IRER 67

Chapter 67 

 His Discontent (2)

Brody had to struggle not to let out a groan.

Even as the sharp pain of the bruise lingered, the soft touch tracing down her back made her feel faint.

Perhaps Aidan wasn’t thinking anything of it, but to Brody, who was on the receiving end, the act felt far too indecent.

She bit her lips hard and clutched the bed sheet tightly.

“Does it hurt? Bear with it just a little longer.”

Then, Aidan gently rubbed her shoulder, as if soothing her.

“Hhhng…”

At this point, Brody herself couldn’t tell anymore—was she reacting because it hurt, because she was embarrassed, or because it tickled?

She only wished the boiling heat in her mind and body would quickly subside.

As he carefully moved his lips in thought, Aidan wondered:

“Am I doing the right thing, putting her in danger like this?”

In truth, he had known even before suggesting the contract.

That instead of making her his wife, the Grand Duchess, he could have arranged for her to have a husband in name only.

He had simply pushed that thought aside, pretending not to notice.

Had he done so, she would not have been endangered because of her position.

No—if he hadn’t desired her in the first place.

If he hadn’t gone south with Jax to find her.

She could have lived freely, unentangled with anyone.

He had no idea where his regrets should even begin.

The burning heat across Brody’s back slowly gave way to a cool sensation, and with it the pain faded.

Aidan could see clearly now—the bruise was gone.

“Your Highness, are you still not done…?”

Brody squirmed under his hand.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore…”

“……”

Pressing his lips together, Aidan carefully withdrew his hand from her back, working hard to hide his regret.

As a faint shff of separation sounded, Brody let out a deep sigh.

She quickly tugged her chemise back up.

Strangely enough, the pain really had completely disappeared. The coolness left her a bit chilly, though.

Watching her back as she dressed, Aidan’s gaze grew dark.

Still, he helped her fasten her blouse and then her surcoat and cloak.

The whole time, he remained silent, staring at Brody in her fully dressed state without a word.

“Why isn’t he leaving? No, wait—how did he even know to come here? River acted as though His Highness was sure to appear… could that also be the spirit’s ability?”

Feeling awkward, Brody turned away.

“I should… tidy up outside.”

After the commotion in the kitchen, it needed cleaning. To her, it felt almost like an excuse to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

But just as she reached the door, Aidan stopped her.

“Brody.”

“……”

There it was—his voice carried anger.

Slowly turning back, Brody composed herself, ready to answer if he asked about “the woman who tried to attack River.”

“What is it?”

“Explain to me what this is.”

What?

Startled, Brody followed his gaze.

In his hand was a vial containing a red bead-like pill.

“That’s… Your Highness’s headache medicine.”

“……”

At her answer, Aidan frowned deeply.

Brody was puzzled. Headache medicine? Why? Was he upset that I made him work despite telling him to rest from a hangover?

“Honestly, either treat me like fragile glass or stop fussing altogether. Why act like I’m some child?”

Meeting his frown with a defiant look, Brody silently asked what the problem was.

Aidan’s scowl deepened. His voice grew sharp.

“What is this made from?”

Startled, Brody’s defiance slipped.

Why is he asking that…?

Forcing calm, she tried to answer.

“Would you even know if I told you? Your Highness isn’t trained in herbs…”

“Why did you keep it a secret?”

He cut her off coldly.

“Yes, on second thought—if it were simply herbs, you would have left the recipe behind when you departed. But instead, you only said you would send more if it ran out. …I should have realized then.”

As Brody bit her lip tightly, he pressed on.

“Just now, downstairs, I saw it. The stains you hadn’t managed to clean yet. Splattered blood everywhere—but the droplets on the counter didn’t match the spray. And the wound on your arm. That wasn’t from the woman who attacked you. It was already treated. So who gave you that wound? Why?”

Brody’s expression darkened.

Ignoring her silence, Aidan delivered the final blow.

“Tell me. Is this medicine made from your blood?”

“……”

For a moment, Brody couldn’t answer. What could she possibly say? Yes? No? Should he know this at all? Was there a reason he shouldn’t?

Under his piercing, demanding gaze, she finally exhaled a cold reply.

“Does it matter what it’s made from?”

She hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but in trying to hide her panic, her tone came out stiff.

One of Aidan’s brows rose. His expression barely shifted, but it clearly said: Unbelievable.

“It matters very much. Tell me.”

Brody dropped her gaze to the floor, sighing.

“That’s… something I can’t tell you. It’s a trade secret…”

“Ha.”

That answer said enough. With a short, disbelieving breath, he spoke.

“Fine, Brody. From now on, I won’t be taking this medicine.”

Startled, Brody looked up.

“What? Why! Your headaches—”

But then she froze.

Because Aidan was striding toward the window, vial in hand, clearly intending to throw it out.

Instinctively, she rushed after him.

“You’re not seriously going to throw that away?!”

She grabbed at his cloak desperately, but he pressed on, unlatching the window.

“Give it here!”

Brody clung to his arm on tiptoe, but instead of pulling it down, she ended up dangling helplessly.

Furious, she cried out:

“You’re just going to throw away something made with my blood?!”

That stopped him cold.

Over his shoulder, his eyes burned with a storm of rage, grief, and regret.

Grinding out the words, he said:

“So it is blood.”

With that, his grip weakened, and Brody seized the vial back.

“No matter what I say, you won’t believe me anyway.”

She clutched it tightly to her chest.

“……”

Leaning against the unopened window, Aidan pressed his forehead into his hand. The gray backlight cast shadows across his ear and cheek, deepening the anguish on his face.

Brody swallowed hard.

“You thought I’d be glad if you bled for me and I got better?”

“I told you—I’m fine with it.”

She refused to back down.

Through his fingers, he looked at her. His eyes now held the quiet pain of a wounded beast.

Brody felt wronged.

“It’s just blood.”

She bled more during her monthly cycle than this.

She almost shouted it aloud, but bit it back. In this world, such words might shock Aidan into fainting.

Still, even aside from that—this much was no more than what doctors took for health checks. Blood replenished itself. She only needed to make the medicine once every three months.

Yes, it stung when she cut herself. But wasn’t that a small price to pay for him?

Of course, saying this won’t convince him.

So she tried another tack, putting herself in his shoes.

“Well… if it were the other way around, I probably wouldn’t feel good about it either. But—”

Looking up into his eyes, trembling, she whispered:

“But if it were reversed, wouldn’t Your Highness have done the same?”

If she suffered constant headaches, wouldn’t Aidan willingly give his blood? She was certain he would.

He sighed, raking his hair.

“That’s… I…”

Brody snapped, cutting him off.

“What makes us so different? You can endure headaches, but I can’t handle a scratch like this?”

He shook his head, voice heavy.

“No… It’s that I… I love you. But you… don’t feel the same, do you?”

“……”

Brody had braced herself to argue back—yet those words struck her dumb.

Love me?

But… but he pushed me away.

The memory of their wedding night surged back—the moment he tempted her, only to cast her aside. That bitter, humiliating rejection.

You told me this was just a contract. You made me prepare to let go, to think of the three years ahead. And now—you say you love me? How convenient.

Wait. And you don’t feel the same?

So in his eyes, I have no feelings for him at all? That I’m just using him? And he’s willingly letting me? What is he, a saint?

A wave of indignation pushed her to stammer out a reply.

“I don’t… I don’t dislike you, Your Highness.”

Damn it. It came out sounding like a shy confession.

Startled by her own trembling voice, Brody ducked her head. Her face burned red.

It’s not because I’m flustered—it’s because I’m angry!

Even as she protested inwardly, she felt his gaze.

“But you…”

He looked at her, then turned away.

“Ah, right. You said you liked my face and body.”

Yes, she had. Not because she’d asked for it, but whenever things reached that point, she hadn’t refused.

Even yesterday…

“Ha…”

Shaking his head, Aidan sighed.

So it’s possible even without love… I don’t understand. Still, whatever the reason, I was glad she accepted me. I have no right to complain.

“……!!”

Brody’s face blazed even hotter.

Yes, she had said that. True enough, she liked his face and body. But—

“T-that’s true, but…”

Her heart pounded wildly, her cheeks burning like ripe tomatoes.

“That’s not all.”

Perhaps because his indifference hurt, Brody couldn’t help but reach for him.

Aidan’s eyes wavered.

His heart thudded deep and strong. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms.

But then his knuckles whitened against the window frame.

With a long, ragged breath, he spoke.

“Don’t say that. You’ll only give me false hope. In the end, you’ll leave in three years.”

Don’t let me hope. Don’t let me expect. I must let you go. Otherwise…

He stepped forward—then withdrew again. Brody felt all strength drain from her.

Yes. In three years…

Maybe by approaching him, she only made it harder for him.

But still—

Does that mean I should stand by and watch him suffer?

Whether she loved him or not, whether she gave up her feelings or not—her desire to make medicine for him would not change.

Even as a subordinate, she would have done at least that much.

Clutching the vial tightly, she declared firmly, syllable by syllable:

“Regardless, I will make sure you take this medicine.”

At that, Aidan scowled, his tone sharp.

“I will never take it. Even if my head bursts from pain, I will not.”

Brody bit her lip, glaring at him with fiery resolve.

“We’ll see about that.”

With that, she spun on her heel and quietly left the room.