# 72
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Although they appear cautious, the Byrne family remains a pioneer in shipping. There was no place that dared to be inspected more cloy when Theodora insisted.
“If we get to Port Miller, I can take you safely. So, just bear with me—”
“But what about Ariana, that woman?”
“…She was said to have been arrested, Your Highness.”
“Bring her to me immediately, Mrs. Byrne.”
“Anyway, if the Duke falls, you can get it later...”
“It's only fun if you snatch it out of Kenneth's grasp. Don't you get that?”
Theodora suppressed her rising anger.
'This uess bastard...'
While she was racking her brain until she felt pain in her temples, this man was acting as if his only goal in life was to deal a blow to Duke Clifford.
If she could just throw it in the cargo bay and leave with it, she couldn't wish for anything more.
Such a man is the worst kind of trash that a woman should avoid; Her skin that touches it needs to be scrubbed and sanded internally and externally.
But, as they say, trash shines when it does its part.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Theodora smiled politely at this trash that would ruin Ariana's life so wonderfully.
“Before leaving, I will make sure to grab Ariana Aberdeen. Once I take her out, I will get rid of this palace as well.”
* * *
Ariana was confined to the hotel bedroom the entire time.
The balcony and room doors were closed, the vent and all the outlets were nailed down.
The maids came three times a day to deliver food and laundry, but they all looked at Ariana with hard, hostile faces.
Sometimes, they intentionally spilled water or threw food on the floor.
“Oh, sorry!”
One of the maids, who had replaced Emily, had deliberately dropped a cup of tea on the sandwich. The soggy bread was full of wilted vegetables with a bitter taste.
But Ariana ate the food with difficulty. She did not care about the servants' contemptuous glances.
'For the sake of the child, I must maintain my strength.'
Fortunately, the morning sickness hadn't started yet, and it was at a very early stage where she couldn't feel the fetus moving.
At this point, the mother had to guess her condition herf, so maybe she could fool everyone for a few months if she was careful.
'But someone was trying to frame me. At this particular time...'
It was clear who it might be.
Theodora Byrne, who was boldly present in the area, was the first suspect.
But if Ariana refers to Theodora, people will be upset.
‘But the Byrne family helped a lot in getting Clifford back, so how could they know so much about Andrew’s escape?’
…That day, when she was dragged into the temple as a bride, she knew nothing about it.
People would think that the “prince’s fiancée” should know, but Ariana, who was a complete stranger to the imperial family before the marriage, knew nothing.
Knowing the escape method would be limited to the immediate imperial family, so had she sent a fake letter with her pen?
'I was even avoiding Andrew's gifts because I was disgusted.'
During her life as Lady Duke, she only wrote autographs, and rarely responded at length.
In the capital, Lintia.
So, whatever I thought, the conclusion was unexpected.
Her letters were stolen from here, and the Byrne family may have been wearing a fake mask...
'But who will believe me now?'
No one believed her.
[You're dirty, Ariana Aberdeen]
From the moment Kenneth Clifford said this, her life was over.
Of course, when she heard those words, she felt pain as if her heart had been cut by glass.
But that pain eventually faded.
It was natural that Kenneth would not listen to her, so she had no time to agonize over something normal.
'I have to focus on what to do next.'
In such a situation, Kenneth would not leave her easily.
While she was thinking of another escape plan, the door opened.
Ariana expected it to be another harassment from the servants, but she opened her eyes in surprise when she saw the unexpected person.
"...! Mr. Engels?"
“…ma’am”
The secretary, who had previously hated her, hesitated as he entered with a face full of hesitation.
Ariana noticed that he saw the contaminated food from the maid, so she quickly hid the tray behind her back.
The situation was a bit embarrassing, but she didn't want the secretary to see her eating this.
'Maybe he came to make fun of my condition.'
But he didn't say anything, so Ariana asked the most pressing question.
“How is Emily?”
“Miss Vance has been released as innocent.”
“She knew nothing, and the timing of her visit to the post office did not match the timing of the letter.”
“Ha…”
I felt relieved and sorry for Emily at the same time. She felt guilty for leaving nothing for her, but at least Emily wasn't accused of helping the duke's lady.
“…So, Mr. Engels, this means there is a definite possibility that someone tried to frame me.”
“The possibility exists, ma'am... but it's best not to expect too much.”
Roger answered honestly, his tone now carrying pity, without sarcasm.
Although he did not trust the Aberdeen woman completely, observing her cloy made him believe that her disposition was not evil…
“Whatever the Duke decides, you better prepare mentally.”
Ariana hid her trembling hand under her skirt.
Of course, it was said that it caused him to be disrupted from important matters in the capital. Even if she revealed the truth, her fate would not improve.
Mental preparedness. Why should you prepare?
Perhaps a long-deferred punishment.
Or, as Kenneth once quipped, to become his new wife's child's maid.
"Okay, thanks for telling me. Please, make sure Emily doesn't get hurt any further."
“Yes...”
Roger hesitated, as if he wanted to say something else.
Maybe he's waiting for me to beg for mercy.
Ariana smiled weakly and spoke.
“Mr. Engels, I have one request.”
* * *
Days after checking on Ariana, Roger headed to Kenneth's office.
The office was in chaos with urgent matters, documents, and telegrams.
Members of the House of Lords in the capital, who were with Kenneth, were demanding his speedy return, while others were confused as to whether the Duchess was involved with the Prince.
Kenneth looked at Roger with dry, tired eyes.
He felt his senses heightened to the max, a feeling he had not felt in a long time.
“What were you doing, Roger?”
“I checked the lady’s condition.”
“The servants were messing with her food.”
“I'll make sure it's organized.”
Kenneth did not comment on the report, but coldly flipped through the following document.
It meant that he no longer cared if “that thing” was alive.
He was watching Ariana, but he wanted to forget her, like she was a dusty ornament on a shelf.
He had once hoped that with time he would overcome the past and give her a place by his side. But that idea turned into betrayal.
He wanted to give it to others and at the same time get rid of it.
But Roger spoke with difficulty.
“Actually, sir, during your absence, the lady requested something.”
“Is this more important than the current issues?”
“…It is something I cannot judge for myf.”
Roger, stammering, pulled out a report compiled by his secret investigative forces.
He wasn't sure what good it would do, but Ariana's calm request made him feel anxious.
[The investigation you requested. Can you follow it to the end? It's okay if you tell the Duke]
If the content had not been suspicious, he would not have told Kenneth.
“During your absence, sir, some maids have disappeared from here… and their destination was all of Lady Byrne’s separate mansion.”