IRER 78

Chapter 78

 I Think I Have a Rough Idea

Brody decided to turn a blind eye and change the subject for the sake of the two unfortunate people.

“It should be a greenhouse. I need a greenhouse. Since I have to conduct various experiments, I’d like a quiet, secluded place where secrecy can be guaranteed. You understand what I mean, right?”

Aidan nodded vigorously.

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Its rarity gives it value. I’ll make sure to prepare a place where the plant seeds or production methods won’t leak.”

Brody nodded in satisfaction at his answer.

Since the plant alchemist’s abilities needed to be used, a secretive location was absolutely necessary. Aidan knew this well, so he could answer easily.

River also returned to her professional stance—the kind where you could almost hear her mind spinning.

“We should arrange it as soon as possible. It seems difficult to do it here anyway. Since we were planning to move, how about going to the Count Coral’s territory?”

Aidan stroked his chin as he replied.

“I see. We also have to pay respects at the mausoleum… and since he’s been insisting we come, we can’t really delay it further either.”

“Yes. The Grand Duchy will be difficult to access in winter because of the snow, so perhaps it’s best to stay entirely within the count’s territory this winter. To implement the plans we discussed, we’ll need to be as far south as possible.”

“All winter? Are you sure it’s okay not to go to the Grand Duchy?”

There was also the victory ceremony. Since they had become independent from the empire, a national proclamation coronation needed to be held. Now that the Grand Duchess was present, the wedding had to be conducted ceremoniously. Although the marriage vows were already made, an event that satisfied the citizens was necessary. Additionally, they had to see the late Grand Duchess…

Aidan’s brows furrowed deeper.

As if reading his thoughts, River responded.

“Let’s postpone protocol for a while. Since it’s already delayed, preparing it thoroughly and revealing it spectacularly will make a good impression. Also… it might be better not to go to the Grand Duchy right away. ‘That person’ will need time as well.”

Aidan nodded.

River’s words implied that some arrangements had already been handled at the Grand Duchy.

“Is the Lyupe tribe still active?”

“Yes. That’s why the late Grand Duchess probably won’t be able to leave her position anyway.”

Several things mentioned in their conversation were unfamiliar to Brody, but she remained silent and listened.

River gave Brody a brief explanation of the situation, and she nodded.

After the meeting, River dismissed them.

“Now, let’s return to our respective tasks. Oh, by the way, you two.”

As Aidan and Brody were about to leave the conference room, River called them back, and both stopped in their tracks.

Looking back curiously, River spoke in a casual tone.

“When will you have a child?”

“…….”

Luckily, they were standing still; if they had been walking, they would have definitely faltered and shown their surprise.

Aidan sealed his lips completely, and Brody, having quickly composed herself, answered.

“Is that something we need to report to the Chief of Staff?”

River raised an eyebrow, a look that clearly said, Of course. What’s the problem?

“Since you’ve already made your marriage vows, there’s no problem, but please wait until the coronation. We’ll hold the wedding ceremony grandly with the coronation, and it would be inconvenient if the bride were already pregnant or had a child.”

“Ah…”

“It may be awkward to say ‘newlyweds,’ but Her Highness the Grand Duchess… she can make that, so it should be fine. I’ll be relieved.”

“Ah… haha… ha… I’ll be careful.”

Aidan, flushed red, glared at River over Brody’s shoulder.

River shrugged and avoided his gaze.

When Brody turned back toward the door, Aidan, startled, quickly turned away, unable to look at her. Without making eye contact with Brody, he opened the door.

“Oh, by the way. Grand Duchess, please stay for a moment. I have something to tell you.”

“Oh, really?”

Brody stopped in response to River’s call.

Aidan was curious, but the timing wasn’t right to ask. His body was already halfway out the door. Despite the awkward feeling, he had no choice but to close the door.

“You’re not outside, are you, Your Highness? It’s not for you, so please go ahead.”

With his sharp hearing, Aidan could probably hear the conversation beyond the door. Following River’s subtle push, he eventually trudged outside.

“What’s going on? Am I the only one?”

“Did you two fight?”

“……”

River asked directly.

Brody was momentarily startled—no warning at all. In this era, there were no indicators, so what’s the right metaphor?

She slowly answered, choosing her words carefully.

“No, we didn’t. Why?”

“Because your matters aren’t just yours alone.”

“……”

‘We didn’t exactly fight…’

They hadn’t fully resolved the headache medicine issue, and on top of that, they hadn’t finished discussing the problem of being tracked by the ice spirit. Since then, they had remained awkward around each other.

‘Can’t exactly say we fought…’

While caring for Caleb, Brody had spent almost all her time in the same room as him.

As a result, Aidan was left isolated, though Brody had actually been considerate of him.

When Brody was nearby, he would firmly refuse to sleep in the bed. If she wasn’t around, he could at least rest comfortably.

Even so, Aidan grew increasingly haggard.

His face showed fatigue, along with traces of headaches—like his appearance before meeting Brody during wartime.

People began to fear Aidan again. Moreover, when Brody and Aidan were together, they watched their behavior closely.

‘Understood. Their matters aren’t just theirs alone.’

River’s concern made sense, and Brody had also been pondering this.

Brody, fidgeting with her curly hair, sighed and leaned against the door she was about to leave through.

River silently observed her, arms crossed.

“Well, rather than fought… so…”

Brody hesitated, choosing her words carefully. River sighed.

“I think I have a rough idea. His Highness the Grand Duke must be being stubborn.”

“…Yes?”

“I’ve seen this for a day or two. I don’t know the exact reason, but I assume he’s acting stubbornly for the Grand Duchess.”

What? A mind reader? A prophet? They’ve been working together for a long time, so I guess they know each other well.

Brody couldn’t nod, but River took that as a positive response.

“You two are not just any couple. You must maintain a good relationship. That’s what proves your legitimacy. I believe you understand.”

‘Their legitimacy.’ The woman Aidan brought along, even deserting the formation for, had no social standing or connections. Thus, the North could only recognize their relationship through love. River had packaged it as a beautiful tale.

“Your relationship also affects the North’s morale. People in this village are already paying attention, aren’t they?”

“I understand, River.”

Brody raised her hands as if to say she got it. River smiled.

“I’ll be expecting it.”

Brody sighed and grabbed the door handle.

“I’ll try, but don’t expect too much. I can’t promise.”

“Ah, yes, moderately. Just moderately.”

River’s mockery of “moderately” suggested she felt good about the meeting.

Still, Brody felt an even greater burden as she stepped outside.

❖ ❖ ❖

The conference room was on the first floor, attached to the women’s dormitory, in a small room beside the large hall.

Outside, clear sunlight and chilly air greeted Brody.

Since it was only a five-minute walk to her quarters, she wore simple winter clothes and hurried.

‘Brrr, chilly.’

Her long breath scattered in the opposite direction of her walk.

Her mind was full of worries about how to resolve things with Aidan.

“Brody.”

She didn’t hear the quiet voice calling her.

So, when Aidan caught her arm while keeping pace, Brody was slightly startled.

“Your Highness?”

Aidan looked at her with a tired expression.

Perhaps because she had been thinking of him, his slumped figure made a corner of Brody’s heart ache.

Since they needed to reconcile anyway, Brody smiled gently.

His expression darkened even further.

‘Why…?’

Confused, Brody heard Aidan speak.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“Uh… yes? Ah, okay.”

Brody hadn’t expected him to prepare a spot first, so she responded in a daze.

He draped his cloak over her shoulders and guided her toward the potato field.

Though the villagers were busy with their work, they still watched the two closely. That’s probably why he suggested moving to a quieter spot.

But Brody didn’t like it.

She tugged at the hem of his coat.

“The potato field… I’m not sure about that.”

“….”

It was the same place where they had a mishap after drinking recently. If they stood there again, they’d attract everyone’s attention.

Aidan quickly realized why she was uncomfortable.

He brought out Kaise from the stables.

Brody thought it was a good choice.

In this small village, there was no way to escape people’s eyes anyway.

Aidan lifted her onto the horse. Brody could hear the small gasps of nearby women at how easily he lifted an adult woman. Aidan, seemingly indifferent, mounted Kaise calmly.

Saluting the guards, the two rode out of the village in a tender display.

“Shall we ride a bit faster?”

“Sounds good.”

It had been a long time since she had gone out. Though Aidan occasionally went outside for work, Brody had been mostly confined to her quarters caring for him.

And, of course, there was the awkwardness with Aidan, and the embarrassment over the drunken mishap.

Though she had grown accustomed to long journeys, running without a purpose lightened her heart.

Her face quickly flushed from the cold wind and exercise.

Yet… with his unfamiliar yet comforting presence behind her, she felt no cold at all.

It was a rare feeling of security.

‘My heart’s racing, yet I feel so at ease. How strange.’

She was nervous about what he wanted to talk about, but she was glad he had approached her first.

Today, she resolved to resolve things properly with him, her heart brimming with anticipation.