The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

11

Alter was taken aback and found himself at a loss for words.

Perhaps Brillié had reacted swiftly to protect him.

Especially since he could be seriously hurt by even a minor shock, she must have wrapped her body around him.

“What are you doing! To lose track within headquarters!”

“I’m… I’m sorry.”

Under Lang’s reprimand, the members could only try to avert their gaze.

Of course, the fleeing criminal was recaptured, but the problem was that Lang had to step in.

Moreover, with guests present, it was as if they had exposed their own disgrace.

“We’ll discuss the responsibility for this incident later. Take him away.”

“Yes.”

Lang sent the members away and furrowed his brow deeply.

He probably intended to detain the criminal briefly before handing him over to the security or guard forces.

But an incident had to occur today, of all days, at this place, and as the head of the knight order, he couldn’t overlook it.

‘To show such a spectacle in front of a guest… I’m truly without face.’

Lang was quite embarrassed but also felt a bit relieved.

After all, the criminal was subdued quickly, and no harm had come to the guest.

Having trusted Brillié from the start, he had been able to rush at the criminal without hesitation.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps you could let me down now?”

“Oh… Right.”

Brillié belatedly bent down and released Alter.

She was so light that she had forgotten she was even holding him.

What on earth had she been eating all this time to be so delicate?

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“I apologize. It was my oversight. Perhaps it’s time to return to the mansion…”

“I’ve only just begun to look around, must I leave already? Can’t I stay a bit longer?”

“…?”

When an unexpected answer came, Lang had no choice but to close his mouth immediately.

Ordinary nobles would try to escape from such a situation right before their eyes.

But Alter, as he had been from their first meeting, only showed a composed reaction.

“Then I will leave Brillié behind and go. Brillié knows as much as I do, so there should be no difficulty in guiding you.”

“You’re leaving first?”

“Yes. An urgent matter has come up. I will finish it quickly and return.”

Lang exchanged glances with Brillié and immediately left the training ground.

Brillié had already grasped the meaning of his words, and Alter had a faint inkling as well.

Being in charge of the knight order, he had to intervene with his subordinates somehow.

“Hmm… Do you have a place you want to go?”

“I will just follow along. Walking like this isn’t too bad.”

“Alright. Then I will lead the way.”

Brillié glanced at Alter and began to move forward cautiously.

It seemed that if he took his eyes off Alter even for a moment, an accident might occur.

At the very least, while he was by her side, he must protect the fiancée’s safety.

‘She’s less scared than I thought.’

Brillié thought Alter was quite bold.

Even if she wasn’t trembling with fear because of that incident, she should show some perturbed reaction.

But Alter, even in the moment of being embraced, only showed an indifferent gaze.

‘After all, she lived in such a place…’

The northern territories are always covered with snow and ice, and not even a faint warmth can be found.

Moreover, ferocious monsters roam everywhere, and barbarian tribes often disrupt the front lines.

Having survived in such a barren land, she wouldn’t feel fear easily.

‘So, did she accept the marriage without any concern?’

Brillié was finally able to reflect on Alter’s attitude.

Having led a frail life so far, she must not have had any hope.

She couldn’t assert her will anywhere, anytime, and had no choice but to depend on her family.

Therefore, while she calmly accepted the arranged marriage, she might have only looked at the possibility of breaking it off.

‘I can’t leave her alone. There’s no one else to take care of her but me.’

Of course, even if not him, the butlers or maids would help.

From noble mtl dot come

But they were merely employees of the ducal house, and in reality, no relationship was established.

No one but herself could harbor genuine feelings for Alter.

‘She shouldn’t be getting married… she needs to take care of her health first…’

***

Brillie left work early with Alter, at an unusually early hour.

There wasn’t much work to be done, and Lang had already given the instructions.

It was probably a measure taken because of the incident at the training ground, but she couldn’t bring herself to mention that part.

“Ah, Hillis. If you’re not busy, could you come see me for a moment?”

“… Understood.”

“I’ll be waiting in my room.”

Hillis, summoned by Brillie, straightened out her attire first.

Being called separately meant that there was something to discuss.

Considering recent events, it probably had to do with the fiancé.

‘She must be troubled. If she doesn’t break off the engagement, she’ll have to marry…’

Hillis checked if there was any unfinished work before stopping in front of the room door.

Although she remained friends with Brillie, the hierarchical relationship had not disappeared.

Therefore, formal procedures had to be followed at all times, and the dignity of a butler must not be lost.

“Are you here? Please, take a seat.”

Brillie, already seated at the table, invited her to join.

Hillis bowed her head slightly and approached the opposite side.

“…”

“…”

Brillie continued the silence with Hillis in front of her.

But Hillis waited quietly, and eventually, she heard the voice.

“Have you met my fiancé?”

“Yes. Not often, but I have served by his side.”

“How was it?”

“He is a thoughtful person. He doesn’t indulge in stubbornness or whims… He seems to have a gentle nature.”

Hillis answered honestly based on her experiences.

Other butlers and maids, being employed for a salary, had no choice but to conceal their own thoughts.

But as a friend of Brillié, I could offer genuine advice at this moment.

“It’s too deep, that’s the problem. You’re acting like an old soul.”

“I have no choice but to act like an old soul. You know yourself well.”

“…Still, couldn’t you let it slide just a bit?”

“Once a heart is broken, it’s not easy to mend. It should have been taken care of before it broke… but that wasn’t possible, was it?”

“So, it’s up to me to do well?”

“It’s hard to be certain. If you’re considering breaking off the engagement, wouldn’t you push away first?”

Brillié mulled over these words and soon accepted them.

Alter had agreed to an arranged marriage, but only as a realistic limitation.

Thus, he only demeaned his own worth and contemplated breaking off the engagement.

“Regardless, you might still end up breaking off the engagement. After all, Duke Ilenath is the one driving this marriage.”

“To be better than a grand ducal family, it would have to be the imperial family, right?”

“One could consider a noble with a title or a family of high repute. Of course, the imperial family cannot be excluded.”

“I don’t like this kind of marriage… What wrong has he done to deserve this?”

“…Marriages among nobility have always been like this. A means to look after each other’s interests.”

“That tender-hearted child is already thinking of breaking off the engagement. Why do I have to hear such things?”

“…”

Even Hillize had nothing else to say on the matter.

Just watching was pitiable enough, and listening to it was utterly frustrating.

Having accepted reality in place of his own will, he felt a sense of alienation.

“If the engagement is broken off just like that. What am I supposed to say to him? ‘It turned out just as you said? Find someone better next time? I didn’t mean to, but I’m sorry?’ Is that all I should say?”

“It’s something everyone goes through. Your fiancé must know that…”

“If I really get angry, I might just take him away. You think I can’t do it?”

“That’s…”

Hillize looked at Brillié with a sense of tension.

Once Brillié sets a goal, he sees it through to the end.

That’s why he secretly practiced swordsmanship and even participated in monster subjugation battles alone.

If he truly decides to marry Alter, he might even abandon his own family.

“Ha… I’ll keep watching for now. Neither of us is marrying for love, right?”

“For your fiancé’s sake, it’s best not to cause any trouble. Your fiancé… can’t live alone.”

“Do you think I’m unaware? Marriage is no child’s play…”

Hillise continued to ponder, reflecting on the previous conversation.

Brillie must have harbored disdain for the arranged marriage, yet felt compassion for her fiancé.

That’s why she made such bold statements, but she still seemed hesitant.

‘It doesn’t seem likely she’ll go through with it… but if she does, both families would be turned upside down.’

The elopement of a duchess and the heir of a grand duke.

Just hearing about it would cause a shock.

Considering the arranged marriage, it seemed likely even the emperor would take interest.

‘With Brillie’s skills, eloping with her fiancé wouldn’t be difficult. And after that… Hmm…’

***

Alter sipped his tea, reflecting on the day’s events.

The weather was still sunny, and warmth radiated from all around.

Wandering the headquarters of the Setinos Knights in such conditions was essentially a leisurely stroll.

‘I didn’t say a word, yet the two of them sparred.’

Alter couldn’t recall exactly how the sparring between Brillie and Lang had gone.

He only recognized that Brillie was slightly overpowered, and Lang’s skills were superior.

But the two abandoned the match midway and went their separate ways.

‘Lang caught the fleeing coward… and Brillie hooked me.’

Alter paused, setting down his teacup.

Regardless, she must have embraced him immediately to save him.

It wasn’t a situation that could be resolved with words, and they had to move urgently.

Despite being fully aware of all the conditions, why couldn’t he shake off that memory?

‘Embraced me in an instant? Does that make any sense?’

He hadn’t seen Brillie’s move coming.

Only after regaining his senses did he realize he was in Brillie’s arms.

It felt alien to him, as it was beyond his understanding.

‘She must be stronger than I thought.’

Brillie’s abilities were roughly inferred from the original work.

She was acknowledged by the next Sword Saint, and other knights also held her in high regard.

But having experienced her strength firsthand, he couldn’t help but be wary.

“I’m not a match for him. Should I arrange a meeting with the Crown Prince sooner?”