I'm A Sucker For Extras - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Brody, who was pulling his robe like a baby kangaroo and holding hands, looked outside with a smile, making Aidan laugh.

As if in a dream, she blinked her eyes and asked, “Where is this…?”

“Have you been here before?”

“Wow, never.”

Brody, deeply inhaling the air filled with a salty flavor, raised her head.

Even though her previous self might not know, Brody May had never been here before.

A vast horizon without any obstruction.

Gentle waves dyed red by the setting sun embraced the whole body and, in a magnificent display, forced them to admire the breathtaking beauty.

It was the sea.

Brody’s curly hair fluttered and swirled in the sea breeze that blew from all directions, not caring about the direction.

“I can’t believe it, the ocean all of a sudden…….”

Aidan nodded as he fixed Brodie’s hair, which was fluttering in the wind. “Yeah, it’s Tarno Point at the western end.”

“If it’s the western end, isn’t it the way back?”

“It’s not necessarily that way if you take a ship. The land route is too close to the Imperial capital, making it burdensome. So, we decided to use the sea route.”

“Taking a ship?”

“Yeah, I booked a night ship, so we need to board soon. After a few comfortable days, we’ll soon reach the Perdan Fortress.”

When did he make the reservation?

Chased from behind and wary of the northern lands ahead, Brody’s heart raced as she looked at the sea.

‘I’ve never been on a boat, except for the Han River cruise.’

Feeling a sense of anticipation as if she were embarking on a journey, Brody became flustered.

It wasn’t a good situation, but she felt excited.

But Aidan was one step ahead.

“We still have time for dinner. I’ll see if I can find something quick. It would be nice to eat while watching the sunset.”

Maybe because of the chaotic and seemingly unconscious past days, he didn’t realize it, but Aidan seemed to have judged that this place was safe.

Aidan was an expert when it came to combat and tracking.

Seeing him act so leisurely, Brody decided to relax as well.

Aidan temporarily entrusted Kaius to a makeshift stable and picked Brody up.

“Are you going to keep carrying me like this?”

Brody asked, confused, expecting to be set down on the ground.

“But… can you walk?”

“I’ll eventually have to walk.”

At the signal to be let down, Aidan slowly released her.

Although it seemed like walking wouldn’t be difficult, as soon as Brody’s feet touched the ground, she felt her legs wobble.

“Whoa.”

To avoid falling, she grabbed Aidan’s thick arms tightly.

It seemed that Brody’s muscles, which hadn’t been properly exercised for at least two weeks, decided to dismantle themselves on their own.

She’d never been conscious of the act of ‘walking’ before, so everything felt delicate.

Wobbly legs and ankles, sore hips hitting the saddle, and a stiff waist—she grimaced, screaming internally.

She dismounted confidently, trying not to show her pain, but it wasn’t working.

“Don’t push yourself. You almost died; you’re supposed to be tired.”

Aidan found even Brody’s pouting expression cute and hugged her again.

“Oh, I need to practice walking…….”

“Yeah, let’s start with that later. We need to give you something to eat to regain strength.”

Brody sighed and leaned on Aidan again.

Judging by her body condition, practicing walking now would likely end up with her going back without buying any food.

Aidan bought a variety of seafood, including a stew with boiled seafood, sliced grilled fish, and fish balls steamed into round shapes.

And thick blankets were spread on the dock next to the stairs overlooking the harbor, where Brody was seated.

‘I wonder when he got the blankets,’ Brody said, appreciating Aidan’s delicate consideration.

“Thank you,” she added.

“For what?” Aidan replied nonchalantly, then moved behind her and sat down with her in his arms.

Brody had expected him to sit next to her, so being embraced surprised her somewhat.

“Uh, you can sit next to me,” she suggested.

“No, it’s tiring,” Aidan replied casually, holding her close. Is this the affectionate behavior of a chicken couple? Something she had only heard about or seen in movies. Brody had never imagined herself doing such a thing in a public place, but life is full of unexpected moments.

Deciding not to push Aidan away, Brody relaxed and leaned back against him.

Aidan handed Brody a stew bowl with warm contents that she couldn’t see and said, “If you feel like having more, try the grill and fish balls.”

Brody nodded and drank the stew broth from the bowl. The hot and refreshing liquid warmed her body as it went down her throat.

The sea breeze, the sound of the waves, and the distant cries of seabirds created a nostalgic atmosphere. Brody’s mood became calm, and her appetite increased.

The sun, half-hidden behind the sea at the end of the day, cast its last light over the harbor, creating a warm glow on Brody’s and Aidan’s faces.

“It’s beautiful,” Brody said, lacking expressive words. Unable to find the right words to convey her feelings, she eventually uttered a simple phrase.

“Yeah, it is,” Aidan agreed, offering a brief response.

They sat side by side, quietly enjoying their dinner. The bustling sailors in the harbor, the fresh seafood vendors, and the laughter of children holding their parents’ hands enveloped the port city in peace.

Perhaps due to this atmosphere, or as if under a magical spell, Brody felt her physical condition improving. Consequently, she effortlessly finished a bowl of stew.

“It’s peaceful here,” she remarked.

“Yeah, mainly pilgrims heading to the temple gather here, so the aftermath of the war wasn’t significant,” Aidan explained.

“Oh, the temple.”

She rummaged through Brody’s memory, trying to recall where the ‘temple’ was. She was thinking about the main headquarters of the “Adare Grache Church,” which vaguely floated above an island in the western sea.

There was also a temple next to the capital city of Medici, but it was more administrative and political.

“We’ll pass through the sea, which is further inland than the island where the temple is located. It’s a bay, so the waves aren’t as rough, and we should be able to sail safely.”

Aidan drew a rough map in the palm of his hand, outlining where they were and where they were going.

Brody paid close attention to his explanation.

Recalling the location of the northern region on the imaginary map drawn on Aidan’s palm, she pointed with her finger and asked, “What about the north?”

Aidan felt the strange sensation of her thin, soft fingertips touching his large and firm palm. He looked down at the spot her finger had touched.

“The north.”

The place he love. But a land that could be hard on her.

The thought of all the obligations that would come flying at him when he returned—the aftermath of what he’d left behind—weighed heavily on his heart.

“The north… it’s a cold place.”

“…”

Well, what a common thing to say.

Brody didn’t nod and waited for him to continue.

“There are many mountains and forests. Lots of ice too.”

Aidan, as if teaching a child to write, held Brody’s right hand, which had its index finger extended. He moved her hand to draw the geographical features on his palm.

“Here, the mountain range flows along the Perdan Fortress like this. Beyond that, there’s a bit of a plateau where some lords cultivate farms. And beyond that, there’s a huge forest, and around there is my castle surrounded by the fortress.”

“It’s called ‘Iter Hiel’ Castle.”

“Romantically, yes. But you can call it Northern High Castle or Mason Castle if you prefer.”

“Iter Hiel, meaning ‘Eternal Ice,’ right?”

“Yes, it’s a place where you can see ice throughout the seasons, just like the name suggests.”

He sighed softly and anxiously. The cold and snow posed no threat to him; instead, they empowered him. However, he couldn’t help but worry if Brody could endure the cold.

But Brody seemed more lost in thought than troubled.

Holding Aidan’s palm with her left hand, she traced the map he had just described in her mind with her right index finger, hovering around his palm.

The fortress, the mountain range, the forest, and beyond, the castle glistening with snow.

Feeling a strange tingling sensation as her hand brushed against his palm, Aidan unwittingly shivered as if a chill ran down his spine.

“B-Br…Brody. It’s too… ticklish.”

Aidan blushed, whispering, “Uh, sorry. I got lost in thought without realizing.”

Startled, Brody also withdrew her fingers.

After a moment of silence, Aidan abruptly stood up.

“Well, I guess we should start going now… So, let’s, um, get up.”

“Oh, yes. Sure.”

Why is he stumbling over his words like that?

Brody was also taken aback by his confusion.

As the warmth that enveloped her disappeared, the cool sea breeze swiftly surrounded her. Brody used both hands to support herself, lifting her body.

Ugh. Of course. Even though she had eaten, getting up was not an easy task.

She stood swaying, trying to calm her dizziness with deep breaths.

“Oh no.”

Aidan, flustered, rushed over to support Brody.

He scooped her into his arms and quickly shook his head.

Silently, he started walking towards the pier, carrying her.

‘Darn it, what’s happening? Am I a beast? ’

It was just a finger. Just a finger brushing against his palm.

However, starting with that ticklish sensation, Brody’s scent was suddenly felt. A warm and slender body with soft skin.

Suddenly, feeling a heaviness in his lower abdomen, Aidan panicked and quickly stood up, using his free hand to scratch his neck nervously.

“…”

Seeing the flush on Aidan’s expressionless face, Brody, though not exactly sure, could roughly understand the situation.

So, trying to be considerate, she didn’t focus on Aidan and looked around.

Fortunately, when they arrived at the stable to get Kaius, Aidan had calmed down.

Both of them inwardly sighed in relief that the situation didn’t escalate.