IRER 37

Chapter 37 – You Said You Wanted to Be Washed

“Brody, marry me.”

“……”

Brody couldn’t respond. She knew his heart too well—how much he wanted her.

He couldn’t abandon the North because of the responsibility that weighed on his shoulders, yet he had still chased after her, delaying that responsibility.

He had always been sincere with her.

“So I can protect you.”

“Your Grace…”

Brody’s eyebrows drooped.

Seeing the troubled look in her eyes, Aidan clenched his fist inside his coat once more. He could feel the edges of the parchment crumpling.

‘…I can’t let it get wrinkled.’

He relaxed his grip.

As if giving up.

That’s how he made his decision.

He slowly turned toward her and gently brushed her hair back.

Brody looked at him with surprise. There was a strange loneliness in his eyes.

Finally, he spoke.

“For three years. I’ll protect you for three years.”

As he said that, he handed her the piece of parchment.

“…What?”

He would protect her for three years?

‘Does that mean…?’

“Uh…”

Brody’s nose tingled with emotion.

So that meant—not only was he marrying her for her sake, but he was also promising to divorce her for her sake.

He was telling her that he would let her go after three years.

‘How… How could he do that? I know I’m asking for something outrageous. I’m being selfish, relying on how much he cares for me.’

All he wanted was one thing: for Brody to stay by his side.

When she said she didn’t want to fulfill the duties of a duchess, he had promised he would do everything he could to shield her—and she knew he meant it. He was someone who followed through, not just someone who said nice things.

Of course, knowing she couldn’t avoid hardship regardless, she had turned him down.

‘He was willing to devote himself to me, but I refused because I didn’t want to devote myself in return. And now… he’s making an offer like this?’

It was what Brody had wanted. But because of that, she hesitated even more—was it really okay for her to accept?

She could feel just how deeply he cherished her.

Aidan looked at her as she met his gaze, his expression heavy and uncertain.

Then he spoke again, adopting a deliberately light, teasing tone.

“It’s not like I’m offering to protect you for free. Take a look at the document.”

“…?”

Still overcome with emotion, Brody hurriedly opened the parchment.

At the top, in bold, neat handwriting unmistakably Aidan’s, three clear characters stood out.

“A contract?”

“As a condition for me protecting you, you must fulfill your duties for the North.”

“Ah…”

Brody quickly read through the contract.

<Contract>

Aidan Mason and Brody May shall be married for a duration of three years.

During this time, Aidan Mason will ensure the safety of Brody May, and in return, Brody May shall work for the benefit of the North.

After three years, the contract shall be nullified, and Brody May shall be a free woman.

Aidan Mason guarantees the terms above.

At the end of the text, the seal of the Northern Duke was stamped.

Brody looked up.

“You’re the one who said you’d work for the North, so this won’t be a burden, right?”

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

She read the contract several more times.

But why had he suddenly changed his mind?

Honestly, if he had insisted, he could have kept her by his side forever. After all, she needed him, and he held the key.

“But… isn’t this contract a loss for you, Your Grace?”

Brody asked cautiously.

If River found out there was such a contract involving the title of Duchess of the North, he surely wouldn’t let either of them off the hook.

A contract where she would hold the prestigious position of duchess for three years, then turn Aidan into a divorced man and walk away?

“Is that so? Then shall we cancel it?”

“N-no!”

Brody quickly shook her head and hugged the parchment tightly to her chest.

Smiling bitterly, Aidan took out ink and a pen from the pouch attached to his saddle and handed them to her.

The meaning was clear: if you agree, sign.

Brody thought for a moment, then added her signature right next to Aidan’s seal.

As she signed, Aidan spoke.

“Loss? A plant sorcerer comes to a famine-stricken North? I’ve done the math. It’s more than worth it.”

She was grateful for the offer, but there was something strangely businesslike about his tone.

Was it his way of easing the burden on her?

As she finished signing and dried the ink, Brody looked at Aidan with a moved expression.

He silently packed their things, his face expressionless.

“If you’re done, shall we go?”

❖ ❖ ❖

Kais trotted eagerly, clearly happy to be approaching the North. The sturdy, imposing black horse showed no signs of tiring.

Thanks to the help of the ice spirit, the scenery flew by faster than one could imagine.

By the next evening, they had reached the outskirts of Middle Trade City.

“I didn’t expect you this soon. It’s an honor to welcome you, Your Grace.”

At the town’s edge stood a cheerful young man with chestnut-colored hair, waiting for them.

He had clearly rushed—his horse was still exhaling thick clouds of steam.

“It hasn’t even been an hour since I got the message. How did you arrive at the speed of a pigeon?”

His name was Teddy Bell. A messenger Aidan had requested from the North.

Originally stationed to report whether Brody had passed the Ferdan Fortress, Teddy realized upon seeing her sitting before Aidan that there was no need to send word anymore.

He seemed quick-witted and amiable.

Thanks to Teddy, they were able to quickly secure a comfortable place to stay in the city.

After exchanging a few cheerful words with the hotel owner, Teddy swiftly arranged a room and guided them.

Even while climbing the stairs, he kept chattering.

“The Duke’s popularity is through the roof in this town. Just being a messenger from the North earns me friendly treatment!”

But his chatter wasn’t meaningless, so Aidan listened to it like a report.

Though Aidan had marched to the capital, he hadn’t ravaged the towns between the fortress and the imperial palace—he treated people humanely.

The towns he occupied were used as supply bases, but the amount requisitioned was no different from what the imperial army had taken before. In fact, it felt like nothing had changed.

Actually, the Northern army, being disciplined, often felt better to the locals than the arrogant imperial forces.

Though a truce had been reached, the North had essentially won, yet showed little ambition toward lands south of the fortress.

They placed a few officials to collect light taxes. If the imperial army returned and reclaimed the town, the officials would simply withdraw.

The townspeople were content with this.

If the capital struck back, they would just surrender again.

As a town benefiting from trade between the North and capital, they had no choice but to play both sides.

—“They warned us the Icewall Duke was a barbarian… but he’s a gentleman. Rational, even.”

This was how the North gained the favor of the central towns.

‘River’s doing well.’

Aidan felt a little less burdened.

He even thought he might tolerate a bit of nagging from River when they returned to the North.

“Anyway, Your Grace, this place might as well be Northern land now. You and the lady can rest here in peace.”

“Thank you.”

Teddy quickly brought in their luggage, then bowed politely and exited.

—‘They say the Icewall Duke is terrifying… but he’s not hard to approach at all?’

Perhaps because he had appeared riding with Brody, speaking to her gently. Though expressionless and blunt, he seemed almost gentle.

Teddy left with newfound admiration burning in his heart.

Surely, he would prepare for their journey to the North just as Aidan had requested—if not more.

Satisfied with the boy’s earnestness, Aidan turned his head.

Brody had already collapsed onto the bed.

“Ugh…”

Even with the priest’s healing magic and blessings, the day-and-a-half of forced march was too much.

‘No, it’s only natural I’m exhausted.’

Brody defended herself mentally, frustrated.

Anyone would be—after all, she hadn’t slept in over a day.

“Brody, how about washing up before bed?”

She shook her head, face buried in the bed diagonally.

Aidan began removing his cloak and gear.

“They said they could prepare a warm bath.”

At that, Brody quickly turned her head to him.

Her green eyes sparkled.

“A warm bath?”

He smiled and replied.

“Yes.”

A bath? They must still have plenty of water in the South. Once they headed further north, soaking in warm water would likely become a memory.

Torn between sleep and a hot bath, Brody mumbled,

“Ah… I can’t get up unless someone washes me.”

“……”

After a moment’s pause, Aidan called a hotel attendant to prepare the bathwater.

The town’s commerce and trade meant the lodging industry was thriving.

Thanks to Teddy, the room was one of the finest—and the bathroom alone was as big as an ordinary room elsewhere.

It rivaled the keeps of minor northern lords.

Surprised again by the South’s abundance, Aidan looked around the room as the bath was being prepared.

“Would you like assistance with the bath?”

asked the attendant.

“No need,” Aidan replied with a shake of his head.

The attendant simply nodded in understanding.

“Please enjoy your time.”

They left with polite bows.

“Enjoy your time.”

A routine phrase—but it made Aidan blush slightly.

He walked over to Brody, who lay sprawled on the bed with her feet still in shoes.

She hadn’t moved an inch, even as he gently removed them.

“Brody, the bath is ready.”

He brushed aside her loose hair as he spoke.

Only then did she slowly open her eyes.

“Bath?”

Her eyes darted around, confused.

Only after seeing the ceiling, the bed, and Aidan did she realize where she was.

“Yaaawn…”

She yawned and began to sit up.

Her body felt like a stone weighing her down.

“But I should wash before bed…”

Chuckling, Aidan lifted her into his arms.

“Wah!”

Startled by the sudden movement, Brody instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Your Grace, what are you doing?”

Genuinely confused, her expression made Aidan feel wronged.

He grumbled as he answered,

“Well, you said… you wanted to be washed.”