# 31
---
In front of Ariana, who was silenced by extreme malice, the Messenger recited a greeting that concealed evil behind it.
“Her Majesty said she hoped this would please the Duchess of good taste, and she sincerely wished for the birth of an heir to the Duke’s family.”
“Madam, here are the words of thanks you would like to convey.”
“Say that I will gratefully respond to the wishes of Her Majesty the Empress.”
Ariana answered firmly. She knew very well that he would return and inform the Empress of everything.
'He's examining my facial expression smugly now.'
But she did not want to give him something that could crush her and devour her with.
“I will accept this with gratitude, considering it the sincere intention of Her Majesty the Empress that is not ashamed before the Lord.”
At these words, the Messenger's lips curved inward.
* * *
That night, Ariana stood alone in her bedroom, looking at the robe lying on the bed.
In her previous life, Kenneth did not come to Baby's christening.
[The Duke said he could not attend due to Council business]
A father does not appear at the most important event in his daughter's life!
While Ariana was having the christening ceremony alone, she felt deep sadness as she imagined Baby's future.
Will Kenneth miss Baby's birthdays this way too?
Will my daughter be okay under the care of an inattentive father? Will you grow up like me, living under the watchful eye of my mother and brother?
What about me, won't I get hurt every time on such occasions?
...But at that moment, the door opened in the darkness and Kenneth appeared.
Ariana stared at him with sunken eyes, wearing a robe.
'Wasn't the relationship once a month?'
Well... since her usefulness now lies in bed matters, it is not surprising that he would come at any time.
Kenneth approached her and frowned.
"What is this?"
“They said it was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Ha.”
“...Did you know that something like this would happen, Sir Duke?”
"Yes."
The day has come because of this very reason.
When Kenneth threatened the Empress, he expected something to arrive that would give her a slight sense of triumph.
'Pushing her into the pool was a really dirty joke.'
But why did they send this while he was away? He came to inspect it, and discovered that the Empress was more narrow-minded than he expected, and had not yet regained her mind.
“They said it was an apology for the cruise incident, but unfortunately they sent something much more dramatic.”
Kenneth grabbed the baby's robe on the bed.
The thin cloth piled up in his long, solid hand, and then fell like a white ghost between his fingers to the ground.
“Sending something we won’t use shows malicious intent.”
When Ariana saw the child's clothes piled on the floor, her lips trembled.
When she returned to this life, she was determined to strengthen her heart and defend herf. But because of this unexpected gift, an old sadness that she had painstakingly buried seeped out as if a thread had been snapped.
“You seem to be happy with this, my lord duke.”
"What?"
“You want to see my punishment, don't you?”
“...You? What punishment do you receive?”
“Me, like this, in front of others... My family all died knowing it, and I, the only one who clung to you and tried to live, became an object of ridicule.”
Ariana covered her face with her hands. She tried to hold on, but her voice began to turn into crying.
“Everyone knows that I will be replaced in due time, so receiving such things is punishment.”
Pain tangled like threads in a mess. But at that moment, Kenneth let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Ha.”
In fact, contrary to his laughter, he was feeling angry.
Should he have increased the Imperial Palace's budget further? He thought he threatened them in an obvious way, but the palace still didn't understand. But more than that, he felt pain in his chest from seeing Ariana collapsed.
This woman is guilty, and he is the keeper.
That's how it's supposed to be, but seeing the comet collapsing didn't make him happy.
But to deny this feeling, Kenneth looked into her tear-filled blue eyes with a cold look.
“You have chosen the wrong opponent, and worse.”
“My lord the duke...”
“You caused this chaos because of your conflict with the Empress, and do you think that one gift will fix the matter as if you are confessing your sin?”
“But, at that time...”
“If you know who you have to please, act right.”
“...I apologize, I misspoke.”
Ariana regained her composure with difficulty, and rubbed her eyes violently with her sleeve.
“I also dare not dream of a child from you, my lord Duke.”
“It will be a hindrance to the child the next woman will have.”
In fact, she longed to meet Bibi more than anyone else.
But if she said so, Kenneth might cut off his visits altogether, considering them empty dreams.
She had to get over this moment quickly.
Ariana straightened her expression, raising her head without showing any further weakness.
“You came because today is relationship day, right? Have a rest.”
“It seems you keep misunderstanding.”
Kenneth scolded her, pulling her robe violently.
“The effort to comfort me must come from you.”
* * *
That night was harsh, different from the nights on the ship.
At that time, Kenneth was quietly entertaining her, but this time he did not hide the intensity of his temper. He was terrifying, looking at her from above, as if he were going to devour her without a word.
Sometimes, when Ariana moved, she would see the child's robe crumpled on the floor.
[Sorry, baby. Looks like your father won't come today]
When she remembered herf hugging the child and lying to comfort her, sadness mixed in her head.
In those moments, she deliberately clinged to his neck more, trying to let the physical sensations overpower her sadness.
The next morning, Ariana is left alone. When she lifted her aching body with difficulty, the child's white clothes were still lying miserably.
“Ha…”
But when she saw it in the light of day, another feeling gradually began to grow instead of sadness.
Extreme anger. Deep resentment.
Ariana was planning to catch Baby safely, then give up on everything that happened before she committed suicide and left.
She dreamed of a fresh, pure beginning with her precious daughter. She did not want to embrace her child in a negative state of mind this time.
She did not want to waste her energy in conflicts with dirty and brutal people.
But why is everyone acting like they're itching to make fun of her?
Ariana pressed the pager to call for Emily. When Emily saw Ariana standing among the torn pieces of white cloth, she looked shocked.
“Ma’am, are you okay? Oh my God, this-”
“…Emily, put this away so that no one can see it, and prepare to summon someone immediately.”
"Ah, yes! Who should I call?"
“Edith Clark. The one who designed my dress.”
During the horrific courtship, her voice was silenced, no one believed her, and she was left in a miserable state, which made her hate the imperial palace so much.
So, if Ariana decides to raise her nails against them, it's all their doing.
* * *
Damian was still staying in the suite attached to Clifford's Palace.
He could have moved to a hotel, but since communication with his country was smooth, he saw no need to move immediately.
That morning, Damian looked at the telegram that had arrived for several minutes. Even when he managed to make a sound, only an intermittent moan came out, causing the servant to look at him worriedly.
'Heh, heh.'
'Sir, are you okay? Did something happen in the palace?'
'It has been approved.'
'What?' Consent...you mean!'
Assistants in his country presented an additional plan included with the original plan, including a department store project, and it was finally submitted.
Thus, Luang outmaneuvered the stronger Strogen and won the royal investment.
Damian couldn't help but run his hand across his forehead several times after deciding that the extra plan had made the difference.
'Huh…'
Although he was the one who came up with the idea, it would not have worked without courage.
'I would still boil inside and turn into a boiled frog.'
Therefore, Damian must be thinking about the woman in the main duke's palace.
Ariana Clifford was Fortuna*, and there was good reason for her light push of him.
*Gods of luck in their beliefs