Chapter 40

***

***

‘I don’t like it..’

Ines shrugged her shoulders slightly.

In fact, she knew it herself.

Her behavior and emotions were inconsistent. In the first place, she left the place as if running away, fearing that Enoch would become conscious of her thoughts.

But nonetheless.

‘I want him to be conscious of me.’

Although it was very weak, it was a sincere desire that c could not be completely turned away.

Even though she knew it shouldn’t be, she kept wanting it.

Even though it was clearly her own feelings, it didn’t always go her way. After all her love for Ryan was horribly trampled on, she was confident she would never be shaken by anyone again.

Her feelings for Enoch were only respectful, her gratitude for her new savior.

She had no doubts that it was just that.

But, what the hell is this…

‘No, let’s not think in vain.’

Ines closed her eyes tightly.

She tried her best to somehow shake off her thoughts of Enoch.

But as she closed her eyes, she couldn’t stop Enoch’s face from glimmering.

***

In the distance, Ines’s carriage disappeared.

Enoch, who was watching her back, let out a long sigh.

‘I have no idea why.’

When they first met today, Ines had treated Enoch comfortably.

But at some point she started acting like she was avoiding him…

There was a deep wrinkle on Enoch’s forehead.

Because he actually knew.

The reason why Ines’ attitude had suddenly changed like that.

‘It must be because I approached her too suddenly.’

Earlier, as soon as he saw Ines’s swollen cheek, his heart sank.

So he reflexively covered her cheek, but…

‘I was irrational.’

Enoch bit his lips.

‘I must reflect.’

If it had been the usual Enoch, he probably wouldn’t have done it.

However, when Ines was standing in front of her, his normal mind kept getting looser. The tension of reason loosened, and emotions ran wild. Her smile made him happy, and when she quietly lowered her eyes, his heart sank.

When he suddenly came to his senses, he found  himself staring at Ines as if possessed.

Enoch clasped the hand that had caressed Ines’s cheek.

It seemed that the soft touch still remained in his palm.

To erase that feeling somehow, Enoch tried to dwell on other thoughts.

Fortunately, another thought came to his mind quickly.

‘More than that, did she say it was Baron Jason’s daughter?’

The woman who made Ines’ cheek like that.

Of course, Ines paid the woman back the same, and she smiled saying not to worry.

‘… I still don’t like it.’

The bright blue eyes gleamed fiercely.

***

The “Backstory on the Countess of Brierton’s Divorce Proceedings,” reported extensively in Elton magazine, aroused the curiosity of the public, from all walks of life.

Exposition and divorce proceedings that her husband stole her artistic achievements.

That alone was enough to attract people’s attention, the fact that her husband had an affair with her close friend was added.

And so, Elton’s sales soared without knowing it, there was a person who contributed to the sales in the meantime.

That person was the current king, Edward.

“Edward, what are you looking so hard at?”

Just then, there was the sound of footsteps. Edward, who had been absorbed in the newspaper for a long time, raised his head slightly.

“Helena.”

The Queen, Helena, was facing him.

Edward chuckled and pointed his chin at the newspaper.

“This article. I heard that the sales of Elton magazine have risen sharply, and it’s more realistic than fiction.” 

“What do you mean?”

Helena dropped her gaze towards the newspaper, and gave a curious look.

“Are you talking about Baron Jason‘s Young Lady, right?”

It wasn’t just a voice recognizing the scandalous woman, there was displeasure in her voice.

“I didn’t know Helena knew of Lady Jason.”

“I can’t say that I don’t.”

Helena answered insignificantly.

Charlotte Jason.

A beautiful woman with vivid red hair and a voluptuous body, like a rose in full bloom.

She was always surrounded by many men, and even in the lavish ballroom, she stood out greatly.

Helena remembered Charlotte clearly, not just because of her beauty or her appearance.

“The other day, I had the opportunity to chat with Baron Jason’s Young Lady…..well.”

Helena told her story.

“Well, to put it in a good way, you can say she’s very active.”

As the Queen of a country, it was natural that people somehow tried to talk to her. Around Helena, people would flock like clouds to greet her. 

But among them, Charlotte was unique in many ways.

“May I say that she is a little rude.”

Helena couldn’t hide her displeasure.

Edward looked a little surprised.

Helena, who was usually gentle and calm and was called a model for all the ladies. How could she draw the line so coldly?

“I’ve never seen you judge someone so harshly.”

“But it’s true.”

Helena smiled bitterly. Charlotte did not dare to speak to Helena first, for the difference in status was far from the beginning.

Because the people Helena interacted with were the only people who were considered celebrities in the social world.

However, Charlotte opted for the second best option. She followed Helena everywhere she went, and she would keep snooping in the corner of the Queen’s sight. The high-ranking ladies near the Queen became annoyed at Charlotte’s extreme behavior.

“No, why is Baron Jason’ Young Lady chasing after you like this?” 

“I know. This isn’t even a goldfish pond….”

But Helena didn’t pay much attention. She thought it wasn’t her business wherever Charlotte went.

Charlotte’s behavior was a bit extreme, but she just thought it was because she was an active person.

An amazing thing happened after that.

“Ines Brierton sees Her Majesty the Queen.”

Charlotte used Ines as an opportunity to greet Helena. Ines had a reluctant face, but Charlotte was full of smiles.

“Charlotte Jason sees the Queen.”

Helena was feeling rather unhappy.

Did she have to use another friend to say hello like that? It’s because it felt that way.

‘’It’s an honor to see the Queen. Please have a good time.”

Meanwhile, Ines, who noticed the unpleasantness, hurriedly greeted and winked at Charlotte to leave.

“My Queen! I’m so happy to be able to talk to you like this!”

But Charlotte’s eyes lit up and stubbornly cling to Helena. Helena nodded her head with a reluctant face.

“… It was.”

She would have rather wished she had just said that much. But Charlotte crossed the line casually.

“The weather is really nice today, right? It’s perfect for boating on the Humpson River on a day like this.”

“…”

“…”

In an instant, the atmosphere subsided. But Charlotte still brightly chattered.

“The Humpson River is not far from the capital, so it would be great if we could go boating together with the Queen sometime!”

“Cha, Charlotte!”

The terrified Ines grabbed Charlotte’s collar.

Without noticing the surroundings as quiet as if it had been poured with cold water, Charlotte questioned Ines unpleasantly.

“Why are you doing this, Ines?!”

“No, that’s….”

Ines stopped, but she somehow managed to drag Charlotte away. People looked into each other’s eyes. That was because Helena’s close cousin died in the Humpson River. The direct cause of death was drowning while boating.

Helena didn’t talk much about it, so most people didn’t know. But if you’re interested in the Queen, you should know. 

Helena recalled the events of that time, and felt her mood dropped.

“Helena?”

“Ah yes.”

At the same time, at Edward’s call, Helena came to her senses.