IRER 84

Chapter 84 

 The Chief of Staff Has It Hard~

“Why do you two look so tired?”

River frowned as he looked at Brody, who was yawning repeatedly at the conference table, and Aidan, whose dark circles made his eyes look hollow.

They had seemed to reconcile well yesterday, so why were they like this now? River’s expression practically asked that question out loud.

Unlike River, however, the others who saw them today weren’t worried that the two looked tired. Instead, they were sending them sly, knowing smiles.

“What kind of night did they have to not sleep a wink~?”

That was surely the meaning behind those smiles.

But Brody was too exhausted to care about those looks.

In front of them, River’s important presentation was continuing. His own face was sharp with fatigue—he must have spent the night awake planning their next moves.

“And so, afterward, we all move from the fortress to the Count’s territory.”

His reasoning was sound, so Brody and Aidan nodded.

River’s proposed plan was as follows:

First priority: build a fortress. To that end, distribute a certain amount of relief supplies to the villages while recruiting laborers to construct it.

Next, send out groups of three or four knights to various regions. They would deliver emergency relief, explain that a major state project was upcoming, and begin recruiting manpower. The details needn’t be exhaustive—simply explaining that they intended to build a fortress in the Sidamo region for national defense would suffice.

River himself would head straight to Sidamo, the site of the fortress. He would survey the land, gather information, plan, and prepare the foundation.

Aidan, with his mobility and reputation as the face of the North, would stop by major villages where knights had already been dispatched, gauge public sentiment, and then move south.

Eventually, they would all gather at Sidamo, the future fortress site.

Once the fortress construction system was in motion, everyone would head north to the Coral County. The Coral family would be preparing greenhouses in the meantime.

After that, they would reside in the county while pushing both the fortress project and trade initiatives.

“Clear and straightforward,” Brody said, suppressing a yawn. In front of River, who had clearly worked overnight, she couldn’t bring herself to show how tired she was.

Aidan, on the other hand, was uneasy.

According to this plan, he would have to take Brody back south of the Ferdan Fortress.

Strengthening the North was the first step in resisting the Empire. That was undeniable, and it was for Brody’s sake as well. To do that, Aidan had no choice but to head south.

Brody couldn’t be left behind. Though she could remain in the North, being by Aidan’s side was far safer.

Aidan’s frown deepened.

River, puzzled at Aidan’s scowl and his apparent headache despite seeming reconciled with Brody, gave Brody a questioning look.

Brody caught his meaning but deliberately played dumb and spoke.

“Ah, just when I thought we’d be able to stay put, we’re moving again.”

River raised an eyebrow and replied curtly, “Why is that a concern for Your Highness, the Grand Duchess?”

“Huh?”

“Your Highness should remain here and focus on producing trade goods. Stay here until the county greenhouses are completed, then move there. Or better yet, you could go with the young Countess now and stay there right away.”

“……!”

River, who had said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, was startled to see both Brody and Aidan staring at him with wide eyes.

“What’s with those looks?”

“Oh, I just assumed I’d be going with Your Highness.”

River pulled back his chin in disbelief.

“Excuse me? There won’t be much for the Grand Duchess to do there. It’ll only be hardship. Not to mention, travel will be slower with you along.”

“……”

He wasn’t wrong. But the two of them couldn’t be separated. They couldn’t tell River the true reason—that it was because of the Princess’s ability.

Brody and Aidan exchanged quick glances. A silent agreement was made.

Brody deliberately moved closer to Aidan, clinging tightly to his arm.

“I don’t want to. I don’t want to be apart from Your Highness…”

“……”

Both Aidan and River froze in shock—but for completely different reasons.

Aidan felt his face heat up and forced himself to play along.

“Y-yes! We can’t be apart. I must go with Brody.”

“Come now, Your Highness. Didn’t you say Duke Jax wanted to take the Grand Duchess with him? She’d be safer beyond the fortress, wouldn’t she?”

At River’s exasperated look, Aidan declared firmly, “The safest place for Brody is at my side.”

“……”

His acting, meant to match Brody’s words, had come out far too over-the-top.

River’s eyes narrowed. What’s wrong with this guy? Has he lost it?

But his frustration didn’t seem to reach Brody, who, uncharacteristically stern, added to River, “Chief of Staff. Separating a newlywed couple brings down punishment, you know.”

River let out a hollow laugh, lifting one corner of his mouth.

“Unbelievable. Do you think I’m doing this for my amusement? I’m suggesting the most efficient course. Honestly, now’s the time you two should be keeping your hands to yourselves.”

“We’ll work just fine. While you’re away, I’ll plan out the trade goods project and put it all into documents.”

“……”

River was struck dumb by her retort. What she had just said was, to him, the perfect persuasion.

After all, this was Brody’s responsibility—work only she could do. If she got it done regardless of where she was, did it matter where she stayed?

Still, it would be hard work. Risky, even.

River rubbed his temples, deep in thought.

He felt he could find a way to convince Brody. But the real problem was Aidan.

Hadn’t there already been multiple incidents? Skipping out on critical duties to dash off south, marrying without consulting River—though in hindsight, that one was at least somewhat understandable.

And the cause of it all was the very woman standing before him, Brody. If he tried to separate her from Aidan again, who knew what reckless stunt Aidan might pull?

River preferred predictable stability over dangerous gambles.

He shot Aidan a long, withering glare before making his decision.

“Ha… damn it, now I have to recalculate the whole schedule and budget.”

Though he turned away, muttering irritably, both Aidan and Brody knew he was yielding.

They exchanged apologetic looks toward his back—not that River saw them.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Tomorrow? You mean immediately?”

Caleb looked dumbfounded.

“Yes. That’s why I wanted your opinion, Caleb—what should we do?”

“Of course, I’ll be escorting my lady.”

“Well… since we need to move quickly, I’ll be riding with His Highness.”

“You mean… no attendants?”

“None at all.”

Caleb’s brow furrowed deeper. He was clearly displeased, though his silence suggested he was weighing the situation.

“This is already decided, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

At Brody’s matter-of-fact answer, Caleb sighed heavily.

“Then I’ll prepare accordingly.”

Brody nodded lightly, then asked, “What about you, Caleb? You can stay in this village, or remain in Ferdan with Lady Murphy.”

After some thought, Caleb replied, “You said that after regrouping at Sidamo, you’d all head to Coral County, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll travel with the party heading to Sidamo. You’ll need attendants for the return.”

It wasn’t what Brody had expected, but his reasoning was sound.

She could certainly manage without attendants, as she had before. But if Caleb wished to come, she had no reason to refuse.

“Alright, I’ll inform the Chief of Staff.”

“So the Chief of Staff will be going as well.”

Ah, right. Brody recalled the tension between Caleb and River.

Thinking of their awkward relationship, she asked, “Would that be a problem? The other knights will be stopping at villages, so I thought you might go directly to Sidamo with him.”

Caleb silently shook his head.

“No. I only wondered if the Chief of Staff might be uncomfortable. If you permit it, I’ll join their group.”

And so it was decided—Caleb would travel with River’s party to Sidamo.

But the next morning, Caleb was already waking Brody early, urging her to get ready.

I only just fell asleep…

The night before, she had stayed up late sketching out plans for southern trade, finally dozing off at last. Now, forcing her heavy eyelids open, she sluggishly rose from bed.

Aidan’s spot beside her was already empty.

Caleb swiftly set about preparing her. With practiced hands, he dressed and adorned her, finishing everything before departure time.

Her surcoat was velvet, densely embroidered with golden threads, and the pointed lace sleeves extending to her hands peeked out elegantly beneath.

A fur-trimmed cloak nearly hid the fine details, which was almost a shame.

“This must be uncomfortable to wear…”

“These were chosen for their practicality, as much as possible,” Caleb replied firmly.

She couldn’t argue—she had recently agreed it was important to uphold the dignity of the Grand Duchess of the North.

Not satisfied with just the clothes, Caleb lavished care on her hair and cloak as well.

The cloak, made from northern Harkel fabric, was light yet warm, fastened by a clasp of intricate filigree inlaid with pearls.

Her hair was half-up, braided at the sides, twisted into a unique shape, and pinned with green-jeweled hairpins. Finally, he set a delicate circlet of twisted metal leaves atop her head.

“You know I could never do this myself.”

“Yes, unfortunately. But at least wear it for today.”

Watching the countless pins gleaming in her hair, Brody drooped her brows with concern.

It wouldn’t be easy even to remove them later.

Well, being the Grand Duchess is no easy job. This is work too—yes, work.

Though it was her own body being dressed up, she couldn’t help but admire Caleb’s astonishing skill.

With quick, deft movements, he transformed her appearance until she looked like something out of a movie.

At first, Brody had gasped in awe—but soon, her mounting drowsiness overcame her, and her eyes drooped half-shut.

“My lady.”

“Mmnh… but…”

At Caleb’s gentle rebuke, she only pouted.

She was already sleepy, and now his soft, almost magical touch on her hair lulled her further. Not even a titan could have kept her eyelids open.

Her recently bathed skin glowed, smooth and fresh, while her golden wheat-colored hair, softened with fragrant oils, flowed like honey.

Thus, Brody became the most striking, otherworldly figure in Potato Village.

Their once modest lodging now looked shabby, as if unworthy of such a noblewoman.

Even her drowsy, half-lidded gaze carried an air of mystique that only heightened her commanding presence.

The bustling crowd hushed, and as Brody passed, people bent deeply at the waist to pay their respects.

It was only when even Lady Connie, usually so familiar, bowed silently that Brody, in her daze, realized something was unusual.