IRER 80

Chapter 80

 In the Sunset

Brody’s heart was racing in the glow of the sunset.

In truth, when Aidan had asked to talk, she had worried that he might say, “I’m sorry and thankful, but please don’t get involved anymore.”

Based on the attitude he had shown so far—his careful, almost fragile treatment of Brody—it was reasonable to expect such a response.

She had even prepared herself to insist and persuade him if necessary.

“As Duke of the North, I beg of you. Your help is desperately needed. I hope you, Brody, will aid the North.”

“……”

But he didn’t respond that way.

He set aside his previous attitude and recognized Brody honestly—not just her existence, but her abilities as well.

That wouldn’t have been easy in this era. Honestly, if he had been an ordinary nobleman, he might have said, “Don’t meddle in state affairs; women can’t understand these things.” Even in the 21st century, there are still people who would say such things.

No, this man really…

Despite his abilities, he was humble and capable of self-reflection.

He could have ignored it and accepted Brody’s help quietly. Regardless of Aidan’s fault, the contract was already in place, and Brody would inevitably be in danger without him. She wouldn’t have been able to prevent it.

In all of her past lives and memories from the Duke’s household, people had always tried to exploit Brody if she was useful in any way. Yet he treated her with respect, politely and sincerely.

He says he needs my help…

Brody felt a pang in her nostrils and couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Instead, Aidan continued:

“I know it’s a shameless request. I know that three years from now, it may cause you trouble—no, it will cause you trouble. So…”

The sound of a well-sharpened sword drawing from its sheath rang sharply.

He placed the sword before her as if offering it to Brody, speaking with formal reverence:

“I swear. With my honor, my life, and everything I have, I will protect you. I will safeguard the freedom you wish to protect.”

“……”

The cold northern wind enveloped them.

Though their cloaks fluttered and hair was tousled, the knight’s posture in his vow was unwavering.

Brody gazed at him silently before speaking slowly.

“Whatever happens to the North, it has nothing to do with me.”

“……”

Aidan’s eyes trembled slightly as he looked down. The knight’s resolve, unshaken even by the fierce wind, was stirred by the words of the woman he loved.

Am I too late?

He realized that all of this had happened because of his unilateral actions to get Brody, so if she rejected him, he had no right to complain.

As his head hung low, Brody’s skirt brushed into his view.

“Your Highness.”

“……”

Her voice was close. Reflexively, Aidan lifted his head.

Brody, crouched before him, met his gaze.

Aidan instinctively gasped.

Through her emerald eyes and delicately curved lashes, he could see them sparkling brilliantly.

Yes. Brody was smiling at him—radiantly, openly.

It wasn’t the polite, social smile she offered others. It wasn’t a silly smirk or a sarcastic grin.

It was a smile born of joy, spilling out naturally…

Aidan was bewildered. He had longed to see that smile, but rarely had he been able to…

And now? At this moment?

“Your Highness. I didn’t come to the North for the North. I came to see you. So whether the North is poor or rich doesn’t concern me much.”

“Uh……”

“I want to help the North because I want to help you. Because you love the North.”

Brody leaned forward and cupped Aidan’s cheeks with both hands.

Her soft lips met the deeply furrowed space between his brows.

The familiar scent and gentle touch made him catch his breath.

For me…

Her lips lingered briefly before pulling away.

Immediately, she stood and reached for the sword—an old comrade-in-arms, its leather-wrapped hilt polished from years of use.

It was longer and heavier than expected, and Brody had to exert effort to lift it from the ground.

Though not impossible to lift, this was a solemn vow, and she couldn’t let her arms shake. Planting her feet firmly and engaging her core, she raised the sword steadily.

“I will gladly accept this sword.”

“Then……”

“Yes. As long as Your Highness is here, I will protect the North alongside you.”

Aidan lifted his gaze to the woman standing before him.

She was fragile, yet carried herself with dignity. There was a clear, confident pride in her calm gaze. Perhaps it was the red-tinged sunset casting heavy shadows, but she looked almost otherworldly.

Goddess…

The title “Goddess of the North” was no exaggeration. Reverently, Aidan bowed his head again.

I will protect you. I will protect you, no matter what.

Clang. A sudden metallic sound made him look up.

Before him, the sword he had offered lay in the hands of the woman known as the Goddess of the North. She was breathing heavily, gripping the hilt tightly.

“Ah, it’s heavy. I’ll leave the sword to Your Highness again, is that alright?”

Watching her rub her sore arms, Aidan smiled faintly.

He sheathed the sword and stood.

By now, Brody had moved near the cliff’s edge, gazing at the view.

“Wow… the sunset is incredible here.”

“Yes. See that large empty space? It used to be a lake. At sunset, the reflection on the water was so breathtaking that it was almost too beautiful to witness alone.”

“I see.”

Brody nodded.

“So, Your Highness brought me here to show me the sunset. I thought….”

“Thought what?”

“That you were going to tell me about the North. The way up here and the view… I thought it was about the North.”

Aidan made a sheepish face and pressed his palm to his forehead.

“I don’t have a hobby of self-deprecating in public.”

“Uh… right.”

For a while, they stood side by side, watching the sun sink in the west.

The gentle sunset cast their shadows softly together.

❖ ❖ ❖

“By the way… you’re not angry?”

On the ride back to the village on Kys, Aidan asked cautiously from behind.

Brody knew what he meant—tracking her with the Ice Spirit’s power.

She waved her wrist, answering curtly:

“Angry? Of course I am. Giving this to someone you love is like putting them in shackles, isn’t it?”

Her exaggerated curt tone made it clear she was acting annoyed rather than genuinely angry.

Aidan, unaware, assumed she was really mad and panicked.

“I… I didn’t give it for that. I just… as a token…”

“Really? Then why did you use it to track me so well?”

“Well… that’s true, but that wasn’t the only reason.”

“So you won’t do it again?”

“……”

He didn’t answer. Silence implied refusal. Brody sighed.

“You’re not sorry, are you?”

“No, I am. Truly, I am sorry.”

“Hmm… really? Then grant me a wish.”

“Anything…! Ah…”

Aidan paused mid-sentence. Memories of giving careless answers causing trouble flashed in his mind. He thought carefully and replied:

“Anything except using your blood to cure my headache.”

Tch.

Brody’s attempt to get her wish by pretending to be angry had been read.

Sorry, Chief of Staff. I can’t solve this immediately.

She sighed inwardly, planning to ask later.

“Alright, fine. I’ll make a wish, and I’ll make it something even harder than that.”

“……”

Perhaps it was a mistake to offer. She didn’t know what creative wish she might propose.

“I’ll use it for you, not for me.”

“Okay, I’ll consider it.”

Aidan decided to change the subject, feeling uneasy.

“I… have a question too.”

“Go ahead.”

“That thing…”

“That thing?”

“That thing… about the trade goods you mentioned last in the meeting…”

“That thing? Oh, um… contraceptives?”

Brody’s mind pieced together the clue and she answered triumphantly.

“……”

Aidan stayed silent, blushing.

You brought it up to ask, but why so embarrassed?

Brody sighed and looked away. If she stared, they’d arrive at the village without speaking.

After the clip-clop of Kys’ hooves, Aidan finally spoke again:

“You… have been taking them until now?”

“……”

Brody remained silent, uncertain of his intentions.

Would contraception be taboo in this era?

Having children, especially for a noblewoman, symbolized power. Perhaps there wasn’t much reason to use contraception openly. But what if the couple wanted to space children? Records from previous eras show it was always needed.

If it couldn’t be sold openly, it could be sold discreetly. Aidan might oppose it, but River would surely push it if it helped the North.

Hmm, too far-fetched, Brody thought, and asked plainly:

“Why do you ask?”

“I… I’ve been worried.”

“Worried?”

“Having a child… wouldn’t that be a problem?”

Brody nodded in agreement, recalling that being pregnant or having a child at the wedding would be problematic. More importantly, having a child with him at all would be a problem.

She planned to leave the North in three years, so naturally, she had been taking contraceptives diligently.

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen. The ones I make are 99.99% effective.”

“Is that so…? When did you last take one?”

Hmm, now that she thought about it, it had been a long time. Since meeting him in the South, and especially since coming to the North, where Aidan had kept his distance.

“Back in the South… I think that was the last time.”

“I see…”

Brody furrowed her brows in curiosity.