IRER 90

Chapter 90 

 Secret Revealed

After Brody’s condition improved a little, Aidan quickly returned to their lodgings.

Since he had given Brody nearly all of his clothes except for a spare pair of trousers, Aidan was bare-chested, which made Brody worry.

Still… was it really okay for the Grand Duke of the North to walk into town looking so undignified?

It was late at night and the streets were mostly empty, but the guards and knights who spotted them still widened their eyes in shock.

Aidan, however, didn’t care about their stares in the slightest. His every thought was occupied by concern for Brody’s health and safety.

In his haste, his body was still warm from moving quickly, which fortunately enveloped her in comforting heat.

Already back to normal temperature? He’s a monster, a total monster.

By the time they reached the lodging, her body had already regained much of its warmth.

Aidan stoked the fireplace until the flames roared and set her down in front of it.

Then, he warmed some goat’s milk and placed it in her hands.

The hot liquid slid down her throat, spreading warmth throughout her body.

She kept sneezing—achoo, achoo—but at least now she felt like she would live.

Meanwhile, Aidan carefully dried Brody’s damp hair, which had gotten wet again when the ice melted earlier.

As she sipped the milk, Brody suddenly spoke.

“Now you know, don’t you?”

“Hm? Know what?”

“Your headaches, Your Grace.”

At those words, Aidan froze, his hand pausing mid-motion. But his mind began racing.

He hadn’t consciously acknowledged it before, but on some level he’d already realized—her kiss had eased his headaches.

Memories rushed back: the moments when his pain had subsided because of Brody. Piecing it together, his suspicion proved correct.

He answered gravely, “So it wasn’t just the blood.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Brody admitted it lightly.

From the moment she had first confronted his pain, even before diving into the water to save him, she had unconsciously resolved herself to it.

“How is such a thing possible?”

Aidan pressed his palm to his forehead in disbelief.

“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m a herbalist? Or because my body’s naturally weak?” Brody shrugged.

“Hm… if that’s the case, then isn’t it even more dangerous for you? Haah… you didn’t have to tell me this.”

Aidan fully understood why she had hidden it—especially since she wasn’t planning to stay here. She never should have told him, and yet she had exposed her weakness for his sake.

Hearing the self-reproach in his voice, Brody reached out and pulled his hand away from his face, holding it tightly.

Then she said firmly, “I don’t regret it, Your Grace. Even if the same situation happened again, I’d do the same thing.”

Her unwavering gaze shook Aidan’s eyes.

Then, with a lazy smile, Brody gave him a small errand.

“Could you fetch my bag, please?”

Though it was an odd request, Aidan darted off obediently, like a Siberian husky chasing after a stick its master had thrown.

Rummaging through her belongings, Brody pulled out a small vial.

Inside were red beads—the very headache medicine laced with her blood.

“Here. Take it.”

Aidan hesitated, instinctively stepping back.

“Didn’t I say I wouldn’t take it?”

“But it’s already made. This is the last one.”

“…Are you promising never to make it again?”

“Yes. There’s no point in hiding it anymore now that you’ve found out.”

“….”

Brody tapped her lips playfully.

So then… did that mean she intended to kiss him directly instead? His heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Aidan knew she was telling the truth about not making more, but still he resisted taking it.

The vial felt like a symbol of the pain she had endured for his sake.

“Only in emergencies. What if I’m not around?”

“I can endure it.”

“Really? You never have before.”

“….”

Aidan fell silent. She was right—he hadn’t been able to. Even today, he had failed to endure, and had ended up worrying her again.

Then Brody placed the vial directly into his hand and said, “You don’t have to take it. But if you don’t, I’ll give it to someone else. Actually, that might be better—we can test whether it works on others too.”

Clench.

At her threat, Aidan’s grip on the vial tightened.

Give this precious thing to someone else? Let another person swallow a piece of her? The very thought was unbearable.

Though he didn’t say it aloud, the fact that he didn’t push it away meant the medicine was his now.

And so, the vial ended up in Aidan’s possession.

The journey resumed.

Though each village differed slightly, the schedules they kept and the emotions they endured were largely the same.

What had changed was Aidan himself.

Each morning before they departed, Brody would tug on his collar.

Then, as Aidan bent down, she pressed a deep kiss to his lips.

“Don’t be in pain, Your Grace.”

“Y-yeah. I won’t. I promise.”

Flustered and blushing, he would hear her softly smile and say, “Shall we go?” before opening the door.

From the very start of each day, his life had shifted drastically.

Of course, his headaches disappearing played a part, but the greater change came from within his heart.

Ever since Brody began easing his pain with kisses, she had drawn closer to him—not clinging to his side, but no longer building walls between them.

Perhaps because she had entrusted him with such a heavy secret, or perhaps simply out of compassion, but the invisible barrier that once stood between them had vanished.

She even began showing small signs of affection, caring for him, and offering comfort when he was upset—holding his hand tightly as if to share his feelings.

For the first time in his life, Aidan felt this kind of emotion: the sense of someone sharing his burden.

He had worked with others before, but having his load lightened was entirely different.

The security she gave him was so sweet, so irresistible, that he couldn’t help but lean on her.

Day by day, Aidan’s condition grew more stable.

After one particularly grueling day, Aidan wrote reports until his hand cramped. By the time he lay down, Brody had already collapsed asleep on the bed.

Holding her in his arms, he listened to her soft breathing.

Was it comfortable lying next to her? …Not exactly.

But he endured it, because she was exhausted. He wasn’t so shameless as to ignore her condition for his own desires.

His body seemed to understand—it calmed his restless urges, allowing him to simply be grateful for the chance to fall asleep beside her.

He pressed a light kiss to her forehead and closed his eyes.

It’s enough. Just having you by my side like this is enough for me.

And so, he ignored the quiet voice within him that asked—

Is it really okay to be this happy?

As they traveled further south, the state of the villages improved.

Unlike other regions, these lands had once belonged to the Empire, escaping exploitation, and their milder climate allowed for farming.

Although the midwinter chill grew harsher, the farther south they went, the less the difference in temperature was felt.

Brody was still bundled up in layers, but she was slowly adapting to the cold, and Aidan felt oddly proud.

Soon, their inspection of the northern villages was finished. From there, they would ride straight to the planned site of Sidamo Fortress without pause.

Feeling somewhat relieved, Aidan and Brody once again stood before the gates of Ferdan Fortress.

Twice through the north gate, once through the south—this was their third time entering.

Brody recalled the overwhelming cheers and feasts of the townsfolk with dread as she passed through the gates.

But thanks to River’s earlier request that they be allowed to pass quietly, they were instead able to unpack and enjoy a rare full day of rest.

Chief of Staff River might be irritating, but he was undeniably thorough in his work.

Guided secretly by Lady Murphy, who had arrived with River and Caleb ahead of them, they were led to a lodging.

Ironically, it turned out to be the very same place where they had held their wedding ceremony.

Of all places… that room?

Aidan scratched his head awkwardly, remembering the disaster of their wedding night.

But Brody, whether unaware or simply unconcerned, collapsed onto the bed without a word.

“What about dinner?”

“I just want to sleep.”

After their now-familiar exchange, and after Aidan helped her wash and change as usual, Brody slept straight through the day.

Aside from Aidan checking her breathing once when she seemed too still, it was a peaceful time.

Still, they couldn’t rest long—River was surely waiting with sharp eyes at Sidamo.

The next day, they set out again.

From now on, there were no more villages to inspect. But once they left Ferdan, they would need to be constantly wary of the Princess and Jax.

As they passed through the south gate, a blackened field came into view.

Instantly, tension filled the air.

This was the very place where Aidan and Brody had fought the Princess and Jax over Brody’s fate.

The barren circle of scorched earth was the mark left when the Princess burned the land with the power of the Sun Spirit.

Ah—that’s right. The magic stone!

Thinking of the Princess reminded Brody of the stone she had been given.

I need to tell him now. Once we reach Sidamo, it’ll be even harder to find a private moment.

Since they were passing right by the battlefield, Aidan was surely thinking about the Princess too.

Deciding this was the moment, Brody spoke.

“Your Grace, I need to tell you something. You might misunderstand, but please listen until the end.”

Of course, Aidan nodded for her to continue.

So Brody explained everything objectively: how the Princess had appeared in their carriage on the way to Potato Village, what she had given her, and what she had said.

“I know it sounds suspicious, but it’s all true. If you want to ask me anything, I’ll answer.”

Thankfully, Aidan listened quietly without interrupting. When she finished, he simply nodded.

Brody had expected him to believe her—but not this calmly. His overly composed reaction unsettled her.

Frowning, she asked, “Your Grace… you already knew, didn’t you?”