The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement

Chapter 30

"...?"

Alter seemed to hesitate for a moment and then closed his mouth.

He couldn't possibly ignore what he had just heard, nor could he discern the true meaning behind those words.

What in the world was the Third Princess thinking when she made such a proposal?

"Do you dislike it that much? Am I really that unappealing to you?"

"Breaking off an engagement isn't something that can be done just because one wishes it. Your Highness, surely you are not any different from me."

"Do you really think I don't know that? I said it knowing full well."

Yuria watched Alter's reaction and then responded calmly.

There was a certain degree of sincerity in her words, but she was well aware of the multiple constraints involved.

First and foremost, she would need to obtain the Emperor's permission, and if the engagement wasn't dissolved, another engagement would naturally be impossible.

On top of that, the Grand Duke of the North would also bear considerable burdens, making the entire process quite complicated.

"And besides, Your Highness would gain nothing by marrying me."

"Do you think I'm suggesting this because I want to gain something? I'm talking about engagement, not marriage! Not every engagement leads to marriage, does it?"

"While breaking an engagement is easier than a divorce, in reality, there are many convoluted aspects involved. So, I believe it would be quite difficult to arrange an engagement with me."

Alter politely stated his indirect rejection.

Even if he were to break off his engagement with Brillie, it would be just as difficult for him to get engaged to Yuria.

The Emperor would be wary of consolidating power, and his father would have no choice but to cooperate with the imperial family in various ways.

As this was a marriage that no one truly wanted, even forming an engagement would be unlikely.

"So you mean you can't even stand the sight of me?"

"I only said that forming an engagement would be difficult, not that I look down on Your Highness."

"Shouldn't you at least say something nice at times like this?"

"If you wish to hear praise, I can oblige you. However... had you truly wanted such things, would you have asked me for an engagement?"

Alter had already seen through Yuria's intentions.

Engagement with him was merely an excuse; what she really wanted was just to see Brillie troubled.

Since she couldn't meddle directly, she must have wanted to use even a shallow trick.

"Huhu. Shall we end the prank here? Your devotion to your fiancé is impressive. Did you fall for her that quickly?"

"We are engaged, so we must each bear responsibility for marriage. Even if it is a marriage of political convenience, marriage is still marriage."

"Hmm... Responsibility, huh? Even so, doesn't it feel unfair? You're marrying someone you don't even love."

"Love may develop after marriage. But even if there is no affection... I believe I must continue on through responsibility."

Alter deliberately gave a textbook answer.

Yuria disliked stuffy types but preferred those who were subservient to her.

Yet she wasn't swayed by flattery, treating such things as fleeting amusements.

Therefore, by maintaining distance and remaining steadfast, he tried to leave a resolute impression on her.

"How boring. I feel like you must have some romance too, though."

"I have no wish to dream of romance with no price. It's nothing but an illusion."

"Are you not being too rigid? Your fiancé won't like you if you keep that up."

"Fortunately, she doesn't seem to dislike it. She must also value responsibility as I do."

"..."

Yuria gave up a bored sigh and threw him a curt glance.

No matter how much she tried to dig deeper, Alter only stayed consistently composed.

There was no way to tease him, and it seemed she herself would tire first.

"Maybe I should be honest now? If you don't want to get engaged to me, then at least serve as a royal attendant."

Yuria wasn't planning to let go of Alter so easily.

If she couldn't tie him down with an engagement, she would at least have him remain in the palace.

Of course, the matter was ripe for controversy, but if she kept pushing, perhaps even the emperor would reluctantly grant permission.

"I do not wish to trouble His Majesty. Your Highness, should you not also consider His Majesty's wishes?"

Alter invoked the Emperor and refused flat out.

After all, the Emperor was ruler of the Agnes Empire, and imperial authority was forged firmly within the palace.

Even those bearing imperial blood could not disobey the Emperor's will.

"Do you think His Majesty would oppose you?"

"His Majesty would not want to bring someone afflicted by a curse into the palace. The other officials would also find it difficult to accept. It would be quite a challenge, I believe."

"It's already been proven your curse isn't contagious, hasn't it? His Majesty is wise and wouldn't be prejudiced. Yet you continue to make excuses?"

"... My body is not fit to perform the duties of a royal attendant. It's a matter of life and death for me, so I cannot possibly comply."

Alter reluctantly gave a fundamental reason.
He could manage simple tasks, but could not take on excessive duties.
Otherwise, his body would swell up or he would be plagued with minor ailments.

"I won't make you do anything. You just need to be by my side. I can even promise the Grand Duke as much—would you still refuse?"

"All the more reason Your Highness should not appoint me as a royal attendant. The palace also has laws and procedures. How could such privileges be granted only to me?"

"..."

Only then did Yuria close her mouth and gaze at Alter.

Just as he said, exclusive privileges for a select few would breed resentment among the officials.

And since the Emperor was wary of concentrated power, he too might voice objections.

However, from Alter's perspective, he seemed worried about a different issue.

"Don't tell me... Do you think I'd keep you as a hostage?"

"There is no reason for Your Highness to keep me as a hostage."

"Why not? If it's for a political marriage between the grand ducal house and a ducal house, it's even a thought to consider."

"... If that were truly the case, his Majesty would have issued an imperial decree first. Doesn't His Majesty's trust of the Grand Duke stand behind his permission for the political marriage?"

The Emperor might demand hostages if he wished to keep certain nobles or factions in check.

Keeping their blood kin within the palace would keep them from plotting rebellion.

Of course, some might still rebel, even at the risk of their hostage's life, making it an imperfect solution.

"He must trust him. His Majesty and the Grand Duke of the North are old friends."

"One wouldn't try to keep hostages among friends."

"You already know everything, don't you?"

"Is it not better to refuse with understanding than with ignorance?"

"You really are good at making excuses. Do you dislike the idea that much?"

"It's not that I dislike it, I just cannot do it. Your Highness is surely aware of this, aren't you?"

Alter calmly turned the question back without leaving a single gap.

Even a princess could not overturn the very foundations of the Agnes Empire.

If she recklessly mistreated a frail noble child, not only the officials but also the emperor would rebuke her harshly.

"So you're just making a fool of me. Then why don't we talk about the northern territories instead?"

"... What is it you wish to know?"

Alter answered in a calm tone, suspicion in his mind.

Not only the crown prince but now even the Third Princess was engaging in bizarre behavior.

What could be the reason for their obsession with having him in palace service?

'What is wrong with them? What did I do for them to act like this?'

* * *

Alter, who always heard about gold bar prices, ended up selling all his gold bars to the trading company of the Duke of Illenat.

He had always been indebted to the Duke of Illenat, and there had been mention that they urgently needed gold.

Therefore, he sold at a slightly lower price than the market and even received a promise to be looked after more meticulously in the future.

'I really need to stay on good terms with the Duke of Illenat. That way, it's easier to ask favors.'

Selling his gold bars at a discount wasn't really a loss.

Since staying at the ducal residence, he had already received significant treatment.

Compared to that, the gold transaction was merely a matter of maintaining appearances.

'Now, what do I do with this money... I need to look into methods of breaking the curse.'

Now that he had identified the cause of his frail body, he needed to find a solution.

Completely erasing the curse engraved on his heart.

Even the holy order said lifting the curse was difficult, but that was only with regard to their holy arts.

'I need to read every book about curse-breaking. There has to be someone out there who knows about such things.'

Of course, he needed to get help from the Duke of Illenat, but he couldn't rely on him unconditionally.

After all, his engagement to Brillie was just a promise; their relationship was one of mutual interest.
If at any point it seemed disadvantageous, the ducal house would gradually withdraw and become less involved.

'I wonder if Great Mages would know about this?'

Curses belonged strictly to the realm of magic.

Mages had been researching countermeasures for curses for ages and had tacitly prohibited learning how to cast them.

But as always, there were those who pursued heresy, so curses gradually developed in secret.

'If someone cast the curse, surely they know how to break it, right?'

It was a straightforward logic that left no room for doubt.

If he could apprehend the caster, he would find an answer one way or another.

However, since he didn't even know their identity yet, it seemed it would take some time.

'This is something I need to leave to Father. Father might know something.'

The Grand Duke of the North—his father—had been with his mother at that time.

That meant he would remember the circumstances before and after his own birth.

Perhaps someone approached them and secretly inflicted the curse during that time.

'I'll need to wait a bit more on that... So what should I do with the leftover money?'

Having sold the gold bars for a substantial sum, he wouldn't be short even if he spent as needed.

He might invest it to grow his funds, or find another suitable use.

Most expenses were already being covered by the house of Illenat, so there was little reason to spend money.

'Ah, right. Brillie's birthday is coming up soon.'

Alter finally remembered and fell into contemplation.

As it was a gift for his fiancé, he couldn't skimp on it.

Moreover, he needed to prepare something that Brillie would value and that wouldn't draw criticism from others.

'What would she like...? Hmm...'

Reflecting on the original story, Alter quickly came to a simple conclusion.

The things Brillie liked were clearly limited.

He had to approach it as a knight and swordswoman, not as a noble lady.

'It will cost more to have it custom-made... but it will show sincerity.'

After immediately deciding on the gift, Alter delved into the details.

If it was to be custom-made, it had to fit her body perfectly.

Brillie herself had surely had custom pieces made many times, and at least one of the servants would know her measurements.

'Think of it as fulfilling a courtesy before breaking off the engagement. It's best to handle these things neatly.'