In front of Eloise sat a small travel bag. It was a sturdy rectangular bag made of well-oiled leather without any special decorations.

The bag itself wasn’t particularly extraordinary. What surprised Eloise was the name “Angrier” clearly stamped in the corner of the bag.

Angrier was one of the most famous art supply workshops on the continent and belonged to Gilia, which had once been an enemy nation.

It had been banned from importing during the entire war and had closed due to war damage, making it nearly impossible to find in Albion now.

Recently, she had learned from a magazine that the Angrier workshop had reopened.

Delighted by this news, she had folded that page slightly, thinking she must place an order once imports resumed. But to think Ryan had bought this rare art supply bag!

“Among Angrier’s items, this is one of the hardest to obtain!”

While paints and brushes were produced in larger quantities due to high demand, the bags were famous for their scarcity, with only 30 made annually. Everyone wanted one, yet Ryan had managed to get it?

‘More importantly, how did he know?’

She hadn’t discussed art-related topics with Ryan much until now. Assuming he wasn’t interested, she had kept her art magazines separate in the drawing room.

Noticing Eloise’s puzzlement, Ryan smiled and answered.

“Emily mentioned that you wanted something but were troubled because it was difficult to obtain. So, I apologize, but I looked at the magazines in your drawing room.”

He could tell immediately upon opening the magazine. The page wasn’t just folded—it was particularly glossy from being handled so much.

From that moment, Ryan had inquired everywhere to find that art supply bag. However, given its limited quantity, hardly any made it to Albion.

Just when he thought he might not be able to get one, on his way back after parting with Richard, he saw the bag being delivered to a high-end art supply store near the harbor.

Ryan immediately entered the store and said he would buy it before the owner could even set it down.

The owner was overjoyed. He was excited at the prospect of getting a high price for such a rare item, while also worried about whether it would sell. To have someone appear wanting to buy it before he could even display it!

Moreover, he couldn’t hide his surprise when Ryan said he would pay immediately without haggling.

“I’m pleased to meet a customer with such discerning taste. But regarding this bag…”

The owner whispered something to Ryan. Shortly after, the owner held a check as thick as a rib bone. It was an absurdly high price for just an art supply bag, but it was a satisfactory transaction for both the owner and Ryan.

“Eloise, open the bag.”

When Eloise hesitated after touching the bag, Ryan slightly unfastened the lock at the end and said to open it.

‘Open the bag? But what’s inside?’

Thinking this, she opened it, and Eloise peered inside with even wider eyes than when she had seen the bag itself.

Ryan hadn’t just bought the art supply bag. Inside, firmly secured in place, was a complete set of what were clearly high-quality pencils and brushes, beautiful containers, various colored paints, and a small palette.

It was a perfectly equipped art supply set that would allow her to create various paintings wherever she went. Naturally, all the supplies inside were Angrier products, just like the bag.

When Eloise couldn’t speak, Ryan spoke first.

“Actually, I intended to give this as a wedding gift… but I thought it would be better to give it now… Ah, Eloise?”

Before he could finish speaking, Eloise jumped up and threw her arms around his neck. Looking down at her with surprised eyes, Ryan felt her shoulders trembling slightly and became flustered, wondering if she was crying.

He was glad she was happy, but he didn’t want her to cry… Just as he thought this—

“Thank you so much!”

Eloise looked up at him. In her tear-filled eyes, gratitude and joy toward him sparkled brilliantly.

“Really, really… how could you… give me… what I wanted…”

Unable to continue speaking, Eloise hugged Ryan tightly again and laughed softly.

“You really are my husband!”

At the word “husband,” Ryan chuckled and then deliberately spoke in an exaggerated voice.

“I thought you considered me an annoying person who would pluck stars for you.”

“I like that part of you too!”

Seeing Eloise not even feeling embarrassed, Ryan couldn’t hold back and laughed again.

He found it strange to feel himself smiling so genuinely. Before meeting Eloise, he never laughed. It was so bad that Richard and Emily used to tease him, asking if he was “a machine created by the military.”

When had his life, which had consisted of at most a slight chuckle, become so filled with bright light and warm laughter?

Ryan lifted Eloise fully into his arms and affectionately offered his lips. Sensing what he wanted, Eloise quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. And then she finally kissed him.

Immediately after, a ticklish feeling spread as if sparks were flying. He felt as if his chest was overflowing with warm water.

Eloise stayed in his arms briefly before getting down. Then she looked at the art supply bag again with shining eyes.

“Can I use this right away?”

“It’s yours, do as you please.”

At Ryan’s answer, Eloise picked up some paper and a few pencils with a genuinely excited face. Just thinking about carrying these around and drawing various things made her heart flutter with anticipation.

“What should I draw first?”

She pondered briefly, but the answer was obvious. Eloise looked up at Ryan.

‘Ryan!’

“Um… I want to draw right now…”

After trailing off a few times, she finally asked with a determined expression.

“Can you… undress?”

A woman asking a red-faced man in broad daylight to model n*de for her. Anyone who saw this scene would have pointed fingers, calling her a person without shame.

Eloise thought as she held the paper in her arms. She wanted to draw. A person. A man. Above all, Ryan Wilgrave. So asking him was the most natural thing to do.

Eloise looked at him with earnestness. Ryan took a single step toward her.

“Honestly.”

His low voice resonated above her ear. Then, click, click, small sounds followed. Ryan’s fingers were undoing his shirt buttons.

“I’ve been waiting for that request.”

Click, click, click. With each small sound, his firmly built chest muscles were gradually revealed.

“Since you want just me.”

Ryan’s hand slowly moved downward as he undid the last button of his shirt.

“I have no choice but to undress completely.”

Clothes fell to the floor one by one. Watching this, Eloise realized that there could be something more embarrassing and heart-pounding than undressing herself.

When the last piece of clothing fell to the floor, Eloise, who had been looking down, finally raised her head completely.

And then, “Ah…!”

At last, she could properly see his appearance that she had been so curious about.

In that moment, numerous scenes flashed through Eloise’s mind. From paintings and sculptures she had seen in figure drawing classes to glimpses she had caught below trousers during occasional lessons at the art academy.

She thought she had some idea, but…

Eloise unconsciously placed her hand on her chest. Somehow it felt necessary. After all, she had encountered something so extraordinary.

Looking at this unknown entity she was facing head-on for the first time, Eloise tilted her head.

It seems to be getting bigger? And also…

“It, it’s standing!”

“When you look at me like you’re about to devour me, what choice do I have?”

It seemed like she had heard something troubling, but Ryan’s expression remained remarkably calm. Because of this, Eloise’s gaze narrowed slightly as she stood there, unable to turn away.

She didn’t like that she was the only one flustered in this situation while Ryan was so composed.

‘Why? How? He’s supposed to be the model!’

Eloise put down her loose hair and picked up a pencil. Then she commanded Ryan:

“Sit on that chair.”

Then she added in an even stronger tone:

“And keep your legs spread!”

“Whatever you wish.”

Ryan’s composure as a model and Eloise’s determination to make the most of this finally obtained opportunity collided in the air.

Eloise made a resolution. Until they returned to Blissbury! She would draw him so perfectly that she would never need to worry about losing her model again!

***

“We’re finally going back.”

Emily stretched in the coachman’s seat. Behind the carriage, hotel staff could still be seen bowing their heads respectfully.

‘They have reason to.’

Eloise’s party had stayed at the hotel for three weeks. That alone was quite remarkable. But during those three weeks, the renowned merchants of Bringport had constantly visited Eloise’s room.

People became curious about these suddenly appearing guests, and rumors focused on the wealth of the baronial couple. Despite constant invitations, however, the baron and his wife did not leave their room.

The only time they went out was to visit Jackmori’s shop.

Not only the hotel guests but also the staff wondered. What were they doing that kept this couple inside the hotel all day, turning their backs on beautiful Bringport?

No one could answer. All they knew was that when the couple occasionally came down to the dining room for dinner, the lady somehow looked tired while her husband seemed extremely excited.

When Garner shook the reins to urge the horses, they began to pick up speed. They had stayed in Bringport much longer than planned. Everyone in Blissbury and Feltham would be waiting for them. So they needed to return quickly.

In the swaying carriage, Ryan carefully rested Eloise’s head, who had already fallen asleep, on his shoulder.

Even while sleeping, she tightly held the bag in her arms. Of course, it was the Angrier art supply bag he had given her.

Though the bag was tightly locked, he knew what was inside. That it was filled to bursting with drawings she had frantically created over the past few days.

He thought as he gently covered Eloise’s shoulder with a shawl:

‘That was almost dangerous!’

How beautiful and attractive Eloise had been as she looked straight at his n*ked body and moved her hand without hesitation.

Though he had vowed to be honorable before God, he heard the voice of dark desire rising from deep within his heart many times.

It was difficult, but he suppressed it firmly. Whenever he wavered, Eloise would flinch and ask,

“…Why is it standing up again?”

Nevertheless, he withstood the temptation. He could now stand proudly before God and the Surberton couple.

‘She really drew with such dedication.’

As if to release all her pent-up desires, Eloise drew and drew. Naturally, she demanded various poses from him. Ryan willingly complied with her commands.

Even until this morning, Eloise had been immersed in drawing, and she finally showed a relieved expression, saying she had no paper left.

But when they returned to Blissbury, she would draw again.

‘Then I’ll be able to see that sparkling expression again.’

There was much to do upon their return. Above all, they needed to inform the Surberton couple that Eloise had been completely cured thanks to the new medicine, and at the same time, they needed to prepare for the wedding that was rapidly approaching.

Ryan closed his eyes, feeling the wind coming through the carriage window. Though the breeze was cool, there was a strange warmth within it.

He looked forward to it.

The future he would share with the love now sleeping on his shoulder.