Chapter 33

***

***

“The trial had ended.”

“That, but…… !”

“It seems the Countess of Brierton is very tired from attending today’s trial.” 

Enoch, who glanced at Ines, moved as if protecting Ines from Ryan. Ines’ body was covered with the back of his solid body.

“It would be better for both of you to have a conversation after getting together a little more.”

“…”

“Above all, I want the Countess of Brierton in a state of calm.”

Enoch drew a line.

“…”

With that stubborn attitude, Ryan couldn’t even rebel against Enoch.

Meanwhile, Enoch, who had poured out everything he had to say, looked back at Ines.

“Let’s go, Countess of Brierton.”

“Thank you.”

Ines, who was escorted by Enoch to leave, finally got a glimpse of Ryan.

“Ines… !”

Ryan, who was trying to somehow hold Ines back, stopped. 

Before, whenever Ines looked at Ryan, her dark green eyes were always as gentle as spring. Now those eyes were full of contempt.

It was a look he had never seen before.

“…”

Ines turned coldly, as if it wasn’t worth saying more.

Ryan looked at the backs of the two people as they moved away with stunned eyes.

***

“This way.”

Enoch strode ahead of Ines.

Ines, who was following him involuntarily, closed her eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them again.

‘I’m dizzy.’

Her vision was shaking at will, and her breathing was also hot.

So while she was catching her breath.

Ines suddenly felt a sense of incongruity.

‘… But where am I?’

She was now standing in an unfamiliar passageway.

The strangest thing was that there were no people around.

The trial had just ended, so reporters and people should filled the place.

Ines tilted her head. 

“Ah, Duke. This road……?”

“It’s a passage only used by the royal family.”

At the same time, someone suddenly answered Ines instead of Enoch.

Astonished, Ines raised her voice without realizing it.

“Oh, His Majesty the King?!”

“So, be thankful.”

The king, Edward, continued with a sly shrug.

“Because we have never allowed anyone other than the royal family to use this passage.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Honestly, I was reluctant to allow it at first. But.”

Edward squinted at Enoch playfully. “My dear brother asked so much to use this passage, I could not refuse.”

“There will be a lot of reporters at the entrance to the courthouse. I asked because I was afraid there’s going to be chaos. That’s all.”

Cutting off Edward’s playful words, Enoch wrinkled his forehead.

“You agreed to this in the first place, but why are you suddenly doing this?”

“Oh, who said what? I just said that.”

Enoch looked at Edward fiercely.

Edward chuckled.

“Then I should leave now, right? Because I think Enoch will really grab me by the collar if I stay here longer.”

“Brother, really… !”

“Well then, Countess of Brierton. It was nice to meet you today.”

Edward smirked at Ines.

“I’ll see you later.”

Then he waved his hand gently, and walked out first.

Ines, who had a bewildered face, hurriedly bowed to the king who was moving away. 

“Take care, Your Majesty.”

“…”

Enoch stared at his brother’s back with dissatisfied eyes, and sighed long.

“Ha…”

“Duke?”

“It’s nothing. We’ve got the carriage ready, let’s go.”

Enoch, who had turned around like that, was startled for a moment and opened his eyes wide. Because Ines, who was about to follow Enoch, stumbled.

Enoch reflexively reached out his hand and supported Ines.

”Countess of Brierton?!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I think it was because I was relieved.”

Ines apologized hurriedly. Enoch wrinkled his face.

“Is this the time to apologize to me? You have a fever!” 

Ines’s whole body was hot like a ball of fire.

Meanwhile, Ines realized only after hearing those words.

“Oh, I see.”

Ines looked up at Enoch with a hazy gaze.

“I guess I was dizzy because I had a fever.”

At that moment, her whole body became heavy as if a stone was hanging from her limbs.

Unable to properly control her body, Ines staggered and leaned against Enoch.

“Are you okay, Countess?!”

Enoch’s voice could only be heard in the distance.

‘I guess I got sick from being exposed to the cold wind in the morning.’

Ines, who had thought so with her dazed head, suddenly opened her lips.

“More than that, Your Excellency.”

Enoch looked down at Ines with worried eyes.

As soon as she met his deep blue eyes, Ines smiled.

“Everyone calls me Countess of Brierton.”

“Countess…”

“Look, the Duke also calls me Countess.”

Her nose became stuffy.

She somehow tried not to cry, but to no avail.

Dark brown eyelashes got wet in an instant. 

“Finally…Is it all over?”

Many emotions flooded in, and Ines pulled her lips involuntarily and asked.

It felt as if all the chains that had entangled her body had been loosened.

Had she ever been so free?

Tears streamed down Ines’ cheeks.

“Am I no longer Countess Brierton, but the Count of Brierton?”

Enoch, who was looking at Ines like that, stretched out his hand and wiped away her tears. 

A low voice rang out.

“Yes, Count of Brierton. It is your victory.”

Hearing those words, Ines really had a realization that everything was over. 

“Ahhhhhhh,….” 

Her throat became hot. Ines began sobbing, shaking her shoulders.

Enoch didn’t tell Ines to stop crying or comfort her. He just stayed with Ines like that for a long time.

***

After that.

Enoch personally took Ines to the Brierton’s mansion.

“Are you really okay with being alone like this?”

“Yes, there are also employees in the house.” 

In response to Enoch’s worrying question, Ines nodded and smiled. The corners of her eyes were still red after crying for a long time, but her smile itself was as bright as a lamp. 

“…Okay, then have a good rest today.”

Even as he said that, Enoch could not hide his worried eyes.

“Lady!” 

Just then, Mary, startled, ran out to meet Ines.

“I was told you had a divorce trial today… !”

“I won.”

Ines answered at once.

Mary’s eyes widened. 

“Yes?”

“I won.”

Ines repeated once more, and joy spread across Mary’s face.

“Oh my god!”

“So from now on, you should call me Lord. Understand?”

“Yes, then, my lord!”

Mary, who nodded her head eagerly, found Enoch standing next to Ines.

“Hey, this is … ?”

“Ah, the introduction is late.”

Ines, with a heated expression on her face, and her eyes were curved, spoke. 

“This is the Duke of Sussex.”

“What!?”

Unexpectedly, the name of the giant came out.

As if she was about to faint, Mary hurriedly bowed.

“I see the Duke of Sussex!”

“Be at ease. It seems the Countess of Brierton was a little overworked today.”

Enoch handed over the staggering Ines to Mary, and made a proclamation.

“She has a fever, so take good care of her.” 

“Yes? fever…oh my god!”

Mary, who was supporting Ines without thinking, was shocked for a moment.

“Lord, your body is a fireball!”

“I’m fine. I’m just a little dizzy…”

“What do you mean, your fever is this high?!”

To the terrified Mary, Enoch added his words once more.

“Call the doctor, and make sure to secure the perimeters, in case Young Master Gott is coming.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Thank you!”

After leaving her thanks, Mary hurriedly helped Ines into the house. The two of them disappeared into the house.

Enoch looked at the house with a complicated gaze.

In fact, the Brierton was one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom.

Of course, Ines will be able to take care of herself and protect her surroundings as well. So he didn’t have to worry, and he knew it himself.

…But..Why were his steps not falling like this? So Enoch hung around in front of the Brierton’s mansion for a long time.

****

That day, Ines had a deep sleep without even dreaming.

It was the sweetest sleep she has had since returning to the past.