The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce - The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce chapter 18

18

Brillié’s eyes sparkled fiercely as she retorted.

She was already displeased with being tossed around because of the marriage of convenience.

And now, using herself as an excuse to repeat engagements and break-offs, she couldn’t help but feel rebellious.

“Are you saying you’ll do as you please?”

“There’s nothing I can’t do. We’re engaged, so we just have to get married, right? I’ve heard that many nobles spend a night together after getting engaged.”

“… Do you realize the situation your fiancé is in when you say that?”

“Are you talking about his frail health? Even so, he should be able to endure one night. And we can always do more later.”

“Brillie! Will you only be satisfied after seeing this through to the end?”

“That’s exactly what I want to ask you. How far do you need to go to be satisfied? What exactly do you want?”

“…”

Cadeon tried to find the right words but eventually chose silence.

He probably won’t be satisfied until his eternal rest.

His desires are too vast and twisted.

That must be why he’s willing to hand over his daughter to the crown prince to gain supreme power.

“I’m not like my father. I don’t want to live my life pandering to others like the other noble ladies. Can’t you trust me even a little?”

“Trust isn’t the issue. The world isn’t as easy-going as you think.”

“It’s because it’s not easy-going that I went out with just a sword! That’s how I can prove myself!”

“That was madness. You should be thankful you weren’t hurt!”

“I wasn’t hurt because of my skills! What about the other soldiers? Is it okay for them to get hurt, and only I need to be safe?”

“Do you understand a parent’s heart? Do you know anything about the responsibility of being a family head? If you understood even a bit of that, you wouldn’t have gone to such lengths!”

“So, you’re using me for a political marriage? Why do you say that when you won’t even pass on the family head position to me?”

Brillie was relentless, not backing down an inch.

Cadeon had always imposed duties on himself while thinking of his family and his own safety.

He always cloaked it with the reason that it was for his own good, but now, he couldn’t even believe those words.

He’s already compromising enough, how much more does he have to give up?

“Huh… You just won’t concede a single point.”

“Do you think I’m doing this because I want to win? You don’t answer my questions, you just keep pushing your agenda. How can I just do everything you say?”

“From the way you talk, there’s no need to ask. But still, you should have at least pretended to listen to what the crown prince has to say.”

“… Did you meet with the crown prince?”

“Your name did come up. He recommended joining the royal knights, but I refused right away.”

“Why would I go there for someone else’s sake?”

“The crown prince was the one who offered it first. There’s no loss even if you just go in for a moment and come out.”

“I can afford to take that kind of loss. I’m not idle enough to dawdle in the royal knights.”

“From that very word… sigh…”

Kadeon let out a deep sigh and cast his gaze downward.

Brillie, ever since she grasped the sword, had developed a stubborn character.

She wasn’t rash, but if she couldn’t convince herself, she often showed a rebellious streak.

That’s why she harbored dissatisfaction with the political marriage arranged by the Grand Duke’s family, but now it seemed she had somewhat acquiesced.

“Do you really have no intention of joining the Royal Knights?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to stand beside the next Sword Saint? Being confined in the palace won’t improve my skills.”

“Perhaps you’re right. Reputation is important, but without a solid foundation, it’s all meaningless.”

“…?”

Brillie looked at Kadeon, stunned and blank.

Kadeon had always been critical of her, and whatever she said, he seemed to only express negative opinions.

But now, for the first time, he seemed to be bending his stubbornness and agreeing with her.

“I did say it wouldn’t be easy as you’re dedicated to swordsmanship training. If you’ve already refused, then even if I speak, you won’t listen…”

Kadeon never wanted to clash with Brillie in the first place.

She was his only daughter, and having lost her mother early, he couldn’t help but hold onto some attachments.

Moreover, among his children, she was outstanding in martial arts, capable of elevating the family’s honor as a knight.

“I can’t assert that you won’t break off the engagement. You only need to think of yourself, but I must consider our lineage, including you. To ensure our family prospers for generations, we must lay a solid foundation.”

After much contemplation, Kadeon reluctantly revealed his true feelings.

Ideally, he shouldn’t have to explain his position to Brillie.

However, she had honed her skills as a swordsman and had been kind to the Grand Duke’s offspring.

Things seemed to be flowing differently than expected, but perhaps it was time to consider other possibilities.

“…It suddenly comes to mind. I gaze up at the sun, but I can’t possess it. It’s far away, and if I try to grasp it with my hands, it would be too hot.”

“…”

“A flower can’t live on sunlight alone. Too much and it will wither. It needs water, and to be planted in fertile soil, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

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“It means I’m giving you time. I won’t force you into marriage right now. Of course, I won’t break off the engagement either. What do you want to do?”

In the end, Kadeon decided to take a step back for Brillie’s sake.

Her talent was too great to be overshadowed by his own objectives.

Thus, he left it to Brillie to explore other possibilities.

“What do you expect me to do?”

“Within a year, bring honor equivalent to the title of Sword Saint… If you do, I won’t force you into marriage.”

“A year? That’s impossible.”

“If it’s impossible, then you must follow my will. You’re already 21 years old. Others your age would have been married by now. Why do you think I’ve waited this long?”

“Do I have to live like everyone else? I have my own way of doing things.”

“That’s why I’ve left it at an engagement. Breaking off an engagement is easy, but divorce is difficult. Do you still doubt my intentions?”

“…”

Brillie momentarily flinched but couldn’t argue any further.

No matter what she did, she always ended up in conflict with Cadeon, but it always ended with him leaving her alone.

After proving her strength as a knight, he didn’t even interfere, which essentially meant he had given her tacit support.

‘Maybe I should just follow along for now?’

From Brillie’s perspective, she needed to defuse the situation first.

Continuing to fight with her father would only cause noise, and for now, she was still free to move as she pleased.

If she couldn’t hold out any longer, then she would have to resort to more drastic measures.

‘Running away would only make me look pitiful… Is that really the only way?’

Brillie hesitated slightly but thought of Alter.

If they spent even a year together, perhaps they could become closer than they were now.

After that, if she pushed hard enough, maybe an answer would emerge.

‘After spending just one night, even my father wouldn’t be able to do anything. The same goes for the Duke of the North.’

It was a desperate measure, but also her last resort.

Once committed, there was no turning back.

But to realize her own desires, she had to shoulder the burden in some way.

‘But can I do it? With a body so frail…’

***

Alter had already foreseen the situation given to the Duke of Ilenath.

The Crown Prince must have contacted the Duke to enlist Brillie into the royal knight order.

If so, the Duke of Ilenath would likely receive the proposal positively and proceed with the next plan.

‘Even if she doesn’t join, he’ll probably try to break off the engagement.’

Alter sipped his tea with conviction.

From the moment the Crown Prince showed interest in Brillie, the outcome was set.

The Duke of Ilenath wouldn’t miss this opportunity, and the Crown Prince would persistently follow through.

“All I need to do is stay still now.”

Alter was having a more peaceful day than ever before.

Though things seemed to have progressed somewhat quickly, the goal had been achieved nonetheless.

Now, if he could annul the engagement and leave the duke’s mansion, he would attain complete peace.

“I suppose I’ll have to marry another noble lady… as long as she’s not too peculiar…”

An unexpected knock disrupted the silence.

At the same time, Brillié entered the room and soon sat opposite him.

Alter watched her quietly, though he was puzzled.

“Um… that… you know. Can you do something like running?”

“…Running? I could do it briefly, but I’d quickly run out of breath and have to stop.”

“So, you can’t do any physical work at all?”

“I could manage a little if it doesn’t require much strength. Why do you ask?”

“Huh? Oh, just asking. I was wondering how far you could go.”

Brillié glanced at Alter, feigning ignorance.

She could have asked more roundabout, but that might only deepen suspicion.

Perhaps it was better to ask everything at once and then casually move on.

“Do you… have something you want me to do?”

“No, nothing like that. You’re not well, why would I ask you to do anything?”

“Using a bit of strength won’t hurt me. I’ll just lack power or get tired quickly.”

“Hmm… I see. So, you could do it if you tried?”

“Probably, yes.”

Brillié felt somewhat relieved at that answer.

It meant that, despite his frailty, he could still move to a minimum extent.

If she was careful, perhaps they could get through the night unscathed.

‘Why is she asking such things? She can’t be planning to use me…’

Alter continued his hazy contemplation as he looked at Brillié.

It wasn’t a problem for his fiancée to visit his room.

Of course, if she had become curious about something regarding him, she could ask separately, but he couldn’t even guess the reason.

Could it be that some controversy had arisen related to that?

‘Or is it because of my frailty that there’s talk of breaking off the engagement?’

Alter subtly speculated and found himself reasonably convinced.

Since the Crown Prince was showing interest in Brillié, he would have to find some flaw in himself by any means necessary.

At the same time, he thought he wouldn’t be swept away carelessly if he led the atmosphere as if it was natural to break off the engagement.

‘If that’s the case, I should understand. It all ends with the annulment, there’s no need to nitpick.’