Chapter 13
"......"
Alter was momentarily engulfed in silence, lost in a haze of bewilderment.
It didn't seem like a joke, nor could he detect any particular intention.
It was as if she was genuinely bearing her heart, trying to engage him in a psychological battle.
"Why do you think I can't do it? I'm not shaken by such things."
Though Brillie recited her words in a relaxed tone, her eyes remained cold and unwavering. To be honest, she didn't want to be tied down by marriage, but she couldn't lose to her younger fiancé. That was why, even as she spoke with a rather strong tone, she was trying to protect her own pride.
"There are many better partners than me. I was engaged only because of my lineage. Surely, you know that."
"I do. But if you take that approach, I'm no different. I was also engaged solely for my lineage, wasn't I?"
"...... Brillie, you're skilled in swordsmanship, aren't you?"
"Yes. You could say I have some skill."
"Compared to that, I have no talent worth boasting about. Still, is there truly nothing else?"
"Does having talent guarantee marriage? Isn't marriage only about having a heart for one another?"
"Getting married without any preparation is harmful to both parties. That's why people get to know each other beforehand and consider each other's circumstances."
"I don't think I'm particularly lacking. Any health issues can be recovered from gradually, and skills can be learned later, right? Then why are you being so pessimistic?"
The more Alter pressed, the more fiercely Brillie retorted. Alter wasn't entirely wrong, but he wasn't the one to say it. No matter how realistically one tries to live, one cannot survive without hope. That was why she, even while feeling sympathy for Alter, sought to overturn his entire outlook.
"Because that's reality."
"But reality isn't everything, is it?"
"Then why do you think our engagement is proceeding?"
"It's because of immediate gain that we're bound by engagement."
"That's precisely reality, isn't it?"
"If I were bound by such reality, I wouldn't have taken up the sword. Would you still blame reality?"
"......"
Alter couldn't bring himself to refute Brillie's resolve. She had chosen her own path, undeterred by her status as the duke's daughter.
In the end, she had proved her skills and achievements, and now she worked honorably as a knight.
Brillie must have faced many restrictions herself, and at that time, her circumstances must not have differed much from Alter's.
"I fully understand the situation you're in now, Lord Alter. I won't say you're absolutely mistaken. Still... you mustn't give up, right? It doesn't matter if you're not my fiancé. As long as you're alive and breathing, you should at least try something, shouldn't you?"
Hearing those words, Alter found himself persuaded, even if only for a moment.
While first voicing her own will, she subtly shook the heart of the other.
Perhaps, because of Brillie's advice, his own desire to survive had been stirred anew.
"...... I haven't given up. I was merely talking about breaking off the engagement."
"I'd prefer if you didn't mention breaking it off again. I don't want to get angry over this."
"Mm... understood. If it makes you uncomfortable, I should refrain from such talk."
In the end, Alter had no choice but to accept Brillie's request.
She was determined, and she had a solid basis for her words.
Above all, Alter didn't want to be on hostile terms with Brillie, so he knew he had to back down.
"But... are you really all right? You don't look well."
"I'm better than I was this morning, but is there a problem?"
"See? You're pale enough as it is, but now you look even paler."
Brillie took Alter's left hand and studied it closely.
She had never seen skin so white before, and it still seemed to carry a chill.
Even so, with the bluish veins visibly showing, only a sense of pity welled up inside her.
"Uh... I can't feel any difference..."
"You don't notice? Your hand feels even colder now."
"My hands have always been cold..."
"Does that even make sense? The human body is supposed to be warm!"
"......"
Feeling the warmth of her touch, Alter let out an involuntary smile.
He wondered if perhaps he had misjudged Brillie's temperament after all.
If he'd known she'd reveal such a compassionate heart, would he have remained so reserved?
"Huh? Did you just smile?"
"Excuse me? I'm not sure if I actually..."
"You do know how to smile, so why weren't you?"
"I don't know. I don't even know if I just smiled..."
"Try smiling like that more often. It makes you look even better."
Holding onto Alter's hand, Brillie spoke gently. Certainly, a smile suited him better than a stony expression.
To wear such a beautiful face and appear sullen was just too regrettable.
"I doubt I'm particularly handsome..."
"Oh, come on! At times like this, you're just supposed to listen, so why keep interjecting?"
"......"
"I told you last time, didn't I? You really want to get scolded by me?"
"I don't think I'm at an age to be scolded..."
"What do you mean! If I don't worry, why should you?"
"Simply looking at it from a realistic perspective..."
"There you go with reality again. Didn't you promise not to bring it up earlier?"
"That was about breaking off the engagement..."
"It's the same thing!"
"......"
Alter had plenty he wanted to contest, but decided to hold it in for now.
There was no point in having a verbal sparring match with Brillie—he would only grow more confused.
Above all, since Brillie was encouraging him, he figured he should be a bit more understanding.
'From here on out, there's nothing I can do anyway...'
In the end, Alter could only look ahead to his meeting with the crown prince.
Of course, Brillie herself would have to make direct contact, but even that was hard to predict right now.
In that case, diligently attending social gatherings and maneuvering the situation appropriately seemed to be the best course of action.
'I'll have to hope for a bit of luck, or that the imperial family hosts a banquet.'
The crown prince would occasionally attend the nobles' social gatherings.
If an event was hosted by the imperial family, it was natural for direct members of the royal family to participate.
In other words, depending on the circumstances, it might be possible to encounter the crown prince.
'I suppose I have no choice but to wait a bit longer...'
* * *
Hilise was carrying out Brillie's request precisely.
When Brillie was absent, he was to closely observe her fiancé's actions.
Of course, he had been keeping an eye on Alter even before, but this time there was a legitimate reason for it.
'... There's nothing in particular that stands out.'
By now, Hilise had perfectly memorized Alter's routine: small meals, short tea times, solitary reading, conversations with the butler and maids, walks around the estate. He never strayed from this flow and hadn't caused a single problem so far.
'He just seems to want some peace and quiet.'
Judging from his behavior, it looked as though he was simply seeking a tranquil life. Here, no one would disturb him, and he could remain in quietude. Compared to the North, this was a far more comfortable environment, and even his frail body was bound to relax.
'If their engagement is broken, he'll have to return home. Maybe he wants to enjoy this moment while he can.'
Hilise even speculated about Alter's psychology and drew his own conclusions.
There was little point in continuing to watch, but unforeseen circumstances could always arise.
Besides, Alter had recently caught a cold and locked himself away in his room, so going forward, the danger of illness was another consideration.
'But if my assumptions are wrong...'
Neither he nor anyone else could know the mind of Duke Illenart.
Even if he had plans, there was no guarantee they'd unfold smoothly.
If things kept spiraling out of control, everything might ultimately return to square one.
'How could I delay the wedding ceremony?'
Certainly, it was Brillie and Alter who would marry, but the heads of both families had the final say. If even one of them objected, the marriage could not proceed. That meant there would have to be a person or incident that could change Duke Illenart's mind.
'It would have to be someone like the crown prince, or a truly high-ranking noble.'
There were very few with power and influence outstripping that of the grand duke's family.
In addition, they would have to take an interest in marriage negotiations, especially if they had unmarried children themselves.
Perhaps Duke Illenart was already pondering alternatives, weighing other options even now.
'That means the answer will be decided at one of the social gatherings...'
* * *
Alter attended a social gathering with Brillie.
Strictly speaking, it was Brillie who had been persuaded by Lang's suggestion, and Alter more or less followed along reluctantly.
However, as Alter had already anticipated attending these gatherings, he didn't particularly dislike the idea.
'It's important to let others know about me.'
Among the grand duke's children, he was the only one to visit the capital.
In the current situation, he was representing the grand duke's family, so he had to act accordingly.
Especially since rumors about him were so twisted, he needed to show himself and prove the truth.
'There aren't even that many people. I can simply pick what to eat...'
From the moment Alter entered, he was the center of attention.
With Brillie and Lang by his side, people's curiosity must have been piqued all the more.
Thanks to that, he didn't have to speak much to complete all his introductions perfectly.
"I hear he's the child of the Northern Grand Duke?"
"The grand duke's child? What's he doing here?"
"I heard he's marrying Lady Illenart."
"Oh, right, that's true. I almost forgot."
"Wow... but he's better-looking than I thought."
"I heard rumors he's so thin he's all bones?"
"Why do you believe everything you hear? It could be nonsense."
"Looks like it is nonsense. He really stands out."
"Should I go talk to him?"
Intrigued, the nobles gradually gathered around Alter. He was a rare sight as the grand duke's child, and his looks were anything but ordinary. Especially the noble ladies, while sneaking glances at each other, began to shower him with questions.
"They say you haven't come of age yet?"
"No. I still need to wait a little longer."
"How is your health?"
"It's improved a lot since I came to the capital."
"Have your siblings gotten married?"
"My older sister is about to have her wedding, as far as I know."
"What is the North like?"
"It's very cold. It snows, and everything freezes... Sometimes monsters or barbarians appear, but the Northern army keeps us safe."
Alter answered each question without showing any sign of displeasure.
If he left a good first impression, he could dispel all the false rumors.
And if he could correct any prejudice about the grand duke's family, it might help his father a bit as well.
"You sound so mature. Couldn't you speak more casually?"
"These are all people I'm meeting for the first time, so it's only proper to be polite."
"Oh, come on. It doesn't suit such a handsome face."
"You're so stiff. Can't you at least call us 'older sister'?"
"If you talk to us more familiarly, everyone will like it."
"I'm not sure that'd be appropriate..."
Though a bit flustered, Alter tried to respond calmly.
Brillie, standing beside him, was beginning to feel she should step in.
Upon returning from talking with an acquaintance, she didn't hesitate at all.
"You seem very interested in my fiancé. You aren't making any overly personal requests, are you? Surely not, since he's promised to marry me."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Protective Mama Bear!!!
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