# 27
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Ariana got up with her exhausted body and looked around.
It was late, the sun had risen high in the sky.
Fortunately, since the other ladies were up late after attending the all-night ship party, there was nothing to fault Ariana for being late.
But they sure enjoy the pleasant exhaustion after a fun party.
Unlike her, where her body and mind were completely exhausted.
When Ariana hardly pressed the summoning bell, the maids waiting outside began to enter.
Even the experienced head maid, along with everyone else, had their facial expressions frozen.
Ariana felt ashamed of their stares, but this time, she was too exhausted to do anything about it.
When she finished preparing herf with difficulty, her face had become even paler.
Only then did Emily, who had been carefully eavesdropping, dared to ask in a whisper: “Ma’am, are you really okay?”
“...Ah, yes.”
“I think you'd better rest here...”
“Since I'm here, shouldn't I get some fresh air?”
She didn't want to stay in a place that forced her to face people, but she also didn't want to stay in this room any longer.
Memories of the previous night were lurking around every corner, and she hated it.
But when Ariana realized what the maid was thinking, she smiled feignedly.
“Anyway, in broad daylight, he can't mess around too much.”
“However-”
Emily pursed her lips and lowered her voice. She had loved the ship for its beauty, but now, she absolutely hated this place.
It was a short trip, but intense with malice.
“They are people from the Imperial Palace, so how can they act with such actions that the children of our town might commit?”
“Shh.”
Ariana quickly put her hand to her mouth.
When I arrived at the café set up on the deck, there weren't many people there yet.
It seemed that the story of her “accident” last night did not spread further, but everyone exchanged awkward greetings and then quietly walked away.
As if Ariana had a contagious disease.
In such a situation, such positions were welcome.
'At least, I can go back now because it's daytime, which is very lucky.'
In fact, her muscles were screaming in pain.
‘I hope this accident will lead to Baby getting pregnant straight away.’
Ariana's menstrual cycle was relatively regular, so if she became pregnant, she would have a chance to know for sure before visiting a doctor at the Ducal Palace, such as Dr. Pialli.
'I don't think the first attempt will succeed right away.'
At least, to know the result, you should not back down whenever the opportunity arises.
“…ha.”
But no matter how aromatic the drink on the table was, and no matter how beautiful the view of the sea stretching before her eyes, she felt exhausted.
She almost blamed herf, saying, “So fast?” , But thinking about it, she was too hard on herf.
Kenneth continued to get upset, and people tried to embarrass her, then Kenneth again.
'Why does one have to be physically coupled to have a child?'
How can she bear this act that tears her heart apart without any guarantee?
But at that moment, a light breeze blew, bringing with it an unwanted sound.
"Hello, ma'am. Did you have a good night?"
Theodora smiled at Ariana with a very calm look, but the furrow of one of her eyebrows revealed her inner turmoil.
“Hello, Mrs. Byrne. Thank you.”
“Can I join you?”
"naturally."
The café was almost empty except for the two of them.
Even the servants deliberately stayed away.
After a long silence, Theodora smiled wryly.
“Ma’am, I would like to apologize first.”
"Yes?"
“Kenneth, I mean, His Highness, he said he would reconsider using this ship.”
“Since I've put in all this effort, won't you have a kind word for your husband? You seem to be more likable than I expected.”
Originally, there was an initial agreement that the Bayern family would provide the ship linking the capital to the port of Ilysia.
But Kenneth suddenly stopped the matter, citing a “lack of safety” due to Ariana’s accident.
The outdoor swimming pool on board was supposed to be closed for safety reasons in the evening, especially if there was a party scheduled, to avoid unwanted incidents.
It was a reasonable protest against the organizers' negligence, but Theodora immediately felt angry when she heard this rebuke.
She knew it was a reprimand from him, but since she couldn't face Kenneth, she decided to relieve her anger by mocking a woman without support.
“Ma’am, you are an example for women in many ways. How can every husband you marry care about you like this?”
“What is your secret? If it is something a lady can do, I will gladly listen.”
“Theodora Byrne.”
Ariana looked directly at Theodora.
A woman appears in front of a mother who lost her child and shouts insults.
To Ariana, Theodora was more horrific than the plague itf.
Most importantly, for fear of harming her beloved Pippi in any way, Ariana wanted to eradicate Theodora from her life forever.
'If I don't put a stop to it now, you'll continue to harass me.'
Even if she just focused on having a baby and preparing for it, she felt like her blood was running dry. She couldn't let this woman create any more trouble.
"I don't like His Highness. He doesn't care about me either. Let's get this straight first."
“...What are you saying suddenly?”
“Because that's why you're being so rude to me.”
Ariana realized that this woman had feelings for Kenneth that went beyond family relationships.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have thrown all those insults at her in her previous life.
“I owe His Highness an irrevocable debt of gratitude for saving my life. If he wants something useful from me, I will do my best.”
"Ariana Aberdeen. Can you stop being so fake? This is disgusting."
Theodora sneered, looking at Ariana dismissively.
“Do you think you realize your current situation? What would happen if Kenneth abandoned you?”
“You will end up a ar at other people’s doors, or at best, a mistress moving among old women.”
Theodora's black eyes flashed with aggression. Her disdain for Ariana seeped like poison with every word.
"So, I can't believe you're just 'doing your best' with that guy. Everyone knows you're living like a parasite in your own body."
“To believe it or not is your freedom. The Duke can put me in prison whenever he wants. Or, as you said, he may throw me into an unimaginably miserable place.”
“But even if that happens, I won’t beg him to save me anymore.”
“Even if it means death?”
"Yes."
Ariana answered honestly and conciy.
"He doesn't care about me at all. As people say, maybe he sees me as little better than a mistress."
“Hmm.”
"And one day he will start a new life with the right person. And it will very likely be you."
“When that time comes, I hope you both will be happy. So, stop making trouble with me unnecessarily.”
This was the best defense the currently weak Ariana could offer.
Theodora nodded with her arms crossed and tilted her head slightly, as if trying to guess how sincere Ariana's words were.
“…Okay, ma’am.”
Theodora smiled after thinking for a while, as if she had reached a conclusion.
It was a positive sign of a truce.
There's nothing wrong with belittling herf.
She also didn't want to antagonize Kenneth any further.
“It seems I misunderstood you all this time. I apologize for my misunderstanding.”
“No need to apologise, I won't accept it.”
Ariana answered coldly and got up.
“In the future, review how seating is arranged for gatherings. If you don’t want to be embarrassed when you become the Duke’s next wife.”
“I'll make sure of that. But don't forget you too, Ariana.”
Teodora looked at Ariana with a keen look and smiled.
“If you show any sign of a change of heart, I will return the same.”
* * *
Since early afternoon, Kenneth had been in the Empress's reception room.
The Empress smiled elegantly when she saw him, but she was hiding her inner fear.
“For the Duke to ask to see me first, what a surprise.”
“Did I bother you too much?”
“Haha, how is that possible? How was your wife last night? Her eyes seemed to be dark at night.”
“She's not careful sometimes. She often bumps into things.”
“Haha! She was like that even when she was in the Imperial Palace.”
“But it usually doesn’t fall unless someone pushes it.”
“Um...”
The Empress cleared her throat in embarrassment for a moment.