I'm A Sucker For Extras - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

River is surprised.

Brody’s skillful handling of the medicine.

River, who had some medical knowledge to perform emergency treatment, observed that the medicine she was using was not the type River was familiar with.

But he could feel himself getting better.

The wounds healed faster and were less painful.

‘She seems to be more than just knowledgeable about plants.’

River asked.

“Where did you get the healing medicine?”

“Are you asking about trade secrets? Or are you just curious?”

“Just curious. Did you make it while you were here?”

River snapped, but Brody didn’t bother to hide it.

Since she would be working for the North in the future, she planned to use everything available anyway.

Brody responded kindly.

“I made a lot when I was staying in the South. I need to have a way to survive too.”

“Ah.”

River nodded. He knew she had stayed in the South from Aidan’s movements and other information coming in.

‘She made it while fleeing from His Grace. It wasn’t a long time, but during that time, she seemed surprisingly strong.’

It was impressive that she, who seemed fragile and powerless, knew how to take care of herself.

Well, unless she had an ordinary mentality, would she have decided to run away alone?

River asked again.

“Can those plants be grown in the North?”

He’s quite curious. But Brody expected him to ask like that. It was strange for a capable chief of staff in the North not to be curious about unusual information.

“If the conditions are right, I’ve collected seeds that can be cultivated.”

“…….”

River clicked her tongue again.

‘It’s unusual to have collected seeds too.’

Brody read the thought in his expression and gave him a wry smile.

“You don’t have to ask so cautiously. I am now the Duchess of the North, and my ability will be used for the good of the North.”

“…….”

River didn’t answer, but she seemed pleased with Brody’s words.

‘Well, I don’t want to admit it, but I can’t help being satisfied. She’s been helpful like this.’

Brody also seemed satisfied with the situation as she hummed a tune and moved the sick person to the adjacent bed.

River watched her from the corner of his eye.

‘I can’t believe she refers to herself as the Duchess of the North.’

The position of Duchess of the North was never meant for Brody.

It was rather awkward for her to easily say that precious position was hers, but from the North’s perspective, it was better for Brody to firmly hold her ground without shaking her self-esteem.

The North needed to recognize the new Duchess, and the new Duchess better be someone worthy of recognition.

‘It’s not bad.’

For a moment, River was surprised. He realized that he had been giving Brody a generous evaluation.

‘No, no, no. You’re the most critical observer of all. If you see any flaws, you have to point them out well, River; you can’t admit that easily.’

River calmed his mind and asked Brody, who was humming beside him.

“Who is that woman?”

“…….”

This was also a question Brody had expected.

But since it would be difficult to answer, she stopped humming and began to choose her words carefully.

River was puzzled. How could she suddenly hesitate to answer anything?

‘Who could she be? ‘

While speculating about the identity of the woman lying down, Brody cautiously answered.

“Well… she’s the woman who attacked the chief of staff.”

“What did you say?”

River jumped at the unexpected answer.

He didn’t say it, but his reaction was tantamount to asking, “Are you crazy?”

And that made sense. Typically, perpetrators and victims aren’t placed in the same space.

River’s head spun, fueled by puzzlement.

The unconventional behavior and Brody’s hesitancy. Combining the two, something became apparent.

“Is this a woman you know, by any chance?”

Brody nodded obediently.

“I know it’s a bit strange to say I know her, but I do recognize her face… Explaining it might be a bit awkward, though.”

“Ha…….”

If Brody knew this woman, the likelihood of her being from the North was low. Narrowly, she could be from the aristocracy, broadly, someone from the Imperial capital.

“No, but why would someone from the Empire be in the North, let alone this village?”

River’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. He glanced toward the figure lying on the bed. Instantly, the sight of the pale, black-haired woman caught his eye.

“…….”

River’s eyes widened.

“River……?”

But he quickly regained his composure as Brody looked at him.

But Brody didn’t miss the moment. Feeling a strange undercurrent, she asked.

“Do you know her?”

“…….”

River sighed. It only took a moment for Brody to notice the discomfort.

A sharp woman indeed. Then there’s no point in denying or glossing over it.

“I wouldn’t say I know her, but I do recognize her.”

Brody’s eyes widened this time at his answer.

“You know a Mrs. Caleb?”

“I think that’s what her name was.”

“Uh……uh.”

This time, Brody was puzzled. He hadn’t expected River to know that.

‘How does he know her? ’

Caleb was from the North, so had they known each other when he was still in the North? Or had he gotten to know her as part of his intelligence gathering, since she had a reputation as a rumored handmaiden in the imperial capital?

The question didn’t last long.

River answered immediately.

“Mrs. Murphy.”

“Mrs. Murphy?”

Brody repeated the familiar name, echoing River’s words.

‘Mrs. Murphy, the same Mrs. Murphy who ran the barracks?  ’

The blunt woman who was now a witness to Brody’s marriage vows at Perdan Fortress.

Why is he saying her name now?

At that moment, a memory flashed through Brody’s mind.

He remembered Mrs. Murphy’s passing remark as she helped him with his dress on their wedding day.

“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.”

A daughter who is skilled in handling clothes. Brody nodded, asking.

“By any chance, the one Mrs. Murphy said she raised like a daughter… Caleb?”

A daughter is skilled in handling clothes. Brody nodded, asking.

But his answer was quick and brief.

“Yes.”

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

River ordered Mrs. Murphy to be summoned.

He didn’t express his opinion on what to do with Caleb, but Brody thought that just the fact that he called Mrs. Murphy was a good sign.

He probably wouldn’t have deliberately called her if he intended to punish Caleb, she thought.

‘I wondered if there was more to their relationship than just acquaintance.’

Brody wondered, but she couldn’t read anything more from River’s expression.

Then Caleb woke up.

Coincidentally, Caleb opened her eyes during the time Brody had to leave briefly.

She opened her black eyes wide.

Her whole body was groggy, but not in pain. She hadn’t felt this good in as long as she could remember.

‘Where am I? ’

A man’s voice suddenly called out to her as she stumbled to her feet.

Reflexively, she turned her head to see another bed a short distance to the side of the one she was lying on, with a man sitting on it, arms on his knees, jaw set, staring at her.

“……!!”

Caleb was startled and jerked back from the bed. It was an extraordinary movement for someone who, moments ago, couldn’t even move a finger.

Backing away from the end of the bed, Caleb grabbed the first thing she could find. Then the blanket that had covered her was pulled up.

“…….”

River continued to stare at her in silence.

Her whites were bulging, her pupils were dilated, and she was shaking, obviously in fear.

But her lips, hidden behind the blanket in her hand, were pressed tightly together, with blood seeping through.

For a moment, their eyes locked.

They were looking at each other, but not on equal footing. It was like a fight between predator and prey.

It seemed like one person was contemplating when to attack, and another person was considering when to flee.

Bang. That delicate taut balance was shoved off kilter by Brody’s return.

“Uh……?”

Brody, holding a basin, let out a puzzled sound.

At first, she was surprised that Caleb had woken up, but then she noticed Caleb trembling at the end of the bed, clearly afraid.

“Chief of Staff, what are you doing?”

Brody demanded of River, who was sitting on the edge of her seat, watching Caleb.

River replied dryly.

“I’m just looking at her.”

“It’s okay, Mrs. Caleb; he’s always had that kind of gaze. Don’t be scared.”

“…….”

‘Always had that kind of gaze? ’ River snorted.

Ignoring River’s reaction entirely, Brody placed the basin near the bed and gestured with both hands toward Caleb, indicating that she meant no harm.

Caleb, who had been breathing heavily, turned to look at Brody.

And her eyes widened even more.

“Lady…… Brody?”

“Uh. Uh, Mrs. Caleb, do you recognize me?”

Calling her by name made it seem like Caleb truly recognized Brody. Brody nodded, feeling relieved that Caleb was recovering well.

“I know this is all very confusing, Mrs. Caleb. Let’s take it slowly, step by step. For now, why don’t you lie down and rest?”

Caleb looked toward River again.

She felt uneasy because a man was sharing the same room with her and was looking at her menacingly. As she experienced harsh treatment during the war… She thought it would be difficult to share space with men.

But she had no choice now. They hadn’t told the others that the Chief of Staff had been attacked yet. They couldn’t leave the building; there was only one room left, and Brody had two patients to take care of.

“I will continue to be here. Once the situation is resolved, I’ll give you another room, so just lie down, okay? Mrs. Caleb? ”

Caleb nodded, barely able to calm down at Brody’s reassurance.

Brody helped Caleb to her feet and laid her down on the bed.

Caleb, who had settled down again, asked in a shaky voice.

“I… … I’m so confused. I don’t know why I’m here. Plus, Lady Brody and the Chief of Staff of the North… … ? I don’t understand the situation.”

‘Hmm, well. It must be an odd combination for Caleb.’

Understanding her, Brody replied.

“How much do you remember? ”

Then Caleb’s eyes began to tremble again.

‘To what extent do you remember?  ‘

The black night. Flickering torches. The cackling Imperial soldiers. And…… and, her daughter, Nikke!

“Aah! Aah!”

“Mrs……!”

Caleb suddenly had a seizure.

As she screamed, trying to scratch her face and throat with her nails, Brody struggled to restrain her.

She doesn’t know how this strength can come from a body that hasn’t eaten in days and is all bones. Brody’s hair is torn loose, and his face is covered in nail scratches.

“Help me, River!”

When Brody shouted, River had already risen. But when Caleb saw River, she twisted her body even more, writhing in discomfort.

“Don’t come near me! Don’t touch me!”

“Oh, this won’t do! River! Get someone, preferably a woman…!”

But the commotion was resolved unexpectedly.

Suddenly, the window burst open, and a large black figure burst in.

“……!”

Before Brody could even scream, the black figure flew out with a hand and struck Caleb in the back of the neck with a thud.

Caleb slumped helplessly on the bed.

Brody barely managed to grasp the situation and opened her mouth.

“Your… Grace?”

In front of her stood Aidan, the Northern Ice Duke, breathing hard and raggedly through the window.

Brody asked with a puzzled expression.

“Here… on this floor?”

“What’s wrong with this floor?”

River shook his head as he looked at the Duke.