ICHYR Ch 4

Irene ended the conversation with a short greeting.

 

Irene unfolded the pamphlet she had picked up at the entrance.

 

The pamphlet contained detailed information about the paintings she had been curious about. She was reading through it carefully when a shadow fell over her.

 

She looked up and smiled brightly.

 

“Mr. Hegwins. When did you get here?”

 

“I just arrived. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

 

“Not at all. I was so engrossed in the exhibition that I lost track of time.”

 

“Do you like paintings?”

 

Eldenberg estate, famous as a resort for nobles, held exhibitions year-round.

 

During her childhood, when she had lived in the south for a short time, Irene had only watched the exhibitions of Eldenberg estate from afar. As an adult, she had had the opportunity to visit exhibitions, but she hadn’t had much time.

 

Perhaps that was why. As soon as she arrived in the Eldenberg estate, the exhibition hall caught her eye. That was why she had come here when she heard that Kaiden would be late due to work.

 

The exhibition she had finally arrived at and explored was beyond her expectations.

 

“…Yes, I do. When I see the works of artists, I want to paint too.”

 

“Will we be able to see an exhibition filled with your paintings, Miss Whitfield? I’m very much looking forward to it.”

 

A mischievous smile formed on Kaiden’s lips. His corny jokes and pranks often brought laughter.

 

Irene liked these moments.

 

“Unfortunately, you’ll never see it. I only paint as a hobby.”

 

“You can feel inspiration and even paint as a hobby. You have enough talent to become a renowned artist.”

 

“If it happens as you say, I’ll invite you to my exhibition first.”

 

Irene added generously at the end. Kaiden smiled slightly and nodded lightly.

 

“It would be an honor to my family, Miss Whitfield.”

 

Irene finally burst into laughter. The laughter they exchanged stopped only after they had gone around the exhibition hall once. Yet, her steps didn’t stop easily.

 

She wanted to look around a little more with Kaiden.

 

Regret kept shaking her heart. She wanted to prolong this moment, even if only a little longer.

 

She watched Kaiden carefully. He was staring out the large window.

 

“This exhibition doesn’t seem to be to your taste, Mr. Hegwins?”

 

“What do you think?”

 

Kaiden, lowering his eyes slightly, asked back. Irene pondered deeply.

 

Throughout the exhibition, Kaiden’s gaze had been directed almost entirely at her or out the window. He had looked at the paintings briefly, but he had worn an expression of indifference.

 

“I think I’ll have to change the person I’ll invite to my exhibition first. Regardless of your taste, you don’t seem to be interested in paintings.”

 

“There’s something you’ve overlooked, Miss Whitfield.”

 

Kaiden, closing the distance, leaned in. As the distance narrowed, the scent of cedarwood tickled her nose. Irene held her breath without realizing it. She felt like he could hear her heart beating fast.

 

“I was just about to look at the pamphlet and try to understand the artist’s intentions.”

 

A languid voice, as if filled with softness, landed in her ear. His golden eyes scanned the pamphlet in her hand.

 

“This exhibition is a collection of works with a realistic style.”

 

Irene tried not to be conscious of him and focused on the contents of the pamphlet.

 

“…Yes, that’s right. Because they are works that depict directly experienced events, there’s a subtle fun in peeking into the lives of the artists.”

 

Kaiden nodded in response and turned the pamphlet to the next page. Their fingertips naturally brushed against each other.

 

Irene unconsciously curled her hand into a fist. It was nothing more than a casual touch,but it felt like an intense stimulation.

 

A long finger with thick knuckles pointed to the pamphlet.

 

“I like this piece the most. What about you?”

 

Kaiden tilted his head and looked into Irene’s eyes. It was close enough to feel his breath.

 

She inadvertently looked down at his lips.

 

“Miss Whitfield?”

 

Kaiden’s voice seeped into the lengthening silence.

 

“Ah…”

 

Irene belatedly came to her senses and quickly averted her gaze. What on earth was she thinking just now?

 

Embarrassed, her face flushed hotly.

 

Was it obvious?

 

She tried to erase the heat from her cheeks and earlobes, but it was beyond her control.

 

Irene deliberately lowered her head even further. She didn’t forget to examine the work Kaiden was pointing at.

 

“‘Lovers Walking on the Beach’ is especially eye-catching. I like this piece the most too. The image of a man and woman walking on the beach at sunset is so beautiful.”

 

The awkward commentary was far from enough to divert Kaiden’s attention. She felt like her heart would burst at any moment from his obvious gaze.

 

What saved Irene from her predicament was a vermilion ray of light that fell at her feet. Following the ray of light, her gaze naturally turned to the window.

 

Beyond the window with a view of the sea, she could see the sky at sunset. It was a scene as if a painting had been moved there. Drawn to the scenery, Irene unconsciously tugged at Kaiden’s sleeve.

 

“Mr. Hegwins, there’s a similar scene outside.”

 

A warm temperature was felt on the back of her hand that was holding his sleeve. Irene flinched but didn’t take her eyes off the view outside. The large hand that had been resting on the back of her hand soon intertwined its fingers with hers.

 

“It seems like it would be an even more spectacular view from outside. Would you like to take a walk together?”

 

A low voice flowed into the heartbeats that she didn’t know who it belonged to.

 

Shoo-ah-ah. The sound of gentle waves crashing was carried on the wind.

 

Irene looked at the winter sea and let out a small exclamation. The vermilion sky was faintly reflected on the calm waves. White foam rose along the coastline each time the waves crashed. Perhaps because of the cold, the beach covered in pure white snow was deserted.

 

Irene walked forward like an excited child. Each time she moved her feet, she heard the sound of stepping on snow. It was only after standing on the coastline where the waves ended that she realized she had walked alone.

 

Kaiden was looking at Irene from the beach.

 

She turned around with a flushed face and waved her arm.

 

“Mr. Hegwins! Isn’t it beautiful?”

 

A smile similar to Irene’s appeared on Kaiden’s lips. The following answer was drowned out by the sound of the waves. Although she couldn’t hear it, she could guess from his expression that he was feeling emotions similar to hers.

 

Irene turned back to the sunset beach. A cold wind blew, causing her coat and skirt to flutter. It was a scene where even the cold felt romantic.

 

She was gazing at the horizon in a daze when she felt someone behind her.

 

“How about going inside now? The wind is very cold.”

 

As the distance narrowed, Kaiden’s voice became clearer. Irene replied without taking her eyes off the sea.

 

“Let’s watch a little longer.”

 

“But only until the sun goes down.”

 

Kaiden, who sighed, handed her a paper cup. He must have instructed his attendant to bring warm drinks in the meantime.

 

Irene nodded and took the paper cup. She felt a warm sensation on her palm.

 

Judging by the sweet smell, it seemed to be cocoa. The paper cup he was holding also contained cocoa.

 

“I thought you would drink coffee, Mr. Hegwins, but that’s unexpected.”

 

“Every time I drink coffee, you look at me with the face of a noble lady carrying all the worries of the world, so I can’t bring myself to drink it.”

 

“You said you have insomnia. You need to cut back.”

 

Her expression and voice were full of concern. Kaiden, who was looking down at her, smiled slightly.

 

“You’d be a great doctor for me.”

 

“Hmm… I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t really want to. I’d have to see you sick every time, Mr. Hegwins. I think I’d feel too bad.”

 

“If I don’t want to worry Miss Whitfield, I’ll have to try to stay healthy.”

 

“But you have to contact me when you’re sick, okay?”

 

“Will you nurse me all night?”

 

“If you want, I’m willing to.”

 

Irene, who shrugged her shoulders, sipped her cocoa. Before she knew it, less than half of the sun remained touching the horizon. The sea breeze blowing was also colder than before.

 

“Aren’t you cold?”

 

“No. Not at all. I don’t even feel the cold because I’m looking at the beautiful scenery.”

 

Even though she didn’t like the cold, she wanted to keep watching the sea. Irene added with a soft smile.

 

“I know why that artist painted the sunset beach. I would have wanted to capture this scene on canvas too.”

 

“The painting that Miss Whitfield paints will be even better than ‘Lovers Walking on the Beach’.”

 

“Then that work will be the main piece of my exhibition.”

 

Irene gently closed her eyes. The exhibition, which she thought was absurd, was surprisingly easy to imagine in her head.

 

In her imagination, she stopped in the center of the exhibition. There, a painting was hung that contained a moment similar to the beach she saw today, but somehow more special.

 

Then Kaiden’s voice washed in with the sound of the waves.

 

“Are there lovers in that painting that Miss Whitfield imagined?”