The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

29

Alter sent a letter to his father, but he couldn’t bring himself to reveal the contents to Duke Ilenath.

After repeated discussions with Hafnen, they concluded that the fact that he was cursed had to be kept hidden.

The perception of the curse was inevitably negative, so they decided to observe the situation for a while.

“If this gets out in high society, they won’t look kindly upon it.”

Of course, Alter was not so naive as to be swayed by the rumors of high society.

However, it could damage the family’s reputation, and he could suffer various losses himself.

That’s why he was determined not to reveal the fact to anyone other than his father.

“Breaking off the engagement might become easier… but there’s a lot to risk.”

Alter had set his sights solely on breaking off the engagement, not on ruining his life.

If he mentioned the curse in a rush to break off the engagement, many would shun him.

The concept of a curse, while real, was also fantastical, capable of inducing fear through delusion.

“Or should I secretly tell only Duke Ilenath?”

If it were Duke Ilenath, he wouldn’t blurt out the fact that he was cursed.

He would either think of breaking off the engagement first or start worrying about Brillié.

Of course, an unexpected reaction could occur, but he hoped it wouldn’t lead to a broken engagement.

“If I tell the male lead, he might just leave me alone out of pity.”

The male protagonists, each with their own tendencies and goals, ultimately crave Brillié’s affection.

They are bound to clash with each other, and sometimes Brillié gets caught in the middle.

But they are not cruel enough to coldly reject a fiancé bound by a curse.

“Maybe Brillié’s thoughts will change a bit too.”

Of course, Brillié would even embrace the male lead’s weaknesses.

Unlike with him, her relationship was a marriage of convenience, and she only pitied his frailty.

If the curse were to be mentioned, perhaps even that sentiment would fade.

“The curse might actually be helpful. Who on earth would do such a thing…”

Alter’s eyes twisted in self-loathing.

He might have accepted it if he had been born with a weak constitution.

But after hearing that he was cursed, he could only think of how pitiful it was.

“It must be someone with a grudge against the Grand Duke’s family who cast the curse?”

It was only now that Alter Radiant learned that a curse had been cast upon him.

In the original work, this content was never described, and no one suspected the cause of death.

It must be seen that someone intentionally invoked the curse.

‘If they’ve cursed the heart, they must be skilled…’

They probably engraved the curse on the heart, knowing it’s difficult to diagnose.

Moreover, since no one has noticed, the level of the curse must be considered sophisticated.

If I limit the scope to the northern territories, perhaps I can find them.

‘Maybe they’re closer than I think. To approach me, they’d have to enter the Grand Duke’s domain first.’

Of course, the Grand Duke of the North wouldn’t let just anyone into his inner sanctum.

If one wishes to contact the youngest son of the Grand Duke’s family, they must build a considerable amount of trust.

Sorting through the conditions, the culprit should soon emerge.

‘I should leave that to father… And I need to prepare in my own way.’

Alter always intended to somehow bring about the annulment.

Ideally, Duke Elenate should lead the annulment, but so far, he hasn’t mentioned anything.

Perhaps it’s time to create a reason for the annulment.

‘Maybe I should speak to Duke Brillian or Elenate first.’

***

Brillian left work early and entered the mansion.

The day had been unusually peaceful, and the knights had not been summoned from anywhere.

At such times, one might leave work early or focus intensively on tasks related to the headquarters of the knights.

Of course, there were night missions, but Lang only permitted them in special circumstances, so they usually ended during the day.

‘She must be taking a walk by now?’

Brillian casually looked around without entering the mansion.

Having observed Alter frequently, he had inadvertently memorized her walking schedule.

Although it sometimes changed, she often took walks around this time.

From noble mtl dot come

‘… Not in sight. Did she go to the garden?’

Brillian glanced around briefly and then headed for the garden.

Alter had only recently begun to venture out alone.

She had visited the grand cathedral of Ergante to receive a diagnosis from the high priest, but he had yet to hear the results.

‘I should ask. Surely the high priest could cure it?’

Brillian wandered the garden, speculating vaguely.

A myriad of colorful flowers were in full bloom, and occasionally, butterflies would flutter in.

The faint scent of flowers suggested that the garden was well-maintained.

“Ah, there he is…”

Brillie approached Alter upon spotting him.

However, she had to pause momentarily upon realizing his condition.

It seemed prudent to lower her footsteps.

“Why are you sleeping here?”

Brillie carefully moved closer, exchanging glances with the maid beside her.

The maid, standing guard, slowly bowed her head.

With her charge lost in slumber, silence was all that continued.

“Ah… He did say he sometimes falls asleep during his walks.”

Brillie recalled Alter’s words belatedly and sat down on the opposite chair.

She placed her sword on the table beforehand, lest it clash.

Her delicate fiancé must not be woken from his sleep.

“He said he hasn’t been sleeping well…”

Brillie watched Alter without even daring to breathe too loudly.

His azure eyes were hidden by eyelids, and his slender white hair was faintly draped over.

His head tilted slightly, as if it was precariously swaying.

She wanted to lay him in bed, but couldn’t bring herself to disturb him needlessly.

“You must be so tired? Your health isn’t good, and you hardly eat.”

Brillie couldn’t tear her eyes away from Alter.

Every time she saw his face, compassion arose, and turning her back left her with lingering regrets.

She had come to the Duke’s mansion for an arranged marriage, yet she was the one worrying about breaking it off.

How arduous must the years have been for him to only push himself away?

“What will you do after breaking off the engagement? Live alone forever? With your condition, what can you possibly do?”

Brillie couldn’t bring herself to voice these words out loud.

He was already driving himself to despair with his pessimistic attitude.

Demanding an answer from such a person would only quell the tumultuous feelings.

“I might be doubtful too. Marriage isn’t the end, after all.”

Even Brillie couldn’t be certain of her own future.

Could I possibly earn a title comparable to the Sword Saint, how much stronger can I become here, and how should I treat my fiancé?

Despite my endless contemplation, no answers emerged, only a growing sense of futile hesitation.

“Am I to support them for a lifetime? Yes, that might just be the case.”

Brillie unconsciously recalled the advice Lang had given her.

This marriage is not good for me, without becoming the head of the family, support will be hard to come by, giving too much affection only leads to heartache.

There was no fault in those words, and her own father likely thought similarly.

Yet, knowing this, the cruelty of planning a marriage of convenience seemed all too harsh.

“I am different from my father. Even if it’s a marriage I don’t want… a promise must be kept.”

Her father, as the head of the family, must be concerned with its rise and fall, but even that is predicated on the sacrifice of others.

He only looks out for himself and the family, everything else is merely a means to an end.

That’s why Brillie, unable to agree with her father’s wishes, strives to establish her own foundation.

“If it really doesn’t feel right… but still, if I think I should marry…”

Brillie reaffirmed her resolve, yet couldn’t shake off the embarrassment.

She had never experienced anything like this in her life, only heard of it through books and rumors.

How could she, secretly spend a whole night like this?

“Do I really need to go to such lengths? But I suppose I must…”

“Hmm… Oh.”

Alter suddenly opened his eyes and woke up.

He looked around as if searching for something, then soon spotted Brillie.

Only then did Brillie move comfortably and pulled up a chair.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Ah… When did you arrive?”

“Not too long ago. I just came by and saw you here.”

“You could have woken me up, have you been waiting long?”

“Not long at all. I couldn’t wake you while you were sleeping so peacefully, could I?”

Alter, belatedly, straightened out his clothes and composed himself.

He had planned to sit for a moment before leaving, but ended up falling asleep.

He never would have guessed that Brillie would see him like this.

“Have you already finished work for the day?”

“Yes. They let me off early today.”

“Could you spare me a moment?”

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

“Yes. It will only take a moment.”

Brillie quietly nodded and signaled to the maid with her eyes.

At once, the maid vanished, leaving only the two of them in the garden.

“Speak freely. Just not about breaking off the engagement.”

“You know I went to the cathedral, right?”

“Yes. I heard you received a diagnosis from the priest.”

“The results are in… and they’re not good. I haven’t told Duke Ilenath yet.”

“…”

Brillie couldn’t break the silence, her gaze serious.

It meant she was revealing this to him first.

The fact that she hadn’t told her father suggested it was a matter of grave concern.

“A curse has been etched into my heart. I don’t know who cast it, but it’s weakened me.”

“…Your heart? Is there a cure?”

“I’ve heard it’s difficult to treat. Tampering with it could stop my heart. It means I could die.”

“…”

“I’ll keep looking for a solution, but if word gets out, people will shun me. It would trouble Duke Ilenath as well.”

Brillie inadvertently guessed what might come next.

Being engaged to someone cursed would bring malicious talk from all around.

It could tarnish the family’s reputation, leading to ridicule and baseless rumors.

Perhaps it would be best to break off the engagement quickly, to settle matters now.

“I’ll speak to Duke Ilenath soon. But I thought I should tell you first…”

“…I won’t do it.”

“What?”

“I won’t break off the engagement. Did you think I’d suggest it?”