A Demon Duchess
4. return

Astrantia is a kingdom that has stood for hundreds of years, disputes with other countries, wars, expansion of territory has become commonplace.

Now Astrantia is at war with one of the small countries in the south, the war is a form of resistance to the contested territory.

Astrantia who had a number of great knights never trembled with war, led by Duke Amaryllis and his army Astrantia always came home with Victory.

After the battle lasted some time finally the crown prince, Duke Amaryllis and the knights brought home the victory in his hands.

A boisterous atmosphere filled the entire palace and the capital, the citizens prepared a welcoming parade for the knights who had contributed to the war.

While the palace was busy preparing a victory party that would be attended by the upper class nobles, as a crown princess this time Althea was appointed to replace the late queen to be in charge of the event.

All the preparations were done very carefully and neatly, not a single thing was missed.

It is only a matter of time until crown prince Alvaro and his troops arrive, but somehow Althea's heart feels uncomfortable there is something that holds Althea itself does not know what it is.

Althea stared at the moonlight that was half covered by the clouds, her eyes slowly shining Blood red, her clenched hands trying to hold her power out.

Althea blinked her eyes and slowly the red radiance dissipated and returned to being a purple gleaming gem.

the morning also came in the sign of sunlight slowly barging in behind the gaps of the curtain.

although it was still so early in the morning Althea was busy with all the final preparations before the welcoming ceremony took place.

"the princess of preparation of the meal, the hall and the guard are all better prepared now that her majesty breaks for the afternoon event, which is here just leave it to me," lucas said Althea's private secretary, who also inherited the title of count krisantia.

"i think it's better that way too, please Lucas." after saying Althea went to her room, she put herself on the sofa Althea's eyes were fixed on a box.

Althea smiled faintly at the gift box that she prepared for Alvaro the box contained a handkerchief that Althea embroidered herself despite knowing the gift she prepared was not much but Althea prepared her with wholeheartedly hope his relationship with Alvaro improves a little.

"if I could be honest with you, if I were just an ordinary girl maybe our relationship wouldn't end like this" althea said.

wanted to feel he was crying wanted to feel the tears were breaking out want it felt like althea felt a warm pat that said all would be well if he was just an ordinary girl.

now Althea is waiting for the arrival of Alvaro at the main door of the palace, if it may be honest althea looking forward to the arrival of someone very important in his life waiting for the arrival of someone who became his first love.

before long, Althea waited for the horse-drawn carriage carrying Alvaro to arrive at the palace door. 

Alvaro got off the horse-drawn carriage hailed boisterously by all the people who were there, yet there was a strange of the same chariot alvaro reached out his hand and was greeted by someone.

a girl with black hair and black eyes, her beautiful skin that was as white as her slightly narrowed milk eyes attracted everyone's attention.

one by one people began to quibble about the girl's relationship with their crown prince, as well as the relationship Alvaro and Althea were rumored to be bad.

althea's hands clenched as she was so angry that she was sad, disappointed, mixed to see Alvaro could smile as sweetly as that to another girl.

The ceremony began, Althea still pay attention to Alvaro and the girl he knows not appropriate he expects love Alvaro, Alvaro, Althea has disappointed a lot and made Alvaro misunderstand him but still this is too painful.

The sun has now set Althea is in her room getting ready to attend the party as the person in charge of the event.

The thin makeup that accentuated her beauty, became a perfect complement to her appearance today.

With the grace of Althea entering the party hall, some nobles praised her beauty there were also those who felt envious even some who said Althea various kinds of gossip about Althea.

Althea greeted the king who was also the father of Alvaro and his future in-laws.

"The more days you look more like your father, when as a child you were adorable princess" said the king after seeing Althea, for her Althea was like her own daughter considering her late wife who took care of Althea as a child.

"Crown prince Alvaro saffron De Astrantia enters the room!" Exclaimed the bodyguards from the front entrance of the party hall.

Alvaro walked into the hall everyone was whispering about the girl who was now being held captive by Alvaro, some said they looked harmonious some asked who the girl was and many more.

Alvaro and the girl approached the throne where the king and Althea were now seated, with the second salute to the king.

"Crown prince can you introduce who this girl is?" The king said a little displeased with the black-haired girl.

"Your Majesty introduce, she is Irene the girl I met on my way home and also my lover." Everyone was boisterous upon hearing Alvaro's statement how could a crown prince blatantly introduce his lover before the crown princess.

Perhaps in other kingdoms a king had several concubines was commonplace, but in Astrantia a concubine was a royal disgrace.

Then how can a crown prince act like that when he already has a fiancee who has been set.

"What the hell is this crown prince!!" Shouted the King to not accept how could his son do such a dishonorable thing?!

"I don't think I made a noble mistake, I and Duke Amaryllis' daughter are unmarried so don't I have the right to determine who I'm going to marry?" Alvaro's words made the whole room rumble, the party that was originally filled with happiness now became uncontrollable with many different responses.

But Althea who was sitting on her throne was silent, many times she blinked her eyes that felt would change color at any time.

Alvaro glanced at Althea with his sharp gaze, he was annoyed by Althea's reaction which looked calm-quiet, it was true that the girl had no heart even to oppose even he could not.

In his heart Althea feelings of anger, sadness, disappointment mixed into one yet he could only restrain her he could not act just by listening to her heart.

His personal feelings must be put away, at least so that he does not hurt Alvaro more deeply.

"Mom, how should I do?"

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hello allaaa, sorry yes I updated her old hehe, I will try to update more often.

yuk vote and like and comment let me be more excited!

happy fasting for those who run...

- Ran.nace