In an unexpected embrace, Brody blinked his eyes, unsure of how to respond.

However, the confusion didn’t last long. He firmly pulled Brody into his arms, soon releasing the tension.

As they separated, Brody, sitting on the bed, began massaging Brody’s legs that were stretched out.

“I’m sorry that this is all I can do.”

As the warm and large hands stirred the muscles that had been tense all day, Brody seemed to melt away lazily.

At the same time, he felt the rough texture of his hands.

Then, the hardships Idan had faced today passed by like a mirage.

“….”

Brody executed the plan she had planned for him.

Since Idan was focused on massaging her legs, he couldn’t see what she was doing.

After a while, Brody tapped Idan gently.

When Idan turned around, her arms were filled with various colorful objects.

Although some shapes were unfamiliar at first, Idan could easily guess what they were from their fragrance and form.

They were fruits.

“I can only offer you this, sorry.”

Putting one of the fruits between them, Brody said.

There was no need to ask where it came from. It was obviously something Brody had grown.

Brody peeled one of the fruits and put it in her own mouth.

Idan suddenly looked at her with a puzzled expression as she ate her meal.

“It must be tough. Can you use your abilities like this?”

Oh, worry machine. If you don’t put it in my hand, I won’t eat it. Brody handed Idan a fruit, similar to the one she just ate.

It was a banana with a yellow and soft peel.

“You can only give it to the messenger anyway. If you give it to others, they’ll surely question where it came from.”

Idan weakly smiled at her consideration and lowered her head. Then, Brody pulled the fruit from Brody’s hand and put it in her mouth.

Feeling the soft texture and sweet taste filling her mouth for the first time, Idan barely held back tears.

In her heart, she wanted to say that she didn’t need to take care of herself like this, and it was more painful to take care of her. However, if she stubbornly refused, they would only exhaust each other.

With a grateful heart, she accepted her kindness. At this moment, being the Duke of the desolate North seemed burdensome and unpleasant.

“Tastes good.”

Eventually, he released Brody’s hand and said.

Idan’s elegant forehead with sharp eyebrows and the delicate lashes that trembled unexpectedly with his rough hand, his deeply shaded forehead, and the slow movements that didn’t match him.
Brody could easily read his suffering from the unexpected hug.

Is he crying? It was reasonable to suspect that until he raised his head.

However, when he eventually lifted his head, he was smiling.

Rather, his expression looked more strained, making Brody’s heart tighten. She felt sorrowful.

After filling her stomach with fruit, Brody ordered cheerfully, “Messenger, I’m too tired, could you bring a towel soaked in water for me?”

Upon hearing this, Idan immediately rose and executed the command as if a command had been input into a robot.

“Do you want me to wipe it for you?”

However, with the next excessive command, he began to malfunction as if he were broken.

To change the atmosphere, Brody deliberately acted sulky, reached out, and pulled the towel from his hand.

“It’s a joke.”

But since Idan didn’t let go of the towel, Brody couldn’t succeed in the intention of fetching the towel.

“If it’s not uncomfortable, can I do it?”

“…….”

It’s not uncomfortable. It’s embarrassing. But caught off guard by Idan’s proactive attitude, Brody could only nod involuntarily.

With his rough hands that felt large and rough, Idan delicately wiped Brody’s face.

Afterward, she thoroughly wiped her neck, hands, and the exposed skin, putting the towel back into the basin.

Thinking that it was time for him to get up as he stood up from his seat, Brody was stopped by Idan, who returned with clothes and a box.

He said, “I received various admonitions from Caleb. How to take off accessories, how to manage hair, and how to put on and take off clothes.”

“He told the Messenger?”

Brody widened her slow eyes, blinked, and then burst into laughter.

The rough Caleb, grabbing Idan and explaining in detail about women’s fashion, and Idan, who seemed expressionless on the outside but could imagine her diligently memorizing in her mind, made her feel inexplicably amused.

“Yeah, I’ve learned all the know-how and tips.”

When she sincerely smiled, Idan felt a bit lighter. Unexpectedly, both unknowingly had genuine smiles on their lips.

But Idan’s words weren’t just for show.

She skillfully removed the accessories stuck in her hair.

Then, to prevent the tangled hair from getting damaged, she applied oil and combed it through.

Upon doing so, fatigue from the forced march and tension throughout the day overwhelmed her, and her eyes closed slowly.

“I need to write the plan, but…”

Muttering, Idan secretly chuckled, stole a laugh while helping her change into comfortable sleepwear, and guided her into the world of dreams without her realizing it.

“Brody, wake up.”

“Umm…”