Chapter 61

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“Brother must have heard it from the Queen.” (Enoch)

The relationship of the King and Queen was very good, and it was only natural for the king to know what the Queen knew.

On the contrary, Enoch asked confidently.

“Isn’t brother also convinced? If we proceed with the Countess’s idea, the exchange will be successful.”

“Well… I think it’s a fresh idea.” 

Edward responded with a slightly hesitant look on his face.

“It’s Hwabang street, I never thought we would use that place.”

It was true that he was frankly stunned.

Because Hwabang Street was mainly used by commoners.

It was unavoidable that Edward, who had been a royal all his life, could not immediately think of it….

‘Even though I am the King.’

Although resentful that the Countess of Brierton had first recognized the value of the place first, he was grateful to the Countess. 

‘It is rare for aristocrats to take an interest in the commoners’ district.’

Even the Countess of Brierton was the head of one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom, she carefully examined and remembered the strengths of her country, and gave her time to help.

Edward patted his chin and murmured.

“It’s the art street. I know it’s built on the outskirts of Langdon, but I’ve never actually visited it before.”

“Thanks to the Countess, I went there for the first time.”

The expression on Enoch’s face, who said so, was not so bright.

“Well, I have a lot of thoughts.”

“Yes? What did you think?”

“I am a member of the royal family, and of course I should know every nook and cranny of my country, but….”

Enoch’s voice suddenly became heavy. 

“… It felt like there were so many places I didn’t know.”

“Hmm.”

“It made me reflect on my ignorance.”

Enoch had a serious face.

Edward, who was staring at his brother like that, suddenly opened his mouth.

“I have to admit, at least the Countess of Brierton has a good influence on you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hey, I know you were a guy who didn’t pay any attention to anything.” 

For a moment, Enoch was speechless.

Edward shrugged his shoulders.

“Isn’t this the first time you’ve been interested in those around you?”

It was true.

At first he was deliberately indifferent to everything.

He didn’t want to argue with his one and only precious brother over the throne, because every little act of Enoch aroused people’s greed.

‘If the Prince I support takes the throne, wouldn’t I be able to get credit for it?’  Enoch was simply fed up with the greed of the people.

That’s why he distanced himself even more from people.

As he lived like that for nearly ten years, his characteristic indifference was ingrained in his body. He knew that Edward and Helena were worried about him.

He’d rather live without paying attention to anything, because he thought he would be much more comfortable with it.

‘Somehow…I think it’s different now.’

A sense of being focused on someone.

His mind kept wandering, shaken, and was in a mess.

Still, the feeling that the whole world brightened with her one smile.

‘To be honest, it’s not bad.’

At the same time, Edward grinned.

“Do you know? You always put on that stupid face whenever the Countess of Brierton is the topic of the conversation.”

Enoch paused.

“Do you really have to describe my face in such a vulgar language?”

“Look, you are angry with my words, but you won’t deny what I said.”

Edward asked sarcastically again.

“You can’t say no, can you?”

“…”

It hit the target.

It would be better to be quiet here, so Enoch kept his mouth shut in dissatisfaction.

Edward wanted to tease him more, but he stopped.

‘Well, anyway, that guy seems to have noticed his feelings to some extent.’

He thought it’d be better to stop poking around and watch. 

‘Ha, there is no brother as generous as me.’

Edward inwardly praised his own generosity.

***

Time passed and the sun was setting.

After finishing tea time with Helena, Ines was guided by the servant as she moved her steps.

She was going to her carriage.

‘By the way, Her Majesty the Queen never mentioned my divorce.’ 

Ines reflected on the conversation she had with the queen today.

What if Helena asked about her divorce, she was worried that the Queen wouldn’t look at her divorce positively.

Surprisingly, Helena did not bring up the topic of her divorce at all.

Instead, she only showed interest in Ines’ artistic achievements.

“I don’t mean to burden you. However, I want you to know that the Duke of Sussex has high expectations for the Countess, and I also have expectations for you.”

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Helena’s words suddenly came to her mind.

At the same time, her nerves were again on Enoch.

‘I had no idea that Elton meant that to the Duke.’

After she heard that story, she realized how unreasonable she had asked Enoch.

Her dark green eyes sank deeply.

‘Nevertheless, he listened to my request.’

The kindness Enoch showed her somehow made her heart ache.

Because she didn’t know what his kindness meant, and…. She was afraid that she might be swayed by Enoch’s kindness, and they both might be hurt in the process….

‘Again, again!’ 

For a moment, Ines rebuked herself.

‘I’m just thinking about the Duke again, really!’

But then.

“Countess of Brierton.”

“…”

…Was she too engrossed in the thought of the Duke? She felt like she was hearing things.

“Countess.”

“….”

“Countess, can’t you hear my voice?”

Then Ines, startled, looked up at Enoch.

“Ha, Duke?!”

“Yes, It’s me.”

It was Enoch.

Ines blinked, becoming startled rabbit eyes.

“Your Excellency? I thought you went back already.”

“Um…”

It wasn’t much of a question, but it seemed that Enoch’s answer was strangely late.

After hesitating for a while, Enoch opened his mouth.

“It just felt a bit disappointing to just leave the palace.”

“Huh, why?”

“Maybe because I couldn’t even say goodbye to the Countess of Brierton.”

Ines doubted her ears.

‘…… Because of me?’

Enoch in front of her had a rather embarrassed face.

“I wanted to meet face-to-face and greet you in person….”

Wasn’t it too much for him to do that?

“Uh…”

Ines was dazed for a while.

Then she smiled and shook her head.

“I should rather say thank you. You let me participate in the art exchange.”

“That’s because the Countess’s idea is great.”

“But it’s the Duke who passed on the idea to the Queen and recommended me.”

Meanwhile,

Ines’s expression darkened without realizing it.

What if it was Ryan?

Rather than passing the idea on to the Queen in the first place, he would have taken her credit by claiming it was his. In an instant, Ines felt as if falling into an abyss.

“…Now I don’t want to think about Ryan anymore. Why am I still not completely free from Ryan’s shadow?’

Meanwhile, Enoch noticed Ines’s darkened expression.

And he seemed to understand why she was making such a face.

‘Probably because of Master Gott.’

Enoch bit his teeth.

Even though the divorce case has already been successfully completed, Ryan and Ines were no longer husband and wife.

Ines sometimes has a grumpy face like that. Not long after her marriage ended, she was probably forced to reflect on Ryan’s track record.

He could understand it in his head.

However, 

… In his heart, he didn’t want to understand.

‘I don’t like the Countess thinking of another man.’

That was his honest thought. He knew that he thought like a child, but when it came to Ines, his reason seemed to be lost.

Enoch looked at Ines quietly.

‘It might be offensive to mention Master Gott first.’

Hasty consolation can sometimes unintentionally injure others.

So, instead of talking about Ryan for, Enoch chose to switch the topic gently.

“Anyway, I’m glad to collaborate with the Countess once again.”

Fortunately, Ines’s expression brightened up quickly.

“I know. I am delighted to be able to work with you again.”

“I’m glad.”

Enoch smiled and reached out to Ines to shake hands.

“I look forward to your future cooperation.”

Ines looked down at Enoch’s outstretched hand.

Lancaster people think it’s a virtue for women to stay home to take care and protect their families. She wasn’t happy with that fact.

But Enoch always sees her as his partner and treats her equally.

Ines held Enoch’s hand firmly and smiled brightly like the sunny sky. 

“I look forward to your kind cooperation, too.”

And Enoch thought that Ines’s smile was truly dazzling.

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