"Oh my, perhaps you're the concubine."

"Pardon for my intrusion. I am Crystal, a princess from Mazo." She bowed her head as she greeted, clasping the both side of her skirt. Her hair was fixed into a bun, all of her strand was kept neatly. That she will look dashing and intimidating with her image.

"May I join your party?"

"Sure. Please take a seat."

She boldly sat on the vacant chair then, highly ordered a servant to poured her a cup of tea. The spotlight turned to her; shrill voice ruled the air as she chattered with my honorable guests. They asked few inquiries about her life in the neighbor country that turned as our enemy yet they warmly welcomed her. As they were curious with exotic features of a foreigner.

They're talking with different topics that seems to be difficult for me to follow. Her class must have ended early for her to arrive here prepared. With all the cosmetics applied to her face to look her even more extravagant as well as those shining jewelries that she's showing off. Hmm, she came here well-planned as if she was scheming something.

I silently sip from my cup, wishing that this would be done sooner. Thanks to Crystal, I don't have much speaking to do. By all means, she can have stage to her wants. She's quite useful in times of these things. Just don't notice me and include myself when you cause such scene.

"You're quite an interesting fellow."

"Such a wonderful feeling to be compliment," Crystal responded.

"The Grand Duke's taste is quite different." Baroness Muchacha gave me a meaningful smirk that I also returned her with an innocent smile.

Yet if I wouldn't do anything, their favors will be gain by Crystal and all of our efforts in holding this small gathering will turn into waste. Jackson will surely scold me for being timid. So, I tried to get their recognition the best as I can. "Does everyone know the book entitled Revolution?"

I grab their attention that I felt conscious when their eyes set on me. Was my question so weird that they will pause with their mouth hanging. Is my complexity not good or if my hair was messed up by the wind?

"Pfft– " Crystal restrain her laugh. "Forgive me Your Excellency. Nowadays, people are not fond of shabby books anymore."

They also chuckled as if I was trying to be hilarious and did not gawk me again. Crystal continue her talk. "Now, where were we?"

"Did you hear about Countess Bobo?"

"May I know, who is that person?" Crystal asked.

"She is a woman- " I tried to explain but I was cut off by the Baroness. My lips formed into thin line.

"Right. You're new here, you don't know many people yet."

Perhaps, I shouldn't learn all about the aristocrats in Arello. In that way, I would also have an excuse to make a conversation with them naturally just how Crystal mingle with them. She's not trying to offend them by having lack of knowledge instead, she pretends to be interested in the subject.

And then, the gossips expanded furthermore that left me with no choice but to keep silent and eat the snacks that was prepared. Goodness, how am I so bad at this yet everyone could do it?

"Crystal is fun to talk with. What about the Grand Duchess?"

"I agree. Now that I think about, Her Excellency was also here. I didn't notice for I was too absorb with our chat that I almost thought that Princess Crystal was the one who invited us."

That's really a funny way to ignore me when you're the one who rudely didn't let me speak. I remain calm that will be visible to my posture. Chest out and no traces of emotion on my face. Keeping my cool inside of my mind, refraining from bursting my frustration.

Crystal giggled in flatter. "I'm honored that I've kept you amused."

It will be ill-mannered if I try to interfere them again. Perhaps, I was wrong to personally choose these people for the gathering. Sometimes, I have the bad choice in terms of people who are good in masking their true intentions. "That's fine. As long as you enjoy your time."

The tea party ended with me exhaling a long sigh. The maids began to clean up the place. They fix the table cloth for the washing and they set aside the expensive vases with the porcelain teacups.

While Crystal insisted to lead the exit for the visitors and I don't have the courage to decline her offer. The guests bid their farewell and gave their thanks with gifts. I plastered a smiled at them as usual when they walk away.

I was taking the hallway with my shoulder down, the path to my room for me to be able to finally rest. Perhaps, I should seek for advice on how to improve my socializing skill to my instructor. And that thought made me only recall the incidents earlier which only cause me to be gloomy.

When I glance at the window as I passed by, I saw the guests together with Crystal strolling the route of the gate. There are carriages from different family are on park outside, waiting for their masters to arrive. One thing that kept me interested was their conversation where their voices are loud and clear, unmannered as well as disrespectful.

"You should be the Grand Duchess. You're great at entertaining the guests."

"Oh my! I should be, right?" Crystal modestly covered her mouth with the back of her hand while laughing that sounds like an old witch, she seems to pretend as meek and humble.

"Of course," they agreed in unison.

"That make sense. I'm also the wife of Alcide. So, I'm a Grand Duchess too."

"You call him by his first name?"

They gathered the Princess, feeling excited to their chatter. Heating up and squealing that appears like to be teenagers. Crystal was bombed with questions from the nobles with their curious eyes that gleams just as the moonlight.

"Yes."

"Oh my! You're close with him."

Crystal nodded. "Yes, he favors me a lot."

"All the more reason that you should be treated as the Grand Duchess," they snicker.

"We want to let you know that we are here for you." Baroness held the both hands of Crystal despite the gloves that they wore. The others follow her too as they raised concern for Crystal.

"You could ask for our help at any time."

"We are all rooting for you."

"Right! Instead of the incompetent current Grand Duchess, why don't you become one."

"Oh Goodness. Thank you for your support," Crystal stated and was about to cry with their every voice that touches her heart. Acting to be flatter but in reality, she probably didn't mean it.

I could only see the worry face of the Baroness Muchacha as she caresses the face of Crystal. "I'm meaning to ask this, Princess. Forgive me if I was not minding my business. Care to tell us, why your cheek is reddish?"

"This? Oh my, I was trying to hide it but I guess it can't be help," she paused and sighed. "Her Excellency, slapped me because of jealousy. But I was alright now. It was my fault for getting closer to the Grand Duke."

"What? Unbelievable."

My eyebrows met, if I didn't hear her wrong that my ears are not functioning, perhaps I would believe her facade. It was already few days that have been passed since that incident, I'm sure it was all healed for I didn't smack her irritating face that hard.

Oh my! I should have, for her not to put so much effort in applying her uneven powder blush. I clench my hands and clicked my tongue. In the end, I couldn't eavesdrop anymore to their foolish and nonsense topic. I can't believe that I wanted to form a bond with those people, it's not my loss anyway.

This is why I hate social gatherings. Whatever you do, people will say something about it. Even if you did a great job or try your best. In the end, you can't please everyone. Might as well just live the life the way you want and not mind their comment as it will only ruin your confidence.

I rather lay down on a mountain of books and shower myself with knowledge than waste my time on meaningless things. Comfort myself with wisdom and stay low. The world would not favor ignorance. It can forgive you once but never twice. I will learn as much as I'm still breathing for life is short just like the candle.

The maids called me for dinner. It was the only moment I noticed that I fell asleep, still wearing my garment for the event and just woke up from the sound of the knock. The servants helped me first to change into much comfortable clothes before coming down to the dining area.

I instantly wanted to cover my eyes for I was not adept in a blinding scene. The habitual Crystal is clinging to His Excellency that I would want to avert my gaze. She also changed her dress this time yet it was more appealing than a lady that should be conservative and well preserved.

"How was the party?" His Excellency asks me yet a different person answered. Though it was not already shocking. I stayed silent as the butler pulled a seat for me.

"I did a great job entertaining them!" she praised herself. "Don't you think I need a reward?"

"Alright, bring in it."

A servant brought a steel tray with a classic small box on it. When he walks closer towards them, Crystal immediately grab the item just like hungry a wolf. Her mouth was left open, drooling as she opened the small gift. With unbelievable expression, she looked at the Grand Duke bewildered. "This is wonderful."

She inserted a silver ring on her finger with tears pooling in her eyes. "It suits me well." She suddenly hugged the Grand Duke in between their seats. "Thank you very much."

The Grand Duke simply let go and wiped his mouth with the napkin. "It's all yours."

Unconsciously, I gaze down to see my hand while holding the utensils as I elegantly chewing the meat. Now, that I think about it. Among the jewelries that he gifted me, there was no ring that I received.

We didn't even bother to hold an engagement and wedding ceremony or announcement to the society that he was going to be marry me. We just signed the papers, agree to some conditions and magically done. Not that it matters to me anyway.

Perhaps the reason why the nobles said that I was lacking as the Grand Duchess and cheered Crystal instead for they thought that she still has a chance to gain a higher position than a mere concubine.

That's because His Excellency haven't proclaimed that I'm his official first wife. Usually it was held at the ceremony though we skipped that part so, the aristocrats doubt me. I really hate the idea that there is unknown feeling that was starting to bother me.

In the back of my mind, I was hoping that there was something for me too. However, minutes travel by just like the light. My foolish expectation didn't happen and I was only ashamed of my thoughts. He clearly saw me, doing all the work yet there was not even a single compliment.

Perhaps, he would only need me in times of suggesting ideas for war and during the night to satisfy him. Because he now knows that I'm bad with these socializing events, Crystal was far better that she can prove to be a great ruler and partner for him. Then in the future, he will not need me for those because Crystal will already replace me. Bits by bits. As I will be thrown away for, I am a useless.

That can't be.