I'm A Sucker For Extras - Chapter 60

Chapter 60

It was the kind of pride that radiated from someone who stood on her own two legs.

It was a life not dictated by someone else’s orders but one they planned, took responsibility for, and enjoyed the results of.

There was love and pride in Connie’s eyes as she walked from field to field, surveying the now snow-buried ground.

“You set aside the seed potatoes, didn’t you?”

“Yes, of course, look!”

With that, Connie looked around.

Not just the potato fields, but the entire village.

“We’ve completed the preparations for winter, set up fences, and even plowed the fields. We’ve also built a well, and we’re thinking of ways to bring water more easily.”

‘As expected. It turned out like that.’

Brody responded, lifting her gaze into the distance to follow Connie’s explanation.

“Connie seems to be the head of this new village.”

“…….”

Connie stopped in her tracks at Brody’s words.

The smile that had been on her face ever since they’d met disappeared.

She turned to face Brody with a serious face, sighed, and nodded.

It was a sigh. It felt like a sigh of relief.

“So, you do realize, my lady, that we did it.”

“Hmm. Is there anything else to think about? Connie knows the whole situation.”

“Yes. But usually, people don’t think women can do this kind of work. I’ve heard questions like ‘So who’s in charge?’ countless times. Well, back then, I might have asked such questions too.”

Connie smiled, one eye crinkling, and Brody returned the look. They looked at each other and nodded.

Of course, it’s a male-dominated society.

A woman can’t even decide where she lives without the permission of the male head of the household.

Women were pushed down the hierarchy, below the lord, the duke, or the emperor, without the right to decide on their own lives.

Honestly, Brody didn’t see this coming.

She was just doing what she could to try and save the lives of the captive women.

However, because of that, these sixty-something women got ‘that.’

“You gave us a potato patch and said that this skill would be our lifeline, so we shouldn’t let it leak out, and that’s when our lives started to change.”

Brody nodded.

‘That was a ‘skill’.’

When you have a skill that can’t be replaced, you have power.

Especially when it’s something people are desperate for right now.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever been able to decide our own fate.”

Connie began to giggle again.

She raised her hand in the air and slowly drew it back.

“It’s nice to feel like you’re taking the future into your own hands.”

Women with “unique and vital skills” survived.

If they were harmed, that skill would be lost.

Not only did they survive, but they gained power, and now money followed.

With wealth comes more power, and with more power comes more freedom to make decisions.

“Who knew being a prisoner of war could be so empowering? No husband, no guardian; we’re on our own.”

Connie took a deep breath before continuing.

“We became our own mistresses.”

There was pain in the words, but also excitement.

The pain of not being able to return to the Empire and see their families. However, it was accompanied by newfound power and freedom.

“This is something you can’t understand without experiencing it. Becoming just Connie, not someone’s wife, daughter, or mother.”

“Village head Connie, right?”

“Hehe, yes.”

Connie laughed at Brody’s ambiguous words.

Connie could tell. The woman in front of her understood her words.

After all, she was no ordinary person.

This was the woman who had convinced the fearsome Duke of Ice and his wax ghost chief of staff, who could stab him and not draw a drop of blood, to grow a field with crops no one had ever known.

She generously shared the information with other women, even though it was clear that the potato field was her own creation.

Moreover, she abandoned this golden field and disappeared.

If it were up to her, she’d settle here, build a huge field, and make herself a lord.

She even fled, with her slender body, to the south of the country.

She has no fear.

Connie couldn’t imagine how big this woman’s bowl was.

“So, you guys can’t go back to the Empire…….”

“Yes. If we were just prisoners of war, they could have sent us back, but we’re the essential workers with the information, so we have to limit their movement to maintain security.”

“Isn’t that hard on them?”

“Well, there are people who want to see their families, but you know what? The ‘impossible’ makes it more appealing.”

Brody tilted her head at Connie’s amused expression, as if to say, ‘Go ahead.’

She spoke coolly, feeling that she understood again.

“Staying here and enduring some hardships for a while is beneficial, but being in a situation where I can’t return by my own will does create a sense of simplicity. If it weren’t for this, many of us would have gone back to live ordinary lives. Isn’t it noticeable that a woman stays here, becoming her own head of the household for the sake of her own gain? Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Brody nodded, and Connie smirked in a way that meant ‘of course’.

They were now walking in circles around the potato field, past the shed.

“People like us are always at the mercy of others. There were many children who were unable to watch their parents die while working as maids for the lord. There were some nobles who didn’t like it when we showed signs of being sad. The hardships are similar, but can you also make a lot of money? Even choosing a husband with my your hands? Can you imagine a life like that?”

“A husband? What do you mean?”

“Oh, well, there are about 60 women here right now, and fewer men.”

“Uh, didn’t the Duke leave a similar number when he left here?”

“He did, but there was someone who was chased away for doing something bad. Well, it’s strange, but this kind of situation is somewhat enjoyable. Usually, women avoid men because of one man’s misdeeds, right? But we are no longer at the bottom. We are the ones people have to protect, and since we can’t leave anyway, we gather together and drive out the bad ones. So, gradually, only good ones remain, I guess.”

“I see…”

Such a positive cycle! Though it might not have been intentional, it was undoubtedly a good phenomenon for the village and the women.

“Anyway, besides that, there’s the age thing, haha, and the fact that you don’t have to force yourself to marry someone you don’t like.”

“That’s true. Just because there are fewer men doesn’t mean everyone gets married.”

“Exactly! Well, we’ve experienced being captives, and considering that, some of us were skeptical. Moreover, when we have the opportunity to think and choose whether to marry or not, it’s different. Anyway, after the restrictions are lifted, some want to find a good husband and bring them here, while others want to continue this work without getting married. I find it amusing since it’s the first time seeing something like this.”

Indeed, it was a very innovative community for this era. Brody listened with interest, feeling something tickling in her heart.

“Well, what are you going to do about it, Connie?”

“Well, I’ve been too busy to even think about that. Well, there were many men who liked me when I worked as a maid, so if I ever decide to, I guess I could.”

“Haha, you’ve already grown into a mature woman. You seem prepared to be the village head, Connie.”

“Oh, you’re too kind. It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

Connie shook her head, not sure if she was being condescending or sincere. Then she asked quietly, in a low voice that suddenly became serious.

“By any chance… If you were to return, I’m willing to step down at any time.”

Brody was taken aback by her unexpected demeanor and unexpected words.

However, Brody didn’t hesitate for a moment before she replied. She was proud of herself for her quick thinking.

Hesitating here would not be courteous to Connie and the women here.

“Oh, what a bother to entrust something to someone who left because it was difficult. I won’t and I can’t.”

At Brody’s flat refusal, Connie narrowed her eyes and slapped her forehead.

“Oh, right, get a hold of yourself Connie!. You’re not the village head or the lord’s wife; you’re the Duchess. It’s inappropriate for you to come here, and it was rash of me to suggest that.”

Connie laughed so hard it made the potato field scatter.

Her laughter brought a bright smile to Brody’s face.

She felt a strange sensation in his stomach, his heart racing as her mind tickled.

Up until this point, Brody didn’t know what it was or why it was happening.

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

“Did something good happen?”

Aidan stared at her, unsure if she should speak up.

“What, me?”

She pointed her index finger at herself.

Brody had finished washing her face with a damp towel and was finishing drying her hair.

When Aidan nodded, Brody cocked her head.

It wasn’t because Aidan had suddenly spoken to her.

Why is he asking her that? Did she appear to be in a good mood? She thought it was an odd question.

“Do I look like something good happened?”

Brody asked out of pure curiosity. Aidan, pondering if there was something strange about his own question, responded.

“Uh, no. You were laughing so hard with that woman earlier, I’ve never seen you like that before.”

Ah, so that’s why he asked.

Thinking about it, Brodie realized that she didn’t feel bad at the moment. No, it even felt good.

So Brody nodded.

“I guess so. I guess I’m in a good mood.”

After Connie, Brody, and the two reunited women had circled the small village, Aidan talked to Connie.

Or, more accurately, he was waiting to talk to her.

He’d been briefed by the men who’d greeted them and hoped for guidance, but their explanations had holes.

“I think you’ll have to ask Ms. Connie about that,” was the common response.

Aidan naturally assumed that the head of the village was Ms. Connie.

Unintentionally, important reports and guidance were being passed between Brody and Connie.

Connie was nervous at the sight of the frowning-not because of the report, but because of her headache- Duke, but she made it through the report safely and well.

The sight of Brody smiling at her somehow encouraged her.

After his debriefing, Connie escorted Brody and Aidan to their quarters.

It was a building that Connie had bragged about as a special place to host distinguished guests.

It was a small, two-story house, but it had everything they needed, was clean and tidy, and was a great place to stay.

The first floor contained the parlor, dining room, banquet room, and kitchen, while the second floor contained two rooms for honored guests.

Most importantly, the presence of a roof and walls provided shelter from the wind, and the roaring fireplace was the most appealing feature.

A fluffy bed stuffed with straw was an excellent bonus.

Brody ran her fingers through her brushed hair, tidying it up, and waited for the night.

Tonight was going to be a special night for Brody.