The clergy of Adea Grachegyo, having finalized the marriage vows, bid farewell cheerfully and headed south for their dispatched mission.

Immediately after seeing off the clergy, Aidan’s group also received farewells from the fortress people and headed north.

Although the people of the fortress felt regret, they understood that the Grand Duke was busy. That’s why they hastily held the banquet just one day after Brody woke up, unable to wait any longer. They considered themselves fortunate that permission for the banquet was granted at all.

The reason Aidan’s group departed in haste was not just because they were behind schedule, but more importantly to put physical distance between Brody and the princess.

And so now, they were heading north through the heavily falling snow.

Clatter, clatter. Thud, thud. Brody sat alone in the small carriage, watching people outside advancing through the snowstorm.

She had said her physical condition was good enough to ride a horse, but Aidan and Teddy unanimously suggested that she should take the carriage.

‘Looks like they have no intention of letting me ride in the front like before.’

Knowing her own stamina was not that great, Brody eventually agreed.

It was better than becoming a burden, she thought.

Teddy was the one driving the carriage, and the horses pulling it were none other than Krimbronny and Neil. Brody had been worried about Krimbronny, who was hit by an arrow, but he showed no signs of discomfort.

As if to say, “don’t worry.” Fortunately, the clergy’s treatment seemed excellent; no traces of the arrow wound could be found.

Twenty knights were escorting the Grand Duke and Brody. So in total, twenty-two people were enduring the hardships outside.

“Teddy, are you not tired?”

Brody spoke through a small window connected to the driver’s seat, addressing Teddy.

Teddy understood the reason for her question and answered more cheerfully than before.

“This much? If so, I’d disgrace the reputation of northern warriors. Not at all. I actually wish for more heavy snow.”

His credibility dropped, with his face red from the cold.

Brody thought so but nodded in agreement.

‘Welcome snow after a long time.’ It meant the atmosphere was full of moisture. She hoped that the drought would end in the coming year, as everyone seemed to welcome the snowfall.

She returned to her seat, unable to resist Teddy’s insistence that it was too cold for her to be outside and he’d get scolded if her health deteriorated.

Fortunately, living up to the title ‘Warriors of the North,’ these northern natives pushed forward without any trouble.

Brody gave up worrying about them. There was nothing she could do, after all.

Turning her head to the right, she saw Aidan guiding a massive black horse, Kais.

Then, memories of last night popped up again. The passionate gaze Aidan had given her, but the way he turned cold and distant in an instant.

‘It must have been a mistake.’

Brody frowned and rubbed her forehead. If she had known, she wouldn’t have given in to his temptation last night. Regret flooded in like a storm.

‘No, I just thought that was how marriage ceremonies were. Had I known, I would’ve refused from the start.’

Refuse… would she have?

She pursed her lips alone, humiliated by the truth that surfaced within her.

‘Refuse? You’ve fallen for his seduction every time.’

How could she resist, with his personality, face, and body! She bit her lip.

It was one thing to give in to his temptation. But what followed… being rejected like that…

‘Ah, let’s admit it.’

It was embarrassing, upsetting, and disappointing.
Even after finally revealing my anxiety, I was rejected at that moment.

She looked out the window at the man once more.

A stern face, a warrior with straight eyes, the Great Duke of the North. He looked forward without a trace of hesitation. His cold profile felt strangely unfamiliar now.

She had to fully acknowledge it. That her relationship with him had been entirely redefined. She thought it would slowly cool down like a boiling pot, but never expected it to change so abruptly like this.

‘Well, he’s not the type to show an ambiguous attitude. Given his personality.’

Aidan’s approach was right. She had done the same.

‘But why does my heart feel bitter that he turned serious?’

It was something she really didn’t understand now. Was this what they call a double standard?

With her decisive nature, she’d never let her emotions fluctuate so wildly in her entire life. The only tie she couldn’t cut was her family. Therefore, she didn’t like the emotions that seemed to stick and manipulate her now.

Why, it’s my heart, why can’t it go my way?

‘I hate these complex emotions. Ugh, if only I’d stayed unnoticed in the South, there’d be no need to worry.’

With a gesture of not wanting to think anymore, she scratched her head. But still in her sight, Aidan and his black horse Kais stood out against the white snow.

She finally closed the carriage curtain. Better not to see, so she wouldn’t think about it.

Brody decided to think about something else.