Chapter 54

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Up until now, she proceeded with her work peacefully, because she only looked at Enoch as the subject of a portrait.

But now, rather than that.

‘Since when have you been looking at me like that?’

Wasn’t she too conscious of the situation in which Enoch was looking at her?

Much more than a picture.

In an instant, strength entered Ines’s hand, which was holding the brush.

Her mind was messed up at will.

It was like getting lost in a messy maze, just because it was empty.

‘Calm down, Ines.’

Ines chewed the soft flesh in her mouth.

When I felt the stinging pain, she came to her senses a little.

Enoch was right in front of her.

If she was too conscious, she might get caught.

‘The atmosphere is definitely going to get weird.’

And that wasn’t what Ines wanted either. Ines struggled to fix her expression and straightened her body.

“Sir, the portrait is almost finished.”

In an instant, the dense silence that had settled in the room was shattered.

An expression crept over Enoch’s expressionless face.

It was a faint smile.

It was just a small change.

But Ines kept getting nervous about every move Enoch made….

Ines felt her mouth dry out.

“I see. Thank you for your hard work.”

“….”

“Countess?”

At that call, Ines suddenly came to her senses as if she had been hit by cold water.

‘Don’t be stupid, Ines.’

Ines continued calmly, rebuking herself inside

“I can finish the portrait by myself, so you don’t have to bother visiting anymore.”

“If so, the meeting ends today?”

“Yes.”

Ines nodded her head resolutely. 

“I will send the finished painting to the Duke’s residence.”

“All right.”

Enoch had a regretful heart, but he quietly withdrew.

Fearing that Ines would feel burdened, he was even careful about expressing his regrets. Just then, Ines beckoned to Enoch.

“It’s not finished yet, but would you like to see the portrait?”

Enoch pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

“No.”

huh?

At the unexpected answer, Ines widened her eyes.

Enoch said calmly.

“I want to see it when the portrait is completely finished.”

“But… .”

Ines clouded the end of her speech.

For saying that, Enoch was looking at the easel with eyes that were filled with regret.

Seeing the passionate gaze, she thought Enoch was also curious about the painting.

“Then can’t you just look at it?”

When Ines tilted her head.

Enoch opened his mouth abruptly.

“By the way, did the Countess ever receive a box of chocolates as a child?”

In response to the sudden question, Ines nodded her head.

“Yes….”

When giving gifts to children, the most common items they chose were candy and chocolate. Enoch spoke softly.

“When I was a kid, I was given a box of chocolates. There were various kinds of nuts, dried fruits, etc., so there was a variety of flavors mixed in.”

“Ah, I got that too.”

For a while, Ines was wary of having special feelings for Enoch.

But now she was immersed in Enoch’s story with her eyes twinkling. Not to mention, the childhood story of the Duke of Sussex, who was extremely reluctant to reveal his private life. In the end, curiosity only triumphed.

“My favorite flavor was the caramel inside, but the problem is that my mother only allowed me one chocolate a day.”

Enoch shrugged and asked Ines a question.

“So, which one do you think I ate first?”

Ines gently narrowed her brow.

“Did you eat your favorite flavor first?”

“No, it’s the other way around.”

In response, Enoch smiled and shook his head.

“I ate the caramelized chocolate last.”

“Why?”

“Even the waiting time for the caramel chocolate was enjoyable.”

Enoch’s smile, reminiscent of those days, grew a little deeper. 

“And the Countess’s painting, to me, is like that chocolate.”

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“….”

“Life becomes more enjoyable even just waiting, so I want to enjoy that pleasure a little longer.”

“…..”

Ines felt her heart tighten.

‘Is there anyone else who thinks my paintings are that important?’

At least so far, no one has.

Her former husband, Ryan, only used Ines’ paintings to increase his reputation. 

“I am very happy that my paintings have meant that to you.”

Ines opened her mouth with sincerity.

“You can look forward to it, because I will do my best to finish the portrait.”

“Well.” 

Then Enoch had a rather awkward face.

“I didn’t tell the story of my childhood to put pressure on the Countess.… ”

“I know. That’s how much you value my paintings, right?”

Ines smiled brightly and added her words.

“This may be a bit rude to say, but this is the first time you have ever told your own story. I’m really happy.”

For a moment, Enoch felt a burning sensation behind his ears.

Fortunately, Ines did not seem to notice his abnormal reaction. If she noticed his heart beating so fast, Ines would not look at him with that friendly face.

“Really, I never imagined you were so cute.”

“….”

“Your Excellency at that time was probably the most adorable child in the world.”

Ines, who had been chattering for a while, got up lightly. 

“Then shall we go back? I have to visit Hwabang Street in the afternoon.”

“… Hwabang street?”

“Yes, I saw earlier that the paint had almost run out. Now that I’m on my way, I’m going to look at the brushes and the paint.”

In an instant, Enoch’s eyes lit up.

“Then I will go with you.”

“Yes?”

What the hell is this?

With such a question in mind, Ines stared intently at Enoch. Enoch smirked.

“Have you forgotten already? You owe me dinner.”

“Ah….”

Ines, who was bewildered for a moment, opened her mouth.

“Are you talking about when we went to rent a studio in the past?”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t that just a joke?”

“I never said I was joking.”

Enoch straightened his posture and looked straight at Ines.

“I would like to have dinner with the Countess.”

Although he was pretending to be playful, Enoch’s blue eyes were serious.

Eyes looking at Ines with special emotions, but pretending to be calm by suppressing those emotions as much as possible.

And Ines…

‘I have to say no.’

Even though she thought so in her mind.

“Okay….”

She couldn’t refuse him.

Then Enoch smiled brightly, as if he had become the happiest man in the world.

“I’m happy.”

In an instant, Ines felt her heart beating like crazy.

In the middle of the street lit up with gold as dusk descended, Enoch was smiling like a boy while he was biting a sandwich. That moment vividly came to Ines’s mind.

In fact, from then on, she was attracted to Enoch, and she started to doubt herself.

“Well, it’s true that I owe you dinner.”

In order not to be noticed that her expression was collapsing, Ines turned around, avoiding his gaze.

“Let’s go quickly. We have to stop by the art store and buy dinner.”

Leaving those words behind, Ines quietly walked out first. Even her back was too lovely.

But he knew too well that he shouldn’t force Ines to speed her heart.

Enoch bit his lips.

He kept getting thirsty.

***

The Hwabang street he visited after a long time was still crowded and noisy.

In a good way, it’s lively, and in a bad way, just walking on the street takes people’s minds.

Poor artists walked around chewing sandwiches in sloppy clothes, and sometimes sitting in the sun and discussing art in general.

Enoch murmured in a fresh voice.

“Every time I come here, I see something new.”

“Yes? So I like it here.”

Ines, who was walking alongside Enoch, looked up at him and smiled brightly.

It had been a while since she walked through the streets without hesitation. The two finally arrived at the art store.

The owner of the art store, Mrs. Lant, was holding a duster with a bored face. The appearance of her dusting was very lethargic.

“Mrs Lant!”

Mrs Lant,  who found Ines, was stunned for a moment.

“Hey, Ines! … No, Countess of Brierton?!”

Oh, my god.

Ines clicked her tongue briefly inwardly.

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Apparently, Mrs Lant had also read Elton.

Ines’ entry into the art exhibition and divorce lawsuit were really popular topics, so there was no way not to know.

Ines smiled embarrassedly.