The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

54

***

Kadeon faced the Crown Prince, exuding a solemn atmosphere.

Surely, he wouldn’t propose Brillié’s induction into the royal knights now.

But since he came in person, perhaps he intended to discuss something significant.

“I remember meeting you on the founding day. What brings you here this time?”

“Duke Ilenath. I know a little about you. There’s no point in beating around the bush, is there?”

“I do prefer being direct… but shouldn’t we be cautious depending on the subject?”

Kadeon asked politely, keeping a watchful eye on the Crown Prince.

Exchanging trivialities before gradually revealing the main point.

It was a tactic many favored, not just him.

But it often felt like a waste of time, so being upfront from the start might be better.

“Indeed. We must be cautious. But now… I’d like to be a bit greedy.”

“Greedy, you say? Is there something you desire from me?”

“To be blunt. Have you considered becoming the Emperor’s father-in-law?”

“…”

Kadeon fell silent, recalling his original goal.

Initially, he had intended to make Brillié the Crown Princess.

But now, circumstances had changed, and the marriage alliance with the Crown Prince carried a heavy burden.

“Before that, I have a few questions. Has His Majesty the Emperor authorized this?”

“The Emperor can be persuaded later. It won’t be difficult with your help.”

“That’s a dangerous thought.”

“That’s why I need help. After the affair, the Emperor will have no choice but to acknowledge it.”

Kadeon’s expression stiffened as he inadvertently guarded against the statement.

He was being asked to offer his betrothed daughter just like that.

And to think of spending a secret night together, it felt all the more precarious.

“If I may be so bold. Do you believe you can handle my daughter?”

“That part is a bit tricky. I can’t predict how your daughter will turn out.”

“My daughter may not be the typical noble lady, but she does not forsake morality. She would never allow such behavior while betrothed.”

“Does that mean… she might even cut me down?”

Velder responded leisurely without a change in his expression.

He was curious about what choice Brillié would make with him standing before her.

Surely she would reject him, but if he persisted, a certain reaction was inevitable.

However, he couldn’t act rashly as it would oppress his family lineage if he harmed her.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Are you testing me right now?”

“Testing you? How could I test you? I am simply negotiating.”

“There are many ways. After ascending to the throne, you could support the Ailrike Ducal Family or pressure mine. Of course, I’m not sure if I’ll still be alive by then…”

Cadeon was already envisioning the not-so-distant future.

He couldn’t overtly check the Emperor, but once he became Emperor, he could plot defamation as much as he wanted.

Of course, the more he harbored personal feelings, the more criticism would pour in from all sides, and that too would be the Crown Prince’s burden to bear.

“Ha-ha, Duke Ilenath… I haven’t said anything. I merely asked for your daughter.”

“If that is truly the case, why not seek approval from His Majesty the Emperor first? I do not wish to insult the Great Duke of the North and become the Emperor’s father-in-law.”

Cadeon had always been obsessed with the prosperity of his family, but he had acted within the bounds of honor.

Even if he were to break off the engagement with the Ducal Family, he would have to present a valid reason and appropriate compensation.

However, the Crown Prince’s methods were exceedingly vile, and they would tarnish the family’s reputation.

“You’re making things difficult. What are you afraid of in refusing the position of the Emperor’s father-in-law?”

“To become the Emperor’s father-in-law, should I discard everything I’ve built up until now? What would His Majesty the Emperor think? The Great Duke of the North would point fingers at me. Other nobles would belittle the Ilenath Ducal Family. And you ask me to hand over my daughter who is already promised in marriage?”

Of course, breaking off the engagement would make marrying the Crown Prince somewhat easier.

But he had already made a promise to Brillié, and Alter had proven his own worth.

Above all, he had grown quite fond of the idea of their marriage and couldn’t give it up so easily.

“Even as the head of the Ducal Family, you can’t persuade your own daughter? Or is there a way to break off the engagement?”

“Don’t you realize? It’s a problem before persuasion. If I break off the engagement like this, it will only complicate my position.”

“That answer sounds like… you’re more afraid of others than me?”

“If you had obtained the Emperor’s consent, perhaps my answer would have been different.”

Velder found the response unsatisfactory but couldn’t bring himself to retort.

In the end, he didn’t have the confidence to get permission from the Emperor and was trying to manipulate the situation.

Moreover, he had to embrace the risk of being deposed from his title as Crown Prince, and Brillié could respond decisively.

Indeed, without a justifiable cause, even the Duke of Ilenath could not help but show a unilateral attitude.

“… I’m not saying I can’t understand how you feel. If things go wrong, you might not become the Emperor’s father-in-law. Giving away your daughter and getting nothing in return would be a bad deal, wouldn’t it?”

“Your Highness, I have no intention of treating my daughter as part of a transaction.”

“Yet you planned to marry her off to a noble cursed with a spell? That’s quite intriguing.”

“Even if you call it a transaction, I have never engaged in anything that breaches decorum. I would appreciate it if His Royal Highness could consider this matter.”

Belder immediately grasped the meaning behind those words.

Bound by desire, he could not tolerate any act that would tarnish his dignity.

So if you are confident, persuade the Emperor and then come back.

The current Emperor would never allow such behavior, so it would be best to quietly give up and step back.

“Hmm… I’ll come back another time. Perhaps a better solution will present itself.”

“Please take care. I hope you find a more suitable match.”

“…”

Belder promptly rose from his seat and left the reception room.

The Duke of Ilenath did not show the slightest hint of consideration for his proposal.

How conscious was he of the current Emperor to react so resolutely?

‘How foolish must he think me to have such thoughts…’

As soon as Belder disappeared, Cadeon immediately headed to his office.

Leaving the Crown Prince to his own devices could lead to trouble.

He thought it would only leave behind problems to hand over Brillié to such a man.

‘Madman. Does he want me to make enemies of the Emperor and the Great Duke of the North?’

From the beginning, the current Emperor had been indirectly pressuring the nobility to solidify the royal power.

If the Duke’s daughter were to become the Crown Princess, it would undermine the foundation of the royal family.

Moreover, the youngest son of the Great Duke’s family was recovering from his illness, and recently, he had even received teachings as a disciple of the Archmage.

‘A crisis could arise in a moment… I must hasten the marriage.’

Having uttered such words to his face, he could not just leave things as they were.

Once the two were married, even the Crown Prince would not dare to meddle.

Perhaps even Brillié would have no choice but to make a decision, albeit reluctantly.

‘If they could even provide grandchildren one after another, there would be nothing more to wish for…’

***

Alter was facing Allauyne in the president’s office of the academy.

Alraune showed a rather uncomfortable expression, and Alter continued in serene silence.

As a result, the dean’s office was wrapped in silence for a while, but the stillness was eventually broken.

“…Has there been no trouble in the meantime?”

“I did feel something from the heart. Did you fight the Frost Witch?”

“A twisted curse, it must have affected you too. Give me your hand.”

Alraune took Alter’s hand and quickly verified it.

As the curse had weakened, there were hardly any impurities to be found in the body’s magic.

However, she wondered if Alter had also been entangled in the battle since the curse was in harmony with the Frost Witch.

“I couldn’t finish off the Frost Witch. I managed to incinerate one of her arms, but she fled immediately.”

“The witch must die for this to end, right?”

“Just as expected, only the extinction of the Frost Witch can lift your curse. So… it cannot end like this.”

Alraune rose from her seat and began to walk slowly.

The Frost Witch could not be exterminated by ordinary means.

As long as snow and ice exist, she can regenerate indefinitely and restore any lost parts.

Therefore, certain conditions must be met to achieve her inevitable demise.

“I didn’t want to resort to this method… but my pride is at stake. If I don’t kill her, I’ll regret it for life!”

Alraune, managing her inner rage, looked at Alter.

Uriel had deliberately transferred the curse to save her child.

As a result, the curse’s target and scope became entangled, and only Uriel was sacrificed in the end.

To console Uriel’s spirit, the Frost Witch must be brought to justice.

“I will go to the northern territories again. This time, I will definitely exterminate the Frost Witch!”

“Uh… won’t she try to avoid the dean?”

“She won’t be able to avoid me. To escape the karma, she must sever my life.”

Alraune had engraved a semi-permanent spell on the Frost Witch before she escaped.

The spell, which would only disappear upon the death of the caster or the target, was essentially a curse.

Especially since the Frost Witch was directly connected to the ice attribute, the opposing flame attribute would be fatal.

“Did you engrave the spell because you couldn’t kill her?”

“Shamefully, you are right. I couldn’t finish off the Frost Witch alone. I had to choose to retreat to protect Erze and the guide.”

“So, are you planning to go alone this time?”

“…If I intend to end this expedition, I need companions. I will bring the Sword Saint and the Holy Priestess with me.”

Allaune was ready to pay any price to eliminate the Frost Witch.

It was a matter that should have been dealt with alone, but now, she could not be bound by the honor of the Archmage.

She was determined to gather the renowned warriors, no matter what it took, to kill her at all costs.

“Is there nothing I can assist you with?”

“Just practice your magic and wait. I will surely lift your curse.”

“Uh… Understood.”

Alter responded cautiously, noticing Allaune’s wrath.

Perhaps it was a reaction to some controversial issue that had arisen, aside from the battle.

Maybe it was about the circumstances or reasons behind his mother’s death.

‘Really, just killing the Frost Witch is enough? Something doesn’t feel right…’