The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

51

***

After visiting the imperial palace, Brillié remained cooped up in her room for a while.

Having eliminated an enemy who sought to overthrow the royal family, she was duly rewarded.

However, she had little interest in material rewards, repeatedly checking only the title bestowed by decree.

‘Sword Blossom? Does this make it a title on par with Sword Saint?’

Brillié examined the imperial edict given directly by the emperor and soon showed a peculiar expression.

Sword Blossom, simply put, meant the flower of the sword.

The Sword Saint and the captain of the imperial knights had proven their skill and merit, and the emperor had acknowledged this fact.

In essence, it meant bestowing a fitting title and treating her as a powerhouse of the empire.

‘So… does this mean I can do as I please now?’

Brillié, deep in thought, quickly headed to the office.

Now that the promised result had come, it was time to have a decisive talk with her father.

Her father would try to find fault in any way he could, so she was determined to get a clear answer.

“…Father, you knew about this, didn’t you?”

“I knew, but I couldn’t grasp the exact timing.”

Cadeon answered calmly and sat in the main seat.

Brillié hesitated for a moment before belatedly moving forward.

“You knew about the title and yet you’ve been quiet all this time.”

“I only knew of it. When a title comes out is for the emperor to decide.”

“So, are you satisfied now? It does seem like a title equivalent to Sword Saint.”

Brillié handed over the imperial edict she brought to Cadeon.

Cadeon immediately took it and began to read through it at once.

“…There’s still room for controversy. It’s a title bestowed by the emperor, but it’s hard to judge if it’s equivalent to Sword Saint.”

“If the Sword Saint and the captain of the imperial knights have proven it, that should be enough.”

“That’s why I said there’s room for controversy. The title Sword Blossom doesn’t seem equivalent to Sword Saint, but these two are masters of swordsmanship. If the masters say so, it can’t be helped.”

Cadeon placed the imperial edict on the table and looked down at it calmly.

Brillié, having shone in the royal court, certainly elevated the prestige of the House of Ilenath.

Moreover, if the emperor and two formidable figures took notice, one might have to concede a point.

“I’ve earned a title akin to Sword Saint within a year. Now, whether I marry or break off the engagement, it’s my choice.”

“Nothing has been confirmed yet. And still, you insist on having your way?”

“It’s not stubbornness, but a promise between my father and me. Yet, father, you seem to be making trivial excuses.”

“I told you to bring back a title or honor equivalent to that of a Sword Saint within a year. Do you really think this qualifies?”

“…Father. Shall I personally seek an audience with the emperor? Will you be satisfied only if I get a definitive answer from him?”

“…”

Cadeon was enveloped in silence, slowly shifting his gaze.

If he doesn’t change his stance here, Brillié will surely make her way to the royal palace.

And then, she might just contact the emperor and somehow prove the truth.

“Hmph… You’re determined to see this through with me, aren’t you?”

“Just choose one. You can keep your promise, or you can stubbornly refuse. Either way, the outcome won’t change.”

“You speak as if the fate of our house doesn’t concern you.”

“If father breaks his promise, what’s to stop me from doing the same?”

“Our house has endured so that you could exist. Would you really drag our name through the mud?”

“Yes. I have nothing to lose. Without a title, I won’t inherit much anyway, so what’s there to miss?”

“Without the house’s support, married life will be difficult. Are you okay with that?”

“I’ll manage on my own. I never had high hopes anyway.”

“Why not at least pretend to back down?”

“Me? I’ve received the imperial edict; why should I back down? With that prestigious title, I won’t starve. As for the fiancé, I’ll take responsibility, so do as you please.”

“…”

Cadeon, visibly uncomfortable, still couldn’t press Brillié.

He had laid out petty excuses, but none swayed Brillié.

From noble mtl dot come

Above all, she had met the condition he had previously set, so scrutinizing it would only reveal flaws.

“…Fine. I concede. You’ve earned a title comparable to Sword Saint, so I won’t interfere any longer. But could you at least consider my dignity?”

“Father’s dignity? I believe I’m maintaining it quite well already, what more should I do?”

“Delaying marriage too long isn’t good. I won’t press for children, but could you at least marry soon?”

“If I were you, father, I’d urge the marriage first and then gradually press for more. And slowly advance the timing for children. Am I wrong?”

“It’s better to have children while healthy. It gets harder with age.”

“Shouldn’t such matters be left to the eldest son? Especially since a title is due to be passed down, wouldn’t a grandchild from the eldest be more suitable?”

“Marriage is also a commitment to continue the lineage. Even if not many, one or two would be acceptable, wouldn’t they?”

“Well, if Father had acknowledged it sooner, I might have reconsidered. It’s quite regrettable.”

Brillie responded with ease, having gained the upper hand.

Her father had surrendered more quickly than expected.

Perhaps he was taking measures, albeit late, since marriage could very well end up being the final step.

But if she were to accept these demands so easily, wouldn’t she be held back forever?

“Sigh… I won’t say anything more, so think it over once again. The Northern Duke wouldn’t want his marriage delayed either.”

“You’re not pressuring me just because the Northern Duke sent a letter, are you? Surely you wouldn’t do that. I’m busy, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Brillie mentioned even the unforeseen circumstances before leaving the office.

Cadeon didn’t show any reaction at first but then furrowed his brows belatedly.

He wondered if he had anticipated the contingency too quickly to make such a promise.

“To actually secure a title… If I’m not careful, I could ruin everything.”

Of course, if he sent a letter to the Northern Duke, there would be some level of response.

But Brillie had foreseen even this approach and seemed prepared for any eventuality.

“If this goes on, I’ll have to see a grandchild sooner rather than later…”

***

Alter returned to the mansion immediately after attending the wedding ceremony with Brillie.

Since the wedding was held in the capital, he couldn’t meet his father or other siblings.

Being half-siblings, they were merely filling the seats due to shared blood.

“I was a bit nervous about meeting the half-siblings… but it seems our relationship isn’t that bad?”

Brillie mused over their conversation while sipping tea.

Alter’s younger sister by title, but not by his mother’s bloodline.

Inevitably, there was a distance between them, yet an atmosphere of mutual concern seemed to prevail.

“It’s not like we’re fighting over a title, and being the youngest does have its perks, doesn’t it?”

“Because he’s the legitimate wife’s son?”

“… That could be a reason. There’s nothing to gain from troubling someone frail.”

Alter had a rough understanding of his half-siblings’ temperaments.

His younger sister was particularly affectionate among the siblings and often looked after him.

However, his brother and older sister seemed wary at times, fixated on the succession of the title.

Perhaps he was conscious of an unexpected outcome, being the legitimate wife’s son.

“Don’t you only treat the third daughter well? It seems like you view the eldest son and the second daughter unfavorably.”

“Did you find that out too?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? If a title is at stake, they’ll try to push out the legitimate wife’s children first.”

“Do you think… Mr. Bartel feels the same way?”

“Well… pretty much. Being the legitimate wife’s child and the eldest son, I don’t see why he should be afraid of me.”

Brillie had stopped calling Bartel ‘brother’ at some point.

She simply referred to him as the eldest son, treating him as a stranger.

After all, once she left the mansion, she would never see him again, so why bother being friendly?

“If it were me, I would have been scared. You are quite skilled in swordsmanship… and you’ve recently been granted a title.”

“It’s nothing. I just made some contributions to the royal palace.”

“They don’t just grant titles to anyone. And you said the Sword Saint and the Royal Knights’ Commander vouched for you.”

“It must have seemed somewhat useful. I just swung a sword around for a bit.”

Brillie still thought she was lacking.

She had merely applied the faint memory of a thief’s footwork to her swordsmanship.

In fact, she felt even receiving the title was too much for her current state.

‘I should refuse such things… but I can’t.’

Brillie felt burdened by the title of ‘Sword Flower,’ yet she couldn’t bring herself to discard it.

To avoid being manipulated by her father, she needed to hold on to such a title.

At the same time, it gave her a justification against the Northern Duke, so he couldn’t force a marriage on her.

‘Let’s wait a little longer until my heart is settled.’

Of course, separate from the promise, she couldn’t delay the marriage too long.

Eventually, she had to marry, and even if she broke off the engagement, it would only add unnecessary steps.

That’s why she was prepared to end it decisively.

‘This person will need time to accept me too…’

“Ms. Brillie, you held onto me then. My body was getting cold… Looking back now, you were right.”

“I finally got better, I can’t get worse again, can I? You have to be careful from now on. What will you do if you collapse?”

Even in the moment of splitting the dark mage, Brillie thought only of Alter.

Alter possessed overwhelming power, but his body couldn’t keep up.

Even though he’s improved, the anxiety that he might collapse still looms.

I stepped forward without hesitation for Alter’s sake.

“It wasn’t to that extent… but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Alter didn’t think Brillié’s concerns were unfounded.

Signs had been found, and a curse was still etched in his heart.

As Allaroune had said, if he didn’t take care of himself, he could suddenly get injured.

“I said I was going to look for the Frost Witch.”

Allaroune had left for the northern territories with Erze a few days ago.

They had contacted the Northern Archduke in advance and said they would cross the front lines soon.

It was clear that the Grand Mage had intervened directly, considering the battle with the Frost Witch.

“The Grand Mage must be strong, but I’m not sure how formidable the Frost Witch is…”