# 58
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Kenneth watched Ariana's expression cloy and smiled faintly.
It was a bit funny that she was so sure he wouldn't listen to her.
'Besides, it's a really good idea.'
After Ariana raised the issue of empty rooms, he and the others were thinking of suitable solutions.
There were no satisfactory solutions yet, but Ariana's proposal was the best. If word spreads about this method, people from other regions will be interested as well.
The newlyweds may have other ideas, but there is no better option than the Duke's family's suggestion.
After further discussions for a few minutes, it was decided to convey Ariana's proposal to the newlyweds.
When the meeting ended, Kenneth turned to Ariana, who was waiting nervously.
“Let's eat together.”
"What? Aren't you busy?"
“One meal won't hurt.”
'But you never even gave me this time before.'
Ariana almost scolded him, but changed her mind.
She felt Theodora Byrne's sharp stares from behind, as if they were going to kill her, while Kenneth was in front of her, frowning and waiting.
'Why does everyone insist on teasing me like this?'
I went out reluctantly, accompanying Kenneth.
As they rode into the vibrant downtown of Port Elisia, she began to worry about his actions. Ariana has never gone out with Kenneth before outside of formal occasions.
“Where are we going?”
“Let's eat, like I said.”
Kenneth laughed lightly as he saw Ariana looking around nervously. When she got out of the car, she approached him naturally, as if she felt unsafe outside.
The restaurant overlooking the wide sea was rustic compared to the capital, but not garish in a way that would stifle people, which made it a good choice.
But when they sat face to face to eat, Ariana was still nervous, so he had no choice but to ask.
"What's wrong? You don't like the food?"
“Ah...no, it's not.”
Ariana fiddled with the cutlery nervously, then smiled weakly.
In fact, she wanted to run away because she had never done anything like this with him before. Everything that was “intimate” between them only happened in the bedroom.
But first she tried to smile goofily.
“It's really delicious.”
“Thanks, Kenneth.”
Kenneth didn't answer, but he knew that her smile was just a mask.
However, didn't he think that just this expression was satisfactory?
'It hasn't been long since I thought like this.'
Why does that now seem so insufficient?
Since he made time to hang out, he wished she would smile more energetically.
Moreover, hadn't he fully accepted her proposal this time?
He had hoped that she would talk animatedly about this, as she had done when she was moving around the ballroom excitedly.
Not that tense expression in which she endures as if she is on a bed of nails...
After a stiff silence, they finished eating, and when they returned to the residence, servants quickly lined up on both sides of the road.
“Hello, Sir Duke, Madam.”
"Welcome!"
Before they bowed, the looks they gave Ariana were full of affection.
As Kenneth remained in the room, the servants' actions toward her became strangely more respectful. The looks of disdain she had shown when assuming her duties were now trembling with fear.
'Do they think I'll punish them now?'
Ariana shook her head and sighed.
Not all day, but for a few hours in the morning.
An occasional meal together…
That was the extent of Kenneth's generosity.
However, the world has become easier to breathe.
She felt like she was at a loss so far. Big loss.
* * *
When the relationship of the master and mistress changes, the atmosphere of the servants is also affected.
On the surface, everyone was treating the “Princess for a Day” politely, because the class difference could not be challenged, but no one was serving her sincerely.
But when her relationship with the Duke seemed unusual, some of the maids panicked.
"Hey, you! Emily!"
One day, the older maids couldn't stand Emily and attacked her.
“Why do you monopolize the lady’s duties?”
Emily was surprised as she went to get the laundry and was confronted in the hallway.
"What? Monopoly?"
“A maid like you is not supposed to serve the duke’s lady! So, I will decorate her today.”
“What nonsense?”
Emily huffed angrily. Who were they who subtly excluded her because she had never once engaged in backbiting?
“You were the one who said you didn't want the lady's duties! Give the basket back!”
Emily forcefully grabbed the laundry basket and quickly ran away.
Their insolence angered her, but they did not dare touch her for fear of displeasing the Duchess.
'Are we all going to get fired?'
Ariana Clifford did not punish anyone. But she showed no sign of tolerance, but treated them with indifference.
That was even scarier.
They were afraid that she would collect their mistakes and gossip and explode them in front of the Duke when she decided to do so.
While they were biting their nails and reeling in anxiety, they heard a familiar voice.
“Oh my God, what are you doing here?”
"Ah...! Mrs. Byrne, hello!"
The maids bowed quickly as Theodora appeared.
It was embarrassing for a noble lady to come to such a humble place.
Moreover, Theodora looked worried as she looked at them, which made them even more embarrassed.
“Why do you look so depressed? Is there a problem?”
“Oh, no, ma'am, nothing…”
“No need to be imposing, speak comfortably.”
Theodora smiled elegantly and tilted her head.
The maids suddenly felt sorry because she was the one who should have been the real lady.
How they tried to be friendly to her, unlike that Aberdeen woman who did not appreciate their efforts!
Theodora listened to the maids' petty complaints with the greatest patience she had ever known.
“So, you are afraid of the lady’s displeasure and expulsion… It won’t happen, but if it does, I will take care of you, so don’t worry.”
"my lady …!"
“In return, can you help me with one thing?”
Since they were gossiping ill about their mistress, they had already given themves up to Theodora.
She smiled softly and whispered.
“First, if there is a letter the lady wrote herf, bring it to me.”
* * *
Once Kenneth agreed, the process of renting the wedding hall went quickly.
It was an unexpected stroke of luck for two families who were at a loss about what to say to guests arriving from afar and how to reschedule the wedding date.
It was an honor to have the Duke of the capital's family help them, and the bride was in tears at the thought of being the heroine of the first wedding at the Place Hotel.
“Thank you very much, Sir Duke, Madam…!”
“No need, Miss Rebecca. I worry if this quick preparation will suit your taste.”
“What are you saying!”
Avoiding bad superstition was more important than a matter of taste.
On top of that, the hotel, which was not yet open to the public, was an unforgettable experience in itf.
The happy newlyweds and their relatives, who Emily described as “like farm rabbits,” gathered at the venue. It was a really amazing wedding.
Ariana and Kenneth were watching from the entrance to the concert hall.
The two of them, watching someone else's joy, were devoid of smiles, with expressionless faces. Even if they wanted to think of it as work, it was inevitable that they would recall their own experience.
Kenneth's blue eyes gradually darkened as he remembered their wedding day.
The day he received the comet cast by the Empire as a bride.
However, he dressed Ariana in an expensive dress and veil.
They were much more expensive and more beautiful than what she would have worn with the man who had run away from her.
But, instead of being relieved, she was pale and struggling to even sign the marriage contract.
Kenneth looked at Ariana out of the corner of his eye. She looked at the bride with eyes full of envy and loss.
He felt his heart sink at those looks.
There's no reason for Ariana to envy this bride.
Compared to the dress he had dressed her in, this bride's adornments were nothing.
So, Ariana must be looking back on their messy marriage and feeling sorry.
For the first time, he was afraid of what she might miss.