The arrival of the Grand Duke and...His mistress

Athanasia, the Duchess of Belgoat, stood in front of the main building of the dukedom welcoming the knights of Belgoat who had returned from the 10 years of war.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Duke, and entourage have entered the Dukedom." Info Nocton, an old man in a maid outfit, Belgoat's Butler.

Athanasia, who had straight blonde hair with moss green eyes, nodded. The girl is only 20 years old, this year. Her stature is far from slender, quite full, of average height, and a face that seems ugly.

She stood in her best dress, which was simple turquoise green, with a modest look on her face – which was only made up of powdered powder, a little blush, and soft pink lipstick. No earrings or extra jewelry. Not at all like a typical duchess.

The group arrived...

Athanasia, who was standing in the front, lowered her head, and saluted, "Welcome, Your Highness Grand Duke Claude De La Belgoat, to the Dukedom of Belgoat." She said politely.

Hundreds of knights wearing armor, while riding on dark horses, fully armed, began to fill the main courtyard...

The handsome man with thick black hair, tall with a broad chest, who was at the forefront, dismounted from his horse, he was Claude, Grand Duke of Belgoat.

The Grand Duke no heed to the Duchess, her wife's greeting.

His hand instead grabbed the hand of another girl who had been riding with him for the past few days. "be careful" he said softly, holding a beautiful girl, a girl with pink hair like candy and blue eyes as clear as the ocean-

"Who is that?" asked the beautiful girl in his arms, pointing at Athanasia, the wife of the man who was carrying her.

The name of the beautiful girl is Yvonne, Princess of another kingdom that was destroyed by war. Even though this was the first time the princess stepped on this empire, but, she had been the subject of conversation for the past few weeks,

"Welcome to the Belgoat Dukedom, Princess Yvonne." Athanasia greeted, still polite, "Introduce me, Duchess Belgoat." Ok, Athanasia obviously can't help herself, Duchess Belgoat = Grand Duke's wife, hope the girl understands.

Yvonne, who was carried princess-like by Claude, leaned his head, "Claude, I'm tired." She said weakly, either really weak or deliberately weakened herself.

Claude nodded, "Nocton-" he called, Nocton who had been standing behind Athanasia for a long time, took a step forward, "The residence for Princess Yvonne is available, Your Majesty." explained the butler, politely.

"Show me the way," Claude commanded, completely ignoring Athanasia, not acknowledging the existence of his wife at all.

Athanasia herself had given up, forgetting her husband's impoliteness and her husband's affair, then turned around, trying to keep herself busy by welcoming the other knights.

"Welcome, to the Belgoat Dukedom." greeted Athanasia with her sweet smile, who got a smile with a cold face-

I already guessed.

They all hate Duchess Belgoat, just like Claude, they all ignore Athanasia's greeting, passing the Duchess just like that...

Athanasia just smiled, "They must be tired," it's okay, he doesn't care anyway. There are two reasons why they all hate her.

First; because Athanasia is a part of the enemy,

"Madam, there is an invitation from the palace, from Queen Valrose." replied a servant who for some reason was deliberately ordered to be handed over in front of the knights.

Queen Valrose was the reason why the war was long and tiring. She was the one who initiated sending the 17-year-old Claude to the battlefield, in the hope that her stepson would die there.

The gazes of the knights who saw her receive a letter from Queen Valrose, made Athanasia's hair stand on end...

"Bitch"

"As per the rumors, she looks sly,"

"The captain must be suffering-"

Second; because Athanasia had a lot of bad rumors, well, even if they were all just rumors, based on her reputation, as Queen Valrose's favorite daughter-in-law, they would naturally choose to believe her.

"Madam," Nocton called, he had returned from dropping off Claude.

Athanasia looked up, "The Grand Duke is calling for you,"

Finally,

Did he finally remember that Athanasia and Himself were still husband and wife?

While folding the letter, "rewrite the invitation, with the aim of on behalf of the Grand Duke, Princess Vyond, and the knights." Athanasia said, returning her letter to the maid earlier.

"But, madam-",

"Queen Valrose sent the wrong destination, the war victory party should be attended by the main characters, not me," she ordered again.

"Well, well, madam." The Queen Hates her stepdaughter.

Sometimes she held a war victory party without inviting the reason why this empire won.

Athanasia turned back to Nocton, "So where should I meet the Grand Duke?" She asked.