The Northern Grand Duke’s Hamster

‘So…….’

I quickly sorted through the situation.

The flow of the nobles at the banquet had split into two factions—one side favoring Duke Klein’s household and Lorenz, and the other side favoring Belial and Sen.

This meant that the conflict between the brothers had surfaced.

Belial had always harbored ambitions of usurping the throne from his older brother, and in the original story, Heart of Winter, he actually became emperor. That was why Sen ended up as Serena.

However, in the original timeline, Belial and Lorenz did not engage in significant conflict until Belial killed Kyle and took the throne. Instead, they had joined forces to eliminate Kyle Blake.

‘Just as Sen has changed, has Belial’s fate also shifted?’

Belial, who had given Sen her name despite knowing that she was the daughter of his mother’s sworn enemy. This subtle tension in the air. His attitude—neither defending nor attacking Kyle.

It was clear.

Right now, Belial and Lorenz were at odds. Instead of merely acting as the power behind a weak and cowardly older brother, he was actively working to eliminate Lorenz. He was even putting aside Kyle, whom he had always seen as a thorn in his side.

There was only one reason Belial would do that.

‘Lorenz is behind the attack.’

The attack that was originally meant for Kyle had instead targeted Belial. As a result, Belial had been attacked and had surely pursued the mastermind behind it.

And he must have discovered that it was Lorenz, or someone acting under Lorenz’s orders.

……This family was a complete disaster. Was he really trying to kill his own brother just to become emperor?

“At any rate, it seems Prince Belial is far less concerned with maintaining appearances than before. When Lady Jane was still here, he was desperate to bring down Prince Kyle, but now he’s even attaching a baron’s family name to a former servant…….”

“He intends to make her the princess consort.”

Belial had just returned, and he was gazing coldly down at the woman. The atmosphere of the tea party froze in an instant.

“How unfortunate. You must have wanted to torment her and drive her out while I was away, but I returned sooner than expected.”

“……Be, Belial, Your Highness.”

“Hah. Then again, that is just like you. You’ve never been able to hold back that sharp tongue of yours when something displeased you, have you?”

“But I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

“Indeed. And it is also true that you have insulted my future princess consort.”

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

Despite her outrageous behavior, the woman had spoken so confidently because many of the nobles had shifted their allegiance to Lorenz.

After all, he was the First Prince, and barring any major upheavals, he was expected to become emperor. He was hardly an outstanding candidate, but he was the eldest son and had the empress’s favor.

And people always knew how to read the room.

The nobles did not look kindly upon Belial’s engagement, and they were well aware that Lorenz was working to push him out. Aside from the few nobles Belial had managed to win over, most of them likely shared the same thoughts.

At that moment, a system window appeared, breaking its long silence.

It was my first quest in a long time.

[The enemy of your enemy is your ally! Prevent the enemy’s isolation and form a temporary alliance!]

[Reward: Allies from the North]

I shot to my feet.

As if giving me a hint, the system began reading out a passage from the original Heart of Winter.

[Belial poured tea over the woman who had insulted his fiancée. The noble lady’s hair and dress were ruined, and upon hearing of it, not only her father but even Duke Klein flew into a rage.]

[However, no one dared to openly criticize Belial. While Duke Klein’s family was furious, they remained silent for the sake of Belial’s reputation.]

The text of the second system window began to blur and fade. The change in fate had altered this event.

The current Belial was in direct conflict with Lorenz. That meant that, unlike in the original story, the Klein family would no longer concern themselves with protecting Belial’s reputation.

If Belial poured tea on that woman now, Duke Klein’s household would certainly speak ill of him.

I had to stop him.

If I could prevent this incident and improve Belial’s relationships even slightly, then at the very least, he wouldn’t interfere with matters in the North!

“Wait a moment!”

I shoved Kyle’s hand away and dashed forward, swiftly maneuvering around the table to block Belial.

Just as I did, Belial, his expression fearsome, grabbed a nearby teapot and flung its contents.

“Shu!”

Kyle leapt from his seat.

The tea splashed directly onto my head, cheeks, and shoulders, sending up a burst of hot steam.

It was hot. The tea hadn’t cooled completely.

“Stop, Prince Belial.”

“You again.”

Belial’s green eyes burned with fury.

“My fiancée has been insulted. This is none of your concern.”

“For your sake, Your Highness.”

Belial’s right arm hung in an awkward position. Looking closely, I noticed it trembling slightly, as if he were in pain.

I wiped my scalded cheek with my sleeve and reached out to lower his arm.

“You must still be in discomfort. Don’t overexert yourself.”

Belial’s eyes grew even colder.

“You speak as if you know me well.”

So he had been hiding his injury. Well, in this wretched family, where anyone could turn on you at any moment, revealing a weakness was practically asking to be devoured.

But I knew. I knew that this wound had been inflicted during the ambush. Kyle’s fate had shifted to Belial, and along with it, the injuries that should have been Kyle’s had now fallen upon Belial instead.

“Well, I wouldn’t say I don’t know. Either way, dousing a lady with tea will only lead to nasty rumors.”

I didn’t know how carelessly he had lived up until now, but this was different. If he touched anyone connected to Duke Klein’s family, they would use every bit of their influence to ruin Belial’s reputation.

Not yet.

I needed to find out whether Belial or Lorenz was the true enemy of Kyle. Until I knew for sure, neither of them could afford to be pushed aside or eliminated.

“The banquet is over.”

Sen rose from her seat to smooth things over. The nobles, who had been visibly uncomfortable, quickly bowed their heads to the two of them and took their leave without complaint.

The woman who had been standing behind me fled without so much as a word of thanks.

“After all that trouble I went through for her…….”

Well, whatever. If she had even the slightest bit of decency to thank someone properly, she wouldn’t have tried to humiliate Sen in front of everyone in the first place. No use expecting more from her.

I let out a long sigh and turned away. The tea-soaked fabric clung to my skin uncomfortably, and my shoulder stung—it was likely a mild burn.

I was about to return to Kyle when someone grabbed my arm from behind.

“Hey.”

“…….”

It was Belial.

He yanked me toward him, his voice sharp.

“You said it was for my sake?”

“Would I go out of my way to defend someone I don’t even know? In case you’ve forgotten, I’m close to Sen.”

So let go already. I’d rather change out of these soaked clothes than stand here waiting for your thanks.

“You interfered as if you knew I was about to pour the tea.”

Yeah, yeah. I get it. What’s your point?

“You did the same when the chandelier fell. As if you knew it would happen beforehand…….”

His grip on my arm tightened. Damn it, why were the men in this world so strong? Let go, damn it!

“We need to talk.”

Belial’s other hand clamped down on my shoulder.

“Come with me for a moment. I’ll give you a change of clothes as an apology.”

So this “temporary alliance” the quest was referring to… it must be Belial.

If that was the case, talking to him wouldn’t be a bad idea. If he had investigated the attack, then he must have some insight into Lorenz’s and Duke Klein’s recent actions. For the sake of the North’s stability, I needed to know.

Just as I slowly nodded in agreement—

“Shu.”

Kyle had approached, grasping my other hand.

“If you stay like this, you’ll get burned. Just go.”

Belial didn’t back down. Instead, he tugged on my other arm even harder.

I stumbled, my head dipping forward, when a soft yet icy voice murmured above me.

“I will take responsibility for my rudeness toward the Grand Duke’s companion and make amends.”

“No need. I will take care of my own.”

“Don’t refuse. I insist. Out of remorse.”

“If you’re remorseful, then let go of him, Your Highness.”

Let go. Both of you.

What, were they trying to rip me in half?

[—(>﹏<)—]

I had to choose. And quickly. My wet clothes were making my skin sting even more.

“Excuse me, but…….”

And then—I saw it.

Belial’s green eyes, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Kyle’s.

The desperate gaze of a cornered beast.

A strange feeling stirred inside me.

If Kyle’s fate had shifted to Belial, then… was he also doomed to slowly march toward death, alone and isolated?

“……Your Highness.”

I turned to look up at Kyle.

His gaze carried a flicker of desperation, enough to make me waver.

But I steadied myself and finished what I was about to say, my voice firm.

“I will speak with Prince Belial for a moment.”

“Shu.”

“It’ll only take a moment. Just a moment.”

I didn’t want to save Belial.

It was impossible to save everyone.

But if I let this chance slip, I would never get another opportunity to talk to him alone.

“For your sake, Your Highness.”

Kyle’s brow furrowed, clearly displeased.

“I thought you said it was for Belial’s sake.”

“It’s the same thing right now.”

Kyle opened his mouth as if to argue, then silently closed it. He must have decided against it.

For a brief moment, disappointment flickered across his face, but he didn’t stop me.

His grip on my hand loosened.

“Go, then.”

“…….”

“As soon as you arrive, change into dry clothes.”

His voice was tinged with concern.

I offered him a lopsided smile, as if wincing.

“Yes, Your Highness.”