoch pointed to the villa with a playful gesture.

“Then, shall we go inside?”