A Demon Duchess
30. next steps

...To the honourable ...

...count marigold...

...As I promised a week ago, ...

...I hope you can visit the Amarylis residence for lunch.. ...

...Td. The Altheana lunar de Amarylis. ...

Sebastian von marigold, a young man who had just returned to Astrantia and inherited the title of Count, was known as a friendly and respectful lady.

Sebastian smiled as he read the contents of the letter that was in his hands. "Let's go play this fun game."

"Prepare the Horse carriage! I'm going to the Amarylis residence" Sebastian told his waiter.

...

At the residence Amarylis Althea is sitting and still struggling with her documents, but soon lunch and Sebastian will come soon.

"Should you invite him here?" Felix asked in a annoyed tone. "Of course, I have promised and again talking with him can add to the information we have now," replied Althea still looking at the documents.

Felix breathed his breath and stopped Althea's hand movements that were about to pick up the following document.

"I'll be back in the Empire for a week" Felix said as he looked into Althea's eyes deeply, Althea looking back at Felix with a smile. "Phel-"

Althea had not yet finished her sentence lucas first opened the door of Althea's study, "Count marigold has arrived lady," Lucas said Althea got up from her seat and walked towards the door but before leaving Althea turned around to see Felix.

"Sorry for today, I'll have them prepare food for you. It would be difficult to explain why the Imperial crown prince's noble wandering around the Amarylis residence could be circulating rumors that are not-no." Althea closed the door and immediately went to meet the count marigold who was already at the banquet.

"Good afternoon lady Amarylis" Sebastian said, peeping at Althea's hand. "Good afternoon count, welcome to our residence" Reply Althea.

Althea invited Sebastian to sit down and enjoy the dish that was in front of their eyes. "I'm sorry for what happened at your residence count," Althea said suddenly. Sebastian smiled a little. "It's okay lady, besides what the lady did that day was really interesting.

"You must already know, I invite you not just to have lunch together" Althea said. "Haha... You're a really impatient lady." Sebastian looked at Althea with curiosity. "So, what do you want?" Ask Sebastian to the point.

"Let us ally," Althea said firmly.

"What benefits will I get if I work with the lady?" Ask Sebastian. "Revolution." Sebastian was surprised to hear Althea's statement, the look of the face that had been playing around immediately turned serious. Sebastian took a deep breath.

"You know it's not going to be easy, right?" Ask Sebastian to make sure. "I know, because that with the count in this plan will make my plan easier." Sebastian nodded and smiled.

"So where do we start?"

...

One month has passed, Althea is still gathering evidence to execute her plan. He went to several places to find the information he needed.

But somehow this month feels very empty, maybe because in the residence of Amarylis there are only Althea and the ministries.

Althea stepped out of the Amarylis residence towards the palace. Arriving at the palace lucas welcomed her. The two looked at each other as a gesture, confidently walking towards Alvaro's study.

"Lady Amarylis, facing the sun astrantia," Althea said as she bowed.

"Sit down" Reply Alvaro let Althea sit down, "I want to talk to the lady one-on-one." Lucas, who understood immediately, left Alvaro's room.

"Some countries are cutting ties" Alvaro said suddenly. "That's the Queen's duty, why would your majesty bother calling me?" Althea asked in a lazy tone.

"They cut off cooperation with Astrantia, but not with Amarylis." Althea smiled slightly. "Stop all your rotten plans Althea, you can hurt the people" Alvaro said seriously. Althea noticed Alvaro's eyes that looked very tired.

"embezzlement of funds in the south and north, termination of cooperation by country A because it does not run its routine transactions for the last 1 year, the company said, as a result, the south cannot overcome the drought this year."

"From where"

"As well as the northern region, the income from the sapphire mine is usually used to meet the needs of the citizens, he said, but over the past few months there have been no exports to country B and they've found new additions so there's no other reason to keep working with Astrantia."

"The question is, how can the Queen routinely throw parties while the people suffer." Alvaro was silent, he was still perusing the documents given by Althea.

"You don't worry because Amarylis has taken care of everything" Althea said again, for some reason she is completely satisfied with Alvaro's expression now.

"What do you want, in return?" Ask Alvaro. "I declare my services before all Astrantia and restore the honor of the Amarylis family you destroyed." Althea stared intently at Alvaro. Alvaro can see Althea's eye color changes.

"Your magic" said Alvaro quietly. "can overcome this year's drought." Althea smile. "I consider this my first assignment as Duchess" Althea said, standing up to leave the room.

"I can't give you the Duchess position" Alvaro said. "Then give me the throne." Alvaro was surprised but Althea looked very calm.

...

A few days later, in accordance with Alvaro's promise he announced Althea's services to the public. Making most of the nobles vying to get close to Althea.

Because they know, their current position can be shifted at any time when Althea becomes Duchess later. Better to be a friend than an opponent.

Althea carried out the task given Alvaro, the next day after the task was given Althea immediately rushed to the south.

As he set foot in the hot south, the ice magic he had melted and nourished the soil that was there. The southern region now does not have to worry about water supplies.

Not finished there even Althea every day always provide assistance, be it food needs food and others.

He also taught the children how to grow crops with a barren south.

"We are very grateful, the lady has helped us again, " said the village elder who was there.

"Whatever I am also human, I cannot pay attention to others who are in need of help" Althea said softly.

"Lady's not a monster, she's an angel."

"How could this gentle woman be a monster, they were just envious because of the blessing that lady had received."

"Lady should be queen."

Such are the responses spoken from the mouths of the people.

"But the village Elders, I am not that good I also want the rewards of the help I give," Althea said making everyone in the room shocked.

"Sorry Lady, but you don't have anything we can give the Lady" said the village elder, his voice trembling in fear of disappointing Althea.

"Have it, you have a voice that can help me. Someday when I need her I hope you'll open your voice to help me." Althea smiled softly, the citizens breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sure Lady, we'll certainly help lady."

Althea and Amarylis' good names slowly recovered, though people still wonder what Althea really is. But over time they accept the existence of Althea among them.

Exactly one month since Althea was in the southern region, he decided to return to the Amarylis region. Because if you remember the time Felix might have been there when Althea came home.

Althea set foot on a horse-drawn carriage that would take her home.

"A good time to start the next step."