# 1
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“Put that gun down, Ariana Clifford,” the man shouted in a stern voice in the bedroom that was completely devoid of warmth.
However, despite her husband's words, the blonde woman did not move at all.
Ariana Clifford's face, reflected in the moonlight streaming through the arched window, was as pale as a glass bead.
However, the blue eyes looking at her husband were empty because of the despair that swept through her.
“…Kenneth”
Her husband, Duke Kenneth Clifford, was the most powerful person in the Cremisa Empire and the man who held the strings of the royal family's purse like a rein.
Those who are above others never reveal their weaknesses to others. Therefore, his dark blue hair was always neatly styled, and his perfectly tailored suit hugged his large, sleek body without a mess.
But his hair is now wet and disheveled, and he wears light clothing consisting of an open white shirt and faded black pants.
Can people who only see Kenneth in action imagine this?
'If a woman wants to sleep with that person, then yes.'
In fact, I felt no excitement when I was pulled into the seat next to him three years ago.
No matter how sculpted his body is, how can you admire him?
On that body that was flawless, there were gunshot wounds that looked like the ruler had burned them with fire?
It's not just gunshot wounds.
There were also traces of dagger cuts all over his upper body.
Every time I saw that sign, I choked with guilt that was like a noose.
Kenneth also noticed what she was thinking about the scar.
He raised an eyebrow with a sarcasm that suited him perfectly.
“You're finally thinking about killing me. I like you, Ariana.”
'And what's even more astonishing is the thought of shooting him to death.'
Because he is the vanguard of diplomacy, he is a man who is subjected to assassination attempts every few days.
What can I say after my life was miraculously saved from a shooting when I was 21?
So, even if Ariana threatened him with a gun, there's no way he would be afraid.
He took a leisurely step towards me.
From the top of my head to my tailbone, a feeling of fear ran through me as if the fur on my entire body was standing still.
“Shoot if you want.”
“Did you think there would be someone to save you after that?”
“…Clearly there will be no one,”
Ariana smiled watery.
Her family betrayed the Cliffords, with whom they had been in contact for a long time, and she herf married Kenneth's political enemy.
Although the marriage ended in half a day, the shame lasted forever.
And Kenneth, who won the political battle, took Ariana as his wife. It was a glorious trophy and evidence of the Clifford family's generous generosity.
“Don't let the Duchess get involved in household chores.”
Even if he cut off Ariana's hands and feet and did not treat her like a proper wife, she had to endure it.
Thanks to this, all Ariana could do was sit next to Duke Clifford and smile.
Naturally, the public's outlook was harsh. If he had been friendly inside the palace, I would have been willing to put up with it, but he certainly nailed it from the first night.
“We have no children”
There were nights when there was no affection and no way to express pain.
“Because I do not intend to see my successor in you.”
And the next day, when I woke up alone, I felt abandoned, I was even more miserable.
Do we dare to call this a natural marital relationship?
Wouldn't it be strange if guards and criminals lived side by side?
However, Ariana endured it, grateful to be alive.
I could have lived as a sinner for the rest of my life...
But what if the baby doesn't come at all?
“But Kenneth, you didn't have to be so cold to our child.”
Even though it was a loveless time, it paid off in the end.
The child she finally gave birth to was a daughter.
Even though I was a mother in this situation, I wanted to love her the best I could.
“You will be my only family”
However, after seeing the light of the world, the child quickly entered the cold land.
And Kenneth...
“I didn't want you to cry. However, shouldn't we grieve together a little?”
On the day of the little girl's funeral, he looked at the grave indifferently and walked away.
Didn't he feel sorry for his daughter who was buried without an epitaph?
In response to her question, Kenneth crossed his arms.
As soon as I saw that cold expression, I was actually able to anticipate the answer I would soon hear.
“…why should I do that?”
“Kenneth-”
“This kid was wrong.”
He said the word “wrong” clearly, as if he wanted to drive a nail into Ariana’s ear.
Only the corners of his mouth began to distort from his calm face.
“This makes me cry, Ariana. When I hear this, I can tell you love your baby.”
“What kind of hypocritical woman like you...”
“You think so”
Ariana smiled slightly and raised the gun.
But the gun was pointed at her temple, not at him.
At that moment, the dark purple clouds outside the window obscured the moon, so its expression could not be seen.
But even that doesn't matter.
“Ariana”
“Kenneth”
“Don't do anything stupid and leave him now.”
“Our baby girl’s name is Beatrice. It means blessing.”
It wouldn't have been a blessing if I didn't love this baby.
This wouldn't have been possible if she hadn't still loved Kenneth, her punisher.
“I actually... the day I was about to die... I was going to tell you that I liked you.”
Tak-! The sound of the gun lock being lowered rang out clearly.
Ariana smiled resignedly.
“I mean it”
She didn't admit her feelings until before she died.
Although it was miserable, I felt relieved, as if I had lifted a heavy stone.
Only then did the moonlight faintly creep into the room through the window again.
What kind of expression does Kenneth make?
“Ari-”
Kadang-!
However, the muzzle of the gun was so close to Ariana's head that she could not see this last expression clearly.
Duchess Ariana Clifford died at the age of twenty-three.
Obviously it was a complete suicide with no way to act in front of her husband.
* * *
If you are a dying person, you will definitely see the magic light.
Ariana, daughter of Viscount Aberdeen, also recalled all the moments leading up to her death.
However, in that short life, there were far more anxiety-filled moments than beautiful ones.
It was her mother, Josephina Aberdeen, who had this influence.
After the death of her husband, the poor Viscount, her mother devoted all her affection to her eldest son, Quentin.
Quentin, who was three years her senior, was a pillar of the renaissance of the Aberdeen family, which barely had a single employee.
So naturally, the goodies went to Quentin first, including Ariana's favorite candy.
The cakes, consisting of layers of sponge cake soaked in honey and filled with strawberries and small fruits, only appeared when Quentin returned for vacation from the academy.
As if you should realize from now on that there are different levels of maternal affection.
“It's for your brother, Ariana!”
If Ariana extended her hand as if fascinated by the cake, Josefina immediately slapped the back of her hand.
'I want to eat too'
Ariana swallowed but didn't say anything.
Quentin looked sorry, but he didn't give up on him.
Although he was not evil by nature, he did not really feel the need to give up the love that was given to him.
“I'm sorry, Ariana. However, you have to give in to being a good sister.”
“Yes...”
“If our family improves quickly, I will feed you often.”
Ariana nodded without saying a word.
'If our family's situation improves, my mother will take care of me, right?'
Even if it meant pushing her to the background, Ariana enjoyed seeing Quentin back from school. Because my mother's hitting became less frequent.
When I was ten years old, my brother's friend came to visit me for the first time.
Kenneth Clifford.
Is there anyone in the Cremisa Empire who doesn't know the boy's last name?
“The imperial castle is in Claude’s hand, and the imperial wallet is in Clifford’s hand!”
Clifford's House has been on people's lips so much that it has become a kind of saying.
“Is Clifford that great?”
On the day of the young man's arrival, Ariana's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
My brother was proud when one of the high-ranking members of his class arrived and introduced Ariana.
"Kenneth, this is my sister! Ariana, this is the friend I was talking about. Do you remember?"
“Ah”
Ariana greeted as gently as she had learned, but opened her eyes as wide as she could. It was to examine the opponent in detail.
But she soon realized that this measure was a major defeat.
“Prince Clifford” was more beautiful than the angel statue in the palace.