The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

17

***

Alter had become quite familiar with the mansion’s layout, but he hadn’t delved into the details. Currently, he was in a position of dependence, and there were eyes watching over him.

Moreover, the Duke’s mansion was so vast that touring it would only exhaust his stamina.

“Brillié must have gone to the knight’s order… I wonder if Duke Ilenath is in his office?”

Being a member of the Setinos Order, Brillié would have a regular routine. Duke Ilenath, being a titled noble, often had to step out for his duties.

Unlike them, Alter spent his days confined to the mansion.

“I’ve only exchanged greetings with the other family members.”

Duke Ilenath had three children under his care and lived with one wife. It was known that there had been another wife, but she had passed away long ago.

That wife was Brillié’s mother, which inevitably made the siblings half-related.

“My mother has passed away too… Are we in the same boat?”

It was not uncommon for titled nobles to marry multiple women. Most marriages were within the nobility, but occasionally, a commoner might be taken as a concubine.

However, the nobility often scorned those of common birth, and their children were frequently disregarded.

“If my mother had been a commoner, I wouldn’t have received such treatment.”

Alter had a keen understanding of the Agnes Empire’s social structure.

The Emperor tried to provide opportunities for commoners to showcase their talents, but the nobles disapproved of this approach.

Intoxicated by their inherited status and the notion of being the chosen ones, they naturally looked down upon the common folk.

Thus, a noble who married a commoner was invariably ostracized.

“Still, a Grand Duke’s house could mitigate that to some extent. The same goes for the Emperor and the Duke’s family.”

No matter the privileges claimed by the nobility, they became meaningless before the hierarchy.

Even if one was of common birth, being a descendant of the Emperor’s line meant they could not be easily slighted, and the grandeur of the Grand Duke and Duke’s families remained intact.

Of course, the entrenched notions among the nobility wouldn’t change, so I thought they would secretly ignore it.

‘Brillie has no issues in that regard… It’s just the half-sibling part that’s a bit troubling.’

From noble mtl dot come

Even if they share the same father, conflicts can arise among children with different mothers.

They might simply discriminate, deliberately cause trouble, or endlessly argue over the distribution of inheritance.

Especially in Brillie’s case, who could be involved in the succession of titles, the eldest son of the Illeynat family couldn’t help but be wary.

‘Brillie is making a name in swordsmanship, so I can’t help but pay attention.’

In the original work, the eldest son of the Illeynat family seemed to have an antagonistic attitude towards Brillie.

Of course, Brillie was aware of this fact and thus did not treat the eldest son favorably.

Nevertheless, he did not covet the title and only looked forward to his own goals.

‘What then, does he think of me…’

Alter encountered someone while looking around the mansion.

The person recognized Alter and unconsciously straightened their clothes.

The two watched each other and then cautiously approached.

“You were here. Is life in the mansion not too stifling for you?”

“Thanks to your consideration, I’m doing well.”

“I’m relieved to hear you’re doing well.”

Bartel Illeynat, the eldest son of the Duke of Illeynat, responded kindly with a smile.

Though he was the fiancé of the half-siblings, it was related to the family’s strategic marriage.

Therefore, he had to show the utmost courtesy to Alter, following his father’s wishes.

“Will you be staying at the mansion today?”

“Fortunately, I have no plans today. On such days, I should rest and prepare for tomorrow’s schedule.”

“You must have a lot to do. You will have to follow in the Duke of Illeynat’s footsteps, won’t you?”

Alter mentioned Bartel’s position deliberately, with a calm demeanor.

It was important to let Bartel know that he was not an enemy.

After all, one must not cause any disputes while staying here.

“I am trying. We must not tarnish the family’s reputation.”

“I understand you’re doing well now. Surely, you will lead the family well.”

“For now, the head of the family is handling everything. I just move as instructed.”

“That’s how you’ll adapt well later. If you do as you’re told, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“…”

Bartel, while receiving praise, was deducing the intent behind it.

Alter, being a scion of the Grand Duke’s family, was sufficiently threatening to him.

If Brillié were to use the power of the Grand Duke’s family, it would significantly influence the succession of the title.

“…Do you find me suspicious?”

“What do you mean? Suspicious, you say?”

“Do you think the title’s succession could change because of me?”

Alter scanned the surroundings with a lowered voice.

The maid following him was far away, and Bartel had not brought anyone along.

Since there was no opportunity to meet separately, it was time to make a declaration.

“It doesn’t seem appropriate to discuss this here.”

“Doesn’t that mean you have that much confidence in yourself?”

“Having confidence… You mean you’ll take responsibility for your words?”

“I’m too busy taking care of myself. Do you think I have the capacity to worry about anything else?”

“…”

“With this body, I can’t do anything. I don’t have the power to incite an engagement with someone I’ve barely met. And yet, you suspect me?”

“…”

“Just let me stay quietly. Or shall I offer you some humble advice?”

Bartel swallowed his silence, inadvertently paying attention to the words.

He thought he was just a frail noble, but he was leading the conversation quite boldly.

What kind of advice was he planning to give?

“I’m curious about the advice you would give.”

“…If you don’t let go now, you’ll regret it. You wouldn’t want to mess things up because of a momentary affection, would you?”

“That… That’s!”

Bartel’s eyes widened as he immediately became aware of the maid behind him.

At this distance, she wouldn’t be able to overhear the conversation.

However, Bartel couldn’t help but be a little shocked that Alter knew this secret.

“A duke could handle a commoner wife. But… have you thought about how that would tie into the succession of the title?”

“…”

“If you’re planning an escape of love, I won’t stop you, but if the title is important, it would be better to let it go. Duke Ilenat prefers thorough people.”

Alter recited calmly, his eyes sharp.

Of course, Bartel already knew what decision he would make.

He simply wanted to straighten out his hesitating heart and gain a little faith.

“… How did you find that out?”

“Rather than how I found out, shouldn’t you be thinking about what needs to be done? I’ve said it time and again, but I want to be left in peace. I hope you understand the meaning of my words.”

Bartel instantly understood what Alter meant.

Since his father hadn’t noticed this secret, it must be something Alter had not yet revealed.

In other words, he was advising to resolve the issue quickly without causing a stir.

“Do you now see whose side I’m on?”

“Not on mine, but… you don’t seem too greedy.”

“Is that so? I trust you’ll treat my fiancé well.”

With that, Alter ended the conversation and took the first step away.

Bartel stood still for a while before finally starting to move.

‘… I didn’t threaten him. Nor did I tattle to father.’

Despite his suspicions about Alter’s intentions, Bartel had to reluctantly accept them.

If he had wanted to contribute to the succession of the Brillié title, he would have had to keep himself in check somehow.

But there had been no contact in any form, just advice, and nothing more.

‘I underestimated him a bit, but he might be quite formidable.’

Bartel became certain that Alter was neither an enemy nor an ally.

Alter had chosen neither side, pursuing only neutrality.

Perhaps he was avoiding even the slightest controversy, as much as he was bound by a political marriage.

‘It’s best not to meddle. Better to leave things as they are.’

***

Kadeon called Brillié aside and offered her tea.

Their relationship as father and daughter wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t bad enough to sever ties.

Recently, her fiancé had also visited, so it was time to inquire about her well-being.

“… Are you getting along with your fiancé?”

“Yes. Better than I thought.”

“No matter how much you dislike it, you can’t avoid seeing each other for life.”

“More than that, I can’t predict what father will do.”

Brillié continued the conversation effortlessly, leaving her teacup untouched.

I had some conversations with Alter, and we often accompanied each other when going out.

But as the possibility of breaking off the engagement was mentioned, I couldn’t ignore it forever.

“What are you saying I should do?”

“Please be honest. Are you going to push through with this marriage to the very end?”

“…”

Cadeon was momentarily seized by silence, slowly turning to look at Brillié.

He suspected that Brillié had caught on to his plans.

After all, anyone could guess after considering various conditions.

“What do you wish to happen?”

“Father. I asked first. If you answer me, then I’ll tell you.”

“There’s nothing I can tell you at the moment. That’s why I’m asking for your thoughts.”

“Are you trying to hide it from me? Can’t you just say we’re going to break off the engagement?”

Brillié pressed on relentlessly in front of her father.

She didn’t know exactly what her father was aiming for, but it was necessary to get a rough idea.

That’s why she deliberately mentioned breaking off the engagement to gauge his reaction.

“There’s nothing decided yet, what do you want me to say?”

“Father. Did you think I knew nothing? If we break off the engagement now, what should I tell my fiancé? Just say sorry and it’s over?”

“… You know this is a marriage of convenience, don’t you?”

“I’m being dragged along by the decisions you’ve made, Father. How much more do you need to torment me to be satisfied?”

Brillié harbored a faint sense of responsibility towards Alter.

No matter the process, ultimately, marriage to her had been promised.

Even if it was just an engagement, could she casually break it off and choose someone else?

“It’s all for your sake. You should learn to be patient.”

“It’s not for me, it’s for you, Father! You’re trying to sell me off to another family, aren’t you?”

“Brillié! You dare say such things in front of me!”

“Should I just go through with the marriage? No need to ponder, just spend tonight together, right?”