The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce - The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce chapter 26

26

***

Alter finally persuaded Brillié to join the social gathering.

As a noble, one cannot ignore the social sphere; it was necessary to make an appearance from time to time.

In the midst of it all, he thought it wise to establish some connections that might prove helpful later on.

“… Are you feeling alright?”

Lang broke the prolonged silence and finally spoke up.

News about Alter had already reached him through other nobles several times.

Having coughed up blood and been bedridden for three days, he had barely survived, teetering on the brink of death.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Don’t you think you should rest a bit more?”

“I’ve rested enough; it’s time to fulfill my duties as a person.”

“It seems you’re doing more than enough as a person.”

“… Because I used magic?”

“I understand you single-handedly vanquished a monster. That’s something most nobles can’t do, so wouldn’t that be going above and beyond?”

Lang asked earnestly, meeting Alter’s gaze.

As the next Sword Saint and the current Knight Commander, he had thoroughly examined the scene of the incident.

He realized that powerful magic had been cast, and the enemies had died instantly.

Even a competent magician wouldn’t have been able to handle it so swiftly.

“It was just good luck. In the end, I didn’t fall, did I?”

“Didn’t you trust in Brillié? You must have thought that if any problem arose, Brillié would handle it… Or am I mistaken?”

“… I can’t say you’re wrong.”

Alter slowly agreed, recalling the incident.

It was a choice that invited danger, but the outcome was decidedly positive.

Had Brillié been hurt, perhaps he would have felt some regret.

“Brillié probably thought it was her fault that her fiancé collapsed. That must be why she looked so pale, right?”

“Are you referring to the Knight Order?”

“She performed her duties well, but… she hardly spoke. It must have been troubling her.”

“Ah… I suppose so.”

“For Brillié’s sake, you should take care of yourself. I doubt I could concentrate on my duties if my fiancé collapsed.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Alter listened intently, without a hint of defiance.

I had taken it upon myself too forcefully, and in many ways, I had shaken the foundation of the Elenath Ducal House.

Perhaps at that time, with Brillié by my side, I felt a tinge of responsibility.

‘It’s easy to say that, but in truth, you’re worried about Brillié.’

Even amidst this, Alter saw through Lang’s psyche.

Lang, who harbored affection for Brillié, couldn’t dismiss even his gloomy demeanor.

Moreover, since it was his own doing that Brillié’s emotions were in turmoil, he couldn’t help but show signs of discomfort.

‘As if to prove he’s not the male lead, he starts nagging. Does he just want to blame me?’

Although Brillié was involved in this incident, ultimately, I took everything upon myself.

After much deliberation, I killed the vampire, and as a price for the magic manifestation, I was unconscious for three days.

In the end, Brillié returned safely, but should I criticize my actions in this manner?

‘I surely won’t be jealous over something so trivial…’

Alter harbored faint doubts but didn’t take them seriously.

Still, as the male protagonist, he couldn’t treat Brillié’s fiancé ordinarily.

It was only out of obligation as the next Sword Saint and Brillié’s superior that he maintained courtesy.

‘No, it’s jealousy because I did what he couldn’t.’

Alter reflected calmly and then glanced over cautiously.

Lang couldn’t stay by Brillié’s side like I could, and he had no involvement in this incident.

If Brillié only had eyes for her fiancé, it might cause some disturbance.

‘What about Hillis? The prince… not yet, I suppose.’

Of course, Hillis could watch over Brillié from the mansion, so he wouldn’t be overly sensitive.

The prince had only recently shown interest in Brillié, so he probably wouldn’t take this incident too seriously.

In a way, Lang was in an ambiguous position, which might lead to an excessive reaction.

‘After all, we’re going to break off the engagement, so why not just wait? The opportunity will come on its own…’

***

Lang, while standing by Alter’s side, occasionally shifted his gaze.

Each time, Brillié’s face came into view, and his heart was subtly stirred.

Brillié went around greeting other nobles, but even then, she was aware of this side.

‘… Is she thinking of her fiancé?’

Lang exchanged glances with Brillié, realizing she wasn’t looking his way.

She was merely checking if there were any issues with her fiancé, ensuring he was well cared for.

As Brillie always did, she regarded herself as someone who must surpass her superior.

“I warned her, but did she grow fond of him?”

Lang could see the emotions behind Brillie’s actions.

She clearly had reservations about marriage, yet she couldn’t ignore her fiancé.

It was a marriage of convenience, orchestrated by their families, but Brillie was slowly adapting.

Perhaps Brillie was gradually growing closer to the one she had tender feelings for, her betrothed.

“Duke Ilenat must be aiming for an annulment. That much is certain.”

Lang glanced at Alter and remembered the words he had heard.

“My body is not normal, I can’t pretend to be strong, goodwill and trust are meaningless, it will lead to an annulment.”

It was Alter himself who had mentioned this.

He had already read into Duke Ilenat’s intentions and foresaw his own future.

“She doesn’t love Brillie. It’s a strategic marriage, so she has no choice but to treat him as her fiancé.”

Of course, if one inherits noble blood, they inevitably face a marriage of convenience.

Their emotions are not involved, it’s merely a means to pursue the interests of their families.

Wouldn’t they end up sacrificing their lifetimes without ever harboring true love?

“But I am different. I can love and cherish Brillie. Is it not possible with me?”

Overwhelmed by intense impulses, Lang gazed at Brillie.

The emotions that Alter couldn’t give to Brillie, Lang was willing to offer them all.

Moreover, if he earned the title of Sword Saint, he would gain a reputation not inferior to that of a grand duke.

Yet, without doing anything, Alter was given the opportunity to marry Brillie.

“If I had been there, I would have ended it sooner. I wouldn’t have collapsed like him.”

Lang clenched his fist, consumed by certainty.

It should have been him stepping forward, not the fiancé destined for an annulment.

He just needed to protect Brillie with his own strength and display overwhelming power.

But Alter had taken that role first, and ultimately, he monopolized Brillie’s attention.

“I am stronger. Not frail or diminutive like him. But… Brillie…”

Lang finally confronted the emotions he harbored.

Because he only had eyes for Brillie, he couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else having her, stirring him even more.

Who would have thought that he, the next Sword Saint, would harbor such feelings?

“Am I… jealous of Alter Radiant?”

Lang, consumed by self-loathing, cast his gaze downward.

He resented Alter’s presence, simply because he had failed to shine before Brilly.

It was because Brilly’s attention was solely on Alter, and being always together with Brilly, he inadvertently exposed his inner self.

“…I shouldn’t. This person stood up for Brilly’s sake. He’s merely fulfilling his duty as a fiancé.”

Lang belatedly regained his reason and tempered his shallow emotions.

Alter had done no wrong and was firmly aware of the position he was in.

Rather, as a fiancé, he shouldn’t leave Brilly to fight alone.

“Was he only weak in body, yet still possessed a sense of responsibility?”

While Lang respected Alter’s judgment, he couldn’t completely erase his jealousy.

After all, had he stepped in, things would have been resolved more smoothly.

Alter had received special treatment simply because he was the fiancé.

“Still, the annulment is inevitable. He must be well aware of it himself.”

Lang managed to calm his turbulent heart and reaffirmed his resolve.

If the annulment went through, an opportunity would present itself to him.

Perhaps, bearing the title of Sword Saint, he could get the answer he desired from Duke Ilenath.

“It’s not over yet. I’ll win Brilly over with my own strength. I won’t let anyone… take her away.”

***

Alter tilted his teacup, perusing the letter sent by his father.

The letter contained an agreement to accept the proposal of the Archmage Alarune and to cooperate actively.

It seemed his father was immediately convinced, especially since the Archmage himself offered to treat the illness.

“I’ve actually got permission from my father.”

Alter chuckled and neatly folded the letter.

If his father agreed, he had no choice but to follow suit.

Although the cure wasn’t guaranteed, perhaps the Archmage could alleviate the symptoms.

“Everything’s fine but… why is there no mention of the annulment?”

Even Duke Ilenath hadn’t mentioned the annulment at all.

Moreover, his father seemed to suggest in the letter that going through with the marriage wouldn’t be so bad.

Without bringing up any particular discussion, why wouldn’t he push for an annulment?

“Father might be doing this because of my illness, but I can’t fathom Duke Ilenath’s reasons.”

Alter shook his head, unable to guess the reason.

While staying at the mansion, I couldn’t show my true self.

I only wandered around the estate, caught a cold, and fainted for three days before finally regaining consciousness.

Anyone would be disappointed, yet why is this situation being overlooked?

‘I’m sure there’s a plan in mind. For now, I need to cure my illness.’

Alter nodded in agreement and sank into contemplation.

Given the near-incurable nature of the disease, relying on a single archmage was not an option.

Therefore, it was necessary to have a variety of methods at the ready and proceed with them in succession.

‘I’ve made the sacrament and set up a promise… but why did it have to be this person?’

From noble mtl dot nete

Alter had a clear memory of that sacrament.

In the original work, it was simply known as a high-ranking clergyman with skills, but in reality, there was a connection with Brillié.

That’s why there was a thought that he might be another male protagonist, but due to the ambiguous relationship, he was only treated as a character of some significance.

‘Halfnen Ragnis. Is he the main lead? It doesn’t seem like it… Maybe I’ll have to rethink after meeting him?’