They had already spent the night together, and a few more nights wouldn’t change anything.

Personality-wise, even if he didn’t ask, if ‘that atmosphere’ developed, she probably would have chosen the same as before.

‘Yeah, I should have known. When he decisively decided without hesitation that I would become his wife after spending the night together, I should have known.’

More than imagination, beyond that, it showed how innocent he was.

And how…

‘Affectionate he is.’

Feeling drained, Brody leaned against Aidan’s chest.

“Sigh…”
Until now, although it was painful to feel the distance between them, it felt futile to try to console herself, considering it was a situation she had brought upon herself.

As Aidan sighed deeply despite Brody affectionately leaning on him, Aidan couldn’t figure out how to handle the situation.

Feeling the need to do something, he pulled the reins again, urging Kais to start moving. The surroundings, which had disappeared beyond the horizon, quickly darkened, and soon the stars began to twinkle.

Kais didn’t run. The steady and rhythmic sound of footsteps, quietly echoing, gradually calmed the restless hearts of the two.

Although Aidan let Kais walk slowly to soothe Brody’s regret, the end was near. In the distance, the village of Potato began to appear.

“Your Highness, by the way.”

“Hmm.”

Startled by the sudden voice from Brody, who had been silent for a long time, Aidan responded promptly.

Brody, who seemed to be aware of it to some extent, smiled slyly and said, “You have birth control pills. So… um, hasn’t the issue you were concerned about been resolved?”

“No. Ethical issues still remain.”

“…”

In the end, it meant that since she was the ‘woman who would not become his wife,’ it would be difficult to live like a married couple.

So, because maintaining a distance like now was difficult, he would continue to keep his distance, making it even more apparent.

“Then, let’s at least be friends. If you keep avoiding me like this, how can we work together?”

At her natural request, Aidan made a disgruntled groaning sound.

“Friends? How can I treat you like a friend?”

“Do I have no ounce of camaraderie to you? Was our relationship just between a man and a woman?”

“That’s not it. But demanding only friendship from you is too harsh for me.”

“…”

Phew. Brody sighed again, leaning more deeply against Aidan.

His strong arms, which surrounded her body while holding the reins, came into view.

‘A man who likes me too much and distances himself. What should I do…’

Interestingly, Brody’s emotions began to sway. Her previously well-controlled emotions started to waver.

She resisted the impulse to grab his arms in front of her eyes several times. She felt that if she did that, it would end there.

Eventually, she closed her eyes tightly. Then, the heartbeat that reached her ears began to sound sensitively.

‘Oh no! Please! Pull yourself together! Brody!!’

Fortunately, before Brody completely lost it, they reached the entrance of the village. However, at the entrance to the village, there were not only guards but also other people bustling about.

Judging by the neatly dressed dozen or so people, it seemed that someone of considerable importance had arrived, causing a delay. Aidan recognized who they were even from a distance.

So when Kais approached, he wasn’t surprised to see the man with silver hair coming towards them.
The man noticed Aidan and approached with courtesy.

“Uh… Your Highness, I am honored to meet you.”

The man, seeming a bit nervous, stuttered slightly in his speech.

However, with graceful and restrained movements, he performed a proper greeting, revealing that he was well-educated in noble manners.

“It’s been a while. You seem to be doing well, and I’m glad.”

Aidan descended from the horse and acknowledged his greeting.

At that moment, the man raised his head, offering a subtle smile.

“I asked you to call me by name instead of ‘Your Highness,’ but it seems you haven’t changed.”

“How can I address you by name when…”

The two reached out, embraced each other, and lightly tapped each other’s shoulders.

Although it was not clear in the dim light, the silver-haired man’s eyes reflected a watery light under the torchlight, indicating that he might be slightly intoxicated.

‘Are they on familiar terms?’

Brody observed the scene from atop her horse.

The silver-haired man appeared to be in his early twenties. While he seemed boyish, his behavior and refined appearance suggested that he was not underage.

Moreover, he appeared to be of a rather distinguished status, wearing clean and luxurious clothing.

Most notably, the man’s appearance was striking.

‘Silver hair and red eyes.’

At a glance, it might not be noticeable, but the color of his irises was quite unique. The bright and vivid coral hue contrasted impressively with the silver hair.

Therefore, Brody found herself unintentionally staring at him.

Fair skin with defined contours, meticulously carved facial features. Add to that mysterious silver hair and crimson eyes. Even at a glance, he seemed to have a charming appearance that could attract many women.

Although Aidan was also handsome, this man had a somewhat different charm. He looked like a beautifully crafted porcelain doll.

During this, the silver-haired man’s gaze met Brody’s. Due to that, their eyes met inadvertently.

When Brody and the man made eye contact, he fidgeted noticeably.

Not knowing what to do, he stammered and eventually asked Aidan to introduce her.

“This, this is…”

“Ah.”

Upon the man’s words, Aidan approached Brody. When he extended his hand, Brody naturally placed her hand on his waist.

As Aidan’s escort, she descended from the horse. As she did, the silver-haired man approached, standing at an appropriate distance in front of them.

“My wife.”

With Aidan’s concise introduction, the silver-haired man widened his eyes for a moment and then respectfully lowered his head.

With the same courteous attitude he had shown to Aidan, he greeted Brody.

“I am Claude Coral, Viscount of Coral, the younger brother of the Earl. It is a pleasure to meet you, Madam.”

“…”

As it was her first time receiving such a noble greeting since arriving in this world, Brody was slightly taken aback.

However, she didn’t show any signs of being flustered and naturally extended her hand. It was part of the etiquette.

Claude, the silver-haired man, cautiously took her hand and pretended to kiss it.