~Chapter 6~
The cheerful change in music jolted Winter out of her frozen state.
Surrounded by laughter and the clinking of wine glasses, she realized she couldn’t take it anymore.
She slipped away behind the marble pillars, walking straight ahead without looking back.
The Academy’s director had basically ordered her to stay until the banquet ended, but right now that didn’t matter.
Thankfully, nobody called after her as she moved quietly, trying not to draw attention.
Once she pushed through the big doors one by one, the cold night air hit her face and cooled the heat around her eyes.
Winter tilted her head up to the night sky.
Stars sparkled as if they were about to fall, but not even their light could reach into her restless, aching heart.
***
By the time the exhibition hall was close to closing, Duke Mayer arrived.
Eden strode into the corridor just as the last visitors were leaving.
It wasn’t unusual for the duke, the official patron of the Bartz Art Hall, to visit.
Still, the staff who hadn’t been warned about his arrival panicked. The director rushed forward.
“Welcome, Your Grace. For you to personally come here—it truly makes this exhibition shine. If only you’d told us in advance, we would’ve prepared better. Forgive us.”
“I just came to take a look. No need for all that.”
Eden’s answer was curt, his eyes calm, not showing much interest.
The exhibition wasn’t small—many artists’ works were displayed at once. Meanwhile, staff bustled about as they prepared to close.
“Quick, come here! Duke Mayer is here himself!”
Dragged along by a staff member, Winter stopped at a distance.
All the other painters had already left half an hour ago.
She was the only one still here, checking on something when they found her.
Winter stared at Eden from about twenty steps away, her chest aching.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, as always.
He was a man who drew attention wherever he went.
Was it really a mistake to fall in love with someone like you?
She whispered the thought only to herself.
Clasping her hands, she was about to step aside toward the door—
That’s when her eyes met Eden’s.
At the same time, the director’s voice called out, excited.
“Oh, Miss Wood! Perfect timing. You’re the best person to explain the exhibition to His Grace. Please, come here.”
Smooth-talking as always, the director didn’t give her time to answer before pulling her closer.
He knew she had once worked on the duke’s portrait, so he thought her the ideal guide.
Eden’s gaze shifted.
His blue eyes landed on the director’s hand gripping Winter’s sleeve.
Slowly, his eyes followed up the man’s arm.
The director, still smiling, went on with his chatter.
“We worked hard to make this exhibition flow as one story. After many discussions, we placed the pieces carefully so that simply walking through them tells a complete narrative. Ahem.”
But then he suddenly fell silent.
He had noticed the duke’s icy stare.
The look Eden gave him was so cold, it felt dangerous.
Did I say something wrong?
Not knowing what, the director quickly lowered his head.
Best not to anger this man.
Quietly, he stepped back and decided to let Winter lead the way.
But Eden stopped walking and spoke briefly:
“I’d like to look at the pieces quietly.”
“Ah, of course, Your Grace. Please, enjoy.”
Sensing it was the wrong time to push, the director backed off without another word.
Still, before leaving, he shot Winter a look as if to say, Do a good job explaining! Then he hurried off, waving away the staff crowding the hall.
The corridor leading to the main gallery quickly grew silent.
Winter felt cornered.
She was exhausted, her nerves frayed after such a long, painful day.
All she wanted was to be left alone.
But Eden clearly had other plans.
“Miss Wood, could you explain the pieces to me?” His tone was calm, his pace unhurried.
How can you look at me like that? Like I’m nothing to you.
Like we’re strangers.
Meanwhile, I’m suffering just standing here.
Winter bit her lip hard, forcing back the tears threatening to fall.
She refused to cry here, not in front of him.
“Do you really… need an explanation, Your Grace?”
“If you don’t mind, yes. Please.”
Eden nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on her trembling lashes.
He still had things left unsaid between them.
But this wasn’t the place for it.
“Let’s talk outside the exhibition hall. I’m sure you also have things you want to tell me—one last time.”
His words fell like a verdict, as casually as if he were commenting on a painting.
Winter froze at the word last.
She hadn’t fooled herself—she knew not to hope.
Still, hearing it stung.
She stared at his back as he moved from one painting to the next.
Her heart had already broken again and again, but there was nothing left to do but wait for the end.
Soon, she wouldn’t even be allowed to stand beside him anymore.
***
Winter couldn’t look anywhere but the ground as they walked.
The upscale house on the edge of the city was filled with memories of Eden.
The spacious garden and guesthouse had been their secret place, where they met away from society’s eyes.
Once, just the thought of coming here had made her heart race with joy.
Now it only hurts.
Before she could calm her pounding chest, Eden asked:
“Don’t you have anything you want to ask me?”
“…What?” Her voice shook.
She had a thousand questions but couldn’t untangle them.
Her mind was a mess, her heart even worse.
Standing before the man who had once meant everything, she swallowed hard again and again.
She couldn’t speak about her father—not when tears burned behind her eyes.
The truth was undeniable: her father had betrayed Eden’s mother.
If she’d known that earlier, she never could’ve faced Eden so freely.
Still, what she wanted most was to know his side.
At last, wiping her tears away, she asked in a choked voice:
“When did you find out? About my father?”
They had been in this very house just a few weeks ago, lying in the same bed.
How could it be true—that Eden had already known, yet kissed her, held her, while another woman’s name was being tied to his?
Eden lowered his gaze, replying quietly:
“Does it matter?”
“It does. Maybe it’s nothing to you, but it matters to me. I know no excuse could ever clear my father’s name in front of yours. I have nothing to say about his sins. But—”
Her voice cracked, tears welling.
She wasn’t trying to defend her father.
“At least I was sincere. Even if I couldn’t promise a future with you, accepting everything was my choice. I don’t regret it. I don’t blame you. But…”
“But?” His tone was steady, almost detached.
Eden held her gaze firmly.
He couldn’t let this drag on.
She was someone he had once thought of spending his life with—but everything had to end.
He reminded himself again: ties with the Wood family had to be cut here.
His mother’s disgrace had to remain buried.
If he couldn’t marry Winter or give her a future, then the only mercy he could offer was to end things coldly, cleanly, now.
It would hurt her now, but in the end, it was for her sake.
Winter finally realized what she truly wanted.
She wanted to know his real feelings.
Even if he’d learned about Geoffrey Wood, she wanted to hear that his love for her had been genuine.
Just once, she wanted that confirmation.
She knew it wouldn’t change anything.
But she wanted to know.
Because it wasn’t fair.
Duke Mayer had never been someone she could just “claim.”
From the very start, if he hadn’t kept reaching for her, they never would’ve happened.
So why…
“…It was you who came to me first, wasn’t it?”
