Brillie happened to have a private meeting with Zair by chance.

They had only briefly run into each other and exchanged a few words, but before they realized it, they were already clinking glasses together.

Originally, it seemed she had meant to serve only tea, but as the conversation lengthened, they must have become absorbed by the atmosphere.

"... The liquor here is rather strong. Will you be able to drink it?"

"Yes. I think I can handle a few glasses."

"Don't drink too much. You wouldn't want to show an unseemly side to my son, would you?"

Zair gave a brief warning before taking the first sip.

Brillie appeared a little hesitant at first, but soon brought the glass to her lips.

An elusive aroma wafted up to her nose, but the taste itself was intensely strong.

She thought that if she drank it carelessly, she would soon get drunk.

"It might come off as probing, but I can't help but ask how things have been. How are you getting along with Alter these days?"

"Pardon? Hmm... I think we've become a lot closer since the first time we met."

"That won't do. You'll be getting married soon, you ought to have affection for him, shouldn't you?"

"T-that's... I'm working on it."

Brillie replied, flustered, blurting out just anything.

In a political marriage, it was only natural that both parties would feel a sense of distance.

Of course, living with Alter had led them to grow familiar with each other, but could she truly call that feeling 'love'?

"I won't say Alter has no shortcomings. His health hasn't been good from the start, so it must have been hard for you to accept."

"..."

"Alter has always been frail since childhood. I thought he might be ill, but we couldn't find the cause. It was only after sending him to the capital that we discovered it was a curse... Who could have known things would become so twisted?"

Zair's face darkened as he took another sip.

Brillie, though she could only partly relate to his feelings, chose to listen quietly.

"The Frost Witch was the cause of everything. She brought about my wife's death and placed a curse on my son. Because of that one demon, we lost over a decade of our lives."

"..."

"But you're different. You and the Duke of Illenat could have considered breaking off the engagement... so why did you decide on marriage?"

Only then did Zair reveal his true feelings, shooting a sharp gaze at her.

Had the Duke of Illenat requested to break off the engagement for such reasons, he would have agreed without hesitation.

But the Duke of Illenat showed no reaction, and even Brillie behaved unconcerned.

"... Alter is thoughtful and always acts with humility. He never flaunts being from the grand ducal family to others. Even if his body is weak, isn't it enough if his will is strong?"

"Is that so. Still, this is a political marriage. The heart alone isn't enough to accept it."

"Even if Alter and I were to break off the engagement, it's not like either of us wouldn't marry at all. Sooner or later, we'd each have to become a pair with someone. If I really must spend a lifetime together with someone... I thought Alter would be the better choice."

"Hm... Yes, that's reasonable. If you must marry, it's right to choose the better option. Still, are you just being sentimental?"

Zair didn't fully believe her answer, but tried to agree with it to some extent.

Political marriages start with the interests of the family, requiring a realistic approach.

If she had uttered empty or insincere words, he might have grown suspicious of Brillie instead.

"It might upset you, but this is something that must be addressed clearly. After you marry, will you lay down your sword?"

"... No, I won't put it down."

"Should I take that to mean you don't intend to have children, then?"

"Just because I don't put down my sword doesn't mean there won't be any opportunities, does it? I think it's fine even if it happens a little later."

"Is there a reason you won't put down your sword?"

"Partly, it's to improve my own skills, but... I also have to protect Alter. I can't entrust my husband to someone else, can I?"

"You'll protect my son... I didn't expect to hear that."

Zair found that answer interesting and reflected for a moment.

Normally, it would seem nonsense, but Brillie was renowned as a master of swordsmanship, having been awarded even an honorific title.

If such a woman said she'd protect his son, there was bound to be at least some credibility.

"So your husband comes before your child?"

"Yes. You can always have another child, but there's only one husband."

"Hahaha! The Duke of Illenat has raised a bold daughter! So daring!"

Zair burst into hearty laughter, draining his glass in one go.

It was probably an indirect reference to her feelings for Alter, but to the listener, it sounded quite unusual.

If she put it that bluntly, he couldn't rashly press her about heirs anymore.

"How many children do you mean to have, saying such things?"

"Umm... I think two would be enough?"

"Isn't two a bit few? Three would be better."

"I'll try. It's not something I can do alone anyway."

Brillie answered evasively and sipped her drink with care.

She had expected this topic to come up sooner or later.

But since she had never thought about it seriously, all she could do was provide the standard answer.

"I'll respect your wishes. It seems the Duke of Illenat pinned hopes on my son."

"Yes. I can't know for sure what the Duke is thinking, but since Alter is the disciple of the Great Mage, isn't he worth hoping for?"

"This may sound like nagging, but let me say it again. Even if the curse is gone, Alter is still weak. Compared to someone like you, who has honed her swordsmanship, the difference is even greater."

"You're right. You can't build stamina with magic."

"It would have been easier if he'd been born a daughter, but that's not something I can decide. As long as he stays just as he is, it's enough."

Brillie found those words doubtful for a moment, but soon accepted them.

Ordinarily, she'd have dismissed it as nonsense, but for Alter, he'd receive proper treatment.

In the first place, with looks like his, living as a man is almost too much of a waste.

... Still, I don't think that's right. If he were born a daughter, he couldn't marry me.

Honestly, she couldn't give her fiancé to anyone else.

There were too many dangerous people lurking about, and there was always the risk of harm befalling him.

If that was the case, she thought it would be better for her to keep him close herself.

He's my fiancé, so he should stay with me. That's how it should be.

* * *

Alter was staying in Goranmothe Castle, observing the internal atmosphere.

He was no longer frail, and as the Great Mage's disciple, his potential was well proven.

Thus, the perception of the grand ducal house, its closest knights, and advisors was bound to change.

They're starting to talk about me, little by little.

Stories circulated: The youngest son of the grand ducal family had hidden his abilities for years; he faked illness, waiting for the right time; since he was the legitimate son, his succession was already a given; and so on.

Of course, Alter had roughly foreseen such a situation.

Although he hadn't accumulated any military merit, he still possessed a clear grand ducal bloodline.

I don't know what Father will think... but I can't help but make these comparisons.

Those who led their households would naturally want to pass on their titles to the most suitable heir.

The eldest son and second daughter were certainly qualified, but he himself couldn't be dismissed completely.

If he achieved some conspicuous accomplishment now, the direction of the title's succession could tip decisively.

Will my brother and my eldest sister just sit by and do nothing?

Rozandion Radiant, märchen Radiant.

These two were deeply ambitious for the title of Grand Duke of the North.

They strove hard for their father's approval and gained fame in multiple battles as members of the grand ducal house.

By now, they must be quite uncomfortable being forced to acknowledge his presence.

When I was weak, I did nothing, but now it's a different story.

The more they desire, the less willing they would be to yield even the smallest thing.

Especially if their own standing seemed threatened, they might even resort to reckless actions.

The eldest son and eldest daughter—his half-siblings—what sort of future did they envision for him?

They wouldn't hesitate to kill me...

"The capital must be to your liking? You're not holed up in your room anymore."

Alter turned his head quietly and met the owner of the voice.

Normally, even if they happened to cross paths, not a word would be exchanged.

But this time, his sibling approached him first, behaving unusually.

"You could just pass by as you always have... Why the change?"

"Why the change, you ask? You're not really asking because you don't know, are you?"

A woman, clad in armor, stopped in front of Alter.

A sword was buckled at her hip, her cropped black hair tied back firmly.

As the grand ducal lady and a knight of the northern army, she displayed nothing but consistency.

"How should I know?"

"You spent a lot of time with Tina. You never even talked to me or to our brother. Do you think I don't notice you doing that on purpose?"

"My younger sister has cared for me tenderly since I was little. Is it wrong for me to spend time with those who help me?"

"So you're saying that since our brother and I never helped you, there was no reason to grow close to us?"

"Isn't that the truth?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Alter answered calmly.

He could only be at odds with the eldest and second siblings.

Their attitude toward him had always been fixed, so he responded in kind.

"But I see you're not being sarcastic? There must be a lot you regret."

"I have no regrets. I've simply distinguished our respective positions."

"You'd rather not fight with me or our brother, right? Why can't we just get along, as we always have?"

Märchen revealed her intentions bluntly, yet tried to treat him kindly.

Though they had been almost like strangers, they were still half-siblings, sharing half their blood.

There was no real reason to stay hostile, and for the sake of the family, it would be better for them to cooperate.

"... For whose sake should I do that?"

"Do you want the obvious answer? Of course, for Father and for the family."

"No—it's for you, isn't it? You want to win over the Duke of Illenat's power by keeping me sweet, don't you?"

Alter had already seen through Märchen's intentions.

On his own he wasn't much, but with a political marriage to the Duke of Illenat, he could be used as a bridge.

If he became Grand Duke of the North, he'd gain authority and legitimacy, so even the Duke of Illenat could not refuse him outright.

"Knowing too much won't do you any good... yet you insist on it?"

"Wouldn't it be better to be a little more honest? Are you afraid of not inheriting the title? Are you so scared, now that I've been cured and returned as the Great Mage's disciple!"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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