I'm A Sucker For Extras - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Brody sighed as he realized what River had done.

‘I guess she knows about Aidan’s tracking abilities.’

River had faked Brody’s injury in order to call for Aidan. Aidan had rushed over upon sensing it with his ability.

‘River’s using his power like a cell phone.’

Breathing heavily from his haste, Aidan was surprised to find Brody unharmed. He looked at River with a bemused expression.

“It’s okay, really…”

River replied dryly, without apology.

“Yeah, well, as long as you’re okay, that’s good.”

Aidan was once again surprised to see River’s mood so uncharacteristic.

“You don’t seem surprised, so I assume you know about His Grace’s ability.”

Brody glanced at Aidan with a knowing look and shrugged.

“Well, it turned out that way.”

Feeling the cold stares from Brody and River, Aidan couldn’t be angry at himself for being deceived.

The three of them moved into the next room to talk.

Even if Caleb was asleep, it wasn’t the kind of thing they’d talk about when someone was around.

As soon as the door closed behind them, River got right to the point.

“I’m sure there’s a reason you rushed into this marriage, and I don’t want to hear about love or whatever.”

River limped over to the chair, wincing at the pain in his side.

Brody, who had been taking care of him, naturally supported him. No, he tried to. If Aidan hadn’t interrupted him with a deeper impression.

River groaned, holding his side, and looked pathetically at the two of them.

“Why don’t you try it while you still can? Please explain.”

“…….”

Eventually, Brody and Aidan told River about everything that had happened.

Of course, they left out the part about “Brody being a plant mage.”

“So, you’re telling me that your name isn’t Brii, but Brody, that you grew up in the Duchy of McCarthy, and are now registered as Duke Jax’s sister?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“And the Princess and the Duke are eager to reclaim Lady?”

“Yes.”

River crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

“But why are you so confident?”

“Hey, River.”

“Oh, it’s okay, Your Grace.”

Brody stopped Aidan, who was trying to stop River from sulking.

In truth, River’s irritation didn’t bother Brody much.

“It’s not like everything happened because of me. I was just trying to do it in a way that wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

That was the truth.

What the old Brody did during her time at the duchy was irrelevant to her current situation. But others didn’t need to know that. She hadn’t intentionally caused harm to anyone since coming to this world.

She fled to gain freedom, and the duke suddenly making her his sister was beyond her control.

She hadn’t planned to come north following Aidan either.

She’d gotten Aidan’s help with the arranged marriage, but as it turned out, he wasn’t without blame. He dragged Jax down south with him.

‘Besides, I didn’t come here for free, and I’m going to work as hard as I’m contracted to.’

So there’s nothing to lose, then.

Brody turned to River, who was snorting like he was full of energy.

“So we need to talk about something more constructive.”

“Like putting the past behind us?”

“Yes, because I’m not going to hold His Grace responsible, nor the chief of staff.”

River doubted his ears.

“My responsibility, did you just say my responsibility?”

“Yes.”

Brody replied nonchalantly.

“I wouldn’t be in such a rush to marry His Grace if the Chief of Staff hadn’t made me out to be a goddess or something.”

“What? Were you considering not getting married?”

“I didn’t know the Princess or Duke would go this far. After the attack in front of Perdan Fortress, I thought I might reconsider this marriage, but by the time I got to the fortress, the rumors had already married us both off, so there had to be another way.”

“…….”

While some details were hidden, it was the truth. Brody had indeed suggested to Aidan that they find another scapegoat husband.

River covered his head with both hands.

“Ugh… So, does the Mason Duchy now have a brother-in-law relationship with the McCarthy Duchy? What a mess this has become.”

“When the princess marries into a neighboring country, conflicts can arise between the two nations. Isn’t that common?”

“But are you alright with this? You’re making enemies of your own family.”

Brody shook her head. She replied with a slow, impassive expression.

“They’re not my family. The whole idea of taking me in as a sister is a sham.”

“Hmmm.”

River tilted her head and stared at Brody. His eyes were intent on unraveling any lie he could find.

“Why do they want you so much? ”

Brody grinned.

“The Chief of Staff knows I’m quite capable.”

River gave her an incredulous look.

“It’s not enough to cause such a fuss.”

Brody chuckled. ‘Not enough? ’ That proved that River was ‘not’ able to deny her abilities outright.

“If the Chief of Staff had tried to naturalize to the Empire, His Grace would have stopped him.”

“Are you comparing me to them?”

“Is that not permissible?”

“…….”

Brody casually replied, resting her hand on her chest. The seeming nonchalance spoke volumes about her confidence.

“I’m confident that there’s a lot I can do for the North.”

At that, Aidan’s frown deepened, and River snorted.

“Abilities are proven through actions, not just words.”

“Nevertheless, considering how determined they were to find me, don’t you think there’s a reason?”

“Then they wouldn’t have let you go to the North in the first place. I heard you were ignored while you were there.”

“…….”

Brody, who had been confidently replying, suddenly stopped.

River flinched at the silence. He had a sinking feeling that he’d made a mistake.

Brody lowered her gaze and blinked a few times.

With memories of the original Brody, she could empathize with her pain.

That’s why Brody’s heart hurt at River’s words. Without even knowing it.

Taking a deep breath, Brody answered.

“Ignored? No, abused might be a more accurate term. He manipulated me from a young age, devaluing me, telling me I wasn’t worth anything, and feeding me the nonsense that no one would ever take my back except him.”

“…….”

The woman’s usual nonchalance was even more pronounced now that she was looking downcast. It was enough to make the River feel guilty.

Brody continued.

“So you didn’t think I was going to leave? Is that enough of an answer?”

Aidan, who had approached her silently, gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Brody was surprised but didn’t push him away.

He was worried about her, even though there were still issues between them that needed to be resolved.

The awkward touch was somehow very warm, even though she wasn’t used to being comforted. Even more so for Brody, who wasn’t used to being comforted.

There was a moment of silence.

When River didn’t respond, Brody spoke up again, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Don’t make such serious faces. Seeing how they persist in finding me, it makes me feel like I wasn’t wrong. It’s proof that I have enough value, isn’t it?”

River glanced at Brody, who was smiling at him, her face firm and unwavering.

River spoke up again.

“Are you seeking revenge?”

Aidan’s ears perked up at River’s question, one he’d been wondering about as well.

Revenge…? It was a question she hadn’t thought deeply about, so Brody tapped her lips thoughtfully before replying.

“Um, I don’t think so.”

To be honest, did she dislike the dukes? Absolutely. The original Brody might have wanted revenge out of resentment. No, she lived her life not seeking revenge but being manipulated by it. But for the current Brody, it was just a hassle. There was no trace of anger or resentment in her, let alone a desire for revenge.

“What I want is closer to ‘not getting entangled.’ But since they won’t leave me alone…”

With that, Brody glanced at Aidan.

His gaze implied that it wasn’t just the Empire that wouldn’t leave him alone, but the North as well.

Understanding her implication, Aidan’s expression turned melancholic.

‘Ugh, I can’t even hate him as much as I want to.’

Brody chuckled wryly and lifted her head.

“So I have no other choice. I’ve decided to work for the North and do my best.”

“So that we don’t lose to the Empire.”

“That’s right.”

River nodded.

“I see, and I agree that it’s more important that we discuss what happens next.”

Aidan breathed an inward sigh of relief.

He’d been prepared to be in trouble when he’d argued with River, but Brody’s intervention had made it easier.

He admired Brody’s ability to stand up to River, who had such a talent for putting others down.

“I honestly don’t know how much help you’ll be to the North, but you’re eager, so I’ll make the most of it.”

At River’s slightly provocative remark, Brody raised her chin with a relaxed smile.

“Take advantage of? When did I ever ask to be used? I think my abilities would be useful, but that doesn’t mean I’ll bend to your wishes. If you ever need to ask me for a favor, you’d better start thinking of a way to dangle it, because at the rate you’re going, I’m going to have to give your requests special consideration.”

At River’s low growl in response, Aidan nodded once more.

Indeed, there was no doubt that River had an odd tendency to intervene with Brody.

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

By the time Brody felt natural enough to remove the fake band-aids from his face, Caleb had thankfully stabilized.

Her improvement accelerated after River left the room when he was fully recovered.

Brody was able to talk to Caleb long enough to get the full story.

She heard about her situation firsthand from the novel and learned about additional stories she didn’t know, such as her relationship with Mrs. Murphy, the specifics of her escape route, and how she ended up in Potato Town.

And Brody also recounted what happened after Caleb lost her memory.

Of course, she didn’t remember attacking River, the victim of that incident. So even she couldn’t explain why she attacked him.

“I don’t know; I don’t know why I did it either, I think it was because he was standing up, or maybe I mistook him for an Imperial soldier…….”

But as she listened to the explanation, Caleb realized what she had done and how grave the offense was.

She fell to her knees before the Duke and the Chief of Staff.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t in my right mind, but I know it’s a serious crime. I’ll accept any punishment.”

Brody stood beside the prostrate Caleb, her hands clasped tightly together.

Aidan asked, “Has your mind returned now?”

Brody answered for her.

“Yeah, but she doesn’t remember what happened then.”

“I see.”

River, who was the victim of the incident, sat comfortably in his chair, not taking his eyes off the documents, and asked Caleb,

“You’re willing to accept any punishment? ”