There are two types of well-known reigning system within a country or the whole continent. The imperial setting and the monarchy setting.

Claintery Empire is distinguished as the primitive, for the first Emperor conquered all the rulers in different lands and established an Empire to be passed down to his descendants. While the Arello may also have various territories, the Emperor which the tyrant Grand Duke Alcide serves hold more influence than any other ruler in countries. Mazo is in the second option yet unlike Arello, the King of Mazo reigns the entire country.

Under the Imperial Setting, the Emperor was the highest rank and the absolute. After him was the heir of his throne which is the Crown Prince. Then the status of Grand Duke that can be inherited or bestow, a ruler of a territory called the Grand Duchy. The Princes and Princesses, either a pure blood or a bastard were the last rank in terms of royalty status.

Dukes, ruler of the estate called Dukedoms are the superior level in aristocrats or nobles. Then the status of Marquess. The Count or Earl which own lands refer to as Earldom. The Viscount, the Baron and lastly the Knights.

No matter how much I analyze my position in this society, I couldn't find any faults.

So,

Why?

Should I be considerate...

and sympathize with her?

"She's horrible!" Her finger was pointed directly at me as she sniffed and cry while hugging the Grand Duke tightly. Burying her face with tears in her eyes on His Excellency's sturdy chest, tarnishing his expensive suit.

He looked at me with no traces of emotion. I bow my head and stare at the white tiles flooring, as if I was feeling guilty in the way his eyes glued to me. My hands grip the laces of my dress, ashamed that I just want to disappear at his sight.

How did I end up with this current situation? He must be furious that his concubine is weeping in his arms for him to stay quiet along with his cold face. And I could feel the tension molding in the air.

I didn't mean for her to be offended with the words that I let go or is it just me being, thoughtless of the matter that I should've not said. Unexpecting that if I meagerly retaliate it would lead me in this certainty, that would cause for her feelings to be ache.

"Grand Duke! You should punish her."

Before all of this happened. I do remember that I woke up from an elated sleep and thus, I begin my usual routine before having my breakfast at the balcony. It was tasteful as I eat the pasta with soft bread that was bought from my favorite shop. The coffee also emits a powerful scent that made me energize to finish my work.

"Oh my, you're too determine Madam," Jackson complimented me happily as he watches the papers decrease in burning fire with the touch of my quill. He refills my cup with the tea I value with the macaroons that he prepared as I took a bite and sweetness overload inside my mouth.

"That's because you serve me well, Jackson."

"Goodness, this old man feels honored."

I was enjoying to eat my snack in the middle of my duty when we heard a knock from the door. As permission, a maid entered modestly that I wasn't aware that she will bring me some bad news. If only the heavens would allow me to turn back the time before I could even commit a sin that I will regret later.

"Madam, I was instructed by Lady Crystal to let you know that she was ready for her class," she informed me.

Jackson glance at me worriedly. He must know that the true nature of that woman is no good as he simply shook his head, implying that I should not abide. I smiled to make his wrinkles that surround his eyes to be assured.

The butler must have already told the Grand Duke with the behavior of his mistress and tried to persuade him not to keep us in one mansion. Though, I didn't know what His Excellency might think about that idea. I wipe my mouth with the tissue napkin and stood up. "Alright. Where is she now?"

"In the study room."

Either way, I would come across misfortunes even that I have a good start with my day and one of those that I'm pertaining is Crystal. Perhaps, there was actually inside of me that was hoping not to meet her. For every time I sighted her, it ruins my mood and will always cause me to have upside down stomach that I will want to vomit of what I just consume for breakfast.

"Isn't obvious that I should be also treated as the Grand Duchess?"

She, a mere princess from Mazo that ended having the same fate as me. I don't dare to understand their logic especially with her maids. Perhaps, lack of education? With how they open their big mouth, proud and bold that they serve the Princess as if it was the highest rank and openly insults me.

When I signed the marriage certificate, I became instantly the Grand Duchess. Above from her and will never step low from her level in any aspects nor be equal. I was a former daughter of a Count nonetheless; it didn't matter anymore when I came in Arello.

Now that I think about it. Might be they're dependent of the truth that she has a royal blood flowing inside of her body? As I was just from a noble family that easily climb the stairs of ranking that didn't even experience sweating.

Without a doubt, related to the King of Mazo or not. If she married the Grand Duke and set foot here, in the eyes of the hierarchy in Arello; she will be treated as a concubine and it will be like that until the end. That even Crystal desires to attain my position, the fact that it will never be handled to her is not a life-threatening.

Unless, the Grand Duke dispose me and bestow her the rights. Perhaps, that's will the time I should be terrified.

"But I don't want to listen to your babbling. Gosh, what a nerd."

I stopped reading the next lines in the paragraph of the thick history book about Celtic. It was interesting though. With how they fought so much to conquer this land, that enough was already satisfying. I look at her with an impossible gaze. Partly, with my lips open and the seconds of forgetting to blink.

My plan was to initially introduce to her the beginning of everything so that she'll have some background knowledge. It was the most exciting part for me. To come up with questions that goes like how does such thing even exist.

"Is there not something fun to do?"

"Pardon me, I don't understand." For the first time in my entire life that I couldn't comprehend. I tilt my head. "Aren't we already doing something fun?"

A laugh burst from her that was out of control of being unladylike. She placed her hand on her stomach as if it was in pain and wipe the tears have form in her eyelids. "Oh my, perhaps the Grand Duke married me because you're quite boring."

My body stiffened.

"That's not true," I doubted, biting my lips.

"Really? How so?"

I opened my mouth to defend my standing but she confidently smirks and I felt intimidated, my voice was stuck in my throat as no words came out. I once again, try to speak yet nothing make sense anymore. Instead, I shut my own opinion and remain silent as my will backs down.

She was different from those corrupted Viscounts in Persian with an obvious intention. Perhaps, is it because she is part of the royalty that she can maintain her dignified pose and be able to strike back.

What do I really want to prove to her? Even if I am the first wife, when I set the conditions that we should not invade each other's personal matters, questioning his decision in marrying the woman in front of me is beyond my limitations.

"You couldn't respond? With a ruler like you, it's not shocking if the Grand Duchy will collapse."

She flips the pages of a book while daring to drink her tea. Holding the handle with her pinky finger in a perfect ninety degrees. Then, she chuckled. "As I thought, it is better if I would be the Grand Duchess."

Her eyes found my sight and intensively glared at me. "Give up your position and handed it to me. I probably would do better than you."

I flinch and with a moment of being surprised, I manage to shook my head rapidly that make her gritted her teeth.

"You don't know but I am a princess that occasionally took in-charge of the empire. What would be a sixteen-year-old like you, can do? If not seducing the Grand Duke?"

This conversation will only trigger headache to me. I do believe that people have long patience but not quite enough to take all of the temper. And when that endurance became unbalance, they will lose reasoning and snapped as their feelings are out of control.

Imagine a picture of an empty glass. A third person poured boiling hot water into, and the glass couldn't do anything but to take it all. To accept every blistering particles of the water. Because the glass did a great job of not wasting the water, it never realized the cracks around its body and then one day...

It shattered.

Emotions are meant to be let out. It's too great to be handled by the heart alone. No matter how a person is stone-cold, they will burst once their patience exhaust.

And that's what happened to me. When I realized that my hand moves its own to slap her cheek. "Right. You wanted to be the Grand Duchess? You will never pass if I were you."

I exhaled and my mind was clouded with haziness. "Quit complaining and start reading these number of books before you brag. Also, you're too an old hag to make the Grand Duke want you that he prefers the youthful like me."

The stamping footsteps from the outside made me aware of what I'm doing and it was too late to step back. I froze when I look my palm stinging in red. When my eyes gaze up to see her face, her hand was resting on her cheek and tears are gathered in her eyelids.

"Why are you mad? Is it because I'm from the enemy of this country?" she sniffed.

It was the exact scene of what her maids witnessed. "Oh my, Princess! Why are you crying."

They covered her as if they are protecting their master from the villain like me. Bisitsha glared at me and snarled. "I would never forgive you if you hurt our Lady. Even if you are the wife of the Grand Duke."

"It's not- "

"Why do you keep bullying our miss? What did she even do wrong to you?" her other attendant stated as she comfort Crystal that was hugging her waist.

It was a single moment that I felt despair and lonely. Without a person on my side to believe me and justify my actions. To support me and encourage to fight back, there was none.

"My apologies if I've said something to offend you." I chose to humble for every word that came out from my mouth will never get through inside their occupied minds.

"You should learn to empathize with her; she was sent off as the peace treaty! You don't know what she's been going through."

And I thought when the situation could not get anymore disastrous, the man that I'm afraid to sighted me with my shameful act is walking towards our direction.

"What's with the chaos?"

Crystal immediately run and hug him; she buried her face on his chest. It was just for a glimpse that my sure eyes aren't deceiving me. She wickedly grinned at me, appearing that I'm the only person who would be able to notice. She then, continue to sob like an infant.

I see.

This was her plan all along. To provoke me.

"Our poor young miss. All she wanted was to be friend with her. Your Excellency please tell your wife to stop being a wench to our Princess," Bisitsha requested in a harsh tone.

"For a lowly maid. You sure are quite bold to order me. Perhaps, you wanted to be reminded of your position?"

She bows her head and averted in meeting his piercing stare. "N-no. Please forgive me."

"If you understand, then all of you leave." The Grand Duke wave his hand, a signal for them to go back working. Her maids raced to exit with their trembling foot.

"You'll punish her in behalf of me, right?" Crystal look up while asking.

The Grand Duke sigh before his eyes turn to me. "I will."