For the first time in his life, he had arrived at an appointment far earlier than scheduled. And then he had simply waited. For Chloe, with whom he had arranged to meet at six o’clock sharp, to arrive.

And they had met. Of course, it was a meeting he had forced, using the unfamiliar title of ‘patron’ to the director, all because he wanted to see her.

At that moment, Chloe began to walk gracefully. It seemed as if she had decided she couldn’t stand there any longer. Andert’s gaze followed the movement of her fluttering sleeves.

Chloe took a few sips of the cold water on the table and finally lifted her head.

“Did you suggest this meeting today, Your Grace?”

Even though she seemed to understand the situation, her question was laced with doubt.

Or was she suspicious that he had ulterior motives? Andert’s eyes narrowed slightly as he read her expression.

When he remained silent, Chloe asked again, as if to confirm.

“Do you really need an explanation about the sculpture commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Royal Library, Your Grace?”

It wasn’t just his imagination that her voice seemed tinged with a faint sigh. Andert pressed down on the strange tightness in his chest and replied.

“Yes. I asked the library to arrange a meeting with you.”

“Why would you…”

“Call me Andert.”

“What?”

Her eyes widened in genuine surprise. Andert hadn’t planned on making that request so suddenly.

To ask her to call him by his name in this situation… It was an awkward development, no matter how one looked at it.

But Andert didn’t appreciate the formal title she kept using. Of course, Chloe wasn’t the type to readily accept such a request. He quickly moved on to another question before she could give him the expected answer.

“How long will you be staying in the capital?”

“……”

He had heard that Chloe’s visit to the capital was flexible, depending on the schedule of a certain artist. But then again, he had heard that the Bergen Artists Association had opened an office in the capital, so he wasn’t sure. Perhaps Chloe would be staying here indefinitely.

As for why all of this mattered to him now… Even he couldn’t give a rational answer. Andert simply wanted to see Chloe, to be near her.

Meanwhile, Chloe, unable to read his thoughts, felt a growing sense of unease. He was an unreadable man.

Why had he called her to a place like this, using work as an excuse?

Chloe expressed her displeasure by not answering his question. In the meantime, dishes, seemingly ordered beforehand, began to appear on the table.

Chloe bit her lip as she looked at the dishes, worthy of the restaurant’s reputation. She had heard from the director that it would be a dinner meeting, so it wasn’t an unexpected situation. But the person she was having dinner with was the problem.

Only after the staff member who had served the appetizer left did Chloe open her tightly closed lips.

“Would you like to hear the presentation after dinner?”

Her voice was strictly businesslike. A fitting tone for someone who was drawing a clear line, implying that they had no business with each other outside of work.

Andert simply nodded in response. He had no interest in the Royal Library, whether it was newly built or not. And he certainly had no reason to care about the commemorative sculpture.

His purpose was only one: to meet Chloe.

Chloe, having confirmed the man’s baffling intentions, picked up her knife and fork. The aroma of the thinly sliced mushroom garnish on the cod was divine, but she only took a few bites.

At least, that’s how it seemed to Andert. The same went for the main course and the dishes that followed.

Only when a small sorbet glass, the final course of the meal, arrived did Chloe finally look up. Until then, her gaze had been stubbornly fixed on the table and the food.

“Shall we begin now, if you’re ready?”

It was as if she had been waiting for this moment. Andert watched as Chloe reached for her briefcase.

Ah, that sculptor. Tickelon, was it?

Andert recalled the name he had forgotten. The real reason Chloe was here. Taking his silence as agreement, Chloe immediately began to spread out her materials on the table.

“First, I’ll show you the sketch of the completed sculpture. The artist, Tickelon, has completed the initial concept…”

Her voice was clear and resonant. Her explanation of the artwork was smooth and uninterrupted.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept across the balcony, carrying with it the scent of the river. It was strong enough to ruffle a few strands of Chloe’s long hair, which was tied back neatly.

Andert watched her every move, even the subtle ones, until the strawberry sorbet served for dessert had completely melted.

“The sculpture will be erected in the main square, directly visible from the library’s main entrance. If you look at the aerial view, it’s right here, at this point…”

Chloe didn’t seem to have any personal feelings for him. She looked like she just wanted to get her work done and leave this place as soon as possible.

But Andert wasn’t the same. The realization and shock he had felt at the library hadn’t been temporary. He thought that divorce was a clear-cut choice, with obvious gains and losses. But…

Why don’t I want to miss this moment, facing you like this?

“Loving you wasn’t about effort or will. Meeting you was like an accident that happened suddenly.”

Chloe had confessed on a bench by the river in Bergen. Falling for him had been like a sudden accident, she had said.

Andert now understood the true meaning of her words.

Meeting Chloe again at the Royal Library had been an accident that had befallen him. He let out a short sigh, acknowledging the undeniable truth.

“Therefore, I believe that the theme of the work, ‘Harmony,’ is a fitting tribute to the 200th anniversary of the library.”

Her calm yet passionate presentation was drawing to a close. Which meant that it would soon be time for her to leave, having finished her business.

Just as Chloe was about to close the last page of her presentation, the sky opened up. Heavy rain began to pour down, accompanied by the rumble of thunder.

So this downpour was the reason for the strong wind. Andert stared impassively at the raindrops splashing against the balcony railing.

“Excuse me. If you find this spot uncomfortable, I can move you inside.”

A staff member approached quickly and politely offered.

Indeed, the open balcony seats weren’t the best choice in this kind of weather. Although there was a roof overhead.

But Andert didn’t want to move. Especially since Chloe seemed to be conscious of the other people present. He was about to tell her that they could leave when his gaze fell on Chloe.

And that’s when an unexpected question escaped his lips.

“What about you?”

“……What?”

“I mean it. We’ll do what you want.”

Chloe swallowed her bewilderment, barely stopping herself from asking him to repeat himself.

Andert was confirming her wishes… Nothing about this meeting had been normal. Moreover, Andert’s gaze had been fixed on her the entire time. During dinner, and even until the end of her presentation.

Chloe shook off the inexplicable awkwardness and replied calmly.

“No, I’m fine.”

She had finished her explanation and would be leaving soon. There was no need to move. Before the staff member could leave, Chloe added,

“Excuse me, but I left a message at the front desk under the name Chloe before I came in. Could you please check on that?”

“Ah, yes. Certainly.”

As the staff member bowed slightly and left, Chloe gathered her documents. She had requested a carriage for her return when she arrived at the restaurant. But with the sudden downpour, it seemed unlikely that the journey back would be easy.

Having finished packing up quickly, Chloe finally faced Andert. The bewilderment she had felt at their unexpected encounter was now tucked away in her bag.

Of course, she wanted to ask him.

Why he had arranged this meeting. And why he had been looking at her like that all this time.

No matter how hard she tried not to dwell on it, his persistent gaze kept bothering her. But Chloe didn’t voice her questions.

After all, Duke Dietrich was a major benefactor who donated a significant amount of money to the Royal Library every year. So, logically speaking, there was nothing wrong with having a meeting like this. Moreover, she was here today as an employee of the association.

Chloe, reminding herself of the cold reality, made a businesslike suggestion.

“My presentation is over. If you have nothing more to say, shall we get going?”

Chloe checked her watch; it was well past eight o’clock. She waited for his answer. She cursed the relentless rain, but there was nothing she could do. If Andert got up first, she planned to wait here for her carriage.

As silence fell over the balcony, the staff member returned. He approached Chloe and spoke quietly.

“I apologize, ma’am, but it seems there’s a disruption in carriage services due to the weather. They say they can’t give a definite answer on the waiting time or availability until the rain stops.”