CH 65

A female painter protruding like an awl hidden in the pocket. Even the reason why Ines got the attention in the first place was to prove her talent by exposing her husband’s cheating.

For established artists, it was shameful that such evils were exposed to the outside. If she had been of lower status, they would have trampled on her.

Ines was the head of a noble family of Brierton, and was also protected by the Duke of Sussex.

So she already had vested interests, wasn’t she enough to be considered a thorn in the Royal Art Society?

Enoch opened his mouth.

“So, did they even turn down the advice the Countess had given in advance?”

“Yes.”

Helena nodded her head heavily.

“I mean…”

Enoch’s eyes narrowed coldly.

“Then I will prove it.”

“What?”

“To prove that they are of no help for this exchange as they said.”

Enoch twisted his lips.

It was a cold sneer.

“Literally, the existence of the Royal Art Association will be completely erased from the exchange exhibition.”

“… Would it be okay?”

Ines asked cautiously.

Enoch shrugged his shoulders and asked.

“Why not?”

“Because the Royal Art Association has been the mainstay of the exchange exhibitions so far…… ”

“Well, in words, they have been.”

Enoch answered sternly.

“Aren’t the achievements that the prestigious Royal Art Association has achieved in exchange exhibitions so far very poor?”

“…..”

“….”

Ines and Helena were speechless.

It seemed that Enoch was very angry.

He had given up his gentle manners and showed a sarcastic appearance.

‘There is truth to the words of the Duke.’

Ines fully understood Enoch’s words.

What was the reason Ines joined the management team in the first place?

Of course, there was also a reason that Kaldorov looked down on Lancaster’s conservative art world. Basically, it was because the Royal Art Association had not produced any results in recent exchange exhibitions. Enoch asked in a sharp voice.

“Besides, even if someone is not an artist from the Royal Academy of Arts, that doesn’t mean they are not talented.”

Ines’ eyes widened a little.

“As I visited Hwabang Street this time, I looked at many things.”

Enoch spoke carefully.

“I think the art world over there is, in a good sense, a little different from the elite art of the Royal art association.”

“What does that mean?”

“Art is naturally blended into the living space. It has a unique charm. It was interesting.”

Non-mainstream not recognized by the mainstream Royal Art Association. People in Hwabang Street survived a day by selling their art.

However, there was no reason to be ignored unconditionally just because it was non-mainstream.

“Also, as the Countess of Brierton said, ‘opportunity to experience each other’s art’.”

“Ah yes.”

“Why should we give that opportunity to the Royal art association?”

huh?

In response to the unexpected question, Ines blinked bewilderedly.

Enoch’s smile grew a little darker.

“Let’s show them that we can do it without them.”

“You mean….”

“For artists affiliated with the Royal Art Association, please omit invitations.”

Among the two women who had startled rabbit eyes, only Enoch had a calm face.

“Anyway, this exchange exhibition is going to be centered on the street, so the direction is different anyway.”

“But isn’t that too radical?” Queen Helena asked with a questionable face.

“I still don’t know what Hwabang Street is like. But if we proceed in the direction of the Duke of Sussex….”

Helena, who had blurted her words for a moment, looked at Enoch worriedly.

“I know at least that it will be an unconventional exchange.”

Helena asked Enoch again.

“Can I really trust you? If the exchange fails in this way, the dignity of the royal family will be greatly damaged.”

“Yes. You can believe it.”

Enoch nodded his head without hesitation.

“The Countess of Brierton came up with the idea, and I tested it.”

“Duke Sussex…”

“I am not a person who appreciates someone’s talent recklessly.”

It was just a calm voice, as if telling the truth.

“Of course you’re not, but…”

Helena, who took a deep breath, looked at her brother in law fondly.

“Do well. Okay?”

“Of course.”

Enoch, who replied with a smile, looked back at Ines.

“Countess of Brierton.”

“Yes.”

Ines straightened her posture and met Enoch’s gaze.

Enoch gave strength to his speech.

“Countess, no matter how the external situation unfolds, focus only on the exchange. I’ll deal with whatever else.”

“Oh….”

Ines was stunned for a moment.

She feared that the Duke would feel burdened, and he would not be able to carry out the plan to the end. But seeing his determination and courage, Ines couldn’t help but admired.

“Yes, I will do my best.”

Ines, too, had no choice but to live up to Enoch’s expectations with all the strength she had.

***

After that,

Ines really obeyed only Enoch’s advice.

It meant that she did not pay any attention to the external reaction and focused on preparing for the exchange.

Every time she went to Hwabang street, she looked around, and obtained the consent of the people on the street to proceed with the exchange, and started writing a report in earnest.

She was greatly helped by Enoch, especially about the budget.

Enoch was a really good helper, and just having him by her side was enough to make her feel like she had a thousand people.

“The residents of Hwabang Street should be compensated sufficiently.”

Long graceful fingers clutching a pen and writing notes on paper.

<At least double the previously allocated budget.

The rationale is this.

First, as it is to rent the Hwabang Street, a residential space for residents, it should not interfere with their lives.

Second, it is not only easy to seek the cooperation of residents in the short term, but also it becomes easier to seek cooperation again in the long term when this happens.

Third….>

Ines looked at the document written on the basis of the need to increase the budget.

‘Again today, the staff will work overtime.’

Ines mourned in her heart, towards the staff, who had to deal with the paperwork.

To double the budget, the staff had to run sweaty all day today.

Ines opened her mouth sincerely.

“I am very glad that the Duke has taken on this task.”

With those words, the gaze that had been fixed on the paperwork raised upwards.

Facing the brightly shining blue eyes, Ines smiled gently.

“Actually, this exchange exhibition is a bit different from the events we’ve held so far, isn’t it?”

“……Countess.”

“It’s my first time doing this, so there are a lot of difficulties here and there, but if you hadn’t been by my side, I would definitely have given up.”

Ines’s smile grew a little deeper.

“Thank you so much.”

At Ines’s words, Enoch blinked his eyes as if he was stunned.

“…Uh, if we want to report to the Queen, we need to supplement this budget as well.”

He coughed briefly and turned his head away.

Ines tilted her head, and her eyes widened.

‘No way…is he embarrassed?’

For some reason, the nape of the Duke’s neck had turned red.

“I don’t think I can work this efficiently. I think I have to learn how to distribute the budget from the Duke.”

“…”

“How come you’re good at everything? I don’t think I can even keep up with your heels.” 

Well, it was not like it was not true.

Ines, who was playful, deliberately continued to praise Enoch.

Then, the nape of Enoch’s neck grew even redder.

‘No, is he really embarrassed?’

Ines was bewildered.

“…Your Excellency is surprisingly weak at compliments, isn’t it?”

Then Enoch protested in a rather dissatisfied voice.

“I’m not always weak.”

“Really?”

“My reaction depends on who is praising.”

Then Ines asked innocently.

“Can I interpret that as you are embarrassed because I am praising you?”

“Yes…”

For some reason, feeling lost the more he spoke, Enoch shut his mouth tightly.

“Ah…”

At the same time, the sound of laughter blowing through Ines’ lips.

Enoch narrowed his brow and glared at Ines.

“..Do you really have to laugh like that?”

“No, I never meant to tease you!”

Ines hastily waved her hand.

“I just thought that the Duke also has such a cute side.”

“….”

“I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Ines quietly looked into Enoch’s eyes.

But she still had a smile on her lips that she couldn’t hide.

Because the Duke was irresistibly lovely…

“I’ll let it go this time.”

In the end, Enoch himself laughed out loud.

It was really strange.

Even if it was just a pointless conversation, just the fact that the person he was talking to was Ines.

His mood was endlessly pleasant.