The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

19

***

Belder spent most of his time in the royal palace, but lately, he had been going out frequently.

Officially, it was for the selection of the Crown Princess candidate, but in reality, it was more akin to a whim.

He couldn’t always be cooped up in the palace, so he sought to have a slightly different experience.

‘I’ve been around here and there, but… it’s all the same, isn’t it?’

Belder strolled near the pond in the palace, continuing his contemplation.

In the pond, fish imbued with golden hues swam busily.

This pond was always maintained by the royal servants, so it could never become dirty.

Even the nobles could not keep fish, so the pond alone practically manifested the royal authority.

‘Maybe it would be better to marry as they decide for me.’

Belder was already aware of his position and presence as the Crown Prince.

It seemed like he could enjoy anything as the next Emperor, but in reality, he was bound by various conditions.

Even if he brought a woman who was to be the Crown Princess, would the Emperor and Empress dare to allow the marriage?

‘…Still, I wish I could search more thoroughly.’

Belder was considering looking beyond the capital to other regions.

There were many nobles residing in the capital, but the other regions were being overlooked.

Perhaps he should at least make an excuse to tour the interior of the empire for a while.

‘But they won’t allow it. It would endanger my safety.’

Belder had already anticipated the reaction of the Emperor and the bureaucrats.

He had to succeed the throne in the future, so they couldn’t carelessly send him to an unsecured place.

Of course, those who wished for his downfall would subtly express their agreement.

‘But I can’t ask someone else to do it… Was finding a marriage partner this difficult?’

Belder viewed it with displeasure but did not deny the reality.

Not only he, but his siblings would also go through a similar process.

Even the nobles were preoccupied with strategic marriages, how could one go against such a current?

“Should I hold off a bit longer? Or…”

Belder pondered other strategies before recalling his conversation with Duke Ilenath.

He had deliberately mentioned the Imperial Knights to Duke Ilenath, but the response was not clear-cut.

The Duke had merely promised to persuade his daughter well.

“There must be something he’s considering, or his daughter is quite obstinate.”

It was almost a rejection of his proposal.

If he truly intended to enlist Brillié in the Imperial Knights, Duke Ilenath would have earnestly stepped forward.

But with no news thus far, it seemed some circumstances had arisen.

“It’s too precious to give up now. Isn’t there another way?”

It was rare for a noble lady to wield a sword in the first place.

Moreover, she possessed considerable skill and was running the knights’ order alongside the future Sword Saint.

With such credentials, shouldn’t she be accepted into the Imperial Knights, even if it meant facing opposition?

“I can’t conscript her by force… and it’s not fitting to make trivial excuses to the ducal house.”

The Ilenath ducal house wasn’t called a powerhouse for nothing.

The Ilenaths had been loyal to the royal family for many years, accumulating wealth and fame.

With the honor derived from history adding to their substantial influence, they were not to be taken lightly with mere funds.

“In that case, I must bring an offer that could tempt them.”

Brillié Ilenath’s goals and the means to achieve them.

Something related to these must be presented as a bargaining chip.

But should it be this troublesome to respond to an induction into the Imperial Knights?

“And that’s not all… It’s a bit regrettable about the Grand Duke’s offspring.”

Belder harbored some regrets about employing Alter Radiant as a royal attendant.

It was just that the given conditions were limited, causing him to hesitate slightly.

He had no intention of assigning difficult tasks; it was enough to elevate his own authority.

“Just by staying by my side, one can shine splendidly. After all, authority stems from appearance.”

Belder was obsessed with the dignity befitting his position as the Crown Prince.

No one should approach, yet he must display the destiny of the future Emperor.

Thus, he adorned himself splendidly while also demanding a respectable appearance from his supporting staff.

“If one is to be my attendant, they must at least meet that standard. Not to mention the escort knights.”

Belder considered visiting the Ilenath ducal residence at a later time.

If I go there myself, I might meet them both at once.

Shouldn’t I keep trying unless it really seems impossible?

‘The things I cannot have… Is that why I become more obsessed?’

***

Alter spent his spare time always buried in books.

It wasn’t for the sake of gaining knowledge or studying to become a royal bureaucrat.

It was merely a means to hone his own talent.

‘I should be learning this by writing it myself…’

Even as Alter learned the theories and concepts from the books, he couldn’t help feeling a sense of loss.

After all, there are clear limits to the knowledge gained from reading.

That’s why one must draw out their own efficiency through repeated practice.

But with a body like this, even casting magic was a struggle.

‘What can I do if I collapse after casting magic just once?’

Alter closed the book and pushed it aside on the desk.

He had already seen the results in the northern territories, and his father had even warned him not to use magic.

Knowing this, any further exertion would only endanger his life.

‘I let my guard down for a moment and caught a cold… I’m just getting by on medicine…’

With a knock, Hillis appeared.

As always, Hillis set down a bowl filled with medicine.

Without a word, Alter approached the table and immediately downed the medicine.

“I don’t know if it’s just me, but it seems like I see you quite often.”

“… Is that so? I will call someone else from now on.”

Hillis didn’t even reply, instead proposing a new solution.

If the person being served feels displeased, then it’s right to respond accordingly.

Of course, this was a ruse to shake one’s psyche, and it usually led to a harmonious outcome.

“Why go to such lengths? I was just asking.”

“Oh, I apologize. I thought you were uncomfortable, so I tried to resolve it quickly.”

“There’s nothing to be uncomfortable about. Everyone’s been kind to me, why would I feel uncomfortable?”

Alter answered calmly, yet he saw right through the intention.

Hillis was probably making frequent visits on purpose to keep an eye on him.

Perhaps he is secretly planning an escape with Brillié.

‘He must be hoping for a broken engagement. If the marriage goes through, there’s nothing to be done.’

Of course, even if Brillié breaks off the engagement, it wouldn’t necessarily mean an opportunity for Hillize.

Hillize is at a disadvantage compared to the other male leads.

In terms of origin and fame, the prince and the future Sword Saint had the upper hand, and the thief and vampire had the advantage of freedom of movement, creating a gap from the start.

‘So as the story progresses, it seems his presence diminishes…’

“There’s also the option to assign a personal butler or maid. That way, you might find things a bit more comfortable…”

“No, that’s alright. Continue as we were. I don’t want to create any unnecessary work.”

Alter had no reason to interfere with Hillize.

In fact, by leaving him to his own devices, he could erase any sense of competition towards himself.

Perhaps in a critical moment, he might even become an ally, so a little cooperation wouldn’t hurt.

“If you need anything, please let me know. I’ll check and guide you accordingly.”

“Hmm… Right. Could you buy something for me?”

“What do you need? We will cover the expenses.”

“I should use my own money this time. I don’t want to be accused of coveting the ducal estate’s wealth.”

“…?”

Before leaving the northern territories, Alter had received a considerable sum from his father.

He couldn’t always just take from the ducal estate; it was emergency funds for special circumstances.

From noble mtl dot come

However, Alter was considering investing to increase that emergency fund.

‘I won’t see a loss. I have to spend when necessary.’

While foreseeing the not-too-distant future, Alter was also conscious of the other male leads.

The prince had made an early appearance, but it was only the timing of his encounter with Brillié that had been brought forward.

Eventually, all the male leads would sequentially make their move towards Brillié.

‘The vampire will appear soon… It’ll get a bit dangerous.

Of course, with Brillié’s abilities, she won’t be easily defeated.

But the act is bizarre and cruel, so it can’t be completely ignored.

‘That creature is after Brillié’s blood.’

***

Brillié had been commuting to and from the Knights’ headquarters, mostly on foot.

She could use a horse or carriage, but she didn’t prefer it.

As my body relaxes, so does my mind become frail, and I find myself fostering a habit of needless dependence.

‘…Something feels off?’

Brillie walked on resolutely, yet she was acutely aware of what was behind her.

For days now, she had sensed an unusual presence.

And with each commute, that sensation grew sharper, compelling her to be on guard without thinking.

‘It seems to be following only me.’

It was then that Brillie became certain, her gaze turning icy.

Maintaining a steady distance, it was stealthily tracking her.

Surely, it was ready to flee at a moment’s notice, should it be pursued.

‘If it had any skill, it would hide its presence. So why reveal itself?’

Brillie pondered over various possibilities, contemplating her next move.

Turn and ambush, seek the knight’s order for capture, or use the family’s private soldiers.

To apprehend it for sure, she would need military support, but acting now risked losing the trail.

‘I must discern its purpose in following me. If it’s not human…’

Brillie hesitated for a moment before swiftly turning around.

The presence had vanished abruptly, and there was no hint of which way it had gone.

Such characteristics suggested a formidable force to be reckoned with.

‘It seems to have noticed it’s been detected. And I haven’t done anything…’

Brillie looked around nervously.

If she had caught even a fleeting change, her instincts must be sharp.

A sense bestowed only upon the strong, and if it were a monster, perhaps it possessed intelligence too.

‘Monsters in the capital seem unlikely… but it’s not unprecedented.’

Brillie considered the worst-case scenario and started walking again.

Even a powerful being wouldn’t dare cause a stir in the heart of the capital.

Moreover, considering her status, cleaning up afterward would be difficult.

In other words, only the foolish would engage in such folly.

‘There are only two kinds of monsters that take human form.’

Brillie quickly concluded, assuming her pursuer was not human.

Vampires, werewolves.

Vampires have a complexion close to purple and always maintain a human appearance.

In the case of werewolves, they could change between human and wolf form at will.

“I need to resolve this quickly. It doesn’t matter to me, but I can’t let others get hurt, can I?”