I’m A Sucker For Extras - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Chapter 20

“Your Grace, I can’t.”

Aidan’s heart, which had been filled with warmth at her response, instantly turned cold.

Blood seemed to drain from his body.

‘Why.’

He wanted to ask Brody, but his lips couldn’t bring themselves to utter the words.

As Aidan stiffened, Brody moved.

She pulled away from his embrace and stood up.

“I’d prefer if you told me tomorrow.”

Then he turned and muttered.

“If that’s the case, you could have kicked me out tomorrow.”

“Brody!”

Aidan stood up and approached Brody, who was showing her back. He hugged her and said,

“Please.”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

Brody pulled away from his arms. Unlike a moment ago, she was now cold and firm.

‘It’s because I am lonely.’

It seemed like she tried to use him out of loneliness, if only for today.

‘You’re not even going to go with him.’

A sense of self-loathing crept in.

With her back turned, Brody spoke.

“Please go back, Your Grace.”

It seemed even harder to push him away when she looked at him.

No matter how much she thought about it, she didn’t belong by his side.

Becoming his wife was no easy matter.

The life of Jax’s mother, Duchess Sun, whom she watched over her shoulder in the memory of “the original Brody,” was not easy.

Even though it might mean good food and nice clothes without having to do menial tasks, there were plenty of other responsibilities.

It took the Duchess a week to look around the house in order.

Engaging in appropriate social activities was also an important virtue.

Numerous small parties and grand receptions.

While made by maids and servants, planning and giving orders were the lady’s responsibilities.

Parties and receptions were not always enjoyable.

It was like a war waged on an icy battlefield during the nobles’ conversations.

If one enjoyed that kind of nature, it might be better…

Brody’s temperament was not about working like a cow, nor was it about engaging in confrontations with people.

Sometimes, ladies with delicate health withdrew from public life with their husband’s consent.

But neglecting those duties would incur penalties for the family.

Not to mention being the companion of the Duke of the North, a newly formed position in the country.

It was undoubtedly a crucial position.

She was not the one suited for it, as far as he could see.

A duchess is the kind of person who can’t abandon her duty. She would certainly not stand still if she saw a need.

If I do it, I have to do it for sure, so there was no way I could do it roughly.

‘Yes, let’s say I tolerate the difficult tasks a hundred times and succeed. But…’

Brody didn’t have the courage to walk on thin ice, risking her life.

Moreover, her identity and position were not ordinary. She was a spy who tried to kill the Duke and was also related to the imperial family’s loyal person, Jax McCarthy.

Even if she could hide the fact, the fact that she was a prisoner, meaning she was on the Empire’s side, was already public knowledge.

Becoming the Duchess? That was a very easy way to look bad for both the north and the empire. And that would be a threat not only to her but also to Aidan.

Seeing him descend into darkness today, these thoughts became even stronger.

Life is a life where you have to risk your life in fear of whether he lived or died. Plus, she is risking her life.

She didn’t want to go through that feeling twice.

‘So, I shouldn’t choose to fall for the sweetness of the moment and jump into the fire pit.’

“Is it because I am not good enough?”

Aidan asked in a trembling voice.

“Things are better now in the North too. It will be better in the future…..”

He swallowed his words.

No matter how good the north was, it was clear that the environment in which Brody had lived, that is, the rich capital, would be less than the one in Duke Jax’s mansion.

“No, it’s an excuse. I’ll take care of you. I’ll take care of you so well that you won’t even think you’re lacking anything.”

Brody smiled bitterly.

‘I don’t want that.’

But contrary to her heart, she spoke coldly.

‘It seems I have to go out harshly here.’

“Do you think I’m demanding something?”

She turned around.

Aidan couldn’t answer and just looked at her.

She looked unfamiliar, with a cold, stiff face and a cynical expression.

“Your Highness, if the people of the North knew that you were in this situation, they would be greatly disappointed. Even if you had just listened to your chief of staff, you wouldn’t make such an absurd judgement,chasing after a woman and neglecting your duties.”

Every word from Brody hit Aidan’s heart. Because most of it was true.

“Your Grace, how well do you really know me? Do you know me as more than just a captive or a spy? I was probably the one tailored to your liking. What you wanted was probably just a fantasy.”

Aidan, with his head bowed, asked,

“Was it all a lie?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Exactly.”

“Lies.”

Suddenly, Aidan’s mood changed.

He slowly raised his gaze. Brody tried not to look surprised as she met his sharp eyes.

“Rather than confessing that it was all a lie, it would have been more effective for you to say that you didn’t like me.”

Aidan’s right hand, which held her left arm, suddenly tightened.

Aidan stared at her intently, as if not wanting to miss any movement.

“You promised to make efforts to keep the prisoners alive, and even while running away, you promised to send periodic pain relief. You also considered not causing harm to the North’s war. So, didn’t it disappear after everything was over? Are you going to claim that it was your actions as a prisoner of war or a spy?”

Brody couldn’t respond. Everything he said was true.

Seeing her avoid eye contact, Aidan continued.

“Moreover, you saved me twice. You didn’t poison me, and today, if left alone, I would have died, but you saved me. I can’t believe you think I’ll be deceived by such words. Do you think I’m a fool?”

Saying that, he took a step closer. Brody took a step back without realizing it..

“Why, Brody? Why didn’t you kill me?”

As he continued to approach, she had nowhere else to retreat.

“Oohh.”

When Brody almost stumbled, Aidan embraced her and moved her to a safe place.

“Brody…”

He came close to Brody, whispering desperately.

“Tell me the truth.”

Brody lowered her head, biting her lip.

“Are you sure? Are you ready to hear the truth?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright, let me tell you why I didn’t kill you.”

She slowly lifted her head.

They say a good lie is 90% truth and 10% falsehood for effectiveness.

Brody prepared herself and began speaking.

“I liked Your Grace’s face and body.”

Aidan’s arm around her back stiffened. It was an unexpected answer. Aidan blinks in surprise. It was embarrassing.

“What?”

So he blurted out such a clumsy remark.

Taking advantage of the situation, Brody lifted her hand and rested it on his collarbone.

As he only had a blanket wrapped around his waist, he had taken off his top. Brody’s palm touched his thick chest.

She lifted her head, whispering into his ear.

“Your Grace was so good.”

Thump. The sound was enough to make Aidan blush; from his ears to his neck, the quick flow of blood was noticeable.

“You must be disappointed because of that reason.”

Saying so, Brody chuckled softly.

Even she was surprised. She was good at acting like this.

Aidan’s arm, holding onto Brody, trembled.

The shock seemed beyond imagination.

“Anyway, that’s it…”

“Is it true?”

Interrupting Brody, he asked.

“…what?”

Not sure what kind of reaction it was, Brody mumbled.

“…Are you sure about that?”

He asked with his head turned, not meeting her gaze.

“…Yes?”

Unsure of the reaction, Brody mumbled again.

“…Then…”

“Is it because I… did well?”

“…”

Brody blinks her eyes two or three times quickly.

This time, Brody was the one shocked.

Sweat dripped down his face, but he continued.

“Anyway, I thought it was because I’m not confident… that I’m too bad or rough… that you don’t like me… something like that? Well, I mean… it’s a relief…”

No, she didn’t mean to think it was a relief.

Brody felt a sense of defeat.

His appearance was too charming.

It was acting, but when she approached him seductively, her emotions were burning.

“Ha… but it’s not like I’m giving up my freedom for that.”

‘Oh, I’m doomed. Bad Girl’s acting is ruined! Stuttering here! I’m spraying my own ashes on the cooked rice! ’

Without letting go of Brody, he spoke.

“Tell me, Brody. Do you dislike me?”

“No, um, I mean, I do like Your Grace’s body.”

“Is that so?”

He pulled Brody closer, and their bodies pressed against each other.

“Tell me. If you say no with certainty, I will not force you any more. How can I ask you to come with me when you dislike me?”

“Are you saying that it is okay if I like only your face and body?”

“Anything is fine. As long as I can keep you close, it doesn’t seem like a refusal.”

“No…!”

“Look into my eyes and say it.”

Aidan leaned closer, bringing his nose near Brody’s, aligning their gazes.

‘Is this guy crazy? Is he out of his mind? ’

His well-defined nose emitted a warmth that seemed to touch Brody’s nose. His slightly parted lips looked incredibly soft and warm against his sharply chiseled face.

The naturally tousled black hair, contrasting with his forehead, gave him an oddly sexy vibe.

Thick and firm eyebrows. Affectionate pupils contrast with sharp eyes. How could cold sapphire eyes exude such a poignant feeling?

“…?”

It was strange. Looking into his eyes, she couldn’t say she disliked him.

‘How is this possible? I thought I was good at acting, but I take it back.’ Disappointed in herself, Brody shifted her gaze here and there.

The upper hand had completely shifted to Aidan.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’ll be good; I can do anything.”

He chuckled and kissed Brody on the cheek.

“Your Grace, really! You’re like a playful man!”

“If dedicating myself to one person makes me a playful man, then I’ll be that way.”

Why is he suddenly so talkative?

Feeling irritated, Brody grabbed Aidan’s shoulders and pushed him away.

However, his body didn’t budge.

“Just say one word if you want to stop.”

He whispered in her ear, as Brody did earlier.

“I don’t like it.”

“What?”

She got goosebumps. Brody’s face was already flush, and it was a mess.

‘Oh, what the hell do you want me to do? ‘

She had a tearful look, but she didn’t push him away any more.

She couldn’t do that.

How could she reject such fascinating warmth? The sensation imprinted on her body touching her heart flew anxiously and raised her temperature. Her head was already in a mess, longing for the joy that would follow.

What’s going on with this guy who’s more dangerous when he’s sober than when he’s had a ‘meshu’?

Brody closed her eyes, feeling the touch of a large hand sweeping her thigh.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Umm.”

Brody, who had fallen asleep, opened her eyes.

There were still stars in the sky.

She kept trying to wake up, thinking of secretly leaving, but every time she opened her eyes, Aidan held her hand tightly.

Waiting for him to let go, Brody kept falling asleep. She tried to wake up several times, but she couldn’t stand her sleepiness because of the drowsy fatigue.

Brody, who woke up again in the middle, bit his nose because the man sleeping next to her was cheeky.

Then he mumbled, ‘Um…’, but his eyes did not open, and he held Brody’s hand harder.

She laughed with excitement at the sight.

“I must be crazy. You look lovely like this, too.”

Brody bit his lips this time, not his nose, thinking he wouldn’t wake up anyway.

Then Aidan opened his eyes.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

Brody turned to “sleep” in a panic.

But because of his left hand holding Brody’s right hand, she was rather in a position where she was given a back hug by him.

Then Aidan pulled her into his arms.

It became even more of a posture that she couldn’t get out of.

‘Something seems wrong. What should I do?