Cadeon called Brillie over and, for a while, did not say a word.

Eventually, in one way or another, he would have to tell Brillie about the proposal the crown prince had made.

Of course, Brillie would be displeased, and perhaps she would even show the resolve not to succumb to the crown prince.

That was why, though somewhat impatient, he was still hesitating.

"What is it that's bothering you? Should I come back later?"

"... No. It's best I tell you now. Just in case, you should be prepared."

"You said you wouldn't interfere with my marriage anymore, didn't you? So what are you trying to say now?"

"The crown prince has taken an interest in you. He doesn't seem to care about your fiancé at all."

"Wait. Are you saying he's considering me as a marriage partner?"

"I can't predict what the crown prince will do. He hasn't even received the emperor's approval."

"He's saying that to someone who's already engaged? Does that make any sense?"

Brillie, quite flustered, raised her voice.

Even for a crown prince, he could not dare to steal away someone who already had a chosen partner.

So what was he thinking, to make such a proposal to her father?

"Not everyone can say something like that. Especially not a crown prince. But what do you think prompted such words and actions?"

"Does he not want to become emperor? Or does he just want to die at my hands?"

"Are you planning a rebellion or something?"

"How would this be considered treason? Am I just supposed to sit idle if that happens?"

"... Even if you accept the crown prince, it's problematic. The emperor wouldn't stand by and watch the situation unfold. Even if you get away with it, you'd have to endure a lifetime of ridicule, and if you're unlucky, you might be dethroned."

"When did I ever say I would marry the crown prince? I won't! Even if it kills me, that's never going to happen!"

Brillie shot a sharp look and replied firmly.

She had already resolved to marry Alter and was only waiting for the right time.

No one could take that place, and nothing could shake her determination.

If anyone tried to interfere, she should ignore or exclude them completely.

"Wouldn't it be best to move up the wedding date? If you marry, the crown prince would not be able to say anything more."

"Am I supposed to be swayed by the crown prince? The emperor would never permit such a thing!"

"Before he gets the approval... No, he won't even get it. But what will you do if the crown prince acts on his own?"

"I'll just refuse!"

"Even just making a move against the crown prince would be seen as a threat to the imperial family. Would it really end with just you?"

"..."

Brillie flinched but could not bring herself to answer.

If the crown prince used force, she would surely resist.

If, in that process, the crown prince were injured or attacked, it could easily be seen as treason or an assassination attempt.

In that case, not just herself, but her entire family could become endangered.

"I'm laying out the worst-case scenario here. I doubt the crown prince would go that far, but... things in life never go the way you expect."

Cadeon had experienced countless troubles even before becoming the family head.

Nobles' or commoners' revolts, the tyranny of royal family members, strife between nobles, fights for the throne, and so on.

In the broad scheme of things, the crown prince's misconduct might seem trivial.

That was all the more reason he was wary and wanted to take action as soon as possible.

"Brillie. Let me advise you, not as Duke Illenat, but as your father. If you're not going to break the engagement, hold the wedding as soon as possible. Don't you think you should prevent that kind of situation from happening?"

"... Should I just take it as you wishing for my happiness?"

"Yes. If you truly love Alter Radiant, that's what you should do. This is also for your fiancé's sake. If what I fear actually happens, what do you think would become of your fiancé?"

"..."

Brillie looked down, engulfed in silence.

She knew it would likely result in betrayal and a wound that would never heal.

Because of that, she would be plagued with regret and anguish for the rest of her life.

"Or, there's also a way to end things before marriage. Though I don't need to say it, you already know, don't you?"

"... Are you telling me to spend the night with my fiancé now?"

"What could be more certain than that? If you're afraid of having a child, I won't force you."

"..."

Although Brillie hesitated, she made up her mind, however faintly.

Since she was already engaged, she could not postpone the wedding for too long.

On top of that, Alter's physical condition had improved enough that spending a night together would not be difficult.

"The choice is yours. In my view... Alter Radiant is probably ready."

"How can you be sure of that?"

"Hasn't a flower already bloomed? I'd say that means the waters have cleared that much."

Cadeon remembered his first meeting with Alter and gave a faint, unconscious smile.

He had compared Brillie to a flower and called the crown prince the sun.

Alter had seen through his intentions from the start, but in the end, even that had proven wrong.

"I originally intended to marry you to the crown prince. I wanted to claim the emperor's power, even if it meant forcing things."

"..."

"So I thought of breaking the engagement, but... that's no longer possible. Alter Radiant turned out to be more capable than I imagined."

"..."

"The curse has weakened a lot compared to before, hasn't it? Recently, he even became the disciple of the great mage. He's of grand duke lineage, and as the legitimate child of the principal wife, there's nothing lacking in his background. And... he even won your heart, so what more can I do?"

Cadeon, now more at ease, gazed at Brillie.

He had always argued with her, but this time, he had no choice but to back down.

He had been greedy, and pressured Brillie as a member of the family.

Now it was time to let go and treat her as his only daughter.

"You can leave the capital at any time. I can prepare a house and land for you. The wedding is..."

"... I'll do it. The wedding."

Brillie looked like she was hesitating for a moment, then answered naturally.

It was a bit earlier than she'd planned, but it could not be postponed any longer.

Now that she had been granted a title on par with Sword Saint, she could afford to rest for a while.

"But I won't leave here. I have no reason to hide."

"If that's your wish, I won't stop you. Have you thought of a wedding date?"

"The sooner, the better, isn't it? I'll try persuading my fiancé first."

"You may invoke me or the grand duke of the north. This time, I'll allow it."

"Wouldn't that be forcing things, then?"

"You'll be too embarrassed to say you want to get married. So you'll need an excuse, won't you?"

"That..."

Brillie could not continue and wore a disgruntled expression.

It was certainly embarrassing to mention marriage right in front of Alter.

Alter surely knew her feelings, so why did she feel so self-conscious?

"I hope you'll bear a child soon, but... that's also your choice. Anyway, prepare yourself."

"I'll get going then. There's a lot to think about."

"Don't forget my advice. While a wedding takes time, spending a night together is not difficult. If you don't want to leave any room for misunderstanding, that's the better option."

"..."

Brillie faintly frowned and left the office.

Cadeon, pondering the wedding for a moment, soon let out a sigh.

"You didn't realize you had fully bloomed yourself... Brillie..."

* * *

Alter quietly walked around the garden, all the while conscious of his companion.

Brillie had suggested this stroll herself, and yet she had not said a word the entire time.

Just how important was the topic that she hesitated so much to bring it up?

'Is she going to talk about breaking off the engagement? Or does she want to hurry the marriage?'

Silently and calmly, Alter waited.

There was nothing urgent, and he was merely walking quietly.

He figured Brillie must be wrestling with her thoughts, so he wanted to give her some space.

'Maybe she just told Brillie about it first....'

"Sir Alter."

"Yes?"

"How long has it been since you came here?"

"Um... I haven't counted exactly, but I think it's been about two or three months."

"And how about now? Do you think you could marry me?"

"... I can. As long as you're ready, lady Brillie."

Alter glanced at Brillie and murmured belatedly.

There was no reason to hesitate since he had already made up his mind.

It seemed that the Duke of Illenat was talking about marriage, not a breakup.

"Um... My father brought up marriage. He said... that things have already been settled with the grand duke of the north."

Brillie awkwardly told this white lie, turning her gaze cautiously.

She just couldn't bring herself to say she wanted to get married out of her own will in front of Alter.

So, just as her father suggested, she offered a lame excuse.

"Then I suppose we should get married. Has a date been set?"

"Uh... the date... They said they'd set it as soon as possible."

"Then we'll be busy for a while."

"I guess so? Weddings are always like that."

Brillie looked rather awkward but kept the conversation going naturally.

She had expected to talk about this later, but, due to circumstances, the wedding had been moved up.

Was it all right to hold the ceremony this soon, when she wasn't yet mentally prepared to accept it?

"Still... are you really okay? I don't mind, but don't you have things you need to do, lady Brillie?"

"What could I have to do? All I do is swing my sword."

"But thanks to that sword, you earned a title. Even though the empire is at peace, someone must still bear arms. The enemy never truly disappears, no matter how much time passes."

Alter respected Brillie's goals and her path.

She had risked herself and proved her worth, ultimately earning a title comparable to Sword Saint.

If she continued to strive forward, she would surely reach even greater heights.

"I just... wanted to prove myself through my sword. I never really wanted anything else."

"But you achieved results, and isn't that enough?"

"No. I've been lost all this time. I never wanted to live as a noblewoman at the whim of my family. That's why I thought I needed strength, for myself."

"Is the strength you have now still not enough?"

"I do want to be stronger, but... now I've found something even more important."

Brillie slowed, turning to face Alter.

If not now, she might never be able to say it.

That's why, if only for this moment, she wanted to convey her true feelings.

"From now on, I'll protect you, Alter. No matter what happens, I won't leave your side... Will you marry me?"

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

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