Chapter 50

After returning from the Imperial Palace, Brillie holed herself up in her room for a while.

She did receive a reward worthy of eliminating the enemy who had tried to overthrow the Imperial family.

However, she had little interest in material matters; she merely checked the title conferred upon her by imperial decree time and again.

'Sword Flower? Does that make it a title equivalent to Sword Saint?'

As Brillie looked over the decree bestowed directly by the Emperor, a curious expression appeared on her face.

Sword Flower—simply interpreted, it meant the flower of the sword.

It was documented that both the Sword Saint and the captain of the Imperial Knights had vouched for her prowess and achievements, and the Emperor also acknowledged the fact.

In other words, she was granted a suitable title and intended to be treated as one of the Empire's strongest.

'So... this means I can do as I please now, right?'

Deep in thought, Brillie quickly made her way to the study.

With the promised result achieved, it was time to have a decisive talk with her father.

Since her father would try to find any excuse, she was determined to get a definite answer.

"... Father, you knew about this, didn't you?"

"I knew, but I didn't know the exact date,"

Cadeon answered serenely, taking the seat of honor.

Brillie hesitated for a moment, then belatedly moved closer.

"You knew about the title and yet remained silent until now."

"I only knew. It's up to the Emperor to decide what title is given and when."

"So, are you satisfied now? To me, it looks like a title on par with Sword Saint."

Brillie handed the decree she brought to Cadeon.Cadeon took it immediately and read through it at once.

"... There's still room for controversy. Even if it was a title conferred by the Emperor, it's hard to judge if it's truly on par with Sword Saint."

"If both Sword Saint and the captain of the Imperial Knights certified it, isn't that sufficient?"

"That's why I said there's room for controversy. Sword Flower is hard to say is equivalent to Sword Saint, but these two are masters of swordsmanship. If such masters say so, it can't just be denied."

Placing the decree on the table, Cadeon gazed at it calmly.

Given Brillie's accomplishments at the Imperial Palace, it could be said she elevated the standing of the Illenat ducal house.

And if the Emperor and two great powers had taken notice, he felt he should at least acknowledge it a little.

"In a year, I've earned a title that's equivalent to Sword Saint. Now, whether I get married or break off my engagement, I'll do as I please."

"Nothing is certain yet. And you're still going to act stubbornly?"

"It's not stubbornness; this was the promise between you and me. But you're making petty excuses."

"I said to bring back the title of Sword Saint or an equivalent honor within a year. Do you really think this counts as such an honor?"

"... Father. Should I go and have an audience with the Emperor myself? Would you only be satisfied with direct confirmation from him?"

"..."

Enveloped in silence, Cadeon slowly shifted his gaze.

If he didn't alter his stance here, Brillie would inevitably head to the Imperial Palace.

Then, she'd meet the Emperor and, by any means possible, prove the facts.

"Hoo... So you wish to end things with me, is that it?"

"You only need to choose one of the two. You can keep your promise, or you can insist otherwise. The outcome doesn't change either way."

"It sounds as though you don't care what happens to the family."

"If you break your promise, what's stopping me from doing the same?"

"If the family hadn't endured so long, you wouldn't be here. Still, you intend to drag down our reputation?"

"Yes. I have nothing to lose. If I don't get a title, I'll barely inherit any wealth. What is there to regret?"

"Without the family's support, married life will be difficult. Are you truly fine with that?"

"I'll manage. I never expected much anyway."

"Wouldn't it be wise to at least pretend to compromise?"

"Me? After even receiving a decree, why should I back down? With such a vaunted title, I won't die of starvation no matter what I do. I'll take responsibility for my fiancé, so you can do as you like."

"..."

Though Cadeon appeared distinctly uncomfortable, he couldn't press Brillie any further.

He attempted minor excuses, but they didn't sway her at all.

Most importantly, as she'd met all the conditions stipulated before, any further argument would only expose his own shortcomings.

"... Fine. I admit it. Since you've obtained a title equivalent to Sword Saint, I won't interfere anymore. But won't you at least consider my reputation?"

"Your reputation, father? I think I'm upholding it just fine now, so what more do you want?"

"The marriage shouldn't be delayed too long. I'm not asking you to have children yet, but can't you at least marry soon?"

"If you were in my place, you'd get the marriage over with, then gradually urge for children. I suppose that would be your plan as well, right?"

"It's best to have them while you're still healthy. The older you get, the harder it is to have children."

"Why not leave that to the eldest son? He's due to inherit the title, after all, and grandchildren from the eldest seem preferable, don't you think?"

"Marriage is also a vow to continue the lineage. Even if you don't have many,isn't one or two fine?"

"Well, if you'd acknowledged me a bit sooner, I might have reconsidered. How unfortunate."

Brillie answered with composure, having grasped the initiative.

Unexpectedly, her father had surrendered rather quickly.

Perhaps he intended to step in later, should she stall too long after marrying.

Yet, if she yielded here, she might remain bound indefinitely.

"Hoo... I won't say any more from now on, but think it over again. The Northern Grand Duke won't want the marriage to be much delayed, either."

"You're not trying to pressure me just because the Northern Grand Duke sent a letter, are you? Surely not. Anyway, I'm busy, so I'll get going now."

Brillie preempted the situation by even addressing such possibilities as she left the study.

Cadeon didn't make a move, though he furrowed his brow after a while.

He'd made that promise in anticipation of possible contingencies, but who could have expected her to achieve it so swiftly.

"To think she actually managed to obtain the title... If I handle this wrong, it'll just make things worse."

Of course, contacting the Northern Grand Duke would yield a certain response.

But Brillie had anticipated even such a move, and would be prepared against it in any possible way.

"I'll have to make her give me a grandchild as early as possible at this rate..."

* * *

After attending the wedding of his siblings with Brillie, Alter returned straight to the mansion.

Because the wedding was held in the capital, neither his father nor his other siblings could attend.

He and his siblings were only half-siblings, so his presence was to represent their shared bloodline.

"I was a bit nervous hearing you were half-siblings, but... your relationships aren't that bad, are you?"

Brillie sipped her tea, recalling the conversation between the two.

Although it was Alter's younger sister, she was of a different maternal bloodline.

Naturally, this resulted in a sense of distance, but there was still a concern for each other evident in the atmosphere.

"There's no rivalry over the title, and being the youngest might also make them treat me well."

"Not just because you're the legitimate wife's son?"

"... That could be it too. There's nothing to be gained from picking on someone in poor health."

Alter had a general grasp of his half-siblings' personalities.

His younger sister was the warmest among them, looking out for him on many occasions.

But the older brother and eldest sister seemed rather fixated on inheriting the title and would sometimes display wariness toward him.

Perhaps, being the son of the legitimate wife and the eldest himself, they were wary of unexpected outcomes.

"Isn't it only the third daughter who's nice to you? I get the feeling that the eldest brother and second daughter don't think highly of you."

"You picked up on that?"

"Isn't it obvious? With the title at stake, the legitimate wife's child would be the first to be targeted."

"Is... Bartel thinking along similar lines?"

"Well... more or less. he's both the eldest son and the legitimate heir, so I don't know why they're so wary of me."

At some point, Brillie had stopped using honorifics like 'big brother' for Bartel.

She simply referred to him as the eldest son, treating him like any other.

After leaving the mansion, she'd likely never see them again, so why bother with formality?

"If it were me, I'd be wary. You're quite skilled with the sword... And recently, you've even been granted a title."

"It's nothing. They're just hyping me up for a bit since I accomplished something at the palace."

"They wouldn't grant such titles to just anyone. And you said the Sword Saint and the captain of the Imperial Knights vouched for you too."

"They must have thought I had some potential. I only swung a sword for a short time."

Brillie still thought herself lacking in skill.

She'd just faintly recalled the thief's footwork and adapted it to swordsmanship.

In fact, even receiving a title felt overly generous for her current state.

'I should have refused this... but I can't.'

Though the Sword Flower title weighed on her, Brillie couldn't simply discard it.

If she wanted to avoid being swayed by her father, she'd need at least such a title.

At the same time, it was grounds to assert herself against the Northern Grand Duke, preventing any forced marriage.

'Just a little longer, until my feelings settle...'

Of course, regardless of promises, she couldn't delay the timing of the marriage indefinitely.

Eventually, she'd have to marry, and should she break the engagement, it would only complicate matters.

That's why she steeled herself to see things through to the end.

'He'll need time to accept me, too...'

"Lady Brillie, you held onto me back then. My body had gotten cold... Looking back now, I think you were right."

"If you've only just gotten better, you can't afford to relapse, right? Please be careful from now on. What will you do if you collapse again?"

Even as she cut down the black mage, Brillie had only thought of Alter.

Though Alter possessed overwhelming strength, his body simply couldn't handle it.

Even though he had improved, she couldn't shake the anxiety that he might suddenly collapse.

That's why she'd stepped forward without hesitation, for Alter's sake.

'It wasn't quite that serious... But better safe than sorry.'

Alter didn't think Brillie's concern was misplaced.

The symptoms had appeared, after all, and the curse was still etched on his heart.

As Alraune had warned, if he didn't take care of himself, he might suffer a sudden injury.

'He said he was heading out in search of the Frost Witch.'

A few days ago, Alraune had set out for the northern regions with Erze.

He'd gotten in contact with the Northern Grand Duke in advance and said he'd cross the front lines soon.

Given this, it was safe to say that even the Great Mage would have to intervene directly, anticipating a fight with the Frost Witch.

'The Great Mage is of course strong, but who knows how powerful the Frost Witch will actually be...'

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=Honestly, everyone is taking care of Alter very well... aside from a few instances...But it doesn't feel bad at all..【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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