The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

4

***

Alter had finally arrived in the capital after a long journey.

As expected, the capital was warmer than the northern territories, and the streets were filled with people.

He probably wouldn’t stay in the capital until the annulment.

‘I might be able to expedite the annulment, but… I have no idea how Duke Ilenath will react.’

The annulment with the protagonist had originated from his own death.

Duke Ilenath must have had plans, but they crumbled in an instant.

Now that he was alive, those plans would proceed smoothly.

‘It seems like he’ll bide his time before finding the right moment for the annulment.’

Duke Ilenath was longing for a marriage alliance with the direct royal family.

Immense power, overflowing wealth, a private army no one could approach, the center of a solid faction.

To satisfy that desire, it was imperative to have the next emperor as a son-in-law.

‘Maybe it’s time to drive the point home.’

Alter disembarked from the carriage and looked up at the mansion.

True to the name of a duke’s family, a vast and towering building stood before him.

Of course, it was smaller than the inner sanctum of a grand duke’s estate, but being a castle and a mansion, it was incomparable.

‘After all, they probably don’t think much of me…’

“The head butler, Robert Dabmiller, at your service. I will attend to you with utmost dedication during your stay.”

A man dressed in a formal suit greeted him courteously.

His black hair was peppered with streaks of grey.

It seemed he must have been serving as a butler for a long time.

“Is Duke Elenath inside?”

“Yes. The scion of the grand duke’s family has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

“Hmm… Should we move the luggage first?”

“Our servants will take care of it. Perhaps you would like to meet the duke first?”

“Should I? Then please, lead the way.”

Alter followed Robert up the stairs.

Simultaneously, maids and servants began to bustle about.

‘They must be quite wealthy.’

Alter stepped inside the mansion and looked around.

A bright yet antique atmosphere deeply permeated the place.

Amidst it all, expensive statues and paintings caught his eye, and he couldn’t help but think it a bit extravagant.

‘We’re not exactly poor, but… we don’t decorate to this extent.’

Without realizing it, Alter compared it to his previous living environment and then shook his head.

The northern territories were barren and harsh, but the capital was comfortable and warm.

With survival from the cold and maintaining troop strength as the main objectives, one couldn’t afford to waste resources frivolously.

‘… There should be a male lead around here.’

Alter tried to identify the male protagonist purely by appearance.

The male lead would naturally be handsome and tall.

Moreover, since he was described in detail within the work, it was inevitable that he would be recognizable.

‘He’s quite jealous. That’s why he often secretly watches over the female lead.’

Certainly, the character must be on guard against himself.

Though frail of body and lacking any notable features, he is, after all, the female lead’s fiancé.

Thus, while residing in this mansion, it was necessary to closely observe the actions of this person.

‘I’ll realize it soon enough. I’m not even worth being jealous over.’

Alter demeaned himself, but he didn’t particularly feel sorry about it.

Rather, he was quite content not to be entangled in a sordid love triangle.

Survival was more important to him than the female lead.

‘At least it’s better because it’s a romance. They can just entangle among themselves, right?’

As Rover stopped in front of the door, Alter inadvertently turned his gaze.

Beyond this door, Duke Ilenath must be waiting.

A human filled with greed, yet also the one who could free him from the female lead.

‘In the end, Duke Ilenath…’

“Then, I shall take my leave now.”

Rover bowed politely and disappeared first.

Alter, engulfed in silence, looked across at the other party.

“Is this our first meeting?”

“Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Alter Radiant, the youngest son of the Radiant Grand Duke’s family.”

Alter belatedly paid his respects and carefully took a step.

His body was so fragile that a wrong move could cause serious injury.

Therefore, he always had to be cautious and discern any potential dangers.

“Take a seat. Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine. I have enough energy to converse.”

“Is that so? I won’t keep you long. The Grand Duke has already explained everything to me.”

Cadeon Ilenath, the head of the Ilenath Duke’s family, naturally led the conversation and sat in the seat of honor.

Considering his physical condition, he couldn’t just marry off his daughter to him.

However, there was a plan in place, so for the time being, he had to treat him as his daughter’s fiancé.

“The Grand Duke asked me to inquire about your well-being. Have you been well?”

“I’ve been getting by without any issues. From what you say, it seems the Grand Duke need not worry.”

“Yes. My father has been living peacefully.”

“Hmm… Can there be peace? I hear that up north, there are monsters and barbarian tribes causing trouble.”

“My father believes it is also his duty as the Duke of the North.”

“Indeed… a Radiant Duke you are.”

Cadeon smiled coolly and slowly bent at the waist.

Then, lowering his voice, he focused his gaze on Alter.

“Do not worry while you’re here. I’ll take special care of you.”

“Thank you for your consideration. I’m embarrassed by my many shortcomings.”

“How can you call that lacking? Not everyone can be the same, right?”

“…”

Alter sensed a strange meaning in those words.

From noble mtl dot come

Just as he said, the citizens of the Agnes Empire each have different jobs and classes.

Some inherit noble blood from birth, while others have no choice but to continue a life of poverty.

Especially since he was born with a frail body, he was quite behind the average standard.

“My daughter is the same. I wanted to raise her as a demure lady… but now she wields a sword. If she had no talent, I would have broken that stubbornness, but in the end, she secretly joined the monster subjugation without my knowledge. It’s utterly frustrating.”

Cadeon poured out his genuine dismay while observing Alter’s reaction.

Even if his son were to marry into the direct royal family for political reasons, he could not gain perfect power.

That’s why he must marry his daughter to the crown prince to finally touch the authority of a ruler.

But his own daughter was active as a knight, which only tangled his plans further.

“If there is talent, it should be nurtured. The daughter of Duke Ilenath must certainly be worth it.”

“I’m not sure if I should say this… but my daughter is not of a gentle nature. If I don’t break her now, you will be the one to suffer.”

“A flower must not be plucked to live long. If plucked carelessly, it will wither quickly.”

“Ho… an interesting analogy.”

Cadeon calmly sipped the tea that the maid had served.

Alter waited a moment before following suit and lifting his teacup.

“The more beautiful the flower, the more thorns it has. You’re bound to be pricked by those thorns… can you end it with just one?”

“Do I have to hold the flower in my hand? Left alone, a flower can still live as a flower.”

“If you don’t hold the flower, you’ll suffer from loneliness. To blend with the flower, you must first hold it, mustn’t you?”

“Then let me ask you one thing. Do I look like someone who would suit a flower?”

“…?”

Cadeon was momentarily taken aback but did not show it.

Clearly, Alter was comparing his daughter to a flower.

But why is she questioning her own worth while mentioning an arranged marriage?

“…Flowers are too much for me. I must fear even the thorns, and a little blood could endanger my life. Yet, do you think I suit flowers?”

“Not many suit flowers. It’s just… a flower exists as a flower.”

“That’s why I asked. A flower should exist as a flower, but isn’t blooming difficult?”

Cadeon inadvertently showed a stiff expression upon hearing this.

It was no longer possible to casually infer what she was alluding to.

He might have had a rough guess, but he wouldn’t have seen that far.

“Then I ask you. How can a flower bloom fully?”

“I am too frail to bring a flower to bloom. Perhaps one must be like the sun above to do so?”

“The sun… I’m not sure what you mean.”

“In the Agnes Empire, there aren’t many who rival the sun. I believe Duke Ilenath would know.”

“…”

Cadeon gave no response to that part.

He was merely curious about what Alter was thinking.

Could it be that she had realized the plan to make her daughter the prince’s consort?

“I am well aware of myself. So, even when that time comes, I won’t harbor any complaints. My father might feel a bit regretful, but I trust Duke Ilenath to resolve it well.”

“…What are you saying now?”

“Duke Ilenath. I haven’t said anything. I’ve only spoken of flowers and the sun.”

“Ho… Is that what you meant.”

Cadeon belatedly nodded in agreement.

In reality, Alter had never once mentioned her daughter and the prince.

She had merely used flowers and the sun as metaphors, providing a faint explanation.

In other words, no matter how much one probed, Alter could always end it with an excuse.

“I will remain quiet until that time comes. No one will know what I’m thinking.”

“Are you asking me to help you stay quiet?”

“It would be helpful for Duke Ilenath as well.”

“So you… clearly understand what an arranged marriage entails?”

“Yes. I understand, but my health is more important to me. Isn’t an arranged marriage something for the high and mighty to decide?”

“I see your point. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.”

Cadeon felt a distinct estrangement from Alter.

Judging by the atmosphere, the Northern Duke seemed completely unaware of the impending dissolution of the engagement.

However, the youngest son of the Ducal family saw through everything and acted accordingly.

‘To express it metaphorically means he would not resist even if the engagement is broken.’

Of course, this was a matter limited only to Alter.

Alter would not have shared this speculation with anyone else.

Therefore, persuading the Northern Duke was a burden that fell entirely upon himself.

‘The reason he pretends not to know… must be because he wants to let it pass quietly.’

Cadeon genuinely admired Alter’s judgment.

Without revealing anything directly, he conveyed his will purely.

Moreover, he had peered into his own heart just by the rumors from the capital, which was quite remarkable.

‘Alright. I’ll do as you wish. It’s better to comply knowing than to be completely ignorant.’

Cadeon precisely understood what Alter desired.

The prosperity of the Ducal family, not to cause a stir with the broken engagement, to improve his own physical condition.

If only he would help, he was more than willing to cooperate in that regard.

‘He’s perceptive. To draw him to my side, I must treat him accordingly.’