But it seemed that River’s emotions were not well conveyed to Brody. She, unlike usual, put on a mischievous expression and issued a warning to River.

“Chief of Staff, if you separate a newlywed couple, you’ll face punishment.”

River let out a forced laugh, raising one corner of his lips.

“Goodness, what’s this? Are you telling me to do this right now? This is the time to nag and scold them.”

“If you do your job properly, it’ll be fine. While you’re away, I’ll plan the trade goods and prepare the documents.”

“……. ”

River was momentarily silenced by Brody’s protest. What she just said was the most persuasive argument to River.

After all, it was something only Brody could do. Whether she was present or not, as long as the progress continued, it didn’t matter where she was. The thought crossed his mind that, anyway, Brody’s job, something only she could do, would proceed regardless of her location.

But it would still be tough. It involves danger as well.

River pinched his temples and fell into thought for a moment.
Somehow, I thought I could persuade Brody. But the problem was Aidan.

Hasn’t there already been a precedent multiple times? Doing whatever he wants at a crucial time, going to the south without consulting River, and even getting married without discussing it, and hearing that made sensealthough it was understandable.

And the reason for all of that was the woman in front of him, Brody. So, there was an unease about what kind of mischief Aidan might cause if Brody was removed from Aidan’s side now.

River tended to choose stability that could be predicted rather than adventures.

Aidan was a powerful variable that needed to be considered.

After giving Aidan enough scrutiny, River made a decision.

“Ha… X, darn it, the date, the budget, everything needs to be recalculated.”

He turned around nervously with rough words, but Aidan and Brody knew he had conceded.

The two of them looked apologetic towards River. Of course, River couldn’t know that while he was turned away.

“Is it for tomorrow?”

Caleb looked at her in amazement.

“Yes. So, Caleb, what should you do?”

“Well, naturally, I should escort the Lady.”

“Well, um… we need to move quickly, so I’ll be riding with His Excellency.”

“Do you mean there’s no escort personnel?”

“Yes, none at all.”

Caleb’s forehead furrowed deeply. He seemed to be gauging the situation and lost in thought, but he looked dissatisfied in any case.

“Is it already a decided matter?”

“Yes.”

With Brody’s straightforward answer, Caleb let out a sigh.

“Then I should prepare accordingly.”

Brody nodded lightly and asked,

“What about you, Caleb? You can stay in this village or stay with Lady Murphy in Perdawn.”

Caleb also thought for a moment before answering.

“After gathering at Shidamo, you said we would all move to Coral Viscounty?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll go down with the procession going to Shidamo. You’ll need an escort when you come up.”

It was an unexpected turn of events, but Caleb’s opinion sounded reasonable.

Brody might not feel too uncomfortable traveling without a maid like before, but if Caleb wanted to do it, there was no reason to refuse.

“Well, I’ll talk to the Chief of Staff about it.”

“You’re going with the Chief of Staff.”

Ah, right. There was an awkward incident between Caleb and the Chief of Staff, River.

Brody, recalling their relationship, asked,

“Is it uncomfortable? The other knights will visit different villages and go, but how about joining the Chief of Staff’s group going straight to Shidamo?”

Caleb silently nodded.

“No, it’s not. In case the Chief of Staff feels uncomfortable, that’s it. If it’s allowed, I’ll join that group.”

So, Caleb decided to join the Shidamo group.

But the next morning, Caleb woke Brody up early and urged her.

‘I’ve barely fallen asleep just now…’
Last night, Brody, who stayed up late outlining how to document the plans for southern trade, struggled to lift her eyelids that stuck together and got up from her bed.

Looking to the side, Aidan’s spot was already empty.

Afterward, Caleb skillfully dressed her in a tightly embroidered velvet shirko with pointed sleeves made of lace that extended from the outer coat sleeves to her hands, adding a touch of sophistication.

It was a bit regrettable that only a glimpse of it was visible due to the fur-lined cuffs on the cape.

“You might find it uncomfortable to wear like this…”

“I chose clothes focusing on functionality as much as possible.”

Not long ago, agreeing to the story that she needed to show the dignity of the Northern Duchess, Brody couldn’t strongly object.

Perhaps not liking that the inner clothes weren’t visible, Caleb also put effort into her hair and the cape.

The cape, made of northern silk Harquel fabric, was light but warm, and the intricately crafted clasps with pearls embedded in the elaborate work sparkled.

Her hair was tied to the side in a half bun, rolled into a unique shape, and fixed with pins adorned with green jewels in between.

Finally, after slightly raising a metal circlet twisted into a leaf shape, the decoration was completed.

“Even if you do it like this now, you can’t do it alone anyway.”

“I’m sorry about that, but please do it just for today.”

While watching Caleb skillfully weave multiple pins through her hair, Brody furrowed her eyebrows in a worried manner.

It seemed not to be an easy task even to remove them.

‘Yeah, being the Duchess must be easy. This is work, it’s just work.’

Although it was regrettable that she was decorating her own body, Caleb’s nimble hands, moving unexpectedly, were enough to elicit admiration.

As he swiftly moved his hands around, her hairstyle turned into a shape reminiscent of a protagonist in a movie.

However, Brody, who was initially exclaiming in admiration, gradually couldn’t hold back the sleep pouring in and her eyes half-closed.

“Milady.”

“Ugh… but…”

At Caleb’s polite admonition, Brody pouted her lips.

How could he gently touch her hair as if by divine hands when she was already so sleepy? Even if she were the most skilled person in the world, she surely wouldn’t be able to lift her eyelids.

With her recent bath, her skin looked white and smooth, and her honey-like flowing wheat-colored hair, arranged with perfume, added beauty.

Thus, in Potato Village, Brody emerged as the most exotic presence.

The previously tidy lodgings looked shabby, and the fact that a lady stayed there felt embarrassingly conspicuous.

Her eyes, heavy with drowsiness, appeared mysteriously captivating, adding a sense of awe as people who were chattering bowed deeply as Brody passed by.