# 21
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When Ariana remembered the date, her face froze for a moment.
Just thinking about that huge man who was taller than her made her body automatically contract and tense uncontrollably.
But Ariana shook her head to regain her weak resolve.
'No, I have to seize the opportunity and give my best.'
Baby, mommy will do her best.
After completing her decorations with a spray of perfume, the head maid removed her hand from Ariana's hair.
“Your preparations are complete, ma'am.”
The elderly head maid, along with the rest of the servants, looked at Ariana with disdain.
It is natural that they despise her, as she is the girl who destroyed the Clifford family, and then became the mistress of the house thanks to her beautiful face alone, although they do not show it in public because it is the business of aristocrats.
However, no one could deny that Ariana's grooming efforts were commendable.
Even Emily forgot herf in the atmosphere of the place and exclaimed: “Wow...”
Wearing an ivory tea party dress, trimmed with feathers and a black ribbon over a white hat, the woman looked as if she stepped straight out of a luxury department store catalog.
The reason for this elegance was not only the upcoming social events, but also the visitor who would soon come.
The visitor who would come to meet Ariana was none other than a journalist who would record women's clothing at this party.
“You're welcome, Miss Clark.”
“It is a pleasure to meet the Duchess.”
A woman with piercing gray eyes and dark brown hair bowed slightly in greeting.
After seeing the enthusiastic Emily on a daily basis, it was strange to see such a calm and collected woman.
Edith Clarke.
'I used her name when I wrote a pseudonym in church.'
Even when she quickly wrote "Anne Clark" at the nun's urging, she didn't know where the name in her mind came from.
'Anne' is one of Ariana's own nicknames, so it can be justified, but...
'Maybe the family name stuck in my mind because her performance was so impressive.'
In her previous life, Edith Clarke was an active journalist before Ariana's death.
She was known for writing scathing articles exposing the human rights issues faced by the capital city of Lintia, such as child exploitation in factories, lack of systems to support poor people on the streets, and safety incidents.
It was not surprising that the wealthy looked down on her because of her bold personality.
“She seems to think she's doing something great. What a scandal!
“If she continues like this, she might have an unfortunate accident in a dark alley.”
But in Ariana's eyes, Edith Clarke was dazzling.
Compared to Ariana's life where she was ing Kenneth for a sacrifice to stay alive, how much more valuable the life you choose for yourf, even if it is full of difficulties, seems more valuable.
'But I didn't know that she started out in fashion.'
Even the person she admired in her previous life started from another realm. Although this meeting had nothing to do with “meeting Bebe,” Ariana felt good just to see her.
Ariana smiled so proudly that Edith seemed a little surprised and took a step back.
“I hope you do a good job this time. I hope I can show you a lot of looks suitable for publication.”
“Your words are an honor for me, ma'am. So, if you would just stand by the dressing table for a moment...”
Ariana complied with Edith's request, standing so that the details of her dress were clearly visible. Edith took out a large sketchbook and began quickly capturing the details of the costume with the movements of her pen.
Ariana was smiling sweetly whenever her eyes met Edith's.
'What a pity, I met her like this but I'm not good at talking.'
Less than thirty minutes later, the room door opened without knocking.
When Kenneth entered, everyone except Ariana quickly adjusted their stance to greet him.
He looked elegant in a light-colored suit that contrasted with his carefully combed black hair, but this elegance did not diminish his intimidating prestige.
Kenneth gave Edith, who had risen quickly with her sketchbook, a cold look.
“Do you need more time?”
“No, sir. I will leave now, ma’am.”
“Be careful on your way back, Miss Clark.”
Ariana felt sorry.
She watched Edith and the rest of the servants leave, then greeted Kenneth quietly: “Hello, Sir Duke.”
“The Empress has finally arrived.”
“Ah...”
Ariana nodded silently.
Empress Isabella-Claude would attend such occasions on behalf of Emperor Alexander, to enhance her prestige. She looked at Ariana every time as if she were a dove wanting to twist her neck.
Whatever the reputation of the Clifford family was known, the Empress's influence in social circles was strong.
After the opera house incident, Ariana felt anxious in crowded places, and sometimes it was difficult for her to breathe.
On days when she couldn't take it anymore, she pleaded with Kenneth:
“Kenneth, can I miss just this once? I'm still... too afraid to show up...”
“Did you forget that parties require an escort?”
“No, that's not what I meant. But I just still-»
“Enough coddling, Ariana. “Do your duty in exchange for me saving you.”
“…okay”
Those days when she clung to him to stay alive, and smiled despite her fear of death.
But if there's one thing she can be thankful for, it's that she remembers some of what happened in her previous life, which helped her think of different responses.
'At least, I shouldn't be embarrassed in the same way again.'
While she was nodding, Kenneth suddenly grabbed her chin with his black gloved hand and lifted her face.
He looked at her carefully, as if he were examining her carefully.
"...? What's wrong?"
“You wouldn't show that face in front of others, would you?”
"What?"
Ariana struggled to move her head as he held her chin.
She wanted to see the mirror, but he was holding her tightly.
“This face”, what does it mean?
“Is… my makeup weird? Then wait a minute, I’ll fix it quickly-”
“I'm talking about your expression, it looks like you're very unhappy.”
Ariana's tongue froze mid-sentence. Kenneth's gaze was still ice cold.
“Repeat why you are a duchess.”
“…to reassure those who were loyal to the imperial family.”
“Then stop looking like a martyr.”
“Won’t that look ridiculous in front of others? Originally, you weren’t supposed to be here like this.”
True, originally, I could have died.
Even now, he sometimes jokes that he could hand me over to the scaffold.
'Actually, it's okay if you kill me now. I'm no longer afraid of death.'
She wanted to answer this, but she held herf back for the sake of the child she would meet in the future.
“Yes, Sir Duke. My apologies.”
Ariana apologized without pride, pulling the corner of her mouth up.
She tried her best to look like a luxurious duchess and look very happy.
“Is this acceptable?”
Kenneth looked at Ariana with a sharp look.
How can she look more awkward when she smiles at her “husband” than when she smiles with strangers? Until recently, he saw her smiling sweetly at that journalist.
He felt angry and annoyed at being thirsty over something so trivial.
“You really don't do anything equivalent to me saving you.”
"…I apologize."
“No need to apologize. Come on, let's go.”
Now they had to do their job.
He has succeeded in regaining his position, and is a very generous young duke.
Ariana, abandoned by the cowardly Crown Prince, is the beautiful spoil who has been spared by the mercy of the Duke.
So, when they came up to the roof and all eyes were on them, Ariana smiled as she did before, as if she was very happy.
***
After Edith Clarke hurriedly left the Duke's room.
She adjusted her hat on the roof and sighed.
“Huff, my heart almost stopped.”
This was the first time she had seen Duke Clifford up close, and his gaze with his green-blue eyes carried a solemnity that made her feel as if the air had been expelled from her lungs.
'Did I feel this way because I was guilty?'
Edith was ostensibly a fashion journalist, but that was just a camouflage.
The real newspaper she works with, Protector, was founded to expose the corruption of the imperial family and the upper class to the public.
‘Even when meetings are held at the Royal Grace Palace, it is difficult to know what is going on.’
So, when the Duchess agreed to the interview request, Edith was secretly excited. Wouldn't it be helpful to make a good impression on the famous "one-day princess"?
“But it is different than I expected.”
Ariana was smiling so innocently that Edith, who was planning to reveal something suspicious, hesitated midway.
As for the Duke, he seemed to be a man who was very upset that his wife at the time would be robbed by a journalist like her.