CH 94

After a while.

Ines finished the exhibition successfully and returned home.

“It was a very fulfilling time.”

Ines said proudly.

In reality, it was worth so much self-assessment.

She was invited by artists to discuss each other’s views on art, and to see other artists’ exhibitions.

She also had frequent exchanges with socialites, including the Marquis of Attlee and his wife.

In fact, it was tantamount to returning home after stamping all Kaldorov’s celebrities.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to have an audience with His Majesty the King of Kaldorov. I was so nervous that my heart was about to burst.”

Meanwhile, Enoch who had been listening to Ines chatter, smiled strangely.

“You will probably be pretty busy when we get back to Lancaster.”

“What? Why?”

Enoch replied, as if it were a matter of course, to her puzzlement.

“Well, this time the Countess of Brierton had a truly overwhelming achievement. I’m sure there will be a flood of interview requests.”

“I appreciate the sudden compliment, but I don’t have anything in particular to offer.”

“I’m not trying to compliment you, I’m just stating the facts. Besides, don’t you think you have many things to offer?”

Enoch, who responded like that, had an extremely businessman-like face before she knew it.

“As a journalist, I have no intention of missing the great story of an exclusive interview with the Countess of Brierton.”

“What?”

“So the first interview after returning home should be given to our Elton magazine.”

Enoch nailed it firmly.

“Okay?”

Ines, full of spirits, laughed.

“Okay, don’t worry, I will definitely do that.”

Until then, she was skeptical about it.

Enoch’s prophecy came true.

Upon returning home to Lancaster, Ines was surrounded by reporters.

“I heard that Kaldorov’s solo exhibition was very well received!”

“I hear there are requests to hold Kaldorov’s solo exhibition in Lancaster as well!”

“Countess of Brierton, just one word please!”

Of course, it was true that the solo exhibition was a considerable success.

However, the reason why the atmosphere was so hot was because of the uniqueness of the place where Ines was recognized.

Kaldorov.

It was a neighboring country with borders, and the national power was also similar.

A country that had long been a rival to Lancaster and had even fought a long war in the past.

The fact that she was recognized by Kaldorov satisfied the people.

“So, this is an enhancement of national prestige?”

Ines, barely getting out of the crowd of reporters, muttered in bewilderment.

Even the current King, Edward, said that she had raised the national prestige, and officially congratulated Ines directly.

That meant that public opinion favorable to Ines was at its peak.

‘Then.’

There has never been a better time than now to carry out a project that would revoke various reactions from all walks of life.

For example, the establishment of schools.

“When is the Elton interview?”

“Well, I’m trying to fit Ines’ schedule.”

“Then let’s proceed with the interview as soon as possible.”

“So suddenly?”

In front of Enoch, who had a bewildered face, Ines smiled mischievously.

“I am going to announce that I will build a school.”

* * *

Elton magazine’s solo interview with the Countess of Brierton sparked tremendous repercussions throughout society.

It was like dropping a bomb.

That’s right, because no school like this had ever existed in Lancaster.

“No, what the hell are you talking about?”

One of the aristocrats sitting in the club opened his mouth in an amazing voice.

“It is to enroll ladies from aristocratic families in art schools. It is true that the Countess of Brierton is talented in many ways.”

The aristocrat who spoke first clicked his tongue and continued.

“But isn’t it a bit excessive to admit not only nobles but also commoners to the school?”

“You are right. How can nobles and commoners be educated together, even if it means making a concession to aristocratic women?”

“Besides, teaching art and nothing else.”

It was an extremely discriminating point of view.

However, the aristocrats did not even have the notion that the discrimination was wrong.

‘Commons are inferior to nobles.’

That thought had been embodied in the nobles all their lives.

“Certainly the Countess is thinking of accepting all the artists who make noise on the street saying they are artists….”

When someone muttered that with a sigh, another nobleman agreed with the words.

“Do commoners know artistic sensibilities? I have to go through various experiences since I was young and sharpen my sensibilities….”

[T/N: and yet, you’re still insensible, go get your refund.]

“To be honest, giving common people such an opportunity for education is a waste.”

[T/N: No, seeing you breath at ease is a waste]

That’s how the male aristocrats, the mainstream of Lancaster society, viewed Ines’ idea angrily.

And, of course, the Royal Art Association as the most vehement opponent of Ines’s move.

“The Countess of Brierton’s move is too radical!”

“No, isn’t it not enough to give noble women a chance to get an education first? It is premature to open the door to education even to the common people!”

“They say you get sick of food eaten in a hurry.”

That was the thesis of the Royal Art Association. 

To be honest, it was a bold move.

The Royal Art Association was in fear that their vested interests might be threatened.

Receiving advanced education means that you will soon have the opportunity to seize vested interests.

Besides, if there were more artists through Ines’s  school, they would have to compete with many new artists.

The Royal Art Association with its boats full of oil, did not want such a competition at all.

One day when the backlash intensified.

The Queen, Helena, secretly summoned Ines to her palace.

“Countess of Brierton.”

Helena, quietly called Ines, had a faint pensive look on her face.

Ines quietly lowered her head.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen.”

“Does the Countess know? The Royal Art Association is very opposed to the school the Countess is establishing.”

“I know.”

Even while saying that, Ines did not avoid Helena’s eyes.

Also, Helena was familiar with that look on Ines’s face.

A look that didn’t doubt that her thoughts were right.

Yes, similar. 

‘This is the expression the Duke of Sussex.’

At the same time, Ines calmly opened her mouth.

“However, I am not going to give up on the issue of establishing the art school.”

“… Is that so?”

Helena laughed.

Even the eyes of Ines were the same as Enoch’s.

“It is obviously a great burden to have opposition from the Royal Art Association  and furthermore from the aristocratic class. Your Majesty must have called me because she was concerned about that part.”

“I won’t say no.”

“Nevertheless, the reason I say I will establish a school is.”

Ines straightened her back.

She looked straight into Helena’s eyes and connected her words clearly.

“It’s because I thought the art world couldn’t stay stagnant forever.”

“It can’t stay stagnant, huh.”

“Yes. It’s true that I’m quite famous in Lancaster art right now, but….”

Ines cleared her throat.

Soon, a clear voice followed.

“I think there is a limit to stepping into the art world alone and being recognized for that talent.”

“Hmm, could you elaborate a bit more?”

“I am too unconventional for the Lancaster art scene.”

Ines continued without hesitation.

“The reason why the Lancaster art world is dissatisfied with my progress but moderately turns a blind eye is probably because strictly speaking, I am the Countess of Brierton.”

“…..”

It was a word that stabbed the heart.

“I was once considered one of the best heiresses in the Kingdom of Lancaster and I am still the head of one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom.”

“Countess, that’s…”

“That’s why I’ve been able to not get caught up in the gender of being a woman. As long as it stays like this, I will probably be able to continue my activities as an artist until the end.”

There was a slight heat in Ines’s voice.

“But what about my descendants?”

At that question, Helena’s eyes widened.

“Indeed, the female artists after me and furthermore, the artists who are bound by the status of commoners…Can they blossom their talents in this rigid art world?”

[T/N: tell ‘em]

And Helena could very easily answer Ines’s questions.

The answer was ‘no’.

“Not only women, but commoner artists with free painting styles, regardless of gender, must continue to come in. If so, new blood will be transfused into the rigid art world, and if not….”

It seemed that Ines had been thinking about this for a long time.

Unstoppable words followed.

“Because the moment I disappear, It will return to the closed art world again.”

As she concluded her words, Ines blushed slightly.

It was because she seemed to have vomited too much eloquence in front of the Queen.