# 47
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Kenneth looked at Ariana.
The word that her little mouth spoke greatly disturbed his nerves.
"mistress?"
She seemed to remember well what he said on the train.
To respond to him this way...
'If it were in the past, I would have made fun of her wonderful memory.'
Strange… He always thought that hurting Ariana's feelings didn't matter to him.
Sometimes he even felt pleasure when she hurt.
You can't escape from my hand like this.
He was supposed to feel a dark pleasure at the thought, but now it was different. The same feeling of repulsion he felt when he saw Ariana collapse over the dress the Empress had sent earlier.
He tilted his head slightly and looked at her, but this time his voice was calm and devoid of sarcasm.
“So, should I have kicked Theodora and Roger out of there?”
“Think carefully. Compare what these two have done for this family with what you have given. What would have happened if Quentin had taken over this place too?”
“In comparison, you are just an additional cost to take care of yourf.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”
Ariana was silent.
Her desires were simple.
For her husband to defend her. To say, even faly, that her opinions are the best. Even if he doesn't actually use her opinions.
But having to explain in detail what she wanted from her husband was miserable as a woman.
And trying to improve a relationship that would end up meaningless was also like that.
"Nothing. I'll wait in the bedroom."
“No need. Don’t wait.”
Kenneth reprimanded her sharply for her uncooperative response.
It was good for her to know her place, but putting herf down like this was no longer acceptable to him.
Especially when she is still pale-faced... Bedroom what?
“Look at your appearance in the mirror. Is that a face that turns a man on?”
"If I lay you down, you'll look like a corpse. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of hobby."
But you made a baby with a woman like me.
Ariana muttered sarcastically to herf.
When Kenneth turned to go back to the ballroom, Ariana saw someone watching them from the end of the corridor.
Theodora was covering half her mouth and laughing lightly.
'I've heard everything.'
I heard Ariana say she was less than a lover, and Kenneth didn't deny it.
Although her pride was not something she displayed, Theodora's arrogant smile was bothering her a little.
'But thanks to that, you won't act so arrogant for a while.'
Sorry, baby. The road to you is more difficult than I expected.
'But don't worry...'
All she has to do is focus on preparing for a safe life with her daughter.
* * *
After Theodora saw how Kenneth rejected Ariana before her eyes, she felt in a good mood.
She was afraid that this body would tempt Kenneth daily, but it seemed that she was wrong.
“Duke, this is the amended report.”
Theodora smiled brightly and handed a revised plan to Kenneth.
The business officials who heard the report were tolerant, as if they were seeing their youngest daughter being chosen as the most beautiful rose at the debut ceremony.
“…We were planning to use two large halls, but to avoid people being dispersed, we will only open a medium-sized hall. Instead, we will open the main door connected to the balcony and the entire beach garden.”
Everyone nodded in agreement on this point. Their gazes were full of admiration, especially since she had taken care of the cruise ship's decorations on her own.
On the other hand, Roger, standing one step behind Theodora, felt uncomfortable and avoided his master's gaze.
'Of course, Lady Byrne is more suitable for a gentleman than an Aberdeen girl.'
One day, Ariana Aberdeen will become “non-existent” in the Duke’s family. After a few generations, its existence will be completely erased. But this was a bit embarrassing.
Especially since what she said on the site was not wrong.
[There is a plan to open two large halls, won't that cause people to be distracted during the opening speech?]
Rather, it would have been better to gather the invitees in a medium-sized hall, even if it was smaller, because control would be easier.
Ariana was the one who noticed the details when inspecting the site, and realized the mistakes in the haphazard planning based on DC's assumptions.
'But is it okay for her to present it as if it's her own idea?'
He knew he shouldn't think that way about his future lady, but he felt increasingly worried that he might have made the wrong decision.
“Okay, I'll review it... but Roger.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I've never allowed ivy decorations before.”
Roger's face, contrasting with his red hair, flushed with embarrassment at Kenneth's comment.
“Ah, this-”
It was Mrs. Byrne who insisted on adding it, and she had asked Roger several times to do so. He didn't think it was an exaggeration at the time.
But thinking about it now, after things were over, it seemed like a mismanagement of the business.
But before Roger could say anything, Theodora quickly intervened.
“Mr. Engels, didn't I say it was an exaggeration?”
“I suggested it first...but I should have checked more carefully. My apologies, Sir Duke.”
Roger felt like he had been hit in the back of the head, but he regained his composure.
He couldn't embarrass the lady, so he had to bow more clearly, even if it hurt his pride a little.
“I apologize, sir. I made an error in judgement.”
"… Good."
Kenneth looked at their faces alternately and smiled slightly.
He knew what happened. People's faults are difficult to correct.
He returned the documents to the middle of the table.
“Since it was the Duchess who suggested reconsidering the use of the space first, be sure to get her signature separately for this part.”
“Tell her that everything has been reviewed as she said, and will be carried out as planned.”
“And if there are external requests, adjust the codes that are overly linked to any particular family.”
At Kenneth's words, the meeting room fell silent.
The sound of leaves being browsed was the only sound.
The woman's lips, who had been smiling confidently as she entered, lowered silently.
* * *
The next day, Roger was in a complicated mood all the way to Ariana's summons.
He had to get her signature as Kenneth ordered, but...
'Mrs Byrne's position was not...'
“Sorry, Mr. Engels. From now on, I have appointments with friends in the area... Can I ask you to report to the lady instead of me?”
Theodora, citing social appointments, avoided going to Ariana to make an embarrassing report.
'Is this an appropriate position? No, I shouldn't think that way.'
He was merely an assistant of the common people, and in no position to judge those he served.
When Roger arrived at Ariana's office, she was saying goodbye to Emily.
“So, Emily, be careful on your way.”
"Yes!"
Emily looked at Roger with disdain as she left, as if she were looking at dust that had not been removed from the window frame.
While Roger's mouth hardened at her increasingly rude attitude, Ariana smiled sadly at him.
“Hello, Mr. Engels.”
"Hello, ma'am. Where did that maid go?"
“To the nearby post office. She said she wanted to send a letter to her family in her hometown.”
“It is not appropriate for a maid to leave in the middle of the day like this.”
“The maid’s leave is under my authority. Anyway, our conversation will be long, so it’s okay if I go.”
Then Roger stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
The tension was evident in his voice.
“Ma’am, regarding the use of space, Master said-”
“Yes, do what suits you.”
“Ah…”
“I will sign or do anything necessary.”
He was going to say that the master praised her directly, but Ariana's indifferent expression made him unable to continue talking.
“So, what should we talk about...?”