# 43
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Emily's features lit up with joy upon hearing Ariana's instructions.
“A seamstress, aren’t you…! I’ll ask the bellman about it!”
“Okay, I'll put it in your hands. Later, please send a letter to Miss Clark.”
"Yes! I'll also make sure you know where the post office is here, ma'am!"
Ariana smiled softly as she watched Emily run out excitedly like a little horse.
But her mouth automatically closed when she saw the scene through the corridor from which Emily had emerged.
Since the residence was smaller than the palace, the “husband’s bedroom” was much closer. Close enough to reach if she wanted.
Kenneth had been busy upon his arrival, but eventually he would go back to sleeping with her.
‘…I was pregnant with Baby in late fall this year.’
Will she be able to meet her baby this time too?
* * *
Upon his arrival at the port of Elysia, Kenneth had a busy time, taking advantage of even the moments of mobility.
In the morning, he had meetings with local businessmen, and then he had to visit business sites himf.
It was so intense that Roger bowed in apology first.
“Sorry the schedule is so tight...”
“It doesn't matter.”
Kenneth replied tery while taking a short nap in the car.
Anyway, he was always alert, so this degree of fatigue wasn't a big deal.
Moreover, he was happy with this intense schedule because it reduced him having to think about Ariana.
'To go to Ariana's bedroom unconsciously.'
It was clear that he had become unusually dull.
But Roger, who was looking at the site passing through the window, lit up his face.
"The hotel can be seen from here too, Sir Duke. It seems like everyone's dream to stay there, doesn't it?"
Of course, a building overlooking the sea must be amazing. But when Kenneth turned his head without thinking, his eyes were drawn to another scene.
Close to the hotel, there was a small tower building with pale walls overlooking the sea.
“And what is that building?”
“What? Oh, that’s St. Colette’s.”
“Is there a church here too...?”
“Yes, it is said that it has been there since the previous Duke started his business here.”
As Kenneth stared silently at the church, Roger swallowed. It was feared, though unlikely, that Kenneth would order the church demolished for the sake of the view.
But Kenneth wasn't thinking of anything extreme or profane.
He suddenly felt a strange feeling of déjà vu.
'Have I been in this building before?'
He wasn't supposed to have visited, but he felt a strange familiarity.
“Saint Colette, I had never heard of this saint before.”
Roger rushed to flip through his notebook when he heard Kenneth mutter. An excellent secretary, he had to immediately answer anything that aroused his master's curiosity.
Fortunately, when he found part of his prior research on the area, his eyes lit up.
“Sir, Saint Colette is the patron saint of sick mothers and children.”
Roger continued explaining as he looked at his notebook.
“… About hundreds of years ago, an epidemic swept through this area, and many children died. It is said that she saved many children, so the church was named after her.”
"my lord?"
Roger was surprised by Kenneth's silence. It wasn't that Kenneth was ignoring his words, but rather he seemed to be thinking deeply about what he said.
This was strange for a duke who was not particularly religious.
“...Would you like to visit it? There will be a charity gathering there later, but-”
“Let's go now.”
Although his assistant said that there was no need to go now, Kenneth decided immediately.
Although he is not the type to visit places outside the schedule unnecessarily.
* * *
The Church of Saint Colette, compared to the churches of the capital, was devoid of luxurious decoration and, at best, could be described as simple.
However, Kenneth looked out into the quiet interior, where there were no weekday services, furrowing his brow.
Except for the sunlight filtering through the stained glass, there was nothing special.
But he walked up to the altar, and wiped it with his hand somewhat disrespectfully.
Are the effects of the medication still affecting him?
Was it his imagination or did he see drops of blood when he passed his hand?
'I'm sure I've never been to this place before.'
But at that moment, he heard a woman's gentle voice from behind him.
“Oh my God, I came again.”
Kenneth did not hear her steps, so he turned around with a sharp face.
Fortunately, the nun seemed harmless, so Kenneth lowered his guard and smiled faintly.
After his life hit bottom, he became cold, but he didn't intend to show it to a religious person he met for the first time.
“It seems that someone similar has visited here.”
“Ah...so, did you come to pray for a sick child?”
"no."
He almost laughed sarcastically.
child? This is very far from his life now.
“So, for your wife?”
Praying for Ariana. This was twice as funny.
But instead of mocking, he said calmly as if he was blowing out smoke.
“…There is something worth praying for. She came down with a sudden fever in the spring.”
Ariana has changed since she recovered from a sudden fever.
But what changed the most was himf.
'I can't stand Ariana's changes.'
Even though he regained his position and took his revenge, he felt silly for being influenced by one woman.
He felt like he was being foolish by scolding her for sticking with him.
But the nun, who knew nothing about his insides, smiled faintly.
“I hope this concern gets through.”
Kenneth did not respond with any specific comment.
You wouldn't understand if he said it wasn't anxiety but aversion and annoyance.
But the nun, as if she knew everything, smiled kindly and bade him farewell.
“I hope you are blessed on your next visit.”
Kenneth stared sharply at the figure that had disappeared into the shadows. He did not like the ambiguous style of speech that brought up buried memories.
This place he visits for the first time, the illusion of seeing blood on the altar, everything.
'Maybe it's really time to change medications.'
He slowly nodded to Roger who was waiting at the main door.
“I wasted time. Let's go.”
“Yes, sir.”
But before he crossed the threshold, Kenneth turned over his shoulder one last time.
The nun who was just there has disappeared. Instead, words, as if from an ancient dream, passed like smoke into his memory.
“So, our promise will last until the baby’s third birthday.”
God, maybe I should really cut back on the medication.
He shook his head slowly and left St. Colette's Church.
* * *
During her stay in Port Elysia, Ariana was given a private office.
Although no one expected anything from her, she had to show the appearance of work because of other people's eyes, so this place was arranged.
However, when she arrived at the beautiful room, she felt as joyful as a child.
'Wow, my own office.'
Even in the ducal palace, she had a room that she sometimes used for signings, but it was not a designated place for “the business of the lady of the house.” The office shine felt different.
'From today, my mission is to review the plans for the opening ceremony, right?'
This was the issue that Roger Engels ignored during the train journey.
Since Emily said, “I wish you could teach him a lesson, ma'am!”, Ariana decided to go all out this time.
‘The general hotel decorations have been prepared in advance, but I can at least review the details.’
The number of invitees, whether it will be divided into two parts, the general colors, and even the decorative flowers that will be placed in the napkins.
At that moment, Emily came in, excited about the new room.
"Ma'am! I have accomplished everything you asked for!"
“Oh, so fast?”
“Yes, Miss Clark said she would come as soon as I told her about the schedule, and I also found the card of the most famous tailor here!”
“Great job, Emily.”
The tailor's wages were paid in cash, and if you deliberately saved enough, it would be perfect as escape money.
'It seems that preparations are going well.'
But, as if a warning not to be hasty, Emily lowered her voice cautiously.
“But, ma'am, did Mrs. Byrne tell you beforehand that she was coming here?”
“What? No...”
“Then why is there such a fuss in the hotel reception about Mrs. Byrne’s reception?”