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

Although snow was falling little by little, it wasn't piling up to the extent that one's legs would get buried.

It hadn't been long since they'd crossed the border of the northern region, but already, a pure white color was covering the surroundings.

There was only the occasional sound of a fierce wind to break the calm and serene atmosphere that lulled one into contemplation.

'It feels like I'm coming back after several years.'

Alter was riding atop a snow-white steed, traversing the middle of the snowy field.

Unlike ordinary horses, the snow-white steed was specialized for running across snowy fields and ice.

It had pure white skin and a sky-blue mane, and even in bitter cold, it would not easily collapse.

Moreover, its hooves were formed so as not to slip, making it a common means of transportation in the northern region.

'I remember it being unbearably cold when I left...'

Alter exhaled, recalling his sickly past.

Whenever he stayed in the northern region, a chill would seep into his bones no matter the time.

Because of that, he couldn't leave the castle and had to rely on the fireplace while wearing thick clothes.

Yet now, he was enduring the northern cold with warmth preserved in his body and an unruffled composure.

'Is it because the curse is gone that things have improved this much?'

Even as Alter realized a faint sense of estrangement, he belatedly gained conviction.

At last, he was able to move about freely even in his hometown.

After all the hardships he'd endured, he couldn't help but be swamped in joy.

'If Mother hadn't helped me... I would have already...'

Shaking his head, Alter recalled his brief meeting with his mother.

His life had been preserved only thanks to his mother, who had unilaterally sacrificed herself in the end.

Since she'd even had to dispel the vicious curse, a sense of sadness overshadowed everything else.

'Given all this, how can I just be happy...'

"How are you? Do you think you can keep going?"

Alter shook off his idle thoughts and turned his gaze.

Brillie, clad in a thick winter coat, was also riding a snow-white steed.

This must have been her first experience with the northern cold, but she appeared unusually composed.

Most likely, she was enduring it with overwhelming stamina befitting a knight who had honed her swordsmanship.

"Yes. Perhaps because I've gotten much better compared to before, I can endure it."

"Are you really okay?"

Brillie leaned forward cautiously and approached Alter.

She began to scrutinize Alter's face in detail.

Alter found her actions fairly burdensome but silently endured it.

"If it's hard for you, we need to go back. You can't pass out here, okay?"

"... I'm fine. If I wasn't well, I wouldn't be able to stay out like this."

"All right. Then let's keep going."

With concern apparent in her eyes, Brillie adjusted her grip on the reins.

Before leaving the capital, she had heard from Holy Apostle that Alter's health had improved.

But from her perspective, he still seemed fragile and she couldn't help but worry.

'It should be safe here... but the area outside the fortress will be risky.'

With the northern army protecting the region, enemies couldn't easily invade the territory of the Agnes Empire.

Thus, both she and Alter could stroll leisurely atop the snowy fields.

And since this was the path to the Goranmoche Fortress, even the barbarians tended to avoid it.

'Goranmoche Fortress is probably the most solid stronghold.'

Goranmoche Fortress consisted of two outer walls and an inner citadel.

The inner citadel housed the Northern Grand Duke, his elite troops, and household, while the majority of soldiers and commoners lived inside and outside the outer walls.

In short, Goranmoche Fortress was the central point of the frontline, where the entire command system was established.

'I've heard that the barbarians occasionally attack...'

Barbarians subsisted on hunting and gathering and were notably belligerent.

It was common to see barbarians fighting among themselves, or killing and eating monsters or wild animals.

Skirmishes with the northern army on each front broke out from time to time, resulting in frequent casualties.

'Am I worrying too much? Maybe it's just because this is my first time coming here.'

Brillie tried to ignore the crawling chill as she surveyed her surroundings.

Wearing her coat, gloves, and boots properly, she was able to resist the cold.

Yet, the snowy fields and icy patches scattered about felt unfamiliar, and the snow falling from the sky seemed oddly wondrous to her.

'I've only heard rumors about the Northern Grand Duke...'

Although Brillie had prepared in various ways, she couldn't erase her sense of pressure.

He was the only noble in the Agnes Empire to hold a grand duke's title and, as the Supreme Commander, wielded immense military power.

Above all, after marrying Alter, he'd become her father-in-law, naturally making her anxious.

'If he criticizes me for not being ladylike enough, what am I supposed to do?'

Brillie couldn't help but imagine herself being rebuked by the Northern Grand Duke.

If her feminine side as a knight and swordswoman was highlighted, it would be hard to make excuses.

Of course, she intended to behave as prudently as possible, but she couldn't dare oppose the Grand Duke's authority.

'... No, that's not right. Alter just said he was a bit curt, not difficult. It'll be fine.'

Trying to reassure herself, Brillie recalled Alter's words.

Alter had advised her to act as she usually did, but she couldn't take it at face value as the person involved.

If the Grand Duke was especially fond of Alter, he might be even harsher with her.

'I'll think about it after I meet him. If things don't work out, I'll just stay quiet and get through it.'

* * *

Alter and Brillie passed through the two outer walls and finally reached the inner citadel.

Crossing the first outer wall, they encountered hundreds of soldiers, and at the second, a handful of knights joined them.

After passing through the inner citadel gate, they were greeted by one of the Northern Grand Duke's closest knights.

"You look much healthier. It seems your illness has really improved."

"Yes. I'm much better now. Has anything noteworthy happened while I was gone?"

"There's nothing much to report. Only the monsters that show themselves need dealing with, and the barbarians have been quiet lately."

"......"

Brillie, eavesdropping on the conversation between Alter and the close confidant, found herself swept up in a strange atmosphere.

Not only monsters but even barbarians were treated as routine opponents.

In the capital, even a single monster sighting would cause an uproar, yet here, it seemed like part of daily life.

"Where is the Grand Duke?"

"The Northern Grand Duke has been waiting for your arrival. He insisted on personally welcoming you."

"He's not waiting inside the castle?"

"Since you've brought your betrothed, the Grand Duke wished to greet you both in person."

"......"

Hearing this, Brillie became even more tense.

She hadn't expected the Northern Grand Duke to show himself in such extreme cold.

There was no room to make a bad impression under these circumstances, so she felt she needed to brace herself.

"Please, come this way."

Alter and Brillie followed the close knight's lead and reached the main gate of the inner citadel.

There, the Northern Grand Duke, his advisers, and his guard were waiting.

"We should get down now."

Alter gently brushed the snow-white steed's back and pulled the reins.

As Alter dismounted, Brillie followed suit a bit belatedly.

"... Have you been well?"

"I've spent my days in solitude. Are you better now?"

"Yes. Thanks to your concern, I've improved greatly."

"You could have waited to recover a bit more before returning...."

"I couldn't delay any longer, so I decided to come sooner. As you can see, I no longer shiver from the cold, so I thought I could endure it."

Zair examined Alter closely before nodding in agreement.

He was clearly in better health than before, enduring the northern climate firmly.

If he was this much improved, he could certainly return to the northern region.

"Uh... This is my fiancé. We came all this way because she wanted to meet you before the wedding."

"Um... This is our first time meeting. I am Brillie Illenat, second daughter of Duke Illenat."

As she made eye contact with Zair, Brillie carefully introduced herself.

Zair studied her face briefly and seemed somewhat relieved.

He had thought she might be rather tough for a swordswoman, but she unexpectedly possessed delicate beauty.

She seemed more like an elegant noble lady, which only made him more curious.

"It's quite different from the capital here... aren't you cold?"

"Ah... I'm not cold, probably because I'm wearing thick clothes."

"I'm sorry to have made you come so far. I hope it hasn't been too hard on you."

"No, it's fine. Just as Alter did, I thought I should come myself."

"... I heard the Emperor bestowed you a title?"

"I only achieved a small merit. I still have a lot to improve."

"Still, it's not granted to just anyone. Considering your age, it's truly an impressive talent."

"It's a bit embarrassing, but thank you for saying so."

"Is Duke Illenat well?"

"Yes. Duke Illenat asked me to give you his regards and also sent some modest gifts."

Zair glanced at the carriage brought by the snow-white steeds.

Inside were neatly arranged boxes of various sizes.

Having sent his daughter as the representative of the duke's household, it was only proper to reciprocate with sincerity.

"I see. I shouldn't disregard Duke Illenat's goodwill. Convey my thanks when you return to the capital."

"Yes. I'll be sure to deliver the message."

"... Have I kept you standing too long? Come inside, and I'll serve you some tea."

Zair turned first and headed into the inner citadel.

Alter and Brillie exchanged glances before immediately following him.

Now that they had made a decent first impression, they just had to behave carefully until their return to the capital.

'Thank goodness. Nothing went wrong.'

Brillie watched Zair's back as she entered the inner citadel.

Although his hair color was different from Alter's, his eyes and features looked strikingly similar.

Had Alter inherited the Grand Duke's personality, it might have been difficult for her to get along with him.

'Hmm... but isn't this better now? If he were too curt, I'd just get uncomfortable.'

* * *

Rozandion stayed at his post silently upon hearing the news that Alter had arrived at Goranmoche Fortress.

He wasn't particularly close to Alter, and they only shared half their blood.

So, while he stayed vigilant, he also couldn't help but look to the not-so-distant future.

'This isn't good. It should have ended with Alter just recovering...'

It was likely that not only he himself, but even Märchen, was conscious of Alter's presence.

They both wished to inherit the grand duke's title, and with Alter's unexpected entry, it became quite a predicament.

Now that Alter had earned the distinction of being the Great Mage's apprentice, he had become a significant variable.

'Surely they won't give the grand duke's position to the youngest?'

While racked with anxiety, Rozandion forced himself to trust Zair's judgment.

Zair was always calm and decisive in his orders and never let personal feelings interfere.

Even if someone was the legitimate wife's child, when it came to succession, he would judge based on ability and merit.

'If they pass it on to the youngest... I can't just stand by. Rather than letting it be taken away in vain, perhaps it'd be better if...'

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Familial bond really isn't a thing with nobles, huh?
It's a dog eat dog world...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】