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Chapter 4
Elaine opened the pamphlet she had picked up at the entrance. The details she had been curious about while looking at the paintings were explained carefully inside.
As she quietly read through it, a shadow fell over her head.
When she looked up, a bright smile appeared on her face.
“Mr. Hegwin. When did you arrive?”
“I just got here. I hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”
“Not at all. I was looking around the exhibition, so I completely lost track of time.”
“Do you like paintings?”
Eldenberg Bay, famous as a vacation spot for nobles, held exhibitions throughout every season.
During the short time she spent in the south as a child, Elaine could only admire the exhibitions of Eldenberg Bay from afar. Even after becoming an adult, although she had chances to visit exhibitions, she never truly had the time to enjoy them.
Maybe that was why the exhibition hall especially caught her attention as soon as she arrived in Eldenberg Bay. When she heard Kaiden would be late because of work, she naturally came here.
And in the end, the exhibition exceeded her expectations.
“…Yes. I like them. Whenever I look at artists’ works, it makes me want to paint too.”
“So one day I’ll get to see an exhibition filled with Lady Whitfield’s paintings? I’m already looking forward to it.”
A teasing smile formed on Kaiden’s lips. His simple jokes and playful comments always made her laugh. Elaine liked moments like this.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think that day will ever come. I only paint as a hobby.”
“You understand inspiration and even paint as a hobby. I think you have enough talent to become a famous artist.”
“If that really happens, I’ll invite you first to my exhibition.”
Elaine added the last part generously, as if giving him a special favor. Kaiden chuckled softly and lightly nodded his head.
“That would be a great honor, Lady Whitfield.”
Elaine finally burst into laughter.
By the time their laughter faded, they had already walked through the entire exhibition hall once. Even so, her steps did not stop easily.
She wanted to look around with Kaiden just a little longer.
The lingering feeling in her heart kept shaking her resolve. She wanted to stay in this moment for even a little more time.
Elaine carefully glanced at Kaiden. He was looking outside through the large open window.
“It seems this exhibition isn’t really your style, Mr. Hegwin?”
“What do you think?”
Kaiden lowered his eyes slightly as he asked back.
Elaine thought carefully.
Throughout the exhibition, Kaiden’s attention had mostly been on her or outside the window. He occasionally looked at the paintings, but his expression showed little interest.
“I think I should change the first person I invite to my exhibition someday. It seems less about taste and more that you simply aren’t interested in paintings.”
“There’s something you overlooked, Lady Whitfield.”
Kaiden stepped closer and leaned down slightly.
As the distance between them shortened, the scent of cedarwood brushed against her senses. Elaine unconsciously held her breath. It felt as though he might hear the sound of her rapidly beating heart.
“I had just started reading the pamphlet to understand the artists’ intentions.”
His slow, gentle voice settled softly beside her ear. His golden eyes moved toward the pamphlet in her hand.
“This exhibition seems to focus on realistic-style paintings.”
Elaine tried not to be conscious of him and focused on the pamphlet instead.
“…Yes, that’s right. Since the paintings are based on the artists’ real experiences, it’s interesting because it feels like secretly looking into their lives.”
Kaiden nodded slightly and turned the page of the pamphlet.
Their fingertips brushed naturally.
Elaine unconsciously curled her hand into a fist. It was such a small touch, yet it felt strangely intense.
His long fingers pointed toward one painting.
“I like this piece the most. What about you?”
Kaiden tilted his head slightly and looked directly into Elaine’s eyes.
They were close enough for her to feel his breath.
Without realizing it, her gaze dropped to his lips.
“Lady Whitfield?”
Kaiden’s voice slipped into the growing silence.
“Ah…”
Elaine quickly came back to her senses and hurriedly looked away.
What had she even been thinking just now?
Embarrassment immediately heated her face.
Did he notice?
She desperately tried to calm the warmth spreading across her cheeks and ears, but it was impossible.
Elaine lowered her head even more on purpose. She also made sure to look carefully at the painting Kaiden pointed at.
“…‘Lovers Walking on the Beach’ does stand out the most. I think it’s my favorite too. The image of a man and woman walking along the beach at sunset is so beautiful.”
Her awkward opinion was nowhere near enough to distract Kaiden’s attention from her.
Under his obvious gaze, it felt like her heart might burst at any moment.
What saved Elaine from her difficult situation was the orange light that spread across the floor beneath them.
Following the light, her gaze naturally moved outside the window.
Beyond the window overlooking the sea, the sunset sky stretched beautifully. The scenery looked exactly like the painting.
Drawn in by the view, Elaine unconsciously tugged at Kaiden’s sleeve.
“Mr. Hegwin. There’s a similar view outside.”
Warmth spread across the back of the hand holding his sleeve.
Elaine flinched slightly, but her eyes stayed fixed outside the window.
The large hand resting over hers slowly intertwined their fingers.
“It would probably look even more beautiful outside. Would you like to walk together?”
His low voice flowed into the sound of someone’s racing heartbeat.
* * *
The sound of gentle waves crashing drifted through the wind.
Elaine softly gasped as she looked at the winter sea.
The orange sunset reflected faintly across the calm water. White foam formed along the shore whenever the waves rolled in. Because of the cold, the beach covered in white snow was nearly empty.
Elaine walked forward like an excited child.
Each step made soft crunching sounds in the snow.
Only after stopping near the shoreline where the waves ended did she realize she had walked ahead alone.
Kaiden stood farther back on the beach, quietly watching her.
With flushed cheeks, Elaine turned around and waved her arm.
“Mr. Hegwin! Isn’t it beautiful?”
A smile similar to Elaine’s appeared on Kaiden’s lips.
His reply was swallowed by the sound of the waves.
Although she could not hear it, his expression alone told her he felt the same way.
Elaine turned back toward the sunset beach once more.
The cold wind blew against her coat and fluttered the hem of her skirt.
Even the cold itself felt romantic.
She stared blankly at the horizon when she sensed someone approach behind her.
“Wouldn’t it be better to head back now? The wind is getting colder.”
Now that he was closer, Kaiden’s voice sounded clear in her ear.
Without taking her eyes off the sea, Elaine answered,
“Let’s stay a little longer.”
“Only until the sun sets.”
Kaiden sighed softly and held out a paper cup.
It seemed he had already instructed an attendant to bring warm drinks.
Elaine nodded and accepted it.
Warmth spread through her palms. From the sweet scent, it seemed to be cocoa.
Kaiden’s cup was filled with cocoa too.
“I thought you would drink coffee, Mr. Hegwin. That’s unexpected.”
“Whenever I drink coffee, a noble young lady stares at me like I’m carrying all the troubles in the world. It makes it difficult to reach for it.”
“You said you have insomnia. You really should drink less.”
Her expression and voice were filled with concern.
Looking down at her, Kaiden smiled slightly.
“You’d make an excellent personal doctor.”
“Hmm… after thinking about it, I don’t really like that idea. I’d have to see you sick all the time. I think it would make me too sad.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to stay healthy so I don’t worry Lady Whitfield.”
“Still, if you ever get sick, you must contact me. Alright?”
“Will you stay by my side all night and take care of me?”
“If you want me to, then of course.”
Elaine shrugged lightly before sipping her cocoa.
By now, less than half the sun remained above the horizon. The sea breeze had become even colder than before.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Not at all. Looking at such a beautiful view makes me forget the cold completely.”
She normally disliked the cold, yet now she wanted to keep watching the sea forever.
Elaine smiled softly with her eyes and added,
“I understand now why that artist painted a beach at sunset. If I were the artist, I would’ve wanted to capture this view too.”
“A painting made by Lady Whitfield would be even more beautiful than ‘Lovers Walking on the Beach.’”
“Then that painting would probably become the main piece of my exhibition.”
Elaine slowly closed her eyes.
The exhibition she once thought impossible suddenly became easy to imagine.
In her imagination, she stopped walking in the center of the exhibition hall.
There hung a painting similar to the beach she saw today—yet somehow capturing a more special moment.
At that moment, Kaiden’s voice came with the sound of the waves.
“Would there also be lovers in the painting Lady Whitfield imagined?”
