The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

30

“…”

Alter showed a tense expression but didn’t avoid Brillie’s gaze.

He had considered the possibility, but Brillie’s pride remained steadfast.

If one cannot convince oneself, if one does not wish to step back, then one must assert a resolute will.

Thus, as a sword, she proved her potential, and it was certain she would not be overshadowed by Duke Ilenath.

“A curse? What of it? Is it contagious to others? If it were such a curse, the Grand Duchy would have perished long ago, wouldn’t it?”

“…”

“The Radiant Grand Duchy still guards the northern territories. I’ve heard the eldest son and the second daughter are making their mark… Or am I mistaken?”

“No, you’re not. My brother and elder sister are indeed contributing to the front lines.”

“If Mr. Alter were under the same curse, he wouldn’t be able to join the battle, would he? Am I wrong?”

“You are correct.”

“So, what are you worried about? Should my family and I be swayed by mere rumors?”

“There’s no reason to be swayed.”

“I understand what you’re saying. But you don’t need to worry about such things. Mr. Alter, you just need to stay as my fiancé. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I understand perfectly.”

Alter humbly answered, realizing he had been complacent.

From the start, the assumption that Brillié would act according to his wishes was wrong.

Brillié rejected the act of being constrained and followed only her own convictions.

The very mention of breaking off the engagement was another form of constraint, instinctively causing her to reject it.

“And… Did I not tell you not to bring up breaking off the engagement?”

“… You told me not to.”

“Then why do you speak of matters related to breaking off the engagement?”

“It’s not so much related matters… I’m speaking of the problems that will arise because of it.”

“Not saying the word ‘break off’ doesn’t change the fact that it’s the same as saying we should break off, does it?”

“I was thinking of you and the ducal family when I said that…”

“Hmm… Do you want to see me angry?”

“…”

With a fierce look, Brillié coldly recited.

Alter slowly lowered his gaze, following the chilled atmosphere.

“Why must we hear talk of breaking off when we could get along well? Do you dislike marrying me that much?”

“Uh… It’s not that…”

“Better to say you dislike it outright. What changes if you cite this and that reason?”

“… I will be more careful in the future.”

“I must have done something terribly wrong, right? Should I reflect on it, or should I not?”

“Should… I suppose?”

Alter played along moderately, stealing a glance at Brillié.

Brillié seemed startled for a moment, then softened her expression.

“Don’t do that in the future. I appreciate your concern, but the approach was wrong, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“That… about being cursed, I’ll tell Father myself. That seems right.”

“… Yes.”

Brillié could finally breathe a sigh of relief after getting a firm answer.

This matter was bound to be sensitively received by her father.

A frail fiancé would only feel oppressed if he went, so she had to conclude matters herself.

‘I wanted to say more, but I couldn’t bear it, he’s too pitiful.’

Brillié intended to settle things once and for all this time, to ensure the word ‘breakup’ would never come up again.

But seeing Alter’s gloomy expression, her heart naturally wavered.

Moreover, since he tactfully acknowledged his mistake, she had no choice but to let it pass.

‘He seems a bit cute, too…’

Brillié couldn’t push Alter too hard.

He was too fragile and showed such a considerate demeanor.

He must have been trying to look out for her in his own way, so it wouldn’t be right to scold him outright.

‘So, if the curse is lifted, it means my body will be healthy, right?’

Brillié was instead seeing new possibilities because of the curse.

The physical frailty, the sickness, the coughing up blood after using magic, all were misfortunes stemming from the curse.

Meaning, if the curse were lifted, she could be completely free from these misfortunes.

‘If it can be cured, that’s enough. I won’t have to take care of him for life.’

Of course, considering where the curse was engraved, treatment wouldn’t be easy.

But with the empire’s capital housing excellent magicians and priests, a solution might be found if one keeps searching.

‘My fiancé worries too much. He could afford to think a bit more simply…’

***

Brillié immediately went to Cadeon to explain Alter’s condition.

Cadeon was a bit surprised to hear the word ‘curse,’ but he didn’t offer any particular response.

Instead of being lost in thought, he calmly listened to Brillié’s words.

“…You’re not upset because I didn’t inform you earlier, are you? My fiancé told me first out of consideration for me.”

“It must have been a dilemma. You can’t just not say anything, and yet speaking out brings its own set of problems.”

“I’ll tell you in advance. No matter what father says, I won’t call off the engagement. Father may look at the family lineage, but I despise irresponsibility even more.”

“…”

Cadeon continued the silence, gazing at Brillié.

He was as stubborn as she was, and perhaps because she resembled his late wife, he was not one to let go of what he held.

Perhaps that’s why his wife had given her life to bring Brillié into this world.

“You still want to go through with the marriage even knowing it’s cursed?”

“It’s a decision father made. But the marriage is mine to undertake. You did as you wished, didn’t you? So why can’t I do the same?”

“The family and I can be dealt with one way or another. But you’re different. You have to live with this for a lifetime… Can you handle it?”

“If I thought I couldn’t handle it, I wouldn’t be saying this. I’ll take care of it.”

“You’re complicating things. Why choose the harder path when there’s an easier one?”

“It’s my responsibility. And it’s also father’s greed. I’m different from father.”

“My greed… Yes, I suppose I have been greedy.”

Cadeon didn’t exactly deny it.

From noble mtl dot come

He prioritized the prosperity of the family lineage over his daughter’s happiness, while also seeking to satisfy his desire for power.

That’s why he had even considered a marriage alliance with the crown prince, but now things were changing in many ways.

“Brillié. I clearly promised you a year’s time. Until that time is up, I won’t interfere with you.”

“Do you think the same about calling off the engagement?”

“It’s your marriage, isn’t it? So I plan to watch for a while.”

“…?”

When an unexpected answer came, Brillié was unable to break the silence.

Normally, she would have to push aggressively, regardless of her promise to herself.

But Cadeon seemed indifferent, content to simply observe.

“I would have told you. A flower can’t live by sunlight alone. It needs water and soil to truly bloom beautifully. So… shouldn’t we wait until the flower blooms?”

“So you’re willing to wait for a year?”

“There are parts I regret, but… I suppose I can wait that long. You just need to earn a title equivalent to the Sword Saint. Who knows? Maybe your fiancé will break the curse within a year?”

Cadeon had already considered all possibilities.

If his daughter could achieve martial prowess on par with the Sword Saint, they could benefit in some way.

In the midst of it all, if my daughter’s fiancé were to overcome the curse as well, wouldn’t that lead to even greater achievements?

‘He has already been acknowledged by the Archmage, even while cursed. But if the curse were to be lifted…’

Cadeon held Alter’s potential in high regard.

The opinions of a few mages were nothing compared to the Archmage.

Being personally sought after as a disciple by the highest authority in the magical academia was indeed a great compliment.

‘It wouldn’t be too bad to have the Archmage as a son-in-law. It would maintain the relationship with the Grand Duchy, and what could be more beneficial than that?’

Cadeon had finished his calculations earlier, and he had clearly distinguished the profits and losses that would result.

Rumors would pour out due to the fact that he was cursed, but that wouldn’t mean the Ilenath ducal family could be disregarded.

On the contrary, if he didn’t break off the engagement and pushed for a marriage of strategy, his own credibility would soar.

‘I don’t want to fight with my daughter, and there’s a lot to consider with the prince’s marriage proposal. Perhaps it’s better to continue with the current approach.’

Cadeon was holding off on making a comprehensive judgment.

It was essentially no different from gambling, but the conditions for it were not lacking.

There might be results beyond expectations, so he was considering observing for a while.

‘A marriage between the Sword Saint and the Archmage… Yes, it should be at least this impressive.’

***

Alter greeted a guest alone in the reception room.

The visitor had wanted to meet only with him, and Brilly, though worried, had reluctantly gone to work.

Even the Duke of Ilenath couldn’t treat this distinguished guest lightly, but in the ducal residence, one couldn’t act recklessly.

“So you said you wouldn’t see me again, yet here you are meeting me?”

“Isn’t there a reason you’ve come all this way?”

“So you can’t bring yourself to turn me away?”

Yulia teased him subtly without losing her composure.

She had never intended to pick a fight with Alter at the social gathering.

It was just that she got swept up in an unexpected outcome while trying to gauge his reaction.

“So, do you wish for me to leave just like this?”

“Are you going to do that again? Wasn’t once enough?”

“I, too, hope it ends with once.”

“So you’re saying you’ll keep doing this until you hear an apology?”

“I’ve already made a promise, how could I go back on it now?”

“Hmm…”

Yulia hesitated for a moment before showing a subtle expression.

It seemed she wouldn’t converse until she received an apology.

How much must she cherish her fiancé to stand her ground like this?

“Alright. I apologize. I shouldn’t have mentioned your fiancé. It won’t happen again.”

“… I will accept your apology, believing it’s sincere.”

Only then did Alter erase the incident from his mind.

If not properly resolved here, Yulia would repeatedly scorn Brillié.

That’s why he swallowed his pride and admitted his mistake.

“So, there’s no problem between us now?”

“Not exactly. Didn’t I tell you I’m cursed?”

“Oh, that? I’m not sure if it’s something to worry about.”

Yulia had heard about the curse before meeting Alter.

It must have been shared in advance, in case the royal lineage shunned it.

But she wasn’t foolish enough to be swayed by such superstitions; instead, her curiosity about Alter grew.

“Aren’t there rumors that the curse is contagious, or that it causes physical collapse?”

“Pfft! Only the ignorant nobles would be swayed by such rumors. I’m well aware of it.”

“… It might become troublesome if it becomes known later.”

“That’s for me to handle. I’ll keep it a secret until then. I don’t want to trouble you too much.”

Yulia spoke kindly but with a mysterious glint in her eye.

Provoking Alter would only result in a serious response, so she shouldn’t be reckless.

Perhaps it was better to choose restrained words and push forward calmly.

“Should I make a suggestion instead?”

“There’s not much I can do for you.”

“It’s not difficult. How about breaking off your engagement and betrothing yourself to me?”