Chapter 3
Alter climbed into the carriage, bundled tightly in his winter clothes.
In the northern territory, the land was covered with snowy fields and ice, so one was not supposed to use carriages.
However, in order for the grand duke's youngest son to safely escape the northern territory, he had to devise a safe means of transportation.
'Certainly... if I didn't do at least this much, I might freeze to death.'
Alter could hardly feel the cold, but his body had already started to tremble little by little.
An ordinary person would somehow endure, but even that was difficult for Alter's body.
How on earth had Alter Radiant survived this cold up to now?
'He lasted quite a while... making it to eighteen.'
The northern grand duke had probably tried to get him out of the northern territory as soon as possible.
But they couldn't find a suitable marriage partner, and even the conditions for living outside were incomplete.
That was why, until now, he had been forbidden from going outside and had sustained his frail life in isolation.
'Even if the engagement is broken, I probably won't be able to return to the northern territory.'
Alter hadn't received any particular explanation from his father, but he was inwardly certain.
Staying in the north would only worsen his condition.
Besides, he couldn't always be locked in the keep and burn firewood.
In the end, to continue living, he would have to find a warm and peaceful region.
'Broken engagements are more common than you'd think. At least, it's easier than a divorce.'
An engagement was a promise to marry in the future, not the act of getting married.
Moreover, among royalty and nobility, positions and conditions constantly changed, so arranged marriages naturally followed.
Above all, once a marriage was established, divorcing required complex procedures and could barely be achieved.
'She's aiming for the crown prince... so isn't opportunity all she needs?'
If he wanted to bring the breakup forward, he had to help the Duke of Illenat accomplish their goal:
the main character of the original work—that is, the duke's second daughter—marrying the crown prince.
Of course, as long as the two got closer, it should be possible to induce a breakup.
'But the protagonist doesn't like the crown prince. Understandably so.'
The protagonist fundamentally refused to be tied down by or dependent on anyone.
She believed only in her own strength and goals and moved forward without hesitation.
That was why the male leads, overwhelmed by that force, would eventually become captivated in turn.
'If I hadn't read that, none of this would have happened?'
For a moment, Alter felt lingering attachment, but quickly shook it off.
Regretting things now would not change reality.
If this was an ordeal that had to be accepted, all he could do was focus on overcoming it.
'Then... should I step in to bring the crown prince and her together?'
* * *
Dozens of knights were swinging their swords in the training yard.
Though it was a routine drill, it was so monotonous that it required a great deal of patience.
However, in order to become stronger, one had to thoroughly master the basics; thus no one complained.
"Redeon, speed up your swing!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Fordman, your body's slanting!"
"Ah, I'll correct it!"
"... Next move!"
A man raised his voice as he watched them.
He was in a position of responsibility for the order, so he personally oversaw the knights' training.
Naturally, he could have entrusted this to a sub-knight, but as the order's commander, he could not neglect his members.
"Lambert, put more strength in your arms!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Hm..."
Brillie slipped quietly into the training yard, watching her comrades at practice.
As the vice-commander and a proven warrior, she didn't need to participate in training herself.
Yet, to maintain the proper dignity of her role, she had to be seen acting together with the commander.
'It looks like the training is too focused on fundamentals...'
Brillie stood naturally beside the commander, harboring doubts.
She didn't always understand the commander's decisions, but never found fault.
He was stronger than her, and his accumulated achievements far surpassed her own.
"Morning training ends here! Dismissed!"
"Yes, sir!"
At the commander's order, the knights instantly dispersed.
Only then did the commander turn to face Brillie.
"What brings you here? Surely you don't want basic training?"
"I... just had something to discuss..."
"Let's talk as we walk."
Lang Couster, commander of the Setinos Order, was the first to step out.
Lang Couster was the eldest son of a count and was slated to inherit the title.
Even so, he had run the order himself, often intervening directly in accidents within the capital.
"I'll have to leave early today. I have a prior arrangement."
"May I ask what kind of arrangement?"
"Haa... It's..."
Brillie unconsciously let out a deep sigh and hesitated.
Lang glanced sidelong at her, then spoke again.
"Doesn't seem like a pleasant matter?"
"My fiancé is arriving today. He'll probably get here before today's out."
"... Your fiancé? Ah, your fiancé."
Realization dawning, Lang narrowed his eyes.
He'd heard a little about Brillie's fiancé.
It was a political marriage between the grand duke's and the duke's houses, so rumors naturally spread through society.
"You probably know already, but he's not a great match. How did I end up engaged to someone like that..."
"This is your first time actually meeting your fiancé, right?"
"I... guess so?"
"Don't let rumors sway you. His weak health is unavoidable, but you have to see that separately from his character as a noble."
"But it's not just about character! How can I marry someone like him?"
"If it's the family's decision, you must accept it. Not many nobles marry for love."
"I don't care about love—I just don't want to get married! I haven't even put down my sword!"
"Mm... You mean you want to keep serving as a knight?"
"Of course. Do you really think I'm going to giggle and fuss around like the other ladies?"
"I can hardly imagine it. No knight as strong as you could behave so meekly, could they?"
Lang recited indifferently as he entered the barracks.
Brillie followed him, soon arriving at the commander's office.
"It's best if you leave early today. No need to keep your fiancé waiting."
"No, did you even listen to me? I told you I don't want to get married!"
"I understand your feelings, but... you can't defy your family's wishes, can you?"
"Can't you try to persuade them? At the very least, the wedding should be postponed!"
"You mean me? That's a tall order."
Lang looked perplexed, but didn't brush off her request.
Brillie was an extremely talented swordswoman—an asset needed by the order.
If she suddenly married, they would inevitably have to let her go.
"You are the next Sword Saint. Who would object if the next Sword Saint asked to keep me?"
"You're telling me to pick a fight with the Duke of Illenat?"
"When did I say that? I just asked you to persuade him!"
"But if I assert my authority, I'll only hurt Duke Illenat's pride. That'll only make him hold on to you more tightly."
"That doesn't mean I can just stand by!"
"Mm..."
Lang looked at Brillie, his mind wavering even a little.
He couldn't bear to let go of the vice-commander he'd worked so hard to obtain.
Above all, those good looks kept lingering in his mind, making him even more regretful.
'Is she aiming to break the engagement? In that case, I've got nothing to lose either...'
* * *
Alter finally arrived in the capital after a long journey.
As expected, the capital was warmer than the northern lands and its streets teemed with people.
He would probably remain here until the engagement was broken.
'Is it here?'
Alter stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the duke's mansion.
True to the name, a spacious and towering building stood before him.
Of course, it was smaller than the grand duke's inner keep, but as a manor and residence, it was beyond comparison.
'They probably don't think much of me anyway...'
"I am the head butler of the manor, Rover Davemiller. I'll serve you with utmost care during your stay here."
A man in formal dress gave a courteous bow.
His black hair was streaked with gray.
He certainly looked to have served as a butler for a long time.
"Where is Duke Illenat?"
"He has been waiting for your arrival, young master of the grand duke's house."
"I should move my baggage in first."
"Our servants will take care of that. Why don't you meet the duke first?"
"Hmm... That sounds good."
Alter followed Rover up the stairs.
At the same time, maids and servants began bustling about.
'Must be rich.'
After entering the manor, Alter glanced around.
A bright, antique atmosphere permeated the place.
Even so, so many expensive statues and paintings caught his eye that it all seemed rather extravagant.
'We aren't poor either, but... we don't decorate like this.'
Alter reflexively compared it to his previous living environment, then shook his head.
The northern territory was rugged and harsh, but the capital was comfortable and warm.
With survival from the cold and maintaining the military as their primary focus, they couldn't afford to waste resources so recklessly.
'... There should be a male lead here too.'
Alter decided to try finding the male lead purely by looks.
Male protagonists were, of course, supposed to be handsome and tall.
Besides, the work described them in detail, so he would inevitably recognize him.
'He's terribly jealous. That's why he often secretly keeps an eye on Brillie.'
When Rover stopped before a door, Alter unwittingly shifted his gaze.
That person was probably wary of him.
Though he was sickly and unremarkable, he was still the female protagonist's fiancé for now.
For that reason, he would have to closely observe the man's actions while staying in this mansion.
'He'll soon notice. I'm not even worth being jealous of...'
"Then, I'll be taking my leave."
Rover bowed politely and slipped away.
Left in the silence, Alter gazed at the person across from him.
"This is our first meeting, isn't it?"
"Yes. It's my pleasure. I am Alter Radiant, youngest son of the Grand Duke Radiant's house."
Alter offered his greeting belatedly and stepped forward carefully.
His body was so frail that a single wrong move could cause serious injury.
Thus, he always had to act cautiously and avoid any sources of danger.
"Have a seat. Are you feeling tired?"
"I'm fine. I have enough energy for a conversation."
"Is that so? I won't keep you long. I've already received an explanation from Grand Duke Radiant."
The head of House Illenat, Duke Cadeon Illenat, smoothly guided the conversation as he sat at the place of honor.
Given Alter's condition, he couldn't arbitrarily marry his daughter to him.
But since he had a prearranged plan, he'd have to treat him as her fiancé, at least for now.
"Grand Duke Radiant asked me to see how you were doing. Have you been well?"
"I have been well. No need to worry about Grand Duke Radiant, based on what you say."
"Yes, my father is also doing well."
"Hmm... Can he really be well? I heard there are monsters and barbarians running wild up north."
"My father sees that as his duty as the northern grand duke."
"I see... that sounds just like Grand Duke Radiant."
Cadeon chuckled calmly, bending forward slightly.
Then, lowering his voice, he fixed his gaze on Alter.
"Don't worry about anything while you're here. I'll make sure to take special care of you."
"Thank you for your consideration. I am lacking in many ways, and it shames me."
"My daughter is lacking in no small way herself. I tried to raise her as a proper lady, but... she wields a sword now. If she had no talent, I would have broken her stubbornness, but in the end, she joined monster hunts in secret. It truly is exasperating."
While Cadeon spoke his honest vexation, he studied Alter's response.
Even if his son married a princess, it wouldn't be enough to gain perfect power.
Thus, only by marrying his daughter to the crown prince would he touch a ruler's authority at last.
But his daughter insisted on living as a knight, throwing his plans into disarray.
"If someone has talent, it's only right to let them grow. If it's your daughter, Duke Illenat, she's certainly worthy of that."
"I'm not sure if I should be saying this... but my daughter's temperament is far from mild. If you don't break it now, you'll be the one struggling."
"A flower must not be broken if it wants to live long. If you break it for no reason, it'll only wither quickly."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Is it mind games time?
This is my first time working on a weak main character...
Not just pretending to be weak, but truly, pathetically weak...
I hope he doesn't suffer much...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】