# 32
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Edith had already wished on the Byrne family cruise ship: “If I could have an affair with the Duchess.”
But she did not go to church often, so she was very surprised when the Lord answered her prayers so quickly, especially with an invitation to an outdoor tea banquet hosted by the Duchess!
'Most likely, I won't be able to enter the palace itf.'
While she was concealing her regret and feigning indifference, the Duchess who had sent the invitation approached, smiling.
“Hello, Miss Clark.”
“Thank you for the invitation, Madam Duchess.”
Edith greeted politely as she faced Ariana Clifford.
Thinking back, I heard that she is only twenty-one years old, but she has twice as many titles as the others.
Edith felt unreal as she saw this character smiling sweetly and offering her a cup of tea.
“I saw the newly printed fashion plates. They were amazing and I enjoyed looking at them.”
“Thank you, ma'am.”
This wasn't her primary profession, so she wasn't particularly proud of it… But the Duchess's next words made Edith's gray eyes widen.
“So I thought, I would like Miss Clark to design my clothes for upcoming events.”
“Will that be difficult? If this offer is a burden on your current work, tell me frankly.”
“No! No, of course not!”
To refuse such an offer? Even if the weather in Lentia is sunny all year round, this is unbelievable. Does the opportunity to approach a prominent figure in the upper class roll over so easily?
“Just assign me the task. Even if you are outside the capital, I will visit you as soon as you ask.”
“Really thanks for your positive outlook. But I have one question.”
“Yes, be honest.”
“Do you intend to just stay in this business, Miss Clarke?”
"… What?"
Edith's glowing smile quivered like fog. She couldn't comprehend the purpose of this question, while Ariana Clifford's smile was very gentle.
“Aren’t you planning to try something else? For example, topics for the social page... like what the ‘Protector’ newspaper publishes in the capital-”
“Miss Clarke?”
Edith almost choked on the tea she drank from the sheer surprise. The Protector was the real newspaper she worked for.
'What is this?'
Did this woman, who looks like she couldn't kill a bug, find out that I'm working undercover?
* * *
On Kenneth's desk in the workroom, there were two issues at hand.
The first relates to increasing the number of new nobles in the Council of Nobles, and the second relates to a commercial project in the port of Elysia.
Roger opened up the conversation about the first case.
“We have put monitors on new members. If a new member appears, we will appoint additional people.”
“Good. Make sure reports from the capital to the south are arranged smoothly.”
"Good."
After much thought, Kenneth decided to tour the South.
Although officials in the south said that they would “address all troublesome matters before receiving him,” he could not remain idle.
But Roger seemed hesitant for another reason.
“But are you really going to take the lady with you?”
The Duke's family was seeking to break free from the influence of the Imperial Palace in Lentia, and establish a new social society under its complete control. Therefore, 'Duchess Clifford' must be a queen reigning in Elysia Port.
It was clear why Ariana had never entered that land before.
An Aberdeen woman could never be crowned with such a crown.
Everyone also believed that this crown would go to Theodora Byrne.
Kenneth frowned as he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
“Leaving her here will cause more headaches.”
Recently, whenever he closed his eyes, he remembered the moment Ariana cried while covering her face with her hands.
[I, like this, in front of others... became an object of ridicule because I became attached to you in order to survive.]
Everything she said was true, and it was good that she realized her situation.
But, while he may have been the one insulting her, seeing her crumble under the taunts of others in his absence enraged him.
Recently, everything related to Ariana has not gone as he wanted.
Leaving her here would only make him anxious.
“So there's no way out this time. Make sure you manage the servants' behavior well, Roger.”
"… Good."
Roger answered, but he was hesitant. When they go there, the opinions and taste of the Duchess will in many cases be essential.
Roger did not expect the Aberdeen woman to do the job so well.
What could a woman who was attached to the heir prince and seize treasures do?
In the end, the burdens will fall on those close to him like him.
That was clear.
“I will make sure that the preparations go without any glitches.”
There was a lot to prepare for this trip south.
Since protection is important during long travel, Ruger also decided to carry a silver pistol this time.
* * *
The conversation with Edith Clarke seemed to be going well, but the more Ariana remembered her reaction, the more confused she felt.
'Why did she look so confused?'
When she recalled her previous life, she thought that Edith was an ambitious person in other areas of coverage.
Therefore, she planned to keep her close under the pretext of current work, and then use the appropriate time to urge her to reveal her experiences in the Imperial Palace.
'Because Edith Clarke interviewed textile factory workers.'
Because of that article, factory owners who imposed deadly working conditions were criticized. Thanks to this, months before Ariana's death, labor law amendments were seriously discussed.
‘In my case… I don’t know what the outcome will be.’
‘The Palace’s abuse of Ariana personally’ may not seem important in the eyes of others compared to ‘The Palace’s harm to the Clifford family’.
But when she remembered the children's clothes that the Empress had sent, she felt a black fire in her chest.
The malice of sending something that won't be used is no different than threatening Andrew to "smash her eyes out with a candlestick."
“Okay, ma’am. Please, contact me when needed.”
Since Edith agreed and withdrew, we could gradually move forward with her. But after the surprise guest's reception was over, the main maid came this time.
“Ma’am, I apologize for the inconvenience.”
“What's wrong?”
“The Duke asks for you. He said he wanted you in the workroom.”
“Workroom…?”
Kenneth was afraid that she would l inside secrets, so he did not allow her into the workroom for the duration of their marriage.
So what has changed?
She headed to the work room feeling somewhat nervous, so Ariana closed her mouth forcefully in front of the majestic aura emanating from within.
The room was filled with organized shelves containing business documents belonging to the Duke's family.
It was very different from Quentin's old workroom.
‘Amazing.’
I realized again how this man was able to regain his position in such a short time. This was an amazing achievement compared to those who destroyed the Duke's ancient works with their greed.
Ariana looked warily at Kenneth who summoned her.
He looked as usual, dressed from head to toe in overalls, as if no needle could pierce him.
“You summoned me?”
"Yes."
Ariana expected that he would scold her coldly and hurt her, so she prepared herf for that.
But, contrary to her expectations, he handed her a document the likes of which she had never seen before.
'Wait? This is the business document of the Duke family.’
The document was a submission for a commercial website. As Ariana opened her eyes wide, Kenneth explained briefly.
“This summer, we will head to the port of Ilysia. See this document to understand the nature of the place.”
“What? Why…?”
She almost said: “Haven’t you been avoiding going during the summer social season?” But she held back her tongue with difficulty.
When did he go south before? Late summer?
The period was not clear in her mind, but she is certain that it was before she had Baby.
“But, the summer social season has already begun, right? Is it okay for you to go now?”
“Social events return in the winter, so that’s okay.”
Kenneth laughed sarcastically. Even though it was the beginning of summer, the man's face exuded a dry coldness.
“Why? Were you hoping I would leave you in the capital?”
"no."
She was honest. Of course, his sarcasm was a little annoying.
The trip to Ilesia takes about a week by luxury train.
Since invitations will flow from everywhere in the south, responding to them will only make the summer go by quickly.
Ariana replied expressionlessly, averting her gaze slightly.
“You have realized my true usefulness this time, haven't you? "You can't leave me here."
“Exactly”
Kenneth laughed coldly and extended his hand to her.
“Then, come here”