Holding onto the robe like a baby kangaroo, Brody stared outside, eliciting a chuckle from Aidan.

She blinked as if dreaming and asked, “Where is this…”

“Ever been here?”

Swoosh. Thud.

Breathing in the salty air, Brody shook her head.

Though unaware of her past life, Brody May had never been here.

A horizon stretched infinitely before her, unobstructed.

The calm waves absorbed the setting sun, tinting themselves in red, and imposed an awe-inspiring spectacle upon her view.

It was the sea.

Her curly hair fluttered freely in the wind coming from all directions.

“I’m surprised. Suddenly, the sea…”

Aidan, taming the stray strands of Brody’s hair, nodded in response.

“Yep, it’s Tarno’s Edge in the far west.”

“Isn’t the far west the way back?”

“Not necessarily by boat. Overland routes are closer to the imperial capital and cumbersome. So we decided to go by sea.”

“We’re taking a boat?”

“Yes, we have a night boat reserved. We’ll be at Ferdan Fortress comfortably in a few days.”

When had he made a reservation?

Though chased from behind and hesitant to move forward in the northern lands, Brody felt her heart flutter at the sight of the sea.

‘I’ve never been on a boat other than a Han River cruise.’

As she felt a sense of anticipation, Brody became flustered.

Is it okay to feel excited when the situation is dire?

Aidan then added another layer.

“Since we have time, let’s eat something. A simple meal while watching the sunset would be charming.”

He must have judged this place as safe.

When it came to combat and evading pursuit, Aidan was the expert.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Brody also decided to relax.

Aidan briefly left Kaise in a makeshift stable and picked up Brody.

“Will you continue to carry me like this?”

Brody seemed puzzled, having expected to be set down.

“But… can you walk?”

“I’ll have to walk eventually.”

Heeding her signal, Aidan slowly set her down.

Though in pain, Brody thought walking would be manageable until she felt her legs wobble as they touched the ground.

“Whoa.”

To avoid falling, she tightly grabbed Aidan’s sturdy arm.

It seemed that Brody’s muscles, unused for at least two weeks, had decided they were no longer needed.

Everything felt delicate because she’d never paid conscious attention to the act of ‘walking.’

Her wobbly legs and ankles, a sore behind from the saddle, a stiff back—Brody clenched her face as she screamed internally.

It was her fault for confidently getting down, trying not to show her pain, but it didn’t go as planned.

“I should’ve practiced walking.”

“Don’t push yourself. It’s understandable; you almost died.”

Aidan, finding even Brody’s pouting lips and displeased expression cute, picked her up again.

“Ah, I need to practice walking…”

“Yeah, first let’s eat. Your body needs strength too.”

Sighing, Brody leaned on Aidan again.
Observing my physical condition, walking any further would result in returning empty-handed, left with hunger in my belly.

Aidan bought a hearty stew of various seafood, chunks of grilled fish, and rounded fish balls.

He spread a thick blanket next to the staircase overlooking the harbor and seated Brody on it.

“When did he even bring a blanket?”

Touched by Aidan’s thoughtful gesture, Brody gave an awkward smile.

“Thank you.”

“No big deal.”

Nonchalantly, Aidan moved behind her and enveloped her in his arms as he sat down.

Brody was somewhat surprised; she had assumed he would sit next to her.

“Um… you can sit beside me.”

“No. You look exhausted.”

Was this the cloying display of affection between a couple that one only hears about and sees?

Never in her life did Brody think she’d engage in such behavior in a public place, but life is indeed unpredictable.

Not wanting to reject Aidan’s considerate gesture, Brody just relaxed and leaned back against him.

Aidan handed her a bowl of still-warm stew.

“Eat this. If you think you can eat more, try the grilled fish and fish balls.”

Nodding, Brody drank the stew directly from the bowl.

The hot and comforting soup warmed her body as it slid down her throat.

The sea breeze, the sound of the waves, and the cries of the seabirds, whose origin was unknown yet oddly familiar, somehow calmed her and aroused her appetite.

The sun, half-hidden at the edge of the sea, cast its final rays of the afternoon, offering a verbose farewell.

Brody’s face and Aidan’s were tinged with the warm, red hues of the setting sun.

“It’s beautiful.”

Struggling for words, Brody couldn’t quite articulate her feelings but wanted to vocalize them, so she settled for a simple phrase.

“Yes, it is.”

Aidan agreed straightforwardly.

They ate their dinner side by side, quietly enjoying the same view.

The bustling seamen, vendors displaying fresh seafood, and the laughter of children walking hand-in-hand with their parents peacefully enveloped the harbor town.

The atmosphere seemed almost magical, improving Brody’s physical state, and she effortlessly finished a bowl of stew.

“It’s peaceful here.”