# 45
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The Byrne family's pavilion was located on the border between Port Elysia and Port Miller. From the Place Hotel, it required traveling by car, but walking was somewhat possible.
For an aristocratic pavilion, it was a small two-story house, hidden by a wind-blocking forest on the coast, making it a place that would go unnoticed if you didn't look at it carefully.
And since last year, Count Bayern has been secretly hiding Andrew Claude here.
The Crown Prince fled to a foreign country immediately after Kenneth's miraculous return.
He abandoned his former luxurious life and endured a life of exile. But because of Kenneth's men's relentless pursuit, he did not dare to communicate with the imperial family.
Fortunately, since the Byrne family was a pioneer in the shipping business, they were able to bring him here safely.
'Under everyone's nose. How angry Kenneth would be if he knew.'
On arriving at the ward, Theodora felt a strange excitement as she thought of him.
As much as she admired this cold man who seemed like he wouldn't bleed even if he was stabbed, she now felt a unique thrill from his deception.
I don't want him to hate me. But the feeling of playing over his head is fun.
'And I will be Kenneth's savior.'
After returning Andrew to the imperial family in time, the Emperor would push Duke Clifford to lead the war.
'They say preparations have already begun in the capital...'
But if Kenneth chose her, she was confident that she would protect him from all those threats.
All she has to do is make sure the Byrne family's betrayal isn't discovered.
You have succeeded so far, and you will continue to do so until the end.
Theodora headed to a basement decorated as a men's club. When she crossed the threshold, she saw a man with reddish-brown hair lying shamelessly on a comfortable sofa.
Solid wine bottles scattered on the floor, a destroyed candlestick, and black spots that look like traces of blood.
And Andrew, with a tired look and confused eyes, greeted her with a wry smile.
“Oh, isn't that Mrs. Byrne?”
“Are you all right, Your Highness?”
“It's been a long time. You're prettier than you were last time.”
“Thank you. Your Highness is still-”
Theodora tried to say something polite like “He's still handsome” or whatever compliment befits a man.
But the man in front of her did not fit this kind of elegant description. He exuded an unbelievably vulgar feeling that he was of imperial blood.
'It wasn't like this before.'
He maintained the image of an elegant crown prince in front of upper-class women. For this reason, he was considered a good candidate for marriage at one point.
But, does a person’s true nature reveal when he runs out of patience?
Andrew asked nonchalantly as he poured the wine.
“By the way, where is the Count?”
“My father is busy preparing for your safe return to the capital, so he was unable to attend. I apologize.”
“Apologizing for what? When I return, I will ensure that the Bayern family enjoys the highest glory. I will ask my father to make you my bride, Theodora.”
“This is too much.”
But for my mother-in-law to be like your mother? This is not worth it.
Even if an angel descended to be her daughter-in-law, she would find faults in him.
Theodora sneered inwardly and took a step back.
“…But, they say Kenneth is here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“So, he came with that Aberdeen girl?”
Aberdeen girl. Theodora nodded smiling at the Crown Prince's question.
"Yes, this is correct."
“Ha.”
Andrew laughed sarcastically as he poured more wine.
At first, it was just the spoils he took from Kenneth, nothing more.
It was fun to see her suffer in the public eye.
As the Crown Prince, he thought he could get more beautiful women easily.
But after returning from exile, he reluctantly realized that girls with such beauty were rare.
“I will take that girl. When the time comes, I will snatch her away from Kenneth and take her away.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And have only blonde-haired maids serve me.”
“What? What do you mean...”
“Maids, Mrs. Byrne.”
Andrew revealed his intentions with a frown on his brow, as if asking why you were pretending to be innocent.
“The current maids are so ugly, my eyes are tired.”
“If there is no choice, I will tolerate the blue-eyed ones, so choose carefully.”
Theodora's brows furrowed.
It was shocking and disgusting that he would make such a vulgar request to a lady like her in public.
‘What a hateful man… he has fooled everyone so far.’
It was surprising that he had managed to hide his true nature until now. Perhaps it was his feeling of inferiority towards Kenneth that suppressed these traits.
How ridiculous it was that the Empress was praising “my dear, innocent and kind son Andy.”
'Well, it's not so bad for me.'
Waste is more valuable when it behaves like waste, paradoxically.
When that “parasitic” girl throws it away to this man one day, this suffering will have meaning.
Theodora smiled kindly, bowed slightly, and then got up.
“Yes, Your Highness. I will carry out your orders.”
* * *
Since Theodora Byrne arrived at the Place Hotel like a hurricane, she hasn't stuck to Ariana like she did on the first day.
As she said, “I came to perform my father’s duties as an agent,” she actively attended business meetings.
But the more Theodora focused on work, the more conversations aimed at disparaging Ariana arose in the hallways.
“Lady Byrne says she will inspect the interiors on behalf of the Count as she goes.”
“Great… Aren’t you tired of moving around?”
"Why don't they give her a room here? Why are they being so stingy?"
Ariana ignored the intended rumors to hear, but Emily seemed very angry about the situation.
"This is the Duke's project! It is natural that you should be here, madam, while she should stay out! They have the Bayern family suite! And what gets tired? The tires of Bayern's car, not her feet!"
Ariana smiled sadly at Emily's anger.
She completely agreed with her, but changing everyone's opinions was not possible.
'I hope I don't encounter her too much while I'm here.'
But in the end, Theodora came to Ariana's office with Roger.
“Hello, ma'am?”
“Good evening, Mrs. Byrne. You seem very active, which is a pleasure.”
It was a biting hint that she was putting in a lot of effort to decorate a place that would one day fall into her hands.
Theodora was not oblivious to this meaning, so she smiled elegantly.
“Active? I’m just doing my duty. It may not seem like it, but I came as an agent for the Byrne family.”
“Of course. Hello, Mr. Ingalls.”
“Hello. I came with papers to sign.”
Without a friendly greeting, Roger placed a thick stack of papers on Ariana's desk. It was thick enough to look majestic despite being just leaves.
It was clear that they had prepared everything for the opening ceremony themves and only came to obtain Ariana's “nominal” approval.
“These are all the necessary arrangements for the opening ceremony.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“There's nothing to worry about, so there's no need to read the whole thing. Just sign at the bottom of the last page, ma'am.”
“Just a moment, Mr. Engels.”
Ariana looked up from the first page she was about to start reading.
No matter how much people despised her, she would not ignore principles.
'If one mistake happens here, I'll be blamed.'
She was not afraid of blame. In fact, relieving her annoying work wasn't so bad.
But she wanted to avoid any problems on the day of the concert that might cause variables with Kenneth.
Ariana replied calmly but firmly.
“I said on the train, ‘I will review everything carefully.’”
“What? To save your time, ma’am-”
“You don't have to worry about my time, Mr. Engels.”
She endured three years in the ducal palace.
Her strong patience was enough to bear 100 pages of documents.
“I will review everything and ask questions if something is not clear.”
“Madam-”
“So, wait comfortably while I review.”
At these words, Theodora and Roger's features trembled slightly.
There was no etiquette that allowed sitting and waiting in front of the lady of the family.