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

Chapter 33

As the night deepened, they boarded the ship, guided by the crew.

Aidan’s horse seemed uneasy, lightly prancing as he glanced at the dark, swaying water beneath. However, Aidan reassured him, and soon Kaius returned to his majestic and courageous self, fitting for the surroundings.

The ship appeared to be a passenger vessel, crossing the sea north and south.

Apart from Aidan and Brody, there were other passengers on board, mostly clad in robes, indicating that they were likely priests or pilgrims.

“The numbers have decreased recently. Since the north and the empire split, people are cautious. Although the northern region, which is under occupation, seems to show a moderate attitude towards us, we still need to observe and be cautious about what the future holds.”

The thick-boned sailor, guiding them inside the ship, explained, and Aidan and Brody nodded in understanding.

The sailor opened one of the cabins that were neatly arranged in a row, saying,

“You two can stay here.”

To avoid attracting any special attention, they decided to continue their charade as a married couple for the time being. The sailor, without any suspicion, provided them with a room.

The lodging for the short 2-night, 3-day journey on the small ship was compact and efficiently organized. It had narrow bunk beds, a makeshift table, a water jug and basin for washing, and a small window on the plain wall.

“As long as you’re cautious with fire, there are no specific restrictions. Feel free to move around. I’ve informed the restaurant, so you should be able to come by any time and be served the food you mentioned… Oh, and be mindful of noise. Complaints occasionally come from the neighboring rooms when honeymoon couples travel…”

‘Honeymoon couples…’

The implications behind those words made Aidan blush, and Brody wrinkled her nose in discomfort.

If the sailor had scrutinized them with a knowing smile, it would have been unpleasant.

“I think that should be it. Well then.”

The sailor calmly spoke as if stating facts and then left the room.

The awkwardness now rested on the shoulders of the two remaining.

“Ahem, hmm.”

Aidan coughed awkwardly and helped Brody down from the bed.

As she sat on the bed, making a creaking sound, the scent of damp wood mixed with a hint of moisture wafted up.

Aidan, being careful not to bang his head on the upper bunk, struggled to stand up from the cramped double-decker bed.

The room, already small for his sizable frame, felt even more uncomfortable.

After organizing their belongings, Aidan neatly arranged the bedding to ensure Brody could rest well.

Soon, a horn sounded, and the ship gently swayed.

“We’re setting sail.”

Aidan squinted his eyes, gazing through the narrow window.

The scenery around them was slowly moving.

“Wow, can I go outside and see?”

“You must be tired; you’ve been up all day.”

“But it’s my first time on a ship like this. I want to enjoy the view.”

Aidan didn’t insist on her resting and silently nodded, supporting Brody.

They went up to the deck.

Some people were gathered near the bow, seeming to watch the departure.

Aidan and Brody found an empty spot and settled there.

The ship advanced, releasing the wind.

Despite the cold, the brisk moisture in the not-so-fierce breeze made Brody’s hair flutter.

Aidan draped his robe over her, extending his arms to hold the railing, enveloping her from behind.

They had been close for the past few days, but being in the sea air combined with Brody’s scent was a new sensation for Aidan.

Rather than the seascape, he focused more on the feeling of her hair brushing against his cheek.

The view darkened, revealing faint outlines illuminated by starlight.

The thick, sprawling horizon gave the impression of a dormant dinosaur lying down.

In the distance, the lights of the pier swayed.

Black masses of water undulated, hitting the ship and scattering white foam.

Even though it was a small, enclosed sea, the ship felt like a tiny dust speck floating in a huge basin.

Despite being surrounded by the safety of the ocean, the repetitive scenery was becoming monotonous.

As the waves and starlight became familiar, Brody unconsciously let out a small yawn.

“Shall we go in now?”

“Yes.”

Brody stretched her arms as if it were a natural thing, and Aidan, smiling inwardly, effortlessly embraced her.

Although people around them briefly glanced, it was just a mild surprise sent to the charming couple—nothing more.

The boat rocked, but it was much better than being on horseback.

Brody felt pleased at the thought of lying down in a place surrounded by walls and a roof after a long time.

But she was soon distracted by Aidan shoving himself into the cramped bunk.

“Are you going to sleep here?”

“Well, it seems a bit uncomfortable.”

Aidan scratched the back of his neck and soon started laying out a sleeping bag on the floor.

“Are you sleeping there?”

His actions were enough to make Brody uncomfortable.

“Is this floor uncomfortable? Then, if you help me get upstairs, I’ll sleep peacefully.”

“No, it’s not that. I just want you near me so that you can reach me easily in case of an emergency.”

He seemed concerned about the magic she could encounter.

Brody asked with a raised eyebrow, “It’s on a ship; do you think they can track it?”

“Accidents happen in an instant. I don’t want to regret making such a mistake twice.”

He didn’t want to leave any room for the possibility of an accident.

Brody was increasingly uneasy about the idea of sleeping on the floor, but she said, “It’s okay. I’m used to roughing it out in the wilderness.”

After stating it plainly, Aidan extinguished the lamp in the cabin.

Soon, a deep blue darkness enveloped them.

Then, the rhythmic sound of waves, possessing a subtle melody, mingled with the rocking of the ship like a cradle and embraced them like a lullaby.

Although sleep poured in, Brody lay still, blinking her eyes.

Eventually, unable to endure the discomfort, she opened her mouth.

“Aidan, are you sleeping?”

“…Not yet.”

Breaking the silence, a low, pleasant voice resonated through the cabin.

Brody sighed internally and spoke again.

“Do you want to come up?”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

It was the expected response. Without being flustered, Brody continued, “It’s just… it’s cold.”

“Cold?”

Aidan didn’t hesitate twice, and he promptly sat up.

It seemed like he reacted without even realizing it.

Awkwardly smiling to ease the situation, Brody pressed her body against the wall.

Aidan, seeming a bit embarrassed by his own exaggerated response, slowly lowered himself.

With the narrow bed, they ended up lying close to each other.

Brody found herself lying partly on top of Aidan.

Between his shoulders and chest, she could feel his calm breathing and strong heartbeat.

She was surprised at how familiar it felt.

Come to think of it, in the past few weeks, they had hardly been apart.

More than just traveling together, it was as if Aidan’s reliable presence had always been by her side.

His warmth comforted Brody.

She began to doubt herself.

Had she really just felt ‘uncomfortable’ about Aidan sleeping on the floor?

Had she mistaken the ’emptiness’ of an unheated bed for discomfort?

Brody sensed a slight crisis.

In three years, she was supposed to be on her own…….

Yet, getting accustomed to his warmth like this…

Was it because her health had improved, or was it just that she now had some room for such feelings?

The memory of that night flashed before her eyes.

The passionate night was spent with Aidan in the southern regions.

She had been too preoccupied with evading pursuit to think about it since then.

But, looking back, they had been closer to each other than seemed necessary.

“…”

Hmm… umm… Once she began to think, his body became more noticeable again.

Why was it so soft and warm? And why was his heart beating so strongly?

In the sudden surge of heat, Brody, struggling to find sleep, shifted restlessly to find a comfortable position.

Aidan asked, “Can’t you sleep?”

Brody hesitated before answering.

“…A little.”

In truth, Aidan was also awake due to Brody’s restlessness.

The desire that had been suppressed for Brody’s well-being now surged back into his mind.

For some reason, Brody’s heart also seemed to quicken.

‘Just a little, just a little… What if I get a little closer? ’

Amusingly, he was feeling quite nervous at the moment.

Whether it was because of the cold or concerns about himself sleeping on the floor, she had called him.

‘Could this be a good sign? ’

She had only asked for three years of protection, but she needed his protection more than anything. If the issue isn’t resolved, it might take more than three years.

It might be a bit cowardly, but currently, Aidan holds the key. And while he may not know much else, he didn’t want to compromise his desire to be with her.

Aidan gently brushed her cheek.

Brody, who had been tossing and turning, looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Then he pulled Brody up and raised her head. Swiftly, Aidan’s breath touched her cheek.

“Can I kiss you?”

“…”

The time to ask for permission was short. Aidan did not miss the moment when Brody hesitated for a while and pressed his lips against hers.

It was a turbulent moment; Brody’s mind turned momentarily white.

It was so tempting. All this time on the road, she’d been reminded of how Aidan had treated Brody: so kind, so devoted, so gentle, so supportive.

Moreover, the man who had perfectly restrained himself in a celibate manner when Brody was struggling now, in a moment of vulnerability, passionately desired her to the point of gasping for breath.

Who could resist such enchantment?

She was tempted to give in, to pretend she couldn’t win, to grant him his wish, and to become his wife.

“Umm…”

Brody unintentionally moaned in response to the deeply intertwined breaths.

She realized the sound she had made, blushed, and distanced herself from him with difficulty.

“Uh, the crew asked us to be quiet. If we make noise, complaints will come from the next room.”

“I’ll be quiet.”

“…!”

‘No, I can’t do this.’

It seemed that Brody could no longer endure it himself.

A handful of cold reasons returned, and Brody clung to them with all her might.

“Brodie, please.”