I'm A Sucker For Extras - Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Feeling sorry for them, Brody decided to turn the conversation away, pretending not to notice their discomfort.

“I need a greenhouse. I need it for various experiments, so it would be ideal to have a quiet, secluded space where secrecy can be guaranteed. You know what I mean.”

Aidan nodded vigorously.

“Ah, yes, of course. It needs to be rare to maintain its scarcity. Let’s make sure the location is secure to prevent any leakage of plant seeds or manufacturing methods.”

Brody nodded in satisfaction at his answer.

Using the abilities of a plant mage required a secret location. Aidan was well aware of this, so it was easy for him to respond.

River resumed his businesslike posture. It seemed as though his head was spinning with thoughts.

“We need to set up a greenhouse as soon as possible. It might be difficult to do so here. We were planning to move anyway, so how about heading to Count Coral’s territory?”

Aidan scratched his chin as he replied.

“That makes sense. We also need to visit the ancestral graves… and it might be difficult to delay the visit since it’s a sacred tradition.”

“Yes. It will be difficult to travel to the Duke’s castle due to the snow, so I think it would be a good idea to rely on the county this winter. I think we’ll need to be as far south as possible to carry out the plans we’ve just talked about.”

“All winter? Are you sure you don’t want to go to the Duchy?”

There should also be a victory ceremony. Since they have become independent from the empire, they must also hold a coronation ceremony to declare their country. Since they had welcomed a duchess, the wedding ceremony had to be held proudly. Even though the wedding vows have already been made, there is a need for an event that people can understand. Besides, he has to see the former Duchess’s mother… … .

Aidan’s frown deepened.

As if reading his thoughts, River replied.

“Let’s postpone the protocol for a while. I think it would be good to show off something that was postponed anyway by being well-prepared and doing it in a flashy way. Furthermore, I think it might be better not to go to the Duchy right now. ‘She’ will also need time.”

Aidan nodded.

River’s mention of delaying the ancestral visit likely meant that some arrangements had already been made at the ancestral graves.

“Are the Rupes still around?”

“Yes, so I don’t think the Grand Duchess would be able to stay away from them anyway.”

Although there were many unfamiliar topics in their conversation, Brody listened quietly.

River briefly explained the situation to her, and she nodded.

The meeting concluded, and River dismissed them.

“Now, let’s all get back to our jobs, oh, by the way, you two.”

Aidan and Brody started to leave the conference room, but River called them back, and they stopped at the same time.

As they turned around in surprise, River spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“So, when are you guys going to have a baby?”

“…….”

Aidan was completely taken aback and fell silent, but Brody quickly regained her composure and replied, “Is that something I should report to you, Chief of Staff?”

River raised an eyebrow, as if to say, ‘Of course, what’s the problem? ‘, his expression clearly carrying an intent.

“Since you’ve already said your vows, there shouldn’t be a problem, but I’d like you to wait until after the coronation. We’ll be having a big wedding ceremony to go along with the coronation, but wouldn’t it be difficult if we had a full banquet while she’s pregnant?”

“Ah…….”

“I’m a newlywed, I’m afraid to say, but the Duchess knows how to make that, uh, that…… medicine, so I’m sure it’ll be fine, and I’ll be fine.”

“Ah…… hah…… hah…… hah……. I’ll be careful.”

Aidan, flushed, glared at River from over Brody’s shoulder.

River waggled her eyebrows once and avoided his gaze.

As Brody turned back toward the door, Aidan suddenly turned as well. He was too embarrassed to look at her. Without making eye contact with Brody, he opened the door.

“Ah, right. Duchess, please stay a moment. I have something to tell you.”

“Uh, yes?”

Brody stopped walking again in response to River’s call.

Aidan was curious, but he missed the moment to wonder. His body was already on its way out the door. Although he felt uncomfortable, he had no choice but to close the door.

“Your Grace, you shouldn’t stay outside. This is not something to discuss with you.”

With his keen hearing, Aidan could easily overhear the conversation beyond the door. Sensing Aidan’s presence, River spoke up, urging him to leave.

“What’s going on, just me?”

“Did you two get into a fight?”

“…….”

River asked bluntly.

Oh, surprise. He really came in without even turning on the green light. Ah, there’s no traffic light in this era. Then what would be an appropriate metaphor?

Brody thought about it, and slowly answered.

“No, why do you ask?”

“Because your business is not just yours.”

“…….”

‘Well, we did argue, but…’

They’d never come to an agreement over the headache medicine, and to make matters worse, they’d never finished talking about the ice crystal that had been tracking her. Ever since then, they’ve been at odds.

‘I can’t exactly say we didn’t fight…’

In order to take care of Caleb, Brody mostly stayed in the same room as her.

As a result, Aidan ended up fighting alone, which was actually Brody’s consideration for him.

Aidan’s willingness to “not sleep in his bed” when Brody is around is understandable, as she knows that if she’s not in the room, he’ll be able to sleep better.

But even so, Aidan was becoming more and more exhausted by the day.

Traces of fatigue and headaches were evident on her face. It was reminiscent of her appearance before he met Brody.

People started treating Aidan with fear again, and not only that, but they were wary of Brody and Aidan when they were together.

‘I agree, it’s not just about the two of us’

River’s concerns were understandable, and Brody was also troubled.

Brody ran a hand through her frizzy hair in frustration, then sighed and leaned against the door to leave.

River crossed his arms over his chest and watched her wordlessly.

“Well, not that we fought, I mean…….”

Brody searched for words to explain, and River sighed.

“I think I have a rough idea. His Grace is being stubborn, I guess.”

“…Yes, I suppose? ”

“I don’t know the exact reason, but it’s probably because he’s acting frustrated for the sake of Her Grace.”

Is he a mind reader or a prophet? They seemed to have a good understanding of each other, having been in sync for a long time.

Brody couldn’t bring herself to nod. However, River took that as an affirmative response to his statement.

“As a married couple, you must have a good relationship. That’s the only way to prove your worth as a couple. I believe you’ll understand what I mean.”

‘Prove your worth as a couple.’ Even though Aidan brought the woman here without permission, the woman had no social standing or background. So, the only legitimacy the North can recognize in their relationship is ‘love’. Since River packaged it as a beautiful tale, it made even more sense.

“Your relationship affects morale in the North. The people in the village here are already concerned.”

“I understand, River.”

River smirked at Brody, who held out her hands as if to say she understood.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

Brody sighed and grabbed the doorknob.

“I’ll try to make it work, but I can’t promise anything, so don’t get your hopes up too much.”

“Oh, sure. Just enough hope, just enough.”

Seeing River mock him with ‘just enough’, Brody felt somewhat relieved after the meeting.

But Brody walked out feeling even more burdened than in the previous meeting.

❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

The conference room was located on the first floor of the women’s dormitory, in a small room next to the large hall.

As Brody stepped out of the building, she was greeted by bright sunshine and chilly air.

Since her lodging was only a five-minute walk away, she had simply put on her winter clothes and hurried along.

‘Brr, it’s cold.’

A long breath blew in the opposite direction of where she was going.

Her mind was racing with thoughts of how she and Aidan were going to get through this.

“Brody.”

That’s why Brody didn’t hear him call out to her.

So when Aidan caught up to her, walking at a brisk pace, and grabbed her arm, Brody was a little surprised.

“Your Grace?”

Aidan looked at Brody in surprise.

“…….”

Perhaps it was because she had just been thinking about him, but Brody felt a twinge of discomfort as if she had committed a wrongdoing when she saw his tired and dejected appearance.

Maybe they should make up somehow……, Brody thought, and gave him a small smile.

Then Aidan’s expression darkened even more.

‘Why on earth…?’

Looking perplexed, Brody listened as Aidan spoke.

“Can we talk for a moment? ”

“Uh…… yeah? Oh, yeah.”

Brody blurted it out, not expecting Aidan to make the first move.

He draped his cloak over Brody’s chilled shoulders and led her toward the potato fields.

The villagers seemed to be busy with their own work, but they were definitely looking at the two of them, which is probably why he suggested they move to a secluded spot.

But Brody didn’t want to.

She tugged at the hem of Aidan’s shirt, which was half a step ahead of her.

“The potato fields are kind of…… by the way.”

“…….”

It was the spot where she’d gotten into an accident not too long ago, and if they stood there again, they’d attract the attention of the whole village.

Aidan, who didn’t think much of it, soon realized why she was uncomfortable.

He led Kaius out of the stables.

Brody thought his choice wasn’t a bad one.

They wouldn’t have the luxury of hiding from prying eyes in this small village anyway…….

Aidan grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto the horse. Brody could hear small gasps escape the mouths of the women around him at the sight of him lifting a grown woman as if she were a piece of paper. It couldn’t have gone unnoticed by Aidan, but it didn’t bother him, and he strode briskly up to Kaius.

With a salute from the guards, the two of them left the village with such affectionate gestures.

“Shall we pick up the pace a bit? ”

“Sure.”

It had been a long time since they’d been out. While Aidan occasionally went out with the villagers due to work, Brody had been almost stuck in their room, taking care of Caleb.

It wasn’t just the caregiving, of course, but also the awkwardness of his relationship with Aidan and the embarrassment of her drunken mistakes.

She hadn’t thought about running since she was sore from the long journey, but once they started running aimlessly, her heart felt lighter.

Perhaps it was because of the cold wind, or maybe it was the movement after a long time, but Brody’s face quickly turned rosy.

But…… She didn’t feel the slightest bit cold at the strange, familiar warmth on her back.

It was a relief she hadn’t felt in a long time.

‘It’s a strange feeling to be so relieved with my heart pounding.’

Brody felt nervous about what they were going to talk about, but she was glad that he approached her first to start the conversation.

She vowed to herself that she would definitely talk well and resolve everything today.