Chapter 11
As always, Hilise observed Alter's behavior discreetly.
No matter how much Alter spoke of breaking off the engagement, the fact that he was Brillie's fiancé did not change.
If time quietly passed like this, in the end, the two would inevitably marry.
'Even if they break off the engagement, it's not as though I could dare approach her.'
Hilise briefly felt a pang of lingering attachment before quickly burying it deep within his heart.
He was a fallen noble, left with nothing but the hollow shell of his baron title.
If it weren't for his noble blood and rank, he wouldn't have been chosen as the butler of Duke Illenat's household.
'Even as an employee, they wouldn't just accept anyone.'
Duke Illenat's household was one of the most powerful families in the capital, and many other houses formed factions in its wake.
Its prestige and history were so integral to the Empire that even the Emperor could not recklessly ignore Duke Illenat.
Because the house was recognized by both rulers and their subordinate powers, the selection of employees was necessarily strict.
'I'll save up some money and maybe move on as a head butler elsewhere... or find a different job entirely.'
Hilise thought he would wait until Brillie held her wedding.
To finally wash away his lingering feelings, he would have to face reality with brutal honesty.
If he left Brillie's side before then, those feelings would twist into nothing but regret and pain.
'Until then, I have to remain as a butler.'
Hilise knocked on the door and carefully stepped inside. He needed to brew and serve Alter's medicinal herbs regularly.
Duke Illenat had given this order directly, even telling him not to spare any expense.
It was probably a condition resulting from negotiations with the northern grand duke, or perhaps out of Duke Illenat's own consideration.
"I've brought your medicine."
"Already time for the medicine?"
Alter immediately rose from his seat, where he had been reading. Hilise placed a bowl of medicine from a tray engraved with elegant patterns.
At the same time, he cast a sidelong glance at the book Alter had been reading and roughly surmised its contents.
'I heard he was looking for books on magic...'
No matter what Alter did or where he went, the employees of the mansion always found out.
Alter was a precious guest, and he had to be treated with utmost care to prevent any inconvenience.
If they failed to recognize this and made a mistake, it would disgrace Duke Illenat's honor.
'Is he interested in magic? Or can he actually use it?'
Although curious, Hilise refrained from asking. As butler, his only task was to faithfully fulfill the role assigned to him.
He had to make sure his superiors faced no annoyance and provide the greatest possible convenience.
If this condition was not met, he had no business being paid as a butler.
"You must find this really troublesome, having to look after me like this..."
Alter murmured quietly as he downed the medicine in one gulp. Hilise seemed to maintain the silence for a moment before eventually speaking.
"There's nothing a butler would call troublesome. We merely distinguish tasks that should be done from those that should not."
"If you put it that way, it sounds like you'd do anything for me?"
"If it is within the capacity of a butler, I will do anything for you."
"For example... even carrying me around on your back all the time?"
"If necessary, I will do so."
Hilise replied with a determined expression, his demeanor unshaken. Alter watched him for a while, then shook his head.
"No. Just forget about it. I can still walk on my own."
"As your butler, it is a duty I could fulfill. If you ever truly need—"
"Don't worry about it. I just said it without thinking. If you carried me around here, I'd be the only one embarrassed!"
Alter let out a small laugh as he gently refused. In truth, he had meant it as a joke to tease Hilise. But Hilise's unexpectedly serious response made Alter have to refuse more firmly.
"... It's the first time I've seen you laugh."
"Hmm... Is that so? Was I really so unsmiling?"
Alter reflected for a moment on his past and wore a slightly dubious expression.
There simply hadn't been much reason for him to laugh, but he didn't take it too sensitively.
After all, with a body like this, it was hard to enjoy much of anything.
"Lady Brillie would probably also appreciate that side of you."
Hilise muttered wistfully, recalling his conversations with Brillie.
Even as Brillie expressed interest in Alter, she showed faint concern.
Hilise thought that if Alter managed to show even a faint smile, Brillie might feel at least a little reassured.
"I wouldn't know about that. I doubt she's especially fond of me."
"It's the first time you two have met after promising marriage. More than feelings of liking or disliking, wouldn't there be a sense of strangeness first?"
"Probably so, right?"
"At this stage, I think it's more important that you are both able to adapt to each other as you get to know one another."
Hilise offered this advice without a second's hesitation.
Alter thought the remark sound, though he didn't take it particularly to heart.
He was already anticipating breaking off the engagement, and he knew Brillie's sympathy towards him was not likely to deepen into affection.
"Aren't you being too optimistic? If we break off the engagement, none of this will matter."
"You haven't broken off the engagement yet, Lord Alter. And... worrying over events that have not come to pass will only damage your wellbeing."
"It's not worry. It's a conviction. The only thing I don't know is when the engagement will end."
"Is there a reason you're so convinced?"
"A reason? It wouldn't sound very good if I said it myself."
"......"
Hilise inadvertently grasped what Alter meant.
Alter must surely harbor a negative perspective regarding Duke Illenat.
Perhaps he had delved deep into the duke's ambitions for power.
'Don't tell me he's considering a political marriage with the Crown Prince?'
Of course, Hilise had vaguely considered that possibility too.
If the connection with the grand duke's family was to be abandoned, then the next choice would have to be the next emperor or a noble with significant influence.
However, neither scenario would be easily accomplished, and Duke Illenat might end up suffering considerable loss.
'Even if he had thought this far... can he really be certain?'
It was a future not easily foreseen by Hilise or even other nobles.
It would involve many complications and even the pride of the northern grand duke.
However formidable Duke Illenat might be, could he act so recklessly?
'But if Alter is that certain, he must have good reason to think the engagement will end.'
Alter probably used his own limitations as proof for ending the engagement.
He could not inherit the grand duke's title, had no outstanding talents, and even struggled with his own health.
In the end, having only his bloodline from the grand duke's family forced him to confront reality too plainly.
'Should I tell Brillie about this?'
He was only speculating about Alter's state of mind, but he doubted his guess was off the mark.
Brillie had also expressed doubts about Alter's behavior, so if Hilise explained, she would likely accept it.
But what happened afterward was unpredictable, which made him hesitate.
'If Brillie finds out... she might not want to let him go.'
Brillie, rather than succumbing to reality, often pursued her ideals.
For now, she pitied Alter, but upon learning the truth, her feelings could easily shift or become distorted.
She might become obsessed with marrying Alter, or try to secretly run away with him as she had once declared.
'Would I be satisfied with that outcome?'
For a brief moment, Hilise confronted his long-repressed desires.
I don't want to give up Brillie, I can't leave her to be swept up in a political marriage, I wish she could escape from it all.
Could he really let his feelings for Brillie fade away like this?
'... I'll tell her later. Now isn't the right time.'
Hilise, however faintly, submitted to that desire.
From a realistic standpoint, a fallen noble could not be with Brillie.
But a vague faith, a subtle logic, continued to support his resolve.
'I have nothing more to lose. Whatever happens next, I just have to get what I want, right?'
In any case, Alter could not handle someone like Brillie.
Even if they were to marry, conflict was inevitable.
Rather than let her be lost so emptily, wouldn't it be right for Hilise to have her instead?
'If only Brillie would accept me—that's all I need....'
* * *
While handling the affairs of the Knight Order, Lang did not neglect the social scene.
To move as a noble, one inevitably had to socialize and bolster one's own position.
That was why, from time to time, he had no choice but to attend social gatherings.
"Oh, have you heard? Count Adevalt is reportedly dating the marquis' daughter."
"Really? Are they thinking of getting married?"
"I didn't hear the details, but being a count isn't bad, right?"
"Hmm... But aren't counts pretty common these days?"
"Just because there are many doesn't mean they're all the same. A count like Adevalt is—"
The nobles at the gathering drank and conversed ceaselessly.
The topics were largely about the movements of other nobles, with occasional discussions about the state of the Empire.
Since most of them were quite young, sometimes these meetings even turned into romantic encounters.
'It's a pain, but if I don't show my face...'
"Now, now. Since the next Sword Saint is here, let's make way for him."
As someone recognized Lang's presence, all eyes in the room instantly focused on him. Lang received their gazes unflinchingly and returned his greetings.
"How have you been?"
"I'm well. You've been so busy, we hardly see you these days."
"That's generally the way with the Knight Order, isn't it? I've finally made some time, so I hope you'll treat me well this evening."
"No doubt! There's always room for you here."
The host of the gathering greeted Lang with a broad grin.
To run such a gathering, one needed immense connections and wealth.
Thus, hosts would seek out varied venues and hire excellent chefs to serve expensive delicacies.
And to avoid losing guests to other gatherings, they would also invite renowned nobles like Lang.
"Have you met some lovely lady without telling us?"
"How could that be? These days, all my time is devoted to knightly duties."
"Come now... You're still young. If you wish, I can introduce someone to you."
"I appreciate your words, but I'm too busy. Perhaps next time."
Lang politely declined as he thought of someone.
Ever since then, his heart had already leaned in that direction.
He had no interest in other women, focusing only on his work with the order of knights.
"By the way, isn't the vice-commander of the Setinos Order the Illenat family's young lady?"
"... Yes."
Lang shot a cold gaze at the unknown noble scion.
When nobles conversed, if someone present was involved, the topic often steered toward them.
Naturally, then, the conversation turned to Brillie, but already an ominous air was rising.
"I heard the young lady is engaged to the northern grand duke's heir... but I've heard some bad rumors about that."
"I heard so as well. Supposedly, he's in poor health..."
"Even if he's part of the grand duke's household, isn't that going too far? She's the Illenat family's daughter, after all."
"Come on. The heads of house must have settled things among themselves."
"Perhaps so, but isn't it a bit odd? Why would the Illenat family's daughter settle for marrying a noble on the verge of death?"
"You! To say such things here..."
The host hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
However, Lang's gaze had already sharpened.
That comment was an insult not only to Alter but also to Brillie.
As her superior, Lang could not let such behavior pass.
"How rude. Do you dare look down on the vice-commander and her fiancé in my presence?"
"N-no, that's not what I meant..."
"Have you met the grand duke's heir? In terms of looks alone, I'd say he's hardly unworthy of the vice-commander... I hope you'll be ready to answer for your words."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Hmmm, the butler is no longer a shipper.
Also, there are also those kinds of careless nobles, huh...
【(⩌‸⩌ )】