IRER 10

Chapter 10

I’m sorry, Your Highness. I just…

“Please… grant me my freedom.”

At Brody’s words, the Grand Duke of the Ice Wall looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Free…dom?”

Nervous, Brody felt her lips drying up. She found herself unconsciously curling her lips inward and fidgeting.

“Um…”

She was about to explain further—to share her knowledge of brewing the tea the Duke liked and how to cultivate crops.

But Aidan spoke first.

“That’s not a difficult request.”

“…What?”

Brody widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at Aidan.

“I’ll issue the order—no one is to stop you. You can enter any place you wish without needing anyone’s permission.”

“…What?”

“I was wondering what you’d ask for, and it turns out to be something so obvious. Haven’t I already said I’d take you as my duchess? Your will shall soon be regarded as my own.”

“Ah…”

Aidan watched Brody’s expression. But he didn’t see the reaction he had hoped for.

“I said I’d grant your wish… Aren’t you happy?”

He muttered the last part, sounding somewhat disappointed.

Catching his words, Brody quickly forced a smile.

“Ah… haha, yes! Freedom! Yes! I was just so surprised by how readily you agreed—it makes me very happy!”

Internally crying, Brody clapped her hands.

She hadn’t fully grasped the nature of this world. That was her mistake.

She had simply thought of freedom as escaping captivity.

She had tried to explain more—but gave up. She didn’t think he would allow it. No, even if he did, it probably wouldn’t end well.

‘Well, it’s fine. I’m no longer being treated as a prisoner. I just need to wait for the right time.’

In fact, when the Grand Duke and his soldiers had gone off to war, Brody had realized she could have escaped if she really wanted to.

But leaving without finishing what she had started would have endangered too many lives, so she hadn’t even considered it.

Now, however, everything was wrapping up.

While Brody was lost in thought, Aidan continued to study her face.

She said she was happy, but something felt lacking.

Sensing his gaze, Brody stood up and asked,

“Shall I make you tea for the first time in a while?”

“Bri.”

Aidan called to her just as she stood.

Brody turned back to him with a questioning smile.

“Just… don’t knock me out this time.”

Startled, Brody’s hand clenched involuntarily. Had she been holding something, she might have dropped it.

“…Excuse me?”

“I suspected something was in it. I didn’t know from the beginning, of course.”

“U-uh…”

“You’re good with herbs, aren’t you? It made sense in hindsight.”

“Your Highness… that…”

Brody turned pale. As Aidan approached, she instinctively stepped back.

Seeing her frightened, Aidan stopped and looked bitter.

“I’m not blaming you. I just…”

He reached out his hand.

But Brody was out of reach.

He continued,

“It’s just that… I trust you that much. Even to a degree that surprises me.”

Brody looked at his hand while shrinking back.

Her heart pounded wildly at his words.

Her eyes trembled, and she bit her inner lip without realizing.

‘But…’

But she still wasn’t ready to respond.

“I’ll… go make the tea.”

She turned away, ignoring his hand, and rushed to the brazier.

Aidan withdrew his hand, feeling its coldness in the air.

With her back to him, Brody set the kettle on the fire.

‘He knew? That I put meshu in the tea?’

Her hand trembled slightly as she held the pot.

‘And he still drank it?’

Brody had vaguely sensed Aidan’s affection toward her.

At first, she thought he just desired a physical relationship…

Well, he clearly did want her that way.

But that wasn’t all.

‘How could I not notice? The way he looks at me…’

It was hard to pretend not to notice his intense gaze every morning.

Whenever she stirred, he’d scurry away awkwardly, so she pretended not to know.

Brody couldn’t quite understand it.

No, it felt too awkward.

The idea that someone’s affection could be directed solely at her.

‘Well, I did cure his headaches. And I’ll probably solve the prisoner and food problems too.’

That was how she’d rationalized his feelings—just appreciation for a competent subordinate.

But still…

How could he trust her like that?

‘He could’ve died. And yet… he still trusted me?’

A strange emotion surged in her.

Was it the heat from the brazier? Her face was burning up.

But she couldn’t blame the brazier for how wildly her heart was beating.

She moved slowly, wishing the water would take longer to boil, that the tea brewing would never end.

But eventually, the perfectly brewed tea was ready.

With no other choice, Brody brought over the cup.

The sweet, bitter scent reached Aidan’s nose familiarly.

He accepted the cup with a faint smile.

“Thank you.”

He savored the aroma elegantly, then drank the tea without hesitation.

Brody bit her lip as she watched. She looked even more nervous than Aidan, who had just drunk the tea.

Aidan’s vision blurred. He felt dazed, but didn’t fall asleep.

Maybe it was because Brody had adjusted the dosage carefully.

He was still conscious—just enough to plead with her.

“I came back alive.”

He lifted her hands and kissed them. Her cold hands made his lips feel all the warmer.

“Yes… you came back safely.”

Brody responded with a trembling voice, but she didn’t meet his gaze.

Aidan frowned slightly, feeling a headache. When would the medicine take effect?

He had thought about this place every day.

It wasn’t that he missed the cold, dark barracks.

It was… because she was here.

For the first time in his life, he wanted to return—not out of duty, but desire.

Being apart had only made his feelings clearer.

That he wanted this woman.

He lowered his head and leaned in, his lips hovering near her face.

‘Just for today… can I be selfish?’

His hazy mind helped justify it.

“Is it okay?”

He asked.

“If you don’t want to, I won’t. I promise.”

Brody furrowed her brows, biting her lip. Her pupils trembled, her eyelids blinking rapidly.

Part of her wanted to close her eyes and accept his kiss.

But… was it right?

She was planning to leave.

And knowing how serious his feelings were made it even harder.

Reason told her to step back. But her heart beat louder in defiance.

She truly didn’t know what to do.

Desire, guilt, and pressure crashed into her all at once.

Reading her hesitation, Aidan gently brought his lips close to hers.

Brody squeezed her eyes shut.

His lips touched hers, even as she tightly bit down on her own.

Then he shifted, kissing her again, more softly.

Brody’s hands, gripped in his, tightened—while her lips gradually relaxed.

As the kisses deepened, her knees weakened.

Aidan gently swept her up and carried her to the bed.

It was just a cot in the barracks—hardly soft—but the warm fur welcomed her.

“Bri… Bri…”

He called her name in a slightly hoarse voice.

Bri…

Brody flinched and wrapped her arms around his neck. She suddenly felt like crying.

I’m sorry, Your Highness. I can’t live up to your trust.

❖ ❖ ❖

Once the Fortress of Ferdan was conquered, advancing toward the Imperial Capital was easy.

Cities without proper defenses fell one by one.

Their troops were in complete disarray—no one had even considered the possibility of the fortress falling.

‘I didn’t think it would go this smoothly…’

Brody was bewildered.

Originally, Aidan was supposed to die by Brody’s hand.

Once the Grand Duke of the North died, his faction was nearly wiped out.

He had been both a powerful figure and the symbolic heart of the North.

Seeing the results of him being alive now only made her realize how large that void would have been.

‘From the Imperial family’s perspective, Brody’s contribution would’ve been enormous.’

Well—not anymore.

Now, Brody was someone who had failed to assassinate the Duke—and worse, had provided food to strengthen his army.

From the Empire’s perspective, she was nothing but a traitor.

Her instincts spoke clearly:

I must never meet with anyone from the Imperial side.

To the Northern forces, however, Brody was a hero. Since her arrival, everything had gone smoothly.

The Grand Duke and his soldiers cherished her like a goddess of fortune.

And Brody, seeing their joy, broke into a cold sweat.

Their cheers would only weigh heavier when her betrayal came to light.

Ah… How did things get this far…

With a long sigh, Brody looked toward the returning army, the Duke and soldiers arriving in victory, as she worked in the fields.

As the Grand Duke won more victories, his trips south grew longer.

Soon, they’d likely relocate their base further down.

“Aren’t you going to greet them?”

The leader of the female captives, Connie, asked with a bright smile.

Before long, Connie had begun addressing her with respect.

And not just Connie—the other captives and even the soldiers had begun to treat her with reverence.

At first it felt awkward, but Brody had accepted it. She understood her role was to lead.

Connie’s once gaunt face now had healthy color, and the fear in her eyes had been replaced with spirit.

Brody looked around the field.

Women like Connie now worked with lively energy.

Seeing them, Brody smiled and asked Connie,

“You can manage everything here without me now, right?”

“Yes, of course. Leave it to me.”

“Don’t go sharing the secrets with just anyone. That knowledge could save your lives.”

Connie nodded solemnly at Brody’s firm words.

“And… please try to follow the Grand Duke. He’s done a lot for all of you.”

“Yes, I know.”

Connie’s sincere reply made Brody smile brightly in return.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Brody left the field, walking away. After a few steps, she looked back.

The woman, sensing her gaze, waved.

Brody waved back.

After a moment, she turned and resumed walking.

Connie tilted her head in confusion.

Why is she acting like someone about to leave for good? Ah… maybe she’s heading south with the Grand Duke.

She shrugged it off. It wasn’t a big concern for her. Smiling contentedly, she turned back to the crops.