Brody felt her neck flush, the alcohol circulating and raising her body temperature, making her face feel hotter than usual.

“…….”

Is this closeness acceptable?

Brody had kept her distance, aligning her attitude with his all this time.

No, from the moment she had decided she couldn’t accept him.

She thought that avoiding physical contact was both polite and proper.

Therefore, the only person who could initiate was Aidan.

Brody tried to calmly sort out her thoughts. No, she tried to be calm.

‘Is this okay? He approached me, so…. And, uh, what, to finalize the marriage, there has to be confirmation or proof or something.’

It was clear what a married couple should do on their first night.

They would consummate the marriage.

But how does one confirm this? How does one prove it?

‘If we don’t, does the marriage vow not complete?’

Brody had no idea.

But his breaths gradually evened out…

Knowing he hadn’t slept well recently, she wanted to let him rest deeply…

‘I don’t know the procedures of marriage. What am I supposed to do~’

While slowly caressing him, Brody hesitated several times about speaking up but finally made up her mind.

She had no choice.

“Your Highness, Your Highness. Please, come to your senses for a moment.”

Brody shook Aidan awake.

Aidan turned his head slightly, peeking at Brody with one eye.

For some reason, his eyes seemed petulant, and Brody awkwardly smiled, not knowing what to do.

“Um, we’re in the middle of our marriage ceremony.”

He blinked quickly as if finally grasping the situation.

“Ah, the wedding ceremony. Yes, that’s right….”

He mumbled and propped himself up halfway with his elbows.

Then he leaned towards Brody.

Caught in his gaze, Brody looked up at him nervously.

The soft light filling the room reflected a deep blue in Aidan’s eyes.

His low voice spread solemnly, as if carrying passion.

“I vow to accept you as my wife and love you for the rest of my life.”

“…….”

Brody froze, merely staring at Aidan.

Contrary to her motionless body, her heart pounded as if it would burst out of her skin.

‘That was…’

Certainly, it was the same vow made during the ceremony. Was it merely a repetition?

‘But why does it feel like… I’m going crazy.’

A shiver ran through her body, and her pulse screamed its presence.

Unable to endure the feeling, Brody clenched her fists.

His face got closer, and tension touched the corners of Brody’s eyes.

She gently closed her eyes, and a faint rustle resonated against her eyelids.

‘Ah, is this it? Yes, it must be done. It’s necessary.’

Though she couldn’t approach Aidan.

But tonight. It was inevitable.

This is work. A legal action needed for the contract.

‘It’s just a contractual action, right?’

With her eyes, Brody asked him.

‘But why do you look at me like that.’

However, his heated eyes seemed to suggest a different answer.

‘In a way that flutters. Makes me anticipate. Shakes my heart.’

Their lips almost touched as Aidan met her gaze.

Brody…

Her heart raced at his near breath.

Their noses touched as Aidan and Brody’s faces came closer.

Their lips hovered at a hair’s breadth, lingering in hesitation.

Then she saw deep furrows on his forehead, up close.

“Do you have a headache?”

“Hmm.”

Did he mean he had a headache or not?

He pressed his forehead against Brody’s and let out a moan-like response.

At the end of that enigmatic word, their lips finally met.

It was a tantalizingly hesitant kiss.

Brody’s eyelids quivered, brushing against his eyes.

Could even moonlight tremble?
The distance of hesitation between them narrowed in an instant.

Aidan slid his hand through Brody’s hair and gently pulled her nape closer.

Their lips met deeper this time.

The soft sound of their light touches reverberated in the air.

Brody’s fingers gently grazed his neck, intertwining behind his nape.

Aidan hungrily explored Brody’s lips, his head tilted downward.

His warm hand carefully stroked her shoulder.

Brody’s hair splayed on the soft pillow.

Aidan half-leaned over Brody, looking at her face.

A gentle touch removed the hair clinging to her face.

Brody looked up into Aidan’s eyes. He looked back at her with a now-relaxed expression.

A peculiar resonance was felt when their hearts touched.

Brody savored his body heat with her entire being.

A familiar yet foreign body heat.

One that would not be permitted to her henceforth.

Regretfully, Brody admitted she missed this warmth.

With a sobbing heart, she hugged his shoulders.

Then the comforting weight and familiar warmth settled her down.

In truth, she had been anxious.

About entering the North, though she acted otherwise.

Being in a place that didn’t welcome her, even if she thought she could endure it.

Fortunately, contrary to her expectations, she received an overwhelming welcome, and instead, was burdened with enormous expectations.

It was the same when she had been attacked in front of the fortress.