IRER 39

Chapter 39

 Clearly, Something Has Changed

‘But I didn’t do it on purpose. I really couldn’t ride back then…’

With that thought running through her mind as she rode behind him, Brody couldn’t help but feel a bitter pang.

Jet-black hair, thick neck and shoulders strengthened by muscle, a supple waist moving in perfect rhythm with the horse, and thighs hardened from real combat.

Her eyes kept drifting back to him, watching his back—yet something about it felt off.

‘No, it’s more like… unfamiliar.’

Now that she thought about it, it was probably the first time she had spent this long just staring at his back. Aidan had always either held her in his arms, faced her directly, or stayed close by her side.

Even though she was bundled up in winter gear and riding a horse by herself now—so there was no reason to feel cold—Brody found her back strangely empty and shivered a little.

She must have gotten used to always being close to him.

‘Get a grip. I said I’d work for the North. I can’t afford to be this dependent.’

Shaking her head, Brody forced her gaze forward.

Still, Aidan’s figure as he galloped in perfect unison with Kais, his horse, looked like a scene from a movie—and her eyes kept drifting back without her even realizing.

They rode like that for a long time, lost in thought. Although the pace was much slower than Aidan’s usual solo rides, Brody began to feel exhausted.

Just as she was about to call out and say she couldn’t go any farther, a village finally came into view.

“Just a bit more, and we’ll be there.”

Brody nodded at his words, pushing herself a little harder.

As they entered the village, the horses naturally slowed to a gentle trot.

It wasn’t a large village, so they quickly arrived at an inn.

“Whoa, whoa.”

Watching Aidan come to a stop, Brody pulled on the reins and let out an involuntary groan. She was already sure her body would be aching by tomorrow.

As she groaned and tried to dismount, Aidan came over and effortlessly lifted her down by the waist.

“Ah.”

It was nothing, really—especially compared to how close they’d been before.

Maybe it was the sense of emptiness she felt while riding alone.

But the sudden touch of his hands still made Brody flinch with surprise.

“…Thank you.”

Once her feet touched the ground, Brody instinctively took a small step back.

Aidan’s hands slipped from her waist.

It was a subtle movement, but not one Aidan would’ve missed.

He stared at her for a moment, then quietly withdrew his hands.

“You alright?”

“Mm. I think I’ll be fine after some sleep.”

Though she didn’t even offer a half-hearted “I’m okay,” she still reassured him not to worry. Watching her, Aidan gave a helpless smile.

Thanks to Teddy’s quick work—calling the staff, unloading their belongings, and taking care of the horses—they were able to head straight into the inn.

The lodging, unlike in the bustling trade cities, was small and cozy. The log cabin exuded the warm, earthy scent of cedar.

There wasn’t a separate bathroom, but a partitioned corner of the room had a tub ready.

After receiving warm water from the staff, Brody washed herself. With muscle pain setting in, just lifting her legs into the tub and sitting down was agony, but once she finally soaked in the water, she felt relaxed—like she might just survive after all.

Through the partition, she could see Aidan already seated at the table, lighting candles and reviewing documents.

He must’ve had a lot of work.

‘Normally, he’d insist on staying within arm’s reach…’

Maybe it was the distance they’d come north. Aidan seemed slightly more relaxed about potential danger.

They were far from Jax’s sphere of influence now, and the power of the Ice Spirit was likely stronger here.

‘That’s… a good thing, right?’

Yes. It was good.

‘But why do I feel disappointed…?’

She couldn’t deny it—her own heart felt incredibly conflicted.

Brody sank into the bath, curling up and resting her chin on her knees.

‘Still…’

It wasn’t just the physical distance that bothered her. More than that, it felt…

‘Awkward. That’s it.’

Why did it feel like that?

She racked her brain for reasons.

‘Is he mad? Because I lied about not being able to ride? Or is he hurt because I’m pushing him away, saying I want to be independent?’

Both seemed possible.

Despite the pain, Brody bit back her groans so she wouldn’t disturb him, lifting each leg out of the tub with difficulty. She dried off and got dressed.

Then she quietly headed straight for bed.

Aidan let out a breath of laughter as she flopped onto the bed without a second thought.

“Not going to eat?”

“Sleep comes first. Please, don’t mind me—go ahead and eat.”

She mumbled into her pillow.

“Hurting a lot?”

Flinch. Brody shivered at the sudden, serious voice that came from right beside her.

Aidan had come to sit at the edge of the bed where she lay facedown.

The creak of the bed frame echoed oddly in the quiet room.

“You used muscles you haven’t touched in a while. You should relax them now so you won’t suffer tomorrow.”

“Huh? Wait, what?”

Without hesitation, Aidan placed his hand on her shoulder.

Her small frame was completely enveloped by his large hand. With surprising delicacy, he began kneading her tight muscles.

“Ah.”

Her shoulders, stiff from holding the reins, pulsed with pain.

‘Why do I feel so embarrassed…’

His hand slid from her shoulder down her back and waist.

Brody lowered her forehead onto her hands, burying her face.

‘Still… I guess he’s not upset anymore.’

His touch remained gentle. He handled her with care, as if afraid of hurting her.

Brody was startled by how relieved she felt at that, and kept her face buried in the blanket.

“Ow!”

But her embarrassment quickly gave way to real pain as he began working on her thighs and calves.

She tried to hold it in, but a cry of pain slipped out. Tears pricked her eyes.

“Don’t push yourself. It’s natural to be sore after riding for the first time in a while. Give your body time to adjust. I’ll respect your choice, but if it’s too hard, just say the word and I’ll carry you.”

“…”

For a moment, Brody felt a strong urge to agree.

‘But… I can’t afford to waver now.’

Even if it had hurt him that she was pushing him away, they’d already started down this road. If she gave in now, it would be even harder to regain her independence later.

She steadied herself and shook her head.

“I think I’ll be okay. I’ll have to adjust eventually anyway.”

Aidan nodded with a sigh, as if he’d expected her answer.

“Then put this on before sleeping. It’s a massage oil for muscle pain. You’ll feel a big difference.”

He took out a bottle of pungent-scented oil from their luggage. Brody, well-versed in herbs, immediately recognized it.

She reached out eagerly—it was something she’d wanted to make herself.

But Aidan sighed again and gently pushed her back down.

“How were you planning to apply this?”

“Huh? Uh, Your Grace!”

She panicked and squirmed, but Aidan easily held her in place.

“I’m not going to do anything improper. Don’t worry.”

With that, he slipped his oil-slicked hand under her clothes.

“Ah!”

Rather than simply apply the oil, he carefully massaged each muscle as he went.

The sharp herbal scent filled the air, and her body heated up.

‘Ah… this is… way too embarrassing.’

It was different from simply holding each other in bed. He was practically studying her body with his hands.

But she’d already missed the chance to object, and it was too awkward to stop him now.

As his hands moved from her back to her sides and down her waist, she began to squirm.

His warm, firm hands felt incredibly comforting.

‘Wait… is this going to turn into… that kind of situation?’

She wasn’t in bad health despite the muscle soreness. And he had gone a long time resisting temptation even while they shared a bed…

So if he were to finally give in now, it wouldn’t be strange.

In fact, a small part of her… might’ve been hoping for it.

After all, the idea of spending the night with him wasn’t exactly unpleasant.

His hands, still gentle and careful, worked their way down her legs, finally applying the oil to her feet.

Then, he adjusted her clothing, pulled the blanket over her, and stood up.

“…”

“Get a good night’s sleep. I’ll have something ready for you when you wake.”

He said that and returned to the table after washing his hands.

“…”

Brody stared at him silently. But soon, drowsiness overtook her, and she closed her eyes.

How much time passed?

When she woke, feeling refreshed, the room was still dark.

‘Still night? Or early morning? What time is it?’

She blinked and glanced around.

But Aidan wasn’t in the bed.

Feeling the cool night air, Brody suddenly realized something.

He had definitely changed.

Before, he would have used any excuse—like not having passed Ferdan Fortress yet—to cling to her.

He was still kind and gentle, but he no longer craved her like he once had.

Why?

‘Who knows. Maybe his head finally cleared. If he’s a responsible northern duke staring down the North’s future, it makes sense. Maybe he even feels silly now, chasing a woman across the South.’

Or maybe…

He’d lost interest.

She hadn’t had much dating experience in her past life, but whenever she tried to maintain distance, people always said she made them feel unwanted.

She knew she had a stubborn streak.

She’d always insisted on standing on her own, not leaning on anyone.

But for her, that wasn’t something she could easily compromise on.

‘Even though he wanted me so badly, I still clung to my condition of three years… no wonder he’s cooled off.’

Now that she thought about it, he had become more distant ever since she handed over the contract.

Maybe… giving him that contract was his final test.

Maybe he thought, If she still doesn’t accept my feelings even after this, I’ll give up.

Brody slowly pushed herself up in bed.

And in the candlelight, she looked at Aidan’s face—sharp and focused.

He was still frowning, immersed in paperwork.

‘Isn’t this what I wanted? To work by his side for three years and then leave?’

Even if his heart had cooled, as a plant mage working for the North, she’d still be welcome.

He’d fulfill the contract.

So all she had to do now… was fulfill her end.

She knew she had brought this upon herself. And she braced her heart.

But the moment Aidan lifted his gaze from the papers,

the moment his deep blue eyes met hers—

Brody’s heart sank like a stone.