IRER 73

Chapter 73

War of Words

‘The power of the Ice Spirit…’

Brody realized what River had done and let out a sigh.

‘So River also knows about Aidan’s tracking ability.’

River had faked an injury to draw Aidan in. Aidan, sensing it with his ability, had rushed over.

‘Incredible. He’s using His Highness’s ability like a cell phone.’

Panting from rushing over, Aidan was shocked to see Brody unharmed. He looked at River with a dumbfounded expression.

“What? You’re fine…”

River answered coldly, without a hint of apology.

“Yes. Isn’t it a relief that she’s fine?”

Noticing River’s unusually chilly demeanor, Aidan was startled again.

“You don’t seem surprised. So you also know about His Highness’s ability?”

Brody glanced at Aidan and shrugged.

“Well, yes, it turned out that way.”

Feeling the cold stares from both Brody and River, Aidan couldn’t even get angry about being tricked.

The three moved to a side room to talk.

Even though Caleb was asleep, there were things they couldn’t discuss in front of others.

As soon as the door closed with a click, River went straight to the point.

“There must be a reason you rushed this marriage. And don’t tell me about love or anything like that—I’m not here for that.”

River limped toward a chair, clutching his side.

Brody, who had been caring for him, naturally tried to help, but Aidan stepped in with a deeper frown, blocking him.

Holding his side and groaning, River looked at the two men’s antics with clear disdain.

“I’m giving you the chance. Explain.”

“……”

In the end, Brody and Aidan explained what had happened—except for the part about Brody being a plant sorcerer.

“So, you’re not Briga but Brody, you grew up in the McCarthy ducal house, and now you’ve been registered as Duke Jacks’s sister?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“And the Princess and Duke are desperate to get you back?”

“That’s correct.”

River folded his arms and frowned.

“Then why do you look so confident?”

“Hey, River—”

“It’s fine, Your Highness.”

Brody stopped Aidan from scolding River.

In truth, River’s irritation didn’t really affect her.

“It’s not like I caused all of this. I’ve always tried to choose the path that would harm no one.”

That was true.

Her time in the ducal house had been the work of the previous Brody, not her. But since no one else knew that, she let it go.

Since arriving in this world, she had never once deliberately chosen something that would burden others.

She had fled in pursuit of freedom. The Duke suddenly making her his sister was an irresistible force, not her choice.

She never planned to follow Aidan north and take a seat of power.

Even the contract marriage with Aidan had been mutual—especially since he wasn’t completely blameless, having dragged Jacks to the South.

‘Besides, it’s not like I came here for free. I’ll work as much as the contract demands.’

So why should she feel guilty?

Looking at River snorting in disbelief, Brody said,

“So, let’s talk about something more constructive.”

“By ignoring the past?”

“Yes. I won’t hold His Highness or the Chief of Staff responsible.”

River thought he misheard.

“My responsibility? Did you just say this is my responsibility?”

“Yes.”

Brody replied calmly.

“If you hadn’t been spreading that nonsense about me being some kind of goddess, the marriage wouldn’t have been rushed like this.”

“What? Are you saying you didn’t even plan to marry?”

“I had no idea the Princess or Duke Jacks would go this far. After being attacked in front of Ferdan, I was thinking of reconsidering the marriage. But once I arrived at the fortress, I found the rumors had already wed us. What other choice did I have?”

“……”

She had left some details out, but she wasn’t lying. In fact, she had even suggested to Aidan that he find a different puppet husband.

River clutched his head with both hands.

“Ha… so now the Grand Duchy of Mason is tied by marriage to the McCarthy house. After all that fighting—what a joke.”

“Well, princesses marry into neighboring countries all the time, and those countries still go to war. It happens.”

“Are you fine with this? Treating your family as the enemy?”

Brody shook her head. With a flat, languid expression, she answered,

“They’re not my family. My registration as his sister was a fabrication.”

“Hm.”

River tilted his head and stared at Brody, eyes sharp with the intent to dissect any hint of a lie.

“Why do they want you so badly, then?”

Brody smiled faintly.

“You know why. Because I’m capable.”

River looked incredulous.

“Not so capable that they’d cause such a ruckus.”

Brody grinned wider. Not so capable? That was as good as admitting he couldn’t deny her abilities outright.

“If the Chief of Staff were to try defecting to the Empire, wouldn’t His Highness stop you?”

“Are you comparing me to yourself?”

“Even if it were impossible?”

“……”

Brody placed a hand on her chest and said evenly. Her composed, almost indifferent tone radiated confidence.

“I’m sure of it. I have a lot I can contribute to the North.”

Aidan frowned deeper, while River snorted.

“Power is proven by results, not words.”

“Well, if they’re chasing me so desperately, doesn’t that show I’m worth something?”

“Then why did they let you slip away in the first place? Didn’t you say you were mistreated there?”

“……”

Quick with her comebacks until now, Brody suddenly fell silent.

River flinched. He felt strongly he had just misspoken.

Brody blinked several times, lowering her gaze.

With the memories of the original Brody, she could fully understand the pain. That empathy made her heart ache at River’s words, against her will.

After steadying her breath, Brody answered,

“You’re right. Mistreatment? No, let’s call it abuse. Since childhood, I was trained to believe I was worthless, drilled with the idea that no one but them would ever take me in. They used me under that pretense.”

“……”

The woman who always acted detached now looked so sorrowful that even River felt guilty.

Brody continued.

“So of course they never imagined I’d leave. Does that answer your question?”

Aidan, now beside her, gently placed an arm over her shoulders. Brody flinched but didn’t push him away.

Even though issues still lay between them, he was worried about her.

His awkward, unpracticed gesture of comfort felt strangely warm—especially to Brody, who was unaccustomed to comfort at all.

Silence stretched for a moment.

Since River remained quiet, Brody spoke again to break the tension.

“Don’t look so grim. The fact that they’re obsessing over me only proves I wasn’t wrong—I do have value.”

River looked at her smiling face. She seemed firm, unwavering.

Then he asked abruptly,

“Are you planning revenge?”

This question made Aidan perk up as well. He, too, had wondered.

Revenge…? Brody tapped her lips, organizing her thoughts.

“Hm, no. That’s not it.”

She did hate the Duke—immensely. The original Brody might have been consumed with a desire for revenge… though in truth, she never managed to break free and lived under his thumb.

But the current Brody found the idea exhausting. She had not even a shred of affection or lingering resentment to fuel vengeance.

“What I want is closer to ‘not being entangled with them.’ But they won’t leave me alone.”

As she said this, she glanced at Aidan.

Her meaning was clear—it wasn’t only the Empire, but also the North that refused to leave her be.

Catching her look, Aidan’s expression darkened.

‘Sigh… at this rate, I can’t even bring myself to hate her.’

Brody gave a bitter smile and shook her head.

“So I don’t have another choice. I’ve decided to work for the North and give it my all.”

“To make sure the Empire doesn’t win?”

“Exactly.”

River nodded.

“Fine. I agree that planning ahead matters more than dwelling on the past.”

Aidan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had expected a grueling fight with River, but Brody’s presence had defused it instead.

He was impressed by how she held her own against River, who was notorious for cutting people down with his words.

“Honestly, I don’t know how much use you’ll be to the North. But since you seem eager, I’ll make the most of it.”

River’s needling tone earned him a cool smile from Brody.

“Make use of me? I never said I’d let you. I believe my abilities will be useful, yes—but that doesn’t mean I’ll just follow your orders. You’d better think of a way to ask for my help. Because if you act like this, I’ll only consider your requests after much hesitation.”

Watching River growl low in his throat, Aidan nodded again.

Yes, it was clear—River could never quite win against Brody.