The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

31

“…?”

Alter hesitated for a moment, then suddenly fell silent.

He couldn’t just ignore it, and the true intent behind the words was hard to grasp.

What could the third princess be thinking to make such a proposal?

“Don’t like it? Am I not to your liking?”

“Annulment isn’t something you can do just because you want to. I suppose Her Highness the Princess isn’t any different.”

“Surely you don’t think I’m unaware of that. It’s a statement made with full knowledge.”

Yulia responded calmly after observing Alter’s reaction.

There was some sincerity, but she was aware of the various constraints that followed.

First and foremost, permission from the Emperor was required, and without annulment, engagement was naturally impossible.

Moreover, the Duke of the North would have to shoulder a significant burden, entangling a complex process.

“And even if Her Highness the Princess were to marry me, there would be nothing to gain.”

“What do you think I want to gain? It’s not marriage, it’s engagement. Not all engagements lead to marriage, right?”

“Annulment may be easier than divorce, but in reality, there are many complicated aspects. Therefore, I think an engagement with me would be difficult to come to fruition.”

Alter indirectly expressed his refusal, responding politely.

Even if he were to break off the engagement with Brillié, engaging with Yulia would be difficult.

The Emperor would guard against the solidification of power, and his father would have no choice but to cooperate with the royal family in various ways.

It was a marriage that no one desired, so an engagement would not even come to pass.

“So you’re saying you can’t even stand the sight of me?”

“I said that engagement is difficult, not that I belittle Her Highness the Princess.”

“Shouldn’t you at least speak well in such times?”

“If you wish to hear praise, I can give it to you. But… if that’s what you wanted, would you have asked me for an engagement?”

Alter had already seen through Yulia’s psychology.

The engagement with him was just an excuse, and in reality, she just wanted to see Brillié in trouble.

Since she couldn’t touch him directly, she must have been trying to use some shallow trickery.

“Heh, shall we stop the jest here? Your love for your fiancé is remarkable. Have you fallen for him already?”

“Since we’re engaged, we must take responsibility for marriage. Even if it’s a marriage of convenience, marriage is still marriage.”

“Hmm… responsibility, you say? But don’t you feel a bit wronged? Having to marry someone you don’t love?”

“Perhaps affection will develop after marriage. Even if it doesn’t… I believe we must carry on with responsibility.”

Alter deliberately gave a conventional response.

Yulia disliked stuffy people and didn’t want to keep those who groveled to her close.

Even so, she wouldn’t fall for flattery and considered it merely a momentary pleasure.

Therefore, while keeping his distance from Yulia, he intended to leave a strong impression.

“What a boring thing to say. I thought you’d have some romance in you.”

“I have no desire to dream of romance without cost. It’s nothing but an illusion.”

“Aren’t you being a bit too stiff? Your fiancé might not take kindly to that.”

“Fortunately, he didn’t seem to dislike it. Perhaps he values responsibility as I do.”

“…”

Yulia shot a bored yet sharp glance.

No matter how deep she probed, Alter only showed consistent behavior.

At this rate, she couldn’t tease him, and instead, she might tire herself out first.

“Why don’t we speak frankly? If you don’t want to be engaged to me, perhaps you’d consider being a royal servant.”

Yulia had no intention of giving up on Alter.

If she couldn’t bind him with an engagement, then he must stay within the royal court.

Of course, there were controversial issues, but if she pushed hard enough, perhaps even the Emperor would reluctantly agree.

“I do not wish to burden His Majesty the Emperor. Your Highness should also consider the Emperor’s feelings, shouldn’t you?”

Alter firmly refused, invoking the Emperor.

The Emperor was the ruler of the Agnes Empire, and from the royal court, his solid authority was engraved.

Thus, even those who inherited the Emperor’s bloodline could not defy his decree.

“Do you think His Majesty will oppose?”

“The Emperor will not welcome one cursed into the royal court. The other officials will also view it with suspicion, so I believe it will be quite difficult.”

“Your curse has already been proven not to be contagious like a disease, hasn’t it? His Majesty is wise and will not harbor prejudice. Yet you still seek reasons to refuse?”

“… My body is not suited for the duties of a royal servant. It’s a matter directly connected to my life, so I cannot comply.”

Alter reluctantly presented a fundamental reason.

Simple movements were possible, but he couldn’t take on excessive tasks.

Otherwise, his body might swell, or he could be plagued by chronic illnesses.

“I won’t ask you to do anything. Just being by my side is enough. I can promise that even to the Northern Duke, but you still refuse?”

“Then all the more reason you should not appoint me as a royal servant. The royal court has its own laws and procedures. How can you grant me special privileges?”

“…”

Yulia finally closed her mouth and just looked at Alter.

As he said, if only a few enjoyed privileges, the officials would become discontent.

Moreover, the Emperor, wary of power concentration, might unexpectedly express opposition.

But from Alter’s perspective, there seemed to be other concerns.

“Surely… you don’t think I intend to keep you as a hostage?”

“There is no reason for you to keep me as a hostage.”

“Why wouldn’t there be? A political marriage between a duke and a duchess might be worth considering, right?”

“…If that were truly the case, His Majesty the Emperor would have issued a decree by now. His Majesty trusts the Northern Duke, hence the permission for a political marriage, doesn’t he?”

If the Emperor intends to check any particular noble or power, he could arbitrarily demand hostages.

Having their kin within the imperial family would prevent them from recklessly conspiring treason.

Of course, there are those who rebel, fully prepared for their hostages to die, so it’s not a perfect method.

“He must trust him. The Emperor and the Northern Duke have been close friends for a long time, haven’t they?”

“Friends wouldn’t want to take each other’s loved ones as hostages.”

“You know everything yet you act this way?”

“Isn’t it better to act with knowledge than without?”

“You’re really good at making excuses. Do you dislike doing it?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I can’t. You know the princess is aware, don’t you?”

Alter responded calmly, without leaving any gaps.

Even as a princess, she couldn’t shake the foundation of the Agnes Empire.

Moreover, if she treated a fragile noble offspring rudely, she would face reprimand not only from bureaucrats but also likely from the Emperor himself.

“You’re making a fool out of me. Then, let’s talk about the northern territories.”

“…What are you curious about?”

Alter answered calmly, with a hint of suspicion.

Not only the crown prince but also the third princess were engaging in bizarre behaviors.

What could be the reason for their obsession with the imperial servants?

‘Why are they acting like this? What have I done to deserve this?’

***

Alter, after repeatedly hearing about the price of gold bars, eventually sold them all to the Duke of Elenath’s trading company.

He was always indebted to the Duke of Elenath, and it just so happened that there was a need for gold bars.

Thus, he sold them at a slightly lower price than the market rate and even received promises of more meticulous care in the future.

‘I should accommodate the Duke of Elenath well. That way, I can ask for favors comfortably.’

Reducing the price of the gold bars wasn’t a loss.

From the beginning, when he lived in the duke’s mansion, he had received considerable treatment.

Compared to that, the gold bar transaction was essentially just for appearances.

‘Now, with this money… I should look for a cure.’

Now that he had discovered the cause of his physical frailty, it was time to seek a solution.

To completely erase the curse engraved on the heart.

Even the high priest said it was difficult to lift, but that was only in terms of holy methods.

‘I must read all the books related to lifting curses. Surely, someone out there knows well about curses.’

Of course, I’ll need the Duke of Ilenath’s help, but I can’t rely solely on him.

I’ve only promised to marry Brillié, but in reality, I’m only pursuing mutual interests.

If he deems the loss too great, he’ll gradually become more passive.

‘Would the archmage know about this?’

The curse clearly belonged to the realm of magic.

Magicians have long been researching countermeasures against curses and implicitly forbade learning them.

From noble mtl dot come

But as always, there were those who followed heresy, allowing curses to develop over time.

‘If someone cast a curse, they must know how to lift it, right?’

It was a simple logic, beyond doubt.

If I catch the one who cast it, I’ll somehow find the answer.

But since I haven’t even identified them yet, it seems it will take some time.

‘I should leave this to my father. He might know something.’

The Grand Duke of the North had lived with my mother at that time.

That means he would remember the circumstances around my birth.

Perhaps someone approached during that time and secretly cast the curse.

‘I’ll have to wait on this… What should I do with the remaining money?’

Having sold the gold bars, I received a considerable amount, so I won’t be short even if I spend as needed.

Perhaps I should reinvest to increase the funds or find a proper use for them.

Since the Duke of Ilenath’s family pays for most expenses, I won’t need to spend much money.

‘Ah, that’s right. Brillié’s birthday is coming up soon.’

Alter recalled belatedly and fell into contemplation.

As a gift for my fiancée, I shouldn’t skimp on money.

Moreover, I need to bring something that Brillié needs and won’t attract criticism from others.

‘What would she like? Hmm…’

Alter reflected on the original story and quickly came to a conclusion.

The item that Brillié would like was clearly defined.

Perhaps I should approach it from the perspective of a knight and a swordsman, rather than a noble lady.

“Custom orders may cost more… but they do show dedication.”

Alter decisively chose a gift and delved into the details.

If it’s going to be custom-made, it must be tailored to fit the body properly.

Brillie must have had custom orders made several times, so someone among the employees would know the measurements.

“Think of it as maintaining decorum before breaking off the engagement. It’s best to handle such matters cleanly.”