Brillie glared with intense eyes and fought back fiercely.
She was already displeased at being pushed around due to a political marriage.
Now, with him using her as an excuse to repeat engagements and breakups, it was only natural for her to develop resistance.
"Are you saying you'll do as you please?"
"Why couldn't I? We're engaged, so if we just get married as is, isn't that all? From what I've heard, there are plenty of nobles who spend a night together after getting engaged."
"... Do you say that knowing what situation your fiancé is in?"
"That he's in poor health? But surely he can last at least one night. We can even try again later, can't we?"
"Brillie! Will you only be satisfied if you push this all the way?"
"That's what I want to ask you. How far would I have to go for you to be satisfied? What on earth is it that you want?"
"......"
Cadeon searched for something plausible to say, but soon fell into silence.
He probably wouldn't be satisfied, even up until the day he passed into eternal rest.
His desires were just too vast and excessively twisted.
It seemed that was why he was trying to attain supreme power, even if it meant giving his daughter to the crown prince.
"I'm not like you, father. I don't want to live sucking up to people like the other noble ladies. Can't you trust me, even just a little?"
"It's not a matter of trust. The real world isn't as easygoing as you think."
"Because it's not easy, that's why I went out carrying only a sword! That was the only way I could prove myself, wasn't it?"
"That was insane. You should consider it fortunate you didn't get hurt in a fight!"
"I didn't get hurt because of my own skill! And what about the other soldiers? Are they allowed to get hurt as long as only I'm safe?"
"Do you know what a parent's heart feels like? Do you understand the sense of responsibility as a head of a house? If you understood that even a little, you wouldn't have gone so far!"
"So is that why you're trying to use me in a political marriage? If you're not going to pass the position of head of the family to me, then why say those things?"
Brillie did not back down at all and pressed persistently.
Cadeon, for all his concern about the family and his own safety, only ever forced obligations on her.
He always made excuses that it was for her, but now, even those words felt impossible to trust.
She was already conceding enough—how much more did she have to give up?
"Hoo... You really won't concede a single word."
"Do you think I'm acting like this because I want to win? You never answer the questions I ask, you just keep trying to force me into things! How could I just do everything the way you want?"
"Judging by the way you talk, there's no need to even ask. Regardless, since it's the crown prince, you should have at least pretended to listen."
"... Did you meet with the crown prince?"
"Your name came up. He suggested you join the Imperial Knights, but you turned him down on the spot."
"Who would that benefit?"
"It was the crown prince who brought it up first. There would be no loss if you just went in for a moment and left."
"If it's that kind of loss, I can take it as much as I want. I'm not so free that I have time to dawdle around in the Imperial Knights."
"Only you would say something like that... Hoo..."
Cadeon let out a deep sigh and lowered his gaze.
Brillie had become stubborn ever since she picked up the sword.
Of course, she didn't act recklessly, but if she couldn't accept something herself, she often showed a defiant attitude.
That was why she had resented the political marriage with the grand duke's house, but by now, perhaps she was at least partially accepting it.
"Are you really not thinking of joining the Imperial Knights?"
"Wouldn't staying by the next Sword Saint's side be better? Staying trapped in the imperial palace isn't going to help me improve."
"Maybe you're right. Reputation is important, but without a solid foundation, it's meaningless."
"...?"
Brillie stared blankly at Cadeon, honestly surprised inside.
Cadeon had always scolded her, expressing only his disapproval no matter what she said.
But now, for the first time, he was lowering his stubbornness and agreeing with her.
"I did say it would be difficult since you're devoting yourself to sword training. Since you already refused, you wouldn't listen even if I spoke about it now..."
Cadeon never really wanted to clash with Brillie.
She was his only daughter, and after losing his wife early, he couldn't help but feel lingering attachment.
Besides, among his children, her martial skills were outstanding—she would certainly bring honor to the family as a knight.
"I can't guarantee I won't break off the engagement the way you want. You only have to think of yourself, but I have to think of you and the whole family. In order for our house to prosper for future generations, we need to lay a strong foundation."
After much contemplation, Cadeon reluctantly revealed his true intentions.
Normally, he wouldn't have explained his position to Brillie.
But Brillie had trained enough to show her qualities as a swordswoman and was also treating the grand duke's child kindly.
Things were not going as expected, but at this point, perhaps he ought to consider alternatives.
"... Suddenly, it reminds me: I look up to the sun, but I cannot have it. It's far away, and if you try to reach out and grasp it, it burns."
"..."
"Flowers can't live on sunlight alone. If they get too much, they wither. You have to water them, and put down their roots in fertile soil, don't you think?"
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"It means I'll give you time. I won't force you to get married right away. Naturally, I won't break off the engagement either. So, what do you want to do?"
In the end, Cadeon decided to take a step back for Brillie's sake.
Her talent was too great to dismiss for the sake of his ambitions alone.
Thus, he let her pursue another possibility.
"What do you want me to do?"
"If, within a year, you earn the title of Sword Saint or... an honor equivalent to it, then I won't force you into marriage."
"Within a year? That's impossible."
"If it's impossible, then you'll have to obey me. You're already 21. Most people would have gotten married by now. Do you know why I've waited for you so long?"
"Do I really have to live like everyone else? I have my own way of doing things, too."
"That's why I left it as an engagement. Breaking off an engagement is easy, but divorce is difficult. Do you still distrust my intentions?"
"......"
For a moment, Brillie flinched, but she couldn't argue further.
Wherever and whatever she did, she had always clashed with Cadeon, but each time, he had ended up leaving her alone.
Moreover, after she proved her worth as a swordswoman, he hadn't even interfered—so in fact, you could say he had tacitly supported her.
'Shouldn't I just go along with it for now?'
From Brillie's perspective, she first had to smooth out this situation.
Continuing to argue with her father would only add more noise, and for now, she was still free to act as she wished.
If she could no longer hold out, then and only then would she have to take drastic action.
'If I run away, I'd only look pathetic... In the end, is that my only option?'
Brillie hesitated slightly but then recalled Alter.
If she spent a year with him, they could become closer than they were now.
If she pressed forward after that, she might just be able to find an answer.
'Once I spend a night with him, father won't be able to do anything. Same with the Northern grand duke, too.'
It was her trump card, but also her final resort.
Once she crossed that line, there would be no turning back.
But to achieve her will, she would have to shoulder the burden somehow.
'But can I even do it? If his health is that fragile...'
* * *
Alter was already thinking ahead about the situation confronting the Duke of Illenat.
The crown prince had probably contacted the Duke to get Brillie into the Imperial Knights.
If so, the Duke would receive that news favorably and would likely try to implement his next plan.
'If she doesn't join, they'll go for breaking off the engagement.'
Alter sipped his tea confidently.
The outcome had been set the moment the crown prince showed interest in Brillie.
There was no way the Duke of Illenat would miss this opportunity, and the crown prince would no doubt persist persistently.
'All I have to do now is wait.'
Alter was spending a more peaceful day than ever.
It may have progressed a little quickly, but in the end, his objective had been achieved.
Now, once the engagement was broken and he left the duke's residence, he would finally enjoy true peace.
'I'll have to marry another noble lady, but... as long as her personality isn't too odd...'
Suddenly, a knock broke the silence.
At that moment, Brillie walked in and soon sat opposite him.
Alter, puzzled, could only watch her quietly.
"Um... So... can you, like, run? Do something like running?"
"... Running? For a little while, I suppose, but I'll soon be out of breath and have to stop."
"Then can't you do any physical activity at all?"
"If it's nothing that requires too much strength, I could manage somewhat. Why do you ask?"
"Huh? Oh, I just wanted to know. Just curious how much you could do."
Brillie did her best to act innocent, glancing sidelong at Alter.
There were more roundabout ways to ask, but that might have only aroused suspicion.
Better to ask everything at once and move on.
"Are you... planning to have me do something?"
"No. Nothing like that. Your health isn't good—what could I tell you to do?"
"I won't get hurt just because I use a little strength. It's just that I'm weak, and I'll tire out quickly."
"Hmm... Really? So you could, if you wanted?"
"I suppose so, yes?"
Brillie was a little relieved hearing this answer.
Even if his body was frail, he could at least move to a minimal degree.
As long as she was careful, perhaps they could safely spend at least one night together.
'Why is she asking about that? She's not going to try to make me work, is she...?'
Alter gazed at Brillie, his thoughts drifting indistinctly.
It wasn't a problem for his fiancé to visit his room.
Of course, if she was curious about him, she could ask, but he couldn't guess her motives.
Unless, perhaps, there was some controversy involving him after all.
'Or is there talk that we have to break off the engagement because I'm sick?'
Alter guessed, albeit vaguely, and accepted it.
Now that the crown prince was interested in Brillie, they'd have to find his shortcomings somehow.
If the situation naturally led to breaking off the engagement, he would probably just go along with it without thinking.
'If it's that, I should just understand. As long as I break off the engagement, it's over—no point nitpicking everything.'
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Alter didn't pick up on anything.
And neither would I have if I was in that kind of situation...
It's so random... and any normal person wouldn't think anything of it...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】