IRER 32

Chapter 32 – Beast?

Aidan chuckled at the sight of Brody clinging to his robe like a baby kangaroo, her hands resting on it as she gazed outside.

She blinked, as if in a dream, and asked,
“Where is this…?”

“Have you been here before?”

Swish. Crash.

Brody inhaled the salty air that clung deep in her lungs and shook her head.

Even if her past life might have visited, Brody May had never been here before.

An unobstructed, wide-open horizon stretched before her eyes.

Gentle waves reflected the setting sun, bathing everything in red and scattering the light. The breathtaking view seemed to demand her full attention.

It was the sea.

The sea breeze, blowing from all directions, made Brody’s curly hair fluff and flutter.

“I’m surprised. The sea, all of a sudden…”

Aidan, helping to tame her wind-blown hair, nodded.

“Yes, we’re at Cape Tarno, on the far western edge.”

“The western edge? Isn’t that the way back?”

“Not if we take a ship. Traveling by land would take us too close to the imperial capital—too risky. That’s why I opted for the sea route.”

“A ship?”

“Yes. I’ve booked a night vessel. We’ll need to board soon. A few days of smooth sailing, and we’ll arrive at Fort Perdan.”

When did he even book that?

They were being chased, and heading to the North was something Brody had been dreading. Yet, the moment she saw the sea, her heart began to race.

‘I’ve only ever been on a Han River cruise before.’

Feeling this kind of anticipation, as if they were on a trip, made her uneasy.

This isn’t the right time to feel excited… is it?

But Aidan made it worse.

“There’s still time. Let’s have some dinner. I’ll find something simple. Eating while watching the sunset could be nice.”

Maybe she’d been too out of it to notice earlier, but he seemed to think the area was safe now.

If anyone knew about combat and pursuit, it was Aidan.

Seeing how relaxed he acted, Brody decided to follow his lead and ease her own mind.

Aidan left Kaise at a small makeshift stable, then scooped Brody into his arms.

“Are you going to keep carrying me around like this?”

She asked, expecting to be put down.

“But… can you walk?”

“I’ll have to eventually.”

Taking the hint, Aidan gently lowered her to the ground.

Brody thought walking wouldn’t be that hard even if she was sore, but the moment her feet touched the earth, her legs buckled.

“W-whoa.”

She clung tightly to Aidan’s thick arm to keep from falling.

Her muscles, unused for nearly two weeks, seemed to have decided, “Guess we’re not needed anymore,” and began dismantling themselves.

She’d never consciously thought about the act of walking before. Now everything felt overly delicate.

Trembling legs and ankles, sore hips from bumping against a saddle, and a stiff back—Brody grimaced internally, holding in a silent scream.

She had gotten off with such confidence, thinking, How hard could it be? But pain didn’t care about pride.

“Should’ve forced myself to walk a little.”

“Don’t push yourself. You almost died. It’s natural to struggle.”

Aidan found even her pouty, dissatisfied face adorable as he scooped her up again.

“Ah, but I wanted to practice walking…”

“Later. Let’s eat first. You need to fill your stomach to regain your strength.”

Sigh.

Brody let out a breath and leaned into Aidan again.

Judging by how weak her body felt, she figured if she tried to practice walking now, they’d miss their boat trying to buy food.

Aidan returned with a rich seafood stew, grilled fish cut into chunks, and round, steamed fish balls.

He laid a thick blanket next to the pier stairs, overlooking the harbor, and seated Brody on it.

When did he even pack a blanket?

Brody gave him a sheepish smile, touched by his thoughtful care.

“Thanks.”

“It’s nothing.”

Brushing it off, Aidan sat down behind her and wrapped his arms around her like an embrace.

Brody had expected him to sit beside her, so the sudden closeness startled her.

“Um… you could just sit next to me.”

“Nah. This is more comfortable.”

Is this… one of those sappy couple moments I’ve only ever seen in dramas?

She’d always thought she’d never do something like this in public, yet here she was. Life really was unpredictable.

She couldn’t bring herself to push away the man who was simply trying to support her. So Brody gave up and leaned back into him.

Aidan placed a still-warm bowl of stew into her hands.

“Start with that. If you think you can eat more, try the grilled fish and fish balls.”

Brody nodded and lifted the bowl to sip the broth.

The hot, savory liquid warmed her entire body as it slid down her throat.

The sea breeze, the crashing waves, and the cries of seabirds that stirred a strange nostalgia all came together to calm her spirit—and awaken her appetite.

The sun, now half-hidden at the edge of the ocean, cast its last rays, offering an elaborate farewell to the day.

In that warm red glow, both Brody’s and Aidan’s faces were painted in shades of dusk.

“It’s beautiful.”

Brody, not the most expressive person, wanted to say something to capture how she felt. In the end, she settled for a simple phrase.

“Yeah, it is.”

Aidan replied with the same easy sincerity.

They quietly shared their meal while gazing at the same view.

Busy sailors moved about the harbor, vendors displayed their fresh seafood, and the laughter of a child holding their parent’s hand filled the port with peace.

Perhaps it was the atmosphere—or a bit of magic—but Brody felt surprisingly well and finished her stew with ease.

“It’s so peaceful here.”

“Mm. It’s a gathering place for pilgrims headed to the Temple, so the war’s effects haven’t hit hard.”

“Oh, the Temple.”

Brody tried to recall where the Temple was located.

She vaguely remembered that the Adair Gracia Church’s central temple floated alone on an island in the western sea.

There was a Temple near the capital Medician too, but that one was more administrative and political.

“We’ll sail past the waters inside the island, not directly to the Temple. The bay is calm, so the voyage should be safe.”

Aidan traced a rough map in the palm of his hand, explaining their current location and upcoming route.

Brody listened carefully.

As she pictured the map in her mind, she found the area where the North must be and poked at his palm.

“What’s the North like?”

Aidan felt something strange at the touch of her soft, slender finger pressing into his large, firm hand.

The North.

A place he loved. But also a place that might bring her hardship.

He thought of the duties that would await him upon returning—the tasks he’d abandoned. A heavy weight pressed on his chest.

“The North… is cold.”

“…”

Well, duh.

Brody didn’t nod, simply waited for more.

“There are many mountains and forests. Lots of ice too.”

Like a teacher guiding a child, Aidan took Brody’s extended finger and moved it across his palm, tracing the terrain.

“The mountain range runs along Fort Perdan like this. Then there’s a stretch of plains where some lords have estates and farm. Beyond that is a vast forest. And around here, surrounded by fortresses, is my castle.”

“‘Iter Hiel’ Castle, right?”

“Romantics call it that. Northern Grand Duke’s Castle or Mason Castle—call it whatever’s easiest.”

“‘Iter Hiel’ means Eternal Ice, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. And true to its name, you can see ice all year round.”

He sighed heavily. Snow and cold didn’t threaten him—in fact, they gave him strength—but he worried whether Brody could endure that harsh climate.

Yet she didn’t seem worried. If anything, she looked deep in thought.

Holding his palm with one hand, she absentmindedly traced over it with her other fingers as if drawing the map he’d described.

The fortress, the mountains, the forest, and the castle buried in snow beyond it.

The tickling sensation on his palm sent a cool thrill up his spine. Aidan shivered instinctively.

“B-Brody. That really… tickles.”

His ears flushed red as he spoke.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t even realize—I was just thinking…”

Startled, Brody pulled her hand back.

After a short silence, Aidan suddenly stood up.

“W-we should get going… I mean, it’s time to leave.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Why’s he stuttering like that?

Brody, flustered by his fluster, stood up as well.

The warmth that had surrounded her vanished all at once, and the chilly sea breeze quickly took its place.

She wrapped her arms around herself as she rose.

Ugh. Still hard to stand, even after eating.

She stood awkwardly, steadying herself with a deep breath.

“Oh dear.”

Aidan rushed over and helped her up.

Scratching the back of his flushed neck, he lifted her into his arms once more.

When Brody murmured an apologetic “sorry,” Aidan shook his head quickly.

Without a word, he began striding toward the dock.

Damn it. What’s wrong with me? Am I a beast?

It was just a finger. She barely brushed his palm.

But that tickle had set everything off—her scent, the warmth of her fragile body, the softness of her skin.

He had jumped up in a panic when a strange pressure had suddenly gathered low in his abdomen.

Still carrying Brody in one arm, he scratched his neck nervously with the other.

“…”

Watching his expressionless face tinged with red, Brody didn’t know exactly what had happened—but she had a good guess.

To be considerate, she deliberately avoided looking at him and busied herself with scanning the surroundings.

Thankfully, by the time they returned to fetch Kaise from the stable, Aidan had calmed down.

Both of them quietly let out sighs of relief—without letting the other notice.