# 10
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Everything slowly developed in Kenneth's eyes.
The raindrops falling on the gray city gradually became denser, and my vision became blurry, as if there was fog.
However, the bright red blood was very vivid even from a distance.
Blood flows from Ariana's forehead. Drops of blood fall like small flower petals to the ground.
When Ariana sat and crouched, the maid clinging to her and making a fuss was comical.
“Ah”
But the short sigh was cold.
I don't know what Ariana prayed in church, but he just wanted to laugh.
'You gotta cling to me, me, Ariana'
And who is the only shield that can protect her from the sins committed by the Aberdeen family? There was no one but me.
And he knew that Ariana saw him in the rain. The woman's blue eyes were a color that stood out in the gray space as much as drops of blood.
But she lowered her eyes and walked away first.
The bottom of my heart swayed silently as I saw her limping away.
'Please, save me, Kenneth...'
When she was about to become another man's wife, she ed for help. Now that I've saved your life, do you seem to be losing fear?
But this is not justified.
Did you really cheat on him and take everything from him?
Theodora, who was observing this situation next to him, whispered under her breath.
“Oh my God, isn’t your wife hurt?”
“Pity her. Well, if one of your relatives does something foolish, you have to bear it yourf.”
Theodora secretly looked at Kenneth.
There was no trace of sympathy on the face, which exuded the coldness of the deep forest. The person who doesn't even want to move a muscle just because a woman who pretends to be thin gets slightly injured.
“This is a little good.”
Even though hatred flared up in her heart, Theodora couldn't stop talking.
Now that I had the chance, I wanted to check it out.
Checking to see if Kenneth was really disinterested, and if there were any other emotions underneath that adorable expression.
"How could she just choose to cause trouble like this? Is this something she came to think about?"
“Have you learned to only show pathetic sides? I think that was Andrew’s preference.”
Everyone knew that the woman had already fallen in love with another man. This time, Kenneth also looked at her with a slight smile.
“Theodora”
Theodora's cheeks at the back of her neck became hot in an instant.
When was he when he was a boy? The man started speaking in a very calm tone, as if he was calming a child.
Thanks to this, I felt as if I was talking to my beloved, but when I came to my senses and focused, it was like a sharp reproach.
“When I closed my eyes and listened to you, I thought I was in a back alley.”
“I can't believe these words came from the daughter of a 300-year-old family.”
Kenneth slowly looked at Theodora, who was speechless out of embarrassment.
“The Beren family is a prestigious family, and there is no designated successor, so you can succeed.”
“Kenneth...”
“So, I think you know quality better than anyone else.”
“...ah, of course.”
Theodora looked away hurriedly.
In fact, what she said was not something a single woman from a prestigious family could say. It's not clear if he was protecting Ariana, but it was clear that he undermined her dignity.
“The rain is going to get worse. Come in now, Theodora.”
"Yes, I understand. Are you coming to the party?"
Kenneth nodded slightly instead of speaking.
Feeling like adding more words would only make Kenneth look embarrassed, Theodora gave up and decided to leave.
Finally, a deeper shadow appeared on Kenneth's face.
The sound of the rain is getting stronger, but all I can think about is the red drops of blood falling on the stone road wet with rain.
The woman who did not even ask for help appeared and turned around in despair.
He spoke to his secretary who was holding the umbrella quietly,
“Roger”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Find who threw the stone. There is no leniency.”
“Yes”
“And replace everyone who failed to block it properly.”
It was stinging and unpleasant, as if there was a thorn stuck in my throat.
The woman who had been clinging to him for almost a year began to change.
* * *
Ariana did not have a close relationship with the Duke's doctor.
The treating physician, Dr. Viale, was someone who knew how Kenneth became seriously ill, and even objected to never bringing someone like Ariana, who “cooperated” in the accident, into the family.
Therefore, even after a year of marriage, it cannot be said that he was very nice when checking up on Ariana.
“Tsk, treatment is over.”
“Thank you”
“It will not leave a scar, so be careful not to expose it to water.”
A bandage was placed between her right eyebrows, and her left ankle, which had sprained due to her fall, was tightly bound.
I was softly pressed not to whimper in pain as he did everything he could.
'He has no intention of doing so'
However, Emily, who had no idea that a situation like this was happening, looked even more emaciated than the injured Ariana.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry...well, we went to a café for no reason...”
“It's okay, Emily.”
In the end, she looked embarrassed to the maid, but Ariana forced a bitter smile.
'But when I see Theodora Perrine again, I remember those days well.'
The last time she visited, she was welcomed in the living room, not the bedroom.
But the gun was on the bed as if it was waiting for her.
'Even if Theodora was involved, someone in the palace helped her.'
In fact, it was a story that anyone could have made because everyone in the palace hated Ariana.
This was also the reason why I had to leave without delay if I had a child.
However, when I thought about it a little more, I noticed something strange.
'What would happen if I shot Kenneth with this gun?'
What will a woman who lost her child and was trapped by gunfire do? Isn't everyone in this palace loyal to Kenneth?
But that smile quickly disappeared because the next person entered.
Not only her, but everyone in the room immediately straightened their posture and became extremely tense. Aside from the fact that he was the owner of the palace, just getting close to this man made me nervous.
“Everyone get out.”
Kenneth gave instructions without looking directly at any of the staff.
He acted as if all he could see was Ariana sitting stiffly on the bed.
“It seems that you are not ready. You were even asked to come to the banquet in advance.”
“Ah,”
Ariana let out a short, frustrated sound.
Come to think of it, a banquet was scheduled to be held by Count Perrin's family.
'I had to look stylish to be there.'
In the old days, I would have been concerned about errors like this.
But this time, I only felt the usual feeling of disappointment, not the feeling of regret that was tugging at my spine.
‘I must leave your seat free for the right woman. So you don't have to worry about my succession.'
So, the “right woman” must be Theodora Perrine, right?
It's disturbing and funny at the same time that the woman who made fun of Baby's death was a "proper woman," but it's Kenneth's freedom to evaluate it that way.
If that was the case, Ariana was free to turn her head away without making eye contact, because this kind of evaluation was disgusting.
“I'm sorry, Duke.”
“I'll come while I cover myf as best I can. I'm sorry to worry you.”
However, because I was looking away, I realized too late that he was approaching me. So when Kenneth lifted her chin, her heart couldn't help but sink.
Dark turquoise eyes were staring at her as if they were looking into her head. Ariana didn't know what to say, but she was really afraid that he would find out her true feelings.
However, when the question was asked, she answered rather frankly.
“legs”
“Yes?”
“What about your ankle?”
Ariana widened her eyes.
'Did he see the bandage tied with the hem?'
I covered it well with the hem of my lace skirt, and on top of that, I wore slippers.
“I hurt my left side a little, but it wasn't that bad...”
“good”,
Smile bitterly and speak calmly,
“You have to take good care of your body. This is your only value.”
Ariana immediately put her puzzled expression aside and pursed her lips.
Don't get hurt. There is no need to feel insulted.
“I was originally here for that purpose.”
So, instead of just suffering, I had to take advantage of what he said.
“Even if I have some flaws, there will be no problem in bed.”