The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

2

“Are you saying you want to marry another noble?”

“Yes. I thought that would be better.”

Strategic marriages among nobility have been a custom of the empire for a long time.

Moreover, blood relations must not be entangled, so contact with new noble families is necessary each time.

Therefore, Alter had to marry a noble, but he could also create a justification to avoid the protagonist.

“There’s no better match than the royal family, except for the duchy. Or is there another reason?”

“The royal family would be a great burden to my father. There would be a lot to worry about, and the royal side could be troublesome. In that respect, the duchy is somewhat easier, but the complications remain the same.”

“I won’t say you’re wrong. However, there is value in it. A powerful family brings benefits to us as well. That’s why we chose the duchy, even though it requires more effort.”

Zaire listened seriously to Alter’s response.

There were ways to oppress with authority and hierarchy, but he didn’t want to go that far.

Perhaps it was better to understand the reasons for the broken engagement and point out what was wrong.

“Duke Ilenath is greedy for power. That’s why he formed a faction, and he’s groveling to the royal family. If we establish a marriage tie with him, my father could be swayed.”

“…”

Zaire looked at Alter silently.

It was an issue that had been a concern even before pushing for a strategic marriage.

In the network of connections, one cannot only benefit oneself; a corresponding treatment must be given to the other party.

As the future of the family was at stake, a careful decision had to be made.

“If I were to stay in the capital, the Duke’s house would be the best option. However, that’s only considering the conditions; in reality, there could be inconveniences.”

“Personal matters might become uncomfortable. But it would still be better than other noble houses. Where else would you find a family as wealthy as the Duke’s?”

“Are my father, brothers, and I wealthy because we live in the northern territories? We’re guarding the empire’s frontiers out of duty and obligation. Wealth does not necessarily equate to happiness.”

Zayer mulled over these words before letting out a hollow laugh.

Alter had managed to survive in the northern territories despite his frail body.

Of course, he had only watched the cold blizzards from behind the windows, never once engaging in battle.

But given Alter’s condition, just being alive was enough to be grateful for.

“…So you wish to marry into a lesser family?”

“If it’s a family that my father can deal with comfortably, that would suffice. Isn’t it just about staying in the capital?”

Alter had inadvertently mentioned his own role.

The Grand Duke of the North, his father, was weighing the family and his children on a scale.

Unable to give up either, the ensuing conditions were limited.

That’s why he wanted to send him to the capital, seen as the most peaceful compromise.

“You’re not sick. You’ve been this way since birth, and nothing has changed. Even high priests couldn’t determine the cause.”

“…”

“I don’t know what to do anymore. Will going to the capital improve your condition? Maybe avoiding the Duke’s house, as you suggested, might be better.”

Zayer candidly expressed his feelings.

Perhaps Alter was hoping for a broken engagement to avoid false hope.

Maybe he was trying to accept his lifespan while contributing to the family.

“…Think about it. Stay at the Duke’s house for now. You’re not getting married right away, so you can relax.”

“Understood.”

Alter considered the response ambiguous but accepted it reasonably.

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A sudden annulment couldn’t be declared amidst ongoing marriage negotiations.

Ultimately, a harmonious conclusion would require a common stance from both families.

‘If I can persuade the Duke, it’ll be over. The protagonist can be left alone.’

Alter roughly anticipated the plans of Duke Ilenath.

Duke Ilenath was not one to be satisfied with a marriage of convenience with the Grand Duke’s family.

Rather, he aspired to become a ruler who would dominate the royal court.

‘To have the Crown Prince as a son-in-law, he’d have to send his daughter.’

Duke Illeknat has two sons and one daughter under his wing.

That daughter is the protagonist of the original work, a tool to expand Duke Illeknat’s power.

Of course, the protagonist won’t just sit idly by, but as a lady of the ducal family, she couldn’t completely escape.

“If I persuade well, I might be able to bring forward the annulment.”

Duke Illeknat is probably considering an annulment with the grand ducal family.

He must see it as a step towards a marriage alliance with the royal family.

But he wouldn’t underestimate the current emperor and the direct royal family, waiting only for the right opportunity.

“How can I distance myself from the protagonist…”

***

Alter finished his meal and quietly returned to his room.

A maid was always by Alter’s side, and no one dared approach him carelessly.

Knowing Alter to be frail, they all implicitly responded accordingly.

“I should stay quiet there. It’s best to be completely unnoticed.”

Alter sipped his tea, lost in thought.

Even if an annulment happens, one must not do anything to fall out of favor with the ducal family.

One will inevitably encounter the ducal family, and there’s nothing to gain from provoking a powerful household.

Rather, it’s best to act with utmost courtesy before the annulment, leaving a positive impression.

“Just leave the protagonist be, whatever she does.”

If the protagonist is not interfered with, the original work will be perfectly reproduced.

Of course, excluding one’s own death, but that can be concluded with the annulment.

Above all, as long as the key figures are not provoked, things should pass smoothly.

“If there’s a female lead, there must be a male lead as well.”

The genre of the original work is designated as romance fantasy, set in a medieval era where magic and monsters exist.

Thus, there is a monarchy and a class system, with professions that transcend modern societal concepts.

The male leads are given personalities and roles that fit, constantly competing with each other.

“How many men will flock to one woman…”

Alter reflected on the essence of the genre with discomfort.

In a romance fantasy, it’s natural to premise on the emotions and conflicts between the s*xes.

In the midst of it all, one must constantly vie for love, so the focus will inevitably be biased towards gender.

“If I don’t annul quickly, I’ll get entangled.”

Alter was fully aware of the dangers posed by the male protagonists.

The Crown Prince, the Knight Commander, the Phantom Thief, the competent Butler, the Vampire.

There was no way he could handle characters with such traits.

‘I should just let them fight among themselves and stay out of it.’

All Alter wanted was an exceedingly ordinary life.

It was no easy task to live with a sickly body.

Moreover, being a scion of the Grand Duke’s family, he had no choice but to face reality and make appropriate compromises.

‘At least I have enough magical power to keep going. Without it…’

Alter set down his teacup and displayed a subtle expression.

Even the original owner of the body couldn’t endure any longer and had succumbed to death.

He was still clinging to life, but there was no predicting how things would turn upside down in the future.

‘In the end, I have to solve this problem, but is there a way?’

Caught in doubt, Alter tilted his head in wonder.

The Northern Grand Duke must have tried every possible method to improve his youngest son’s condition.

But the frail constitution was incurable, and the body’s original owner had died young.

‘I should look into it in the capital.’

The empire’s capital was a convergence of long history and knowledge.

As a scion of the Grand Duke’s family, it wouldn’t be difficult to examine ancient texts.

Perhaps meeting with a great sorcerer or a high priest for advice wouldn’t be a bad idea.

‘I died right after coming out, so no explanation went in.’

That was the blind spot of the character named Alter Radiant.

He was of too little significance, and even the reason for his death was not accurately described.

Therefore, even knowing the content of the original work, he couldn’t prepare for his own death.

‘Can I survive until the engagement is broken off? It’s incredibly tricky.’

***

The lady, weary, entered the mansion.

It was just a knight order operating within the capital, but incidents kept occurring.

Since neither the police force nor the guards could resolve them, the knight order, possessing greater force, inevitably had to step in.

‘It’s as the commander said. It’s as tough as the frontier.’

Upon arriving in her room, the lady immediately set down her sword and helmet.

The armor is light, so I can take it off by myself.

Had I been headed to the battlefield, I would have needed assistance to don the full plate armor.

“With so many skilled individuals, the scale of accidents is not small.”

The capital boasts an overwhelming population compared to other regions.

Moreover, various events and high-value transactions frequently occur in the capital.

Hence, numerous nobles and merchants flock here, leading to significant friction.

“It’s tough to deal with royalty or nobility.”

When influential people are involved in incidents, things get more complicated.

They commit crimes and immediately deny them, or try to cover them up with status or money.

In serious cases, they mobilize their connections, and that’s when pressure comes from all sides.

“At least, being a duchess’s daughter, I can somehow resolve it.”

It was odd in itself that a duke’s lineage would serve as knights.

Moreover, as a woman wielding a sword, it raised even more questions among those around me.

Yet, my skills were so superior that I could subdue most swordsmen immediately.

“The captain is a renowned noble swordsman, so he’s recognized first.”

The captain of the Setinos Knights was a swordsman who had distinguished himself at the forefront.

With just tens of soldiers, he defeated the Centaur unit, and alone, he even exterminated a troll.

In fact, there was no one of a similar age who could match him, and recently, he’s been called the next Sword Saint.

“Well… that’s part of why I joined.”

Brillie Illenat, the second daughter of the Illenat ducal family, took off her armor and sat down on a chair.

No matter what others thought, she was determined to walk the path of a swordsman.

Despite her father’s strong opposition, she persevered and proved her worth with talent and skill.

Eventually, she participated in a demon subjugation battle, achieving unparalleled success, and now she serves as the vice-captain of the Setinos Knights.

“Being the vice-captain means I can keep fighting alongside the captain…”

With a knock, the door opened.

Through it, her personal maid rushed in and approached Brillie.

Brillie watched quietly, puzzled by her maid’s haste.

“I just heard… your fiancé is coming soon.”

“…Who? My fiancé?”

“Yes. They say he will arrive within a few days.”

“Tsk. Why is he coming again?”

“Well… to marry Brillié, of course…”

“Why would I marry him? No way! I can’t! I’ll do whatever it takes to break off this engagement!”