I'm A Sucker For Extras - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Brody blinked her eyelids several times at his words. After a moment, she opened her mouth, seeming to process the information properly.

“A marriage ceremony?”

“Yes. Since the commotion a while ago, they will formally request a marriage vow. I thought it would be better to do it as soon as possible…”

Brody nodded her head.

It was the first wedding ceremony she had ever experienced in both her past and present lives. It was surprising, but she knew it would happen sooner or later. Even if it was delayed, it was bound to occur within three years.

‘A marriage ceremony, huh? It feels real now… becoming a couple, even though it’s a contract.’

Brody pondered for a moment before speaking.

“But, Your Grace, are you okay with it?”

“Are you asking if I’m okay? It’s you who should be surprised by this sudden schedule. Why are you asking if it’s okay for me?”

Aidan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Well, it’s just… it would be your first wedding ceremony…”

Her words surprised Aidan.

“Wait… is this not you first?”

Brody raised her eyebrows as if to say, ‘What do you mean? ‘

“No, no, it’s not that. It’s just that, due to my circumstances, I requested this, but you don’t have to do it. It might be burdensome or awkward for you…”

Brody remembered Aidan’s rejection a while ago.

He wondered why she was asking him if it was okay when she should be the one feeling flustered about the abrupt schedule.

“We made a contract.”

With a hint of annoyance, Brody explained further.

“We made a contract, but I’m giving you the chance to back out. I might be thinking too much about my own convenience. Oh, that’s right! In a way, there’s another option. We can pay someone, create a fake husband, and just make the marriage vow. Then I can sign it as my subordinate or something. That should work somehow.”

“…?”

Aidan was taken aback. It seemed like he didn’t like the idea.

“That’s not possible.”

“…What?”

He couldn’t stand it. Rising abruptly from his seat, Aidan looked directly into Brody’s eyes.

Brody looked up at Aidan, trying to understand what was happening.

In his cold, blue eyes, a peculiar heat emanated.

‘What’s going on? Why is he acting like this? ‘

Initially, she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, but gradually, her heart began to race under Aidan’s intense gaze.

Aidan, seemingly embarrassed, blinks his emerald eyes, trying to compose himself.

Looking back, his feelings remained the same.

Aidan spoke again, this time firmly.

He gently took Brody’s hand, looking into her eyes.

“It can’t be.”

The thought of her becoming someone else’s wife, even nominally, was unbearable. Even if he became the divorced Duke of the North, he needed to be sure of his place at her side.

He shook his head and lowered himself.

His face was lower than Brody’s, and her gaze dropped with it.

Aidan kneeled in front of Brody.

Gingerly, he took her hand in his and spoke.

“Brody, I’m not considering your circumstances. I’m doing this because I want to.”

It felt like Aidan’s posture was almost like a proposal. Not just the posture, but also his eyes and his words—everything seemed to convey a genuine desire for her.

Brody, taken aback by Aidan’s sudden change of heart, looked at him in confusion.

‘Why? Hasn’t he moved on from me? ‘

Aidan, seeing her cheeks blush, regretted his impulsive action.

‘I want this too. In fact, I want to be with you for a lifetime. Although this marriage ceremony is just a formality due to the contract… But I’m actually excited about it.’

He wanted to be honest and say those words, but he couldn’t.He regretted his earlier impulse and lowered his gaze, furrowing his brow to hide his feelings.

“You are a valuable person for the North. That’s why I entered into the contract as well.”

“And besides, think about it. I brought you here amidst all this chaos, and all of a sudden you become someone else’s wife? How can I convince people if you’re not my wife?”

“Oh… I suppose that makes sense.”

“Yeah, and considering how much attention River put into welcoming you, it would be difficult to explain if you didn’t return. It might even be impossible for us not to get married.”

Brody’s lips curled up at the logical explanation.

“That’s true. Probably.”

What a…

‘I have no further feelings for you. But I want your power for the North.’ Saying such a thing in such a sincere way was perhaps the coldest proposal in the world.

It made her feel worse, as if she was being ridiculed. Even though he didn’t intend to mock her personality, it felt that way.

The only thing left between them was the contract—a realization that hit her like a confirmation of some sort.

With a bitter feeling, she gently withdrew her hand from his.

❖ ❖ ❖

Have you ever imagined getting married a day after setting the wedding date?

Even if you were speeding, it would be impossible to achieve such a short time frame.

‘I must be lacking in imagination; I can’t think of any other circumstances that would lead to a marriage in a day.’

Brody was caught up in the whirlwind of preparations by Mrs. Murphy from the morning.

If Mrs. Murphy was a chatterbox, she might have heard nagging remarks throughout the day. But the taciturn woman conveyed her feelings only through bewildered expressions.

‘At least I hope she could say something. I find this as awkward as she does.’

The wedding ceremony was decided to be held in the residence where the two lived. Since they didn’t want the news of their marriage to spread, there wasn’t any other option.

‘Well, it’s not like it would be good to let everyone know. We’ve already made the situation clear to the princess and her party. Having another wedding ceremony would seem strange.’

Thus, the location was their residence.

The officiant was Ratua. Assistant officiant, Adonia.

To witness the ceremony, Mrs. Murphy and Teddy were present.

Now, Mrs. Murphy was adorning Brody.

Although Mrs. Murphy seemed surprised at the idea of preparing for a wedding within a day, Teddy, a multitasking expert, somehow managed to procure the appropriate attire.

The wedding dress that Brody wore was oddly dark blue.

For the bride, dark blue with silver accessories.

For the groom, green with gold accessories.

That was the traditional wedding attire in the North.

Teddy had managed to get the clothes, although Brody and Aidan insisted they didn’t need them—haste made Teddy persistently pursue them to maintain the dignity of the two.

The wedding attire Teddy had brought was slightly large for Brody, but after Mrs. Murphy put it on her and skillfully adjusted the size with some sewing on the spot, everything fit perfectly.

“Do you know how to handle clothes, Mrs. Murphy?”

“My daughter is proficient in this area. I learned it from her over the shoulder.”

“Oh, you have a daughter.”

“Strictly speaking, she’s not my biological daughter, but someone I raised like a daughter. I only have two sons.”

While exchanging such small talk, Mrs. Murphy continued to work diligently, not letting her hands rest.

“If you’re ready, shall we proceed?”

Knock, knock. As the agreed-upon time arrived, Adonia cheerfully knocked on the door.

For the first time in her life, Brody adorned herself with extravagant clothes and unfamiliar accessories. Perfume was applied to her hair, and Mrs. Murphy meticulously arranged her appearance.

Brody looked down at the dazzling beads and embroidery adorning her torso, swallowing nervously. She felt unsure about how to carry herself in this awkward moment.

‘Don’t get nervous. Tension is just anticipation. You were bedridden until yesterday, and now you’re getting married. What you’re wearing is just casual clothing. This is just part of the contract. It’s nothing.’

Thud, the door opened, and the two officiants, Teddy and Aidan, entered.

‘Oh.’

In an instant, Brody wanted to cover her mouth with her hands.

‘No, the groom.’

His beauty was so overwhelming. ‘Is this a Vogue photoshoot? ‘

Upon seeing him, all of Brody’s tension dissipated. Her mind went blank as she marveled at his stunning appearance.

‘The chest… It feels like it’s going to burst.’

Of course, she meant Aidan’s chest.

The green tailcoat Teddy had gotten for him was probably too small for Aidan.

Or maybe it’s his size that is not normal.

Finding clothes to fit him in a day is a mission impossible.

Broad shoulders and toned arms.

A thick chest that flaunts the fact that the human body is three-dimensional, and a waist that’s tiny in comparison.

And down…….

‘Oh, excuse me for looking up and down. You’re going crazy; get a grip, Brody.’

He pulled his hair up into a half-back, which he usually left naturally disheveled.

His natural hair was cool, but there was something about the way he looked with it done up.

His cool facial lines are all too alive…….

“Hmph. You are rather handsome, Your Grace. I told you, you are usually too wasteful with your appearance.”

It was Teddy who dressed Aidan up, he said proudly.

At her clearing of the throat, Brody, who had been live-streaming the groom’s appearance in her own head, managed to snap out of it and return the light to her dazed eyes.

‘Maybe I was too carried away.’

Ratua looked embarrassed, while Adonia and Teddy giggled.

‘Ah, what do I do? He’s so handsome. He’s exactly my type.’

Brody internally sighed and finally averted her gaze. Her cheeks were already fiery red.

Aidan approached her and said, “Sorry. I stared too much. I know it’s impolite, but…”

‘Huh? Is he conveying my thoughts for me? Brody looked up in confusion.’

When their eyes met, she noticed that Aidan’s face was also blushing.

With an awkward smile, Aidan reached out and gently brushed Brody’s cheek.

Though the touch was barely a feather’s touch, his hand trembled.

Her heart felt like it was going to burst again, but this time.

“…Beautiful.”

The intimate wedding ceremony for the blushing couple began.

Standing at the window, dressed in the officiants’ ceremonial attire, Ratua greeted the two.

It was a fake wedding, though she wasn’t too happy about yesterday’s cold proposal. Standing by Aidan’s side like this, dressed in wedding garb, made her heart flutter.

“Will the groom promise to cherish the bride in joy and sorrow, to love her unchangingly throughout his life?”

In response to Officiant Ratua’s question, Aidan’s deep and steady voice hesitated for a moment but then answered firmly.

“I promise.”

‘Why is he answering so earnestly? It’s not even real…….’

Brody’s conscience pricked at the same question, and she answered in a small whimper.

“…I promise.”

Her thick eyelashes trembled.

Fortunately, the few guests present were close enough to hear, and they chose to overlook the bride’s embarrassment.

“Now, exchange the vows.”

At the officiant’s signal, the two turned to face each other.

Aidan took a step towards her, and Brody raised her heated eyes.