“Your wit is as sharp as ever. It’s good to see you taking care of your junior.”
“If not me, then who will protect this person? Your Highness, the Crown Prince, please don’t worry and be at ease.”
“Thank you. I will do so. Then, I will excuse myself for a moment. Miss Townsend, Benjamin. See you later. Miss Miles too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Soon, Aaron left. Miles squinted her eyes and watched Aaron’s retreating figure, then turned her head towards Eleanor.
“If the Crown Prince ever calls you to a secluded place, or suggests a private after-party, you must not agree.”
“……”
At her sudden words, both Eleanor and Benjamin wore puzzled expressions.
“It might sound like an old woman’s paranoia, but it’s something that could happen, so keep it in mind. The Crown Prince at least knows right from wrong, so if you respond firmly, there shouldn’t be a big problem.”
“…Miss Miles.”
At Benjamin’s worried voice, Miles frowned and smiled.
“If you’re worried about someone hearing, it’s okay. Everyone already knows about this.”
“……”
“I was planning to check your homework when we met today… but it seems like there’s no need for that now.”
Miles said, looking at Eleanor. The warm gaze made her feel warm inside.
“…Thank you, Miss Miles. It’s all thanks to you.”
“Don’t say that again. I told you unnecessary humility is poison, right? It’s all due to your own efforts. So, be shameless.”
“Yes, Miss Miles.”
“Call me Jin, Marcus.”
Eleanor hesitated for a moment, then softly said, “…Yes, Jin.”
Miles smiled, seemingly satisfied.
****
“She’s a really nice person. I’ve always admired her as an artist, but I didn’t know she was so kind and considerate.”
While Miles briefly left, Benjamin seemed strangely uneasy at Eleanor’s words.
“…Yes. It’s a bit tricky…”
“Is that so? I didn’t think so at all.”
“Because she’s usually gentle to women.”
“Wasn’t she to Viscount Brooke? That’s strange. There’s no one more gentlemanly than Viscount Brooke.”
“……”
At Eleanor’s casual remark, Benjamin looked as if something was stuck in his throat. He couldn’t focus his gaze for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.
“…I also don’t know a woman more dignified and beautiful than Miss Townsend.”
At his serious compliment, as heavy as a stone, Eleanor smiled shyly.
“That’s too much, even if you say so.”
“Not at all. I’ve always sincerely thought so. I just didn’t have a chance to say it.”
“……”
A strange silence hung between them. Eleanor awkwardly changed the subject.
“…I’m a bit thirsty.”
“I’ll get you some water.”
“No, you don’t have to. I’ll go myself. I wanted to look around the venue anyway.”
While Benjamin hesitated, Elinor slightly bowed and left her seat.
There were more paintings on display in the venue than she had expected. Considering it was a solo exhibition of the Crown Prince’s personal collection, it was a considerable number.
At first, she had desperately painted to find a way to live on her own without relying on the late Duke. Has so much accumulated over the past 7 years?
Eleanor slowly moved between the paintings. It was an indescribably strange feeling. She had hardly ever been to other artists’ exhibitions, let alone an exhibition under her own name. It didn’t feel real at all.
A sense of incongruity. Yes, that seemed to be the most accurate way to describe it. There was certainly a sense of excitement and a feeling of not knowing what to do with herself, but compared to this huge sense of incongruity, they were very small and trivial emotions.
While looking around the exhibition, Eleanor suddenly stopped in front of a certain painting.
The very painting that the Crown Prince originally bought and gave to Daryl as a wedding gift. It was [Spring Outside the Window].
This painting was definitely hanging in that house until she divorced Daryl and left Chatsworth House. But why had it returned to the Crown Prince?
If Daryl had bought it himself, it would be one thing, but there was no way he could dispose of or return the Crown Prince’s gift at his own discretion.
“Excuse me…”
Then someone spoke from behind.
It was Layla. Surprised by the unexpected face, Eleanor blinked for a few seconds without saying a word.
“…Miss Layla.”
“Hello, Eleanor… Have you been well?”
Layla asked cautiously. A year and a half. It wasn’t a short time, but it wasn’t that long either, yet Layla had changed quite a bit in the meantime. Maybe because she was now over twenty. There was hardly any trace of the young girl she used to be. She seemed to have grown about two finger joints taller.
Seeing her after a long time, it was clear that she was of the same blood as Daryl. Especially the sharp eyes and the distinct and beautiful nose, they were very similar.
“Yes. Have you been well, Miss Layla?”
“…Yes.”
Layla looked down awkwardly. Eleanor unconsciously looked around.
“Did you…come alone?”
“Oh, no. I came with a friend. Don’t worry. My big brother didn’t come. Ah…”
Layla spoke quickly, then covered her mouth with wide eyes as if she realized she had misspoken. Eleanor tried to act as if nothing was wrong, but she couldn’t stop her lips from hardening faintly.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing when you’ve done nothing wrong?”
“……”
Layla couldn’t lift her gaze, keeping her head down. Eleanor smiled calmly.
“It’s nice to see you after a long time. You seem to have become more beautiful.”
“…You too, Eleanor.”
Layla placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Then she looked at Eleanor with a determined expression.
“Congratulations on your exhibition… I came here today without knowing anything… I was surprised to hear the Crown Prince’s announcement earlier. I don’t know much about paintings, but I know that Marcus Miller is a very famous painter. That it was you, Eleanor…That’s really amazing.”
“Thank you, Miss Layla.”
“…….”
Layla seemed to have something else to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. It wasn’t hard to ask what was going on, but honestly, she didn’t feel like it. Eleanor was surprised to realize that she felt this way.
The reason was obvious. It was because Layla was Daryl’s sister.
The reason Layla had been nervous and watching Eleanor’s reactions since earlier was surely because she was conscious of the fact that Eleanor had divorced her brother. If so, there was also the option of pretending not to see her and passing by without saying anything, but she didn’t do that, which made Eleanor think it must be due to Layla’s straightforward personality. In that sense, it was admirable.
“Thank you for your congratulations. I hope you and your friend have a good time.”
Eleanor said that and tried to leave Layla.
“Ah, um…Wait a moment.”
Layla hastily stopped Eleanor, but when Eleanor turned to look at her, she closed her mouth and couldn’t say anything. Eleanor looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“…Are you feeling better now?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“You couldn’t come to a place with so many people before. You even fainted a few times…”
“Ah… Yes. I’m fine. I haven’t had any symptoms since I left Chatsworth House.”
“…..”
At that, Leila’s face turned gloomy.
‘Fine, why?’
Eleanor was inwardly puzzled by her words.
“Thank you for your concern, Miss Layla. It’s been a long time, but it’s very kind of you to remember such things.”
“…”
Layla had no words, biting her lips lightly. Eleanor slightly narrowed her eyes. Layla was a bit strange today. She was thinking about changing the subject when something came to mind.
“Oh, right. I came with Viscount Brooke today. Have you said hello?”
“…No, not yet.”
“Actually, Viscount Brooke has been in charge of selling my paintings for the past 7 years. He should be across the hall, why don’t you go and have a chat?”
“…..”
“Then I’ll go around a bit more. See you later.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t have to…try to connect me with Viscount Brooke anymore. I’m not that naive anymore…Please don’t. I’m asking you.”
“……”
Eleanor looked at Leila with a puzzled expression. Layla looked back at Eleanor with a face about to cry, then hung her head low.
“…I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
Layla left the place as if running away. Eleanor could only stand there blankly, not understanding why.
I feel a little sorry for Layla. But I also wonder why she hadn’t reached out to Eleanor at all. Surely, a short not would have been appropriate now and then. She didn’t even say goodbye. Does she know about her father’s accident and the impact on Eleanor? Seems like there could be more to her hesitation than just the fallout from the divorce.
I believe Eleanor asked her not to keep in touch but I agree, at least that entire family should know what kind of a great man their father and brother was. I wish the younger brother would find the letter and publish it in a newspaper, to retaliate against his fake family, he is awful too, of course, but at least he didn’t hide his awfulness behind a mask of righteousness like everyone else.