# 52
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Kenneth stared at Ariana with sunken eyes.
He was upset by the mention of a third person's name during a moment they were together.
“Okay, let's go from the journalist. Wasn't the former princess allotted enough clothing budget?”
“Yes, the former princess for a day is always grateful.”
Ariana nodded indifferently. Another hideous wound had opened, but she didn't want to show it.
“But for the party dress, I think it is better to commission a local tailor here.”
Kenneth said nothing, but he knew it was an appropriate decision.
If everything seemed to come from the capital, they would become the target of jealousy as much as they are admired.
Although the Duke's family runs many businesses here, acting too arrogant would not be a good choice.
But he was hoping her answer would be material when he asked her what she wanted.
If Ariana had asked to buy jewelry to change the mood or take a walk around the block, he would have been willing to agree.
And if you smiled happily during it, that would be for the best.
But when the answer he wanted did not come, he responded coldly.
“Okay. Do whatever you want.”
"Thanks."
Ariana replied in a formal tone.
Because of Kenneth's erratic behavior, she wasn't sure what variables might affect her plan.
‘Ha…I assured Engels and Theodora Byrne that I did not want him.’
Especially since she couldn't face the Bayern family alone.
If it was just a matter of spending a little time in the bedroom, that would have been acceptable. But being together in broad daylight will inevitably lead to rumors leaking out.
'Originally… they started harassing me seriously after Baby died.'
Will the consequences be worse this time?
Out of her turmoil, Ariana found herf unconsciously holding her face with one hand.
But at that moment, Kenneth, who was sitting at a distance, approached and grabbed one of her cheeks, making her look at him.
His expression clearly showed that he saw her as a difficult person.
“I did what you wanted, so why do you look so dissatisfied?”
“…What will you do with your next wife?”
"they?"
“You'll start over with a suitable woman, won't you? Keeping me as the Duke's mistress will only harm the Duke's entire family.”
“Ha...”
“Furthermore, you said that any child born from me would be unwanted.”
Kenneth let out a cold laugh.
He couldn't understand why Ariana was so eager to provoke him.
“True. Unwanted.”
“I don't want anything like that either.”
Kenneth laughed, but inside he was hiding another desire.
He actually saw in his dream a baby girl who looked exactly like Ariana.
If there was a girl like that...
'That wouldn't be bad.'
Even if she had the blood of the family that destroyed his family, if she was anything like Ariana, she would be nice.
But since Ariana was constantly trying to stay away from him, he wanted to scare and suppress her again.
“But who knows? I may have entrusted you with the care of my heir. Out of affection for the ex-wife.”
Finally, Ariana bit her lip and fell silent.
Kenneth sneered inwardly as he looked at her little face.
She is not afraid of death, but pointing out this shame seems to affect her.
“If you don’t want to, don’t provoke me too much when I try to be a little human.”
Kenneth lowered his head and kissed the uncooperative woman sweetly.
* * *
In the separate wing of the Byrne family, the smashing of ceramic cups echoed.
Usually, Andrew was the one who broke things, but this time, it was Theodora who took out her anger on innocent objects.
Since hearing about the changes taking place in the pavilion of the Duke and his wife, she could not easily calm her anger.
'That bitch Aberdeen!'
She could tolerate sleeping together with grace. It is not uncommon for Cremisa men to have fun with women, and the woman to be abandoned is nothing more than a mistress covered in a luxurious veneer.
But if that filthy whore deliberately seduced a man, how could a respectable lady like Theodora compete?
Especially after that bitch said nonsense like “The Duke doesn’t care about me, so don’t worry”?
Even Andrew, who usually hung out in the basement, came to make fun of her after hearing that.
“Heh, Mrs. Byrne. You're a lot better at breaking things than I thought.”
“Isn't it because you never snuck into Kenneth's bed once?”
Theodora bit her lower lip at Andrew's stupid sarcasm.
'This petty prince.'
If he had just kept his mouth shut, it would have been much better, but he had a talent for making people angry.
Theodora regained her composure with difficulty.
“There is no need to worry. Your Highness should avoid going out.”
“Hmm, okay.”
“No matter how few visitors are here-”
“Okay, I get it.”
Andrew turned impatiently. In the corridor he headed down, there were women waiting silently.
Maids with varying shades of blonde hair and sky blue eyes...
There was no need to think about who they looked like.
Seeing the bruises on their faces, Theodora could hardly contain her disgust.
She tried to improve her mood with other thoughts as she left the ward.
'A charity event will soon be held here.'
It was said to be held at the Cathedral of St. Colette.
If I could crush that bitch over there beforehand...
But as she was heading toward the waiting guards, one of them suddenly grabbed her arm.
Theodora turned around in shock and saw a maid with a bruise on her face, panting. Her eyes looked so much like those of a whore.
“Miss, miss!”
“Please, help us!”
It was one of the maids who was standing motionless in the basement.
There was a visible blue bruise on her cheek.
“You're from the Bayern family, aren't you? Please, get us out of here...!”
“Ha, gross.”
Not only had a lowly maid dared to touch a noblewoman, Theodora was disgusted that Ariana's replacement had touched her.
“Let go of my hand!”
Theodora shook her arm sharply in anger and turned away, leaving the stunned maid.
As the maid was being pulled inside by the ward guards and shouting something, Theodora did not turn around.
When she takes the prince with her, she will make sure to clean everything in this palace.
* * *
After Kenneth left, Ariana had to handle tasks in her office.
Her mission was to respond to invitations to the charity event.
An ancient family from the area was hosting a charity event at St. Colette's Cathedral, and had to confirm the couple's attendance.
But while writing the response, she could not bear the flow of anger, so she slammed the pen hard on the table.
“This is really unbelievable.”
Kenneth's cruelest sarcasm was filling her head.
To make her responsible for taking care of his heir? To become a nanny to Theodora Byrne's child?
'Pippi died without being treated like a duke's daughter!'
Her daughter's short life was filled with indignity from the beginning.
For Ariana, who lost her daughter, being asked to care for another woman's child was an unimaginable wound.
'It can't go on like this.'
Ariana remembered the box of lemon candy Damien Baptiste sent before she left D.C.
[If you need help, I'm always here.]
Under that phrase, there was an address in Lintia to contact Damian.
Originally, Ariana planned to use this offer when Damien was starting the department store business and wanted to learn more from her.
‘Whoever bows first loses, which puts him at a disadvantage.’
But if she persists, she may collapse in shame and resentment before she fulfills her wish to meet Baby.
So, Ariana waited for the right moment and pulled out the paper she had kept.
* * *
Damian had been suffering from a headache due to the frequent travel between his country residence and the Cremisa Empire recently.
Business at the residence was booming, but matters in the imperial capital still required his presence.
In his temporary abode, he was as worn out as a rag.
'Ha, I'm going to die.'
Of course, if death due to business success would lead to bliss, he would give thanks to the ruler, but nevertheless he felt that he would die.