Chapter 4
Irene opened the pamphlet she picked up at the entrance.
The things she had been curious about from the paintings were explained in detail inside it.
As she slowly read through it, a shadow fell over her.
She looked up and smiled brightly.
“Mr. Hegwins. When did you arrive?”
“I just got here. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
“Not at all. I was looking around the exhibition, so I didn’t even notice the time passing.”
“Do you like paintings?”
Eldenberg, famous as a vacation spot for nobles, always held exhibitions all year round.
When Irene was young and stayed briefly in the south, she could only watch the exhibitions from afar.
Even after becoming an adult, she never really had the time to visit properly.
Maybe that was why the exhibition hall caught her eye the moment she arrived.
And when she heard Kaiden would be late because of work, she came here.
In the end, the exhibition was better than she expected.
“…Yes. I like them. When I see painters’ works, I feel like I want to paint too.”
“So, will I get to see an exhibition filled with your paintings? I’m really looking forward to it.”
A playful smile appeared on Kaiden’s lips.
His light jokes always made her smile.
Irene liked moments like this.
“Unfortunately, you’ll never see it in your lifetime. I only paint as a hobby.”
“You can feel inspiration and even paint? You have all the qualities to become a great artist.”
“If that really happens, I’ll invite you first to my exhibition.”
Irene added that as if she was being generous.
Kaiden chuckled softly and nodded.
“It would be an honor, Lady Whitfield.”
Irene burst into laughter.
By the time their laughter faded, they had already walked around the entire exhibition.
But still, she didn’t want to stop walking.
She wanted to stay with Kaiden just a little longer.
That lingering feeling kept pulling at her heart.
She secretly glanced at him.
He was looking out the large open window.
“It seems this exhibition isn’t really your taste, Mr. Hegwins?”
“What do you think?”
Kaiden lowered his gaze slightly and asked back.
Irene thought carefully.
While walking around, his attention had mostly been on her… or outside the window.
Even when he looked at the paintings, his expression didn’t show much interest.
“Then I guess I should choose someone else as the first guest to my exhibition. It seems you’re not very interested in paintings.”
“You’re overlooking something.”
Kaiden stepped closer and leaned in.
The distance between them shortened.
The scent of cedarwood lightly brushed her nose.
Irene unconsciously held her breath.
Her heart was beating so fast, she thought he might hear it.
“I was just trying to understand the artist’s intention by reading the pamphlet.”
His low, calm voice settled near her ear.
His golden eyes scanned the pamphlet in her hand.
“This exhibition is made up of realistic-style paintings.”
Irene tried to focus on the pamphlet, avoiding him.
“…Yes, that’s right. Since they’re based on real experiences, it’s interesting to glimpse the artists’ lives through them.”
Kaiden nodded and turned the page.
Their fingers brushed naturally.
Irene quickly curled her hand.
It was such a small touch…
but it felt surprisingly intense.
His long fingers pointed at a painting.
“I like this one the most. What about you?”
Kaiden tilted his head slightly and looked into her eyes.
They were very close.
Close enough to feel his breath.
Without realizing it, Irene looked at his lips.
“Lady Whitfield?”
His voice broke the silence.
“Ah…”
Irene snapped back to her senses and quickly looked away.
What was she even thinking just now?
Her face turned hot with embarrassment.
Did he notice?
She tried to calm herself, but it didn’t work.
She lowered her head further and looked at the painting he pointed at.
“…‘A Couple Walking on the Beach’ really stands out. I like it the most too. The man and woman walking by the sunset sea… it’s very beautiful.”
Her awkward explanation wasn’t enough to distract him.
She could feel his gaze.
Her heart felt like it would burst.
What saved her was the orange light falling near her feet.
Following the light, her eyes moved outside the window.
Beyond it, she saw the sunset over the sea.
It looked exactly like the painting.
Without thinking, Irene grabbed Kaiden’s sleeve.
“Mr. Hegwins. There’s a similar view outside.”
Warmth spread over the back of her hand.
She flinched slightly but kept looking outside.
Then—
his large hand gently held hers.
Their fingers intertwined.
“It would look even more beautiful outside. Would you like to walk together?”
His low voice blended with the sound of her heartbeat.
* * *
The sound of gentle waves crashing carried through the wind.
Irene looked at the winter sea and let out a soft gasp.
The orange sky reflected faintly on the calm water.
White foam formed along the shore with each wave.
The beach, covered in white snow, was quiet.
Like an excited child, Irene walked forward.
Each step made a crunching sound in the snow.
Only when she reached the shoreline did she realize she had walked ahead alone.
Kaiden was standing behind, watching her.
She turned around, her face bright, and waved her arm.
“Mr. Hegwins! Isn’t it so beautiful?”
A similar smile appeared on Kaiden’s face.
His reply was lost in the sound of the waves.
But she could tell from his expression that he felt the same.
Irene turned back to the sunset sea.
The cold wind blew, making her coat and dress flutter.
Even the cold felt romantic.
As she stared at the horizon—
she felt someone approach behind her.
“It would be better to go back now. The wind is getting colder.”
Now that he was closer, she could hear his voice clearly.
Without looking away from the sea, Irene replied,
“Let’s stay a little longer.”
“Then only until the sun sets.”
Kaiden sighed lightly and handed her a paper cup.
It seemed he had already asked someone to bring warm drinks.
Irene nodded and took it.
Warmth spread through her hands.
From the sweet smell, it seemed to be cocoa.
Kaiden was holding cocoa as well.
“I thought you would drink coffee, Mr. Hegwins. That’s unexpected.”
“Every time I drink coffee, a noble lady looks at me like she’s carrying all the worries in the world. So I couldn’t bring myself to drink it.”
“You said you have insomnia. You should reduce it.”
Her voice was full of concern.
Kaiden smiled slightly.
“You would make a very good personal doctor.”
“Well… I don’t think I’d like that. I’d have to see you sick all the time. That would make me feel bad.”
“Then I should stay healthy so I don’t make you worry.”
“But if you do get sick, you must contact me, okay?”
“Will you stay up all night to take care of me?”
“If you want, of course.”
Irene shrugged and took a sip of cocoa.
The sun was already more than halfway down the horizon.
The wind had become colder.
“Are you cold?”
“No, not at all. When I’m looking at something this beautiful, I don’t even feel the cold.”
Even though she didn’t like the cold, she wanted to stay here longer.
She smiled softly.
“I understand now why that artist painted a sunset beach. I would want to capture this view too.”
“The painting you make would be even better than ‘A Couple Walking on the Beach.’”
“Then that painting will be the main piece of my exhibition.”
Irene gently closed her eyes.
The exhibition she once thought impossible now formed clearly in her mind.
In her imagination, she stood in the center of the exhibition.
There was a painting of a beach like today’s—
but even more special.
Then Kaiden’s voice came with the sound of waves.
“In that painting you imagined… is there also a couple?”
