Chapter 49
The First Night of the Wedding (2)
“Done.”
As soon as he finished the task of untying the laces, Brody quickly pulled away and threw on her chemise.
The heat burning on her face had already crept down to her nape—she was certain he could notice.
Compared to the formal attire she’d worn earlier, the thin chemise felt almost chilly, and a sudden cold shiver ran through her.
Seeing Brody hunch her shoulders and wrap her arms around herself, Aidan hurriedly lifted the blanket. Then he sat down on the bed and called to her.
“Come here.”
“Eh? Ah… yes.”
It wasn’t the first time, so why was she this nervous?
Was she trembling from the cold… or from nerves?
Brody prayed she looked calm and slowly walked over to the bed.
Once she sat, Aidan pulled the blanket over her and neatly tucked it in.
Even so, the cold bedding didn’t warm her up right away.
Seeing her hands clutching the blanket and trembling, Aidan instinctively reached out.
“You’re cold, aren’t you?”
She flinched at his sudden movement, but the warmth of his touch on her hands steadied her heart.
“I… think so.”
“Your hands are freezing.”
He pulled her closer, half-embracing her, and said,
“Just bear with it a little. It’ll be over soon.”
…Bear with it? Over soon? Bear what, and over what?
Brody swallowed nervously, glancing at him in confusion.
Apparently taking her look as a sign of consent, Aidan nodded.
“Then, let’s call them in.”
Huh? Call who?
But it was already too late to ask or stop him—Aidan rang the prepared bell without hesitation.
The clear, almost piercing chime spread through the room.
Brody bit her lips, trembling in tension.
Regardless of her unease, footsteps approached from outside.
The door slowly opened, and beyond the rectangular patch of light, two priests stepped into view.
They stopped at the foot of the bed where the couple sat.
Whether it was the solemn atmosphere or the deep night, the priests looked even more grave than usual.
Brody’s eyes darted restlessly.
No way… surely they’re not here to witness…? That’s not—!
She vaguely recalled scenes from reincarnation or fantasy dramas where cultures had such customs.
That’s insane.
If that was the case…
Nope. Not doing it. I can’t. What do I do?
She even considered using her plant magic to bind the three of them and bolt out the door.
The candlelight threw faint outlines on the priests’ faces as they raised their hands.
Assistant priest Adonia held a ceremonial vessel engraved with beautiful patterns.
Latoa dipped his hand into it, then sprinkled the contents over the bed, saying,
“May blessings be upon this sacred union.”
Holy water, apparently.
Brody shivered at the cold drops that landed on her.
Whether from tension or the chill, she trembled so much it was embarrassing—especially since Aidan would feel all of it.
“Then, please retire for the night.”
…Wait. Seriously?
Her heart pounded painfully, harder than when riding a free-fall amusement ride, harder than waiting for a ghost to pop out in a haunted house.
Oh, come on, you crazy old-timey people—this is not okay!
While she screamed internally, Aidan tugged her shoulders back.
“J-just a moment, Your Highness, this is—”
“Shhh. It’s fine. Don’t be afraid.”
Thinking she was frightened, Aidan gently patted her.
Then he lay down, wrapping his arm tightly around her shoulders and pulling the blanket up over both of them.
Adonia handed a neatly folded cloth to Latoa, who spread it wide with a flutter.
The airy white cloth billowed, embroidered with a simple gold emblem of the Adeor Grace Church.
So covering us like this is supposed to make it better?!
While Brody was silently screaming, the two priests sat down on the floor.
She nearly activated her magic, thinking they’d be staying the night—but thankfully, they were just gathering their things.
When the door finally shut, she let out a huge sigh.
Her palms were damp with cold sweat, and her heart felt like it might leap out of her mouth.
Like a deflating balloon, the tension finally eased, leaving her on the verge of tears.
Thank goodness. I almost abandoned the contract and fled the North for good.
As she slowed her breathing, she noticed the man still half-embracing her.
Right… it’s not over yet.
Once the priests were gone, Aidan pulled her even closer.
Brody blinked in mild surprise. It had been a while since she’d seen him lying like this.
Through the loose neckline of her chemise, she caught sight of his defined collarbones, rising and falling with his breath.
After the contract, he clearly kept his distance. He wouldn’t touch me without a reason, and he acted more formal.
She remembered his back while riding, the untouched space beside her in bed, the unwaveringly cold blue eyes.
Even yesterday, in a similar situation, his attitude was nothing like it had been in the South.
Since she was the one who’d first pushed away his affection, she told herself she had no right to feel hurt.
…But truthfully, she did feel hurt.
This must just be because of the wedding. The contract still stands.
Her thoughts spiraled until she felt a headache coming on.
When she lowered her head slightly, her forehead touched his collarbone.
His body was always warmer than hers, and that warmth felt nice against her skin—oddly comforting despite her anxiety.
She let herself savor it and whispered in her mind,
You… don’t dislike me now, do you?
It wasn’t meant to be heard; she only mouthed the words.
Then she felt the low rumble of his voice vibrate through his chest.
“Seems you still like my body and face.”
“W-what?”
She jolted so hard she nearly jumped back.
Thankfully, he wasn’t replying to her unspoken thought, but the content was alarming enough.
She instinctively tried to pull away to look at him, but his arm around her shoulder held her close, leaving her only enough space to glimpse the curve of his lips—smiling.
He’s… smiling?!
Frowning in frustration, she thought, What’s he smiling for? I’m being serious here!
He kissed her forehead lightly, then pulled her flush against him again, erasing the gap between them.
“That goes for me too,” he murmured.
Brody blinked.
Goes for him too…? Wait, does that mean—
Her face went crimson.
What’s with this all of a sudden? Weren’t you trying to keep your distance?
But Aidan wasn’t done.
He took a deep breath in, as if savoring a fragrance.
The fresh, grounding scent—like the warm air of a rainforest mixed with the cool dew of a northern taiga—filled his senses, driving him mad.
Guided by instinct, he lowered his face into the space between her neck and hair, then nuzzled her bare shoulder.
She’d always been by his side, but her scent still made him ache with longing.
“Your Highness…?” she asked, placing her hands on his shoulders as if to push him away.
But he didn’t budge, only chuckling softly.
Again with the laughing? What’s gotten into him?
The difference from his recent cold demeanor was so stark that she was left speechless.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, “I don’t know what to do…”
Her heart skipped and shivered all at once. Goosebumps prickled her arms.
Then she caught the faint scent of sweet fruit wine in his words.
Ah…
She sniffed again, confirming her suspicion—Aidan was drunk.
He must have drunk quite a bit at the banquet earlier, but she hadn’t noticed since his expression hadn’t changed at all.
Gripping his shoulders, she shook him lightly.
“Your Highness, you smell strongly of fruit wine. How much did you drink?”
“Hmm… do I? You smell like the forest.”
“…What?”
The forest?
“Because… I like it.”
…The forest? Was it because she was a plant mage?
Brody turned and sniffed her own shoulder, trying to detect it herself, but couldn’t.
How much of what a drunk says should I believe?
She gave up and let him indulge as he pleased.
I guess he’s not a strong drinker. Actually, this is like that time he came back from battle… he was the same then.
She remembered—Aidan rarely showed his true feelings, never letting on even if he was drunk.
He was more honest in the South… but here in the North…
He only ever clung to her when there was some event or reason—after eating mesh fruit, or returning from the battlefield.
So maybe… he’s been holding something back all this time?
Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him and began to pat his back gently.
I really don’t know. Not one bit…
Every time she recognized that he bore his burdens alone without sharing them, her heart ached unbearably.
As she held him, Aidan let out a sigh that sounded almost like a groan.
