Tickelon remained firm despite the diplomatic explanation. Plus, he showed signs of getting up, having finished what he wanted to say. Based on experience, he would obviously retreat to his studio soon.

Chloe cleared her voice and asked one last time.

“Let me confirm one thing. Is there a reason you suddenly decided to hold an exhibition?”

As he said, the decision wasn’t hers to make anyway. The best she could do now was to return to the office and convey Tickelon’s request. But before that, she wanted to confirm one thing.

The real reason why he suddenly accepted the offer he had been avoiding. As if waiting, the man with a pale face from lack of sunlight ran his hand down his face and answered.

“I liked that article. Especially the line that said a work that existed only in my memory until yesterday will now be shared in the reader’s memory as well.”

It was an explanation that didn’t match his seemingly unmotivated face.

Chloe stared at him, unable to speak. It was true that there was such a passage in the article she wrote. To think he decided to hold a planned exhibition because of that…… Somehow, it didn’t feel real at all.

However, Tickelon drove the point home once more to Chloe who was just blinking slowly.

“To be precise, I agreed with your view that the reason we should share works of art lies there.”

Chloe swallowed dryly and gripped her pen tightly, trying to calm her churning heart.

The subject of her first article had undergone a change of heart after reading it. As the writer of the column, it was naturally encouraging. Although the request that followed was unusual.

“……So you’re saying you really decided to hold an exhibition because of that?”

“Yes. The business is done, so get up.”

Before she could even finish her question, the man, known as both a genius and an eccentric, abruptly stood up from his chair. Now that she thought about it, it was rare for him to sit still and have a conversation.

Tickelon, who had raised his hand once, turned around, seemingly unconcerned about Chloe’s complicated feelings.

***

Kate, upon hearing about what had happened during the day, asked back as if to confirm several times.

“So you’re saying Tickelon decided to hold an exhibition along with working on the Royal Library statue?”

“That’s right.”

“And his condition is for you, Chloe, to take full charge of it?”

“Yes. That’s what he asked me.”

Chloe answered calmly, knowing Kate would be flustered.

It was a welcome development that Tickelon was actively participating in the project he had been avoiding. The move by the most sought-after artist would have a significant promotional effect on the association. Moreover, Kate’s father, Mr. Norden, poured a considerable sum of money into the association every year. As long as the association wasn’t a charity, a certain level of profit was essential.

However, with the unusual request attached, Kate needed time to gather her thoughts.

“Hmm.”

Her gaze, with slightly furrowed brows, shifted towards the file on the desk. The timing aligned perfectly, as if it were planned.

In fact, the association was planning to open offices in Oslo and the capital, both of which had large exhibition halls.

Until now, employees from Bergen had been traveling long distances to handle matters whenever something came up. However, it was a matter that had been discussed several times before due to its frequency and inefficiency.

Of course, the details hadn’t been disclosed to the employees yet, but the association had enough capacity to accommodate Tickelon’s proposal.

But to think it involved Chloe…

Moreover, the fact that Tickelon had to stay in the capital until the work was finished made Kate hesitate. Of course, it was entirely out of concern for her friend. It was also a worry about Chloe’s personal life.

From a purely professional standpoint, she wanted to recommend this trip to the capital. Besides, it was a great opportunity for her friend who was passionate about her work.

After much deliberation, Kate decided to leave the choice to Chloe.

It was a matter for Chloe to decide. If her friend finds it difficult, she’s determined to do her best to find another way. Of course, she wasn’t confident in persuading Tickelon.

Even after Kate finished explaining, Chloe remained silent.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for you to go to the capital. You can continue working on the regular articles you’re in charge of anywhere.”

Kate decided not to mention Duke Dietrich in this situation. Then she stood up from her chair in the office where only the two of them remained. Chloe would also need time to think carefully.

“But go home and get some rest today. You have until next week to think about it, even if it’s not much. Okay?”

“Thanks, Kate. Be careful on your way.”

After saying goodbye, Chloe headed towards her residence where the lights flickered on and off. Flower petals scattered by the wind rolled lightly on the stone path. Her brown shoes, avoiding stepping on them, quickened their careful steps.

She had initially come to Bergen to assert her intention to divorce Andert. But equally important to that was her desire to learn the work. Above all, having a busy day helped her to soothe her complicated feelings.

As soon as she opened the door and entered her room, Chloe threw open the windows. The warm air inside, heated up during the day, gradually subsided with the cool night breeze.

Chloe, who had untied her neatly tied hair, stood by the window again. Now that all her ties with Andert were severed, there was no reason to be extremely reluctant to go to the capital. Moreover, this time, she had an opportunity to learn about exhibition planning as well.

Although she understood it intellectually, it was also true that fear came first. There would be more people who recognized her in the capital than she thought.

“Ha……”

The deep sigh Chloe let out seeped silently into the black night sky. The night was one where sleep didn’t come easily.

***

Chloe made up her mind exactly three days later. Kate, upon hearing her decision, didn’t ask anything. Instead, she just patted Chloe’s shoulder.

Soon after, news of Tickelon’s matter spread within the association. As Kate expected, people reacted positively to his decision. He was an artist who wouldn’t even hold an exhibition, even with various conditions attached. It was only natural for the association to provide full support when such a figure stepped forward to take on the task.

At the same time, a notice was posted recruiting employees who wished to work in the capital and Oslo offices. Chloe was designated as a worker for the capital early on, but there was little objection.

“I heard that Chloe will be in charge of Tickelon.”

“Ah, right. Chloe is currently in charge of that.”

“It seems the association is also internally welcoming this. Over twenty employees have gone through Tickelon, given his unique personality.”

“I’m one of them. I asked the team leader to change the person in charge after only a week. Don’t even get me started. First of all, it was impossible to even have a conversation. It felt like talking to a wall. Anyway, I wouldn’t take on this task even if they asked me to.”

The bustling atmosphere within the association continued for over a week. After interviewing all employees, Chloe, Quincy, and Harper were chosen to be dispatched to the capital office.

Quincy’s selection was a recognition of his experience in preparing exhibitions. The same went for Harper, Chloe’s next-door neighbor in the dormitory.

However, Chloe felt uneasy about them suddenly losing two of her teammates, including herself. Seemingly anticipating her feelings, Kate shook her head first.

“Don’t worry, Chloe. We can always hire more people here. It’s only right that reliable employees go to the capital and Oslo. I’ll be going back and forth to the capital often to check on the progress, so we’ll see each other frequently.”

“Thank you so much for everything, Kate.”

“Don’t mention it. Please take good care of Tickelon and make sure his work doesn’t drag on too long.”

Her voice was lighthearted as if joking, but half of it was a sincere request.

The association estimated the completion of the statue to be a year later. However, there was a good chance that it could be pushed back to two years depending on the work speed. In particular, Kate was worried about Tickelon’s perfectionism, which prevented him from moving on to the next stage if he wasn’t satisfied with one part.

“I can’t guarantee anything about the future, but I’ll do my best.”

Chloe replied with the brightest face she could muster. She had made up her mind, so there was no point in worrying. After gathering her thoughts, she reaffirmed her resolve.

Just like when she first arrived in Bergen, if she took it one step at a time, it wouldn’t be difficult.