The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

52

***

Allaroune faced Uriel’s tombstone, following the Northern Archduke.

It was his first visit to mourn Uriel, but he didn’t stay long.

He didn’t want to cling to the dead; he had come here in person for the living.

“Do you really need only one guide?”

“Yes. Too many people would make it cumbersome to move.”

Allaroune stopped in front of the city gate and looked at Zaire.

Zaire still had a cold and stern look in his eyes.

From the Northern Archduke’s perspective, it must have been uncomfortable to send outsiders beyond the front lines.

“Could die if something goes wrong… Are you saying you’ll go without any troops?”

“Would I go as far as to die? As the body called the Grand Mage, I should be able to return within a few days.”

“…I’ll send out patrol personnel periodically. If there’s any trouble, run towards the direction of the castle. The soldiers will be able to respond immediately.”

“I won’t forget your words. Then, I must be going.”

Allaroune bowed to Zaire and immediately turned his back.

Erze glanced at Zaire and belatedly followed Allaroune.

Zaire, concerned for their safety, had no choice but to return to the castle.

“Ah… it’s quite different from what I thought.”

“Does that mean… he was someone worthy to be Uriel’s companion?”

“I don’t want to admit it, but Uriel did have good taste.”

Erze murmured slowly while keeping the mark activated.

If things were as he expected, the Northern Duke would be a brute, flaunting his authority or a petty man chasing only his own interests.

But the Northern Duke was surprisingly composed, merely a human buried in regret and sorrow.

“He didn’t express it in words, but the Northern Duke must be grieving too. Who would have thought that the Frost Witch was involved, when he believed his child had died in childbirth?”

“If you’ve brought them this far, you should protect them. What’s the use of regretting now?”

“It’s because of that regret that he sent Alter Radiant to the capital. If they end up dying, unable to adapt to the northern lands like Uriel, what could be more grievous?”

“…”

Erze looked intently at the mark, unable to retort.

The mark, engraved by the Frost Witch, still pointed north.

How much further must they go to find the Frost Witch?

“Today, of all days, feels particularly ominous. Could it be a bad omen?”

“What’s so ominous?”

“The snowstorm was severe until we reached the castle. Along with that, the cold was harsh. But why has the snow stopped now, and the chill faded?”

Allaune had already foreseen the movements of the Frost Witch.

Surely, the Frost Witch must have sensed their presence.

So, she must be tidying up the surroundings, preparing for the battle with them.

“The Frost Witch is still far away. But she’s changing the weather here too?”

“The Frost Witch can control the snow. If she can make it snow, she can also make it stop.”

“Then why doesn’t she attack us now?”

“Even the Frost Witch cannot defy the laws of nature. No matter how skilled she is in magic, she cannot dominate the climate of the northern lands.”

Allaune was walking a smooth path, guided by the mark and the pathfinder.

The Frost Witch might intervene in the weather of certain regions, but excessive interference is impossible.

Even if the Frost Witch is part of nature, how could she possibly control nature itself?

“Still, why bother making the weather nice? It could be left as it is.”

“She must be conserving energy, using the blizzard to her advantage. If we interpret her actions in reverse… it means she fears the battle with me.”

Allaune answered calmly while observing the magical energy around them.

It was uncertain when and where the Frost Witch would appear.

Of course, the mark was engraved, but a moment’s carelessness could invite disaster.

“And you said the Frost Witch is paying the price for the curse. Cast on Uriel and transferred to that child, she must bear the consequences alone. Then, the Frost Witch must be weakened.”

“So, she’s gathering strength? Because she can’t handle it alone?”

“I could hide like this. I must avoid a fight with you, right?”

“I don’t want to stay in a place like this…”

“I can’t hide for long. If I want to erase the mark, I must appear before us.”

Allaune was certain of an encounter with the Frost Witch.

She needed to learn the spell of undoing, and the Frost Witch would find the engraved mark troublesome.

It was only a matter of whether to end it quickly or drag it out into a long battle.

‘Either way, it doesn’t matter. While you are eroded by the curse, my realm has risen higher… Do you dare to confront me?’

***

Alter continued the silence with Brillié.

More precisely, the Duke of Ilenat made the mansion vibrate from within.

The Duke of Ilenat’s fury pierced the heavens, so no one could step forward.

“How dare you commit such an act? A man who seeks to inherit my title behaving so disgracefully!”

Cadeon bellowed with his eyes wide open.

He wasn’t particularly a remarkable son, but he wasn’t lacking compared to others.

That’s why he could pass on the title of Duke smoothly, and he never thought it would tarnish the family’s reputation.

But now, even that expectation had shattered, and an irreversible reality was all that loomed.

“Father, I have already fathered a child. So…”

“Shut your mouth! Did you think I would permit it just because you have a child? How foolish can you be to lead this family!”

Cadeon scolded them fiercely, glaring at the two.

The eldest son had suddenly brought a baby and claimed it as his own.

And beside him stood a woman of common birth, which only fueled his rage even more.

“You matched eyes with a commoner and had a child? You damned fool! You’re set on ruining our family!”

“I will take full responsibility. I will work harder than ever…”

“Are you calling that an excuse now! Who would accept you! A noble swayed by a commoner, what do you think you can do…”

Cadeon shook his head violently in despair.

In this state, he couldn’t pass on the title and wealth to Bartel.

If only a child hadn’t been born, he might have found a way to smooth things over, but now he couldn’t think of any.

Even though it was the child of his legitimate wife, following tradition seemed meaningless in this situation.

“You have insulted my family and ancestors. To ruin your life over a mere woman… I can’t stand the sight of you! Get out at once!”

“Father, what do you mean…”

“Robert! From this moment, this man is no longer my son. Cast him out immediately!”

“…”

Robert stood frozen, unable to move upon hearing the command.

Even if Bartel had shared affection with a commoner woman, he was still undeniably the eldest son of the Ilenath ducal family.

Could he, a mere butler, truly have the authority to banish Bartel?

“Robert, what are you doing? Cast him out at once!”

“… Understood.”

Reluctantly, Robert took a step forward towards Bartel.

Simultaneously, the waiting soldiers swarmed in.

Bartel could only look on in dismay at Cadeon.

“Father! You cannot do this! Am I not still your eldest son?”

“That’s precisely why I’m casting you out. Did you think being the eldest son meant you could do as you please? To be so foolish…”

“Father, just a moment… Won’t you let go? I said let go!”

“Waaahh…”

Startled, the baby Bartel was holding burst into tears.

Yet Cadeon, without a shred of compassion, coldly turned his head away.

From noble mtl dot come

The soldiers silently proceeded to escort Bartel and the baby’s mother out of the mansion’s main gate.

“Father! Will you abandon me just like this? For the sake of the baby’s face… Father!”

“… Worthless. What am I to entrust to someone like you?”

Cadeon’s face twisted in disgust as he began to ascend the stairs.

He briefly met eyes with Alter, but there was nothing else he could offer.

Standing beside him was Brillié, adding to his embarrassment.

‘Brillié went out on her own to prove her worth…’

Without thinking, Cadeon compared his eldest son and second daughter as he headed to the second floor.

Alter seemed to ponder for a moment before finally looking at Brillié.

“Miss Brillié. It seems we must keep quiet for a while.”

“Well… I suppose you’re not pleased. I’ll stay quiet, but who knows what the future holds.”

“It may take some time, but they will come around. After all, you have given them a grandchild, haven’t you?”

Alter responded calmly, gazing into that future.

Of course, he had anticipated all these outcomes.

I had warned Bartel about taking a commoner as a lover, but by then, it was probably too late.

Knowing it was irreversible, I simply eased Bartel’s competitive spirit.

“Now that the rumors have spread, I have no choice but to accept it.”

“But to pass on a title… Perhaps we should step aside for a moment.”

Alter glanced around before stepping out of the mansion.

Brillie followed, circling the mansion grounds with a calm demeanor.

“…You’re bringing up a sensitive topic.”

“It is, but it’s bound to come up eventually.”

“Then let me ask briefly. Will I inherit the duke’s title?”

Brillie had been contemplating the succession of the title.

Of course, she hadn’t been particularly greedy for her father’s title and wealth until now.

But the situation had changed, and she had to consider her marriage to Alter.

“I can’t say for certain, but it seems likely.”

“Hmm… My sibling could receive it too, right?”

“If we’re talking about ability and sibling hierarchy, you would be the better choice, Miss Brillie. You’ve even been granted a title recently.”

Alter knew what decision Brillie would make.

Brillie preferred to win her battles with her own strength, rather than relying on something else.

That’s why she was inclined to leave the ducal title and wealth to her half-sibling.

“That’s for my father to decide, but… it could turn out as you say.”

“I could be wrong, of course. It’s just speculation.”

“What do you think, Alter? Would you like me to become the Duchess of Ilenath?”

Brillie stopped and asked seriously.

Alter hesitated for a moment before responding calmly.

“As I’ve said before, I respect your judgment, Miss Brillie. It’s not my place to interfere.”

“…Then I’ll have to decide for myself. I should respect your judgment too, shouldn’t I?”

Brillie smiled faintly, her resolve firm.

Until her engagement, she had thrown herself into uncertainty, but now she couldn’t.

With something to protect, perhaps she should desire more.

‘I don’t want to make you suffer. So… I should become the Duchess of Ilenath.’