A deep vertical wrinkle was visible on his forehead as he studied the papers.

‘Ah, come to think of it… the headache…’

Just then, the knock was heard, and the servant entered. The servant placed a plate in front of Brody with a dignified movement before exiting the room.

The delicious aroma wafting up stimulated her hunger. Brody relished the well-baked bread with jam, butter, and cheese. Thankfully, since Adonia had cast a healing spell, eating was no longer difficult.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“I ate earlier. Don’t worry, just enjoy your meal.”

“…….”

For a while, the sounds of bread being torn, knives and plates clashing, chewing, and paper rustling filled the quiet room.

After some time, Brody, who had satisfied her sudden hunger, spoke.

“Your Highness, how is your headache?”

“Ah.”

Aidan realized he was frowning without knowing it. He awkwardly rubbed his forehead before answering.

“It was fine until now. …It’s a bit uncomfortable.”

Looking back, he had forgotten about his headache while coming up from the South.

It could be excusable when life and death were at stake, but what about when they were on the ship?

If Aidan had been suffering all this time, she couldn’t have been unaware.

Assuming he was fine because he administered medicine to her orally while she was unconscious.

She couldn’t remember sharing a kiss with him from the time she woke up until boarding the ship.

So, he was fine?

‘Is it not necessary to swallow bodily fluids? Contact alone? No, it didn’t work just holding hands then. Hmm, because of sweat? Or body scent?’

She didn’t know the exact reason, but sticking almost 24/7 to Jax seemed to have alleviated his headache.

She looked at Aidan, who was focused on the documents, forming deep vertical wrinkles on his forehead.

“It was okay until now?”

“That’s right. I don’t know why, but it seems to worsen as we head north…”

“Hmm…”

Is it because they were getting closer to the north? Was it the cold? Or perhaps… the growing sense of duty?

The pile of documents in front of him testified to his responsibilities.

The man sitting across from Brody was transitioning back from Aidan to the Ice Wall Archduke.

‘Can I kiss him? Out of the blue? Can’t feed him Meshu. I need to make medicine quickly.’
“What now?” Brody pondered before deciding to take a slight risk.

The wellbeing of the Northern Duke is the first step to strengthening the North, isn’t it?

“Would you like some tea?”

“Hmm? Can I have it now?”

“Yes, as long as there’s a place to make and prepare the herbs…”

Though she said that, she actually had no intention of adding even a drop of blood to the tea.

It would be fine as long as Aidan didn’t notice.

“No, I’m going to move soon. I’ll be fine even if it hurts while moving.”

After a moment of thought, Aidan rejected her offer.

After confirming that Brody had finished her meal, he began to pack and told Brody to prepare.

“It’ll take about two days to get to Ferdan Fortress. There’s a place to stay along the way, so we won’t have to march like we did yesterday.”

“Yes.”

The luggage necessary for the stay was prepared, and Teddy arrived. He also carried a bundle of items in his hand.

When the bundle was opened, a pile of clothes came out.

Wool stockings, socks, layering pants, warm undershirts, thick dresses, overcoats, robes, and even capes with fluffy hoods. There were also hats, earrings, scarves, fur boots, and so on.

All of these were Brody’s winter clothes.

Teddy selected the clothes that should be worn now, and a bunch came out.

“Are all these clothes to be worn at once?”

Aidan checked each piece for its warmth and nodded approvingly.

“This should be enough. Good job, Teddy.”

Scratching his head, Teddy seemed pleased with the compliment.

“My pleasure!”

Though startled by the massive amount of clothes, Brody gratefully accepted them, unable to imagine just how cold the northern winter would be.

Once she put on everything, her body swelled up roundly.

Upon seeing her waddling appearance, Teddy couldn’t contain his laughter, and Aidan turned his head away but the corner of his mouth rose.

Brody sighed, furrowing her forehead. After shedding some selected pieces, she still looked round but felt much easier to move in.

Stepping outside, they found three horses.

One was Kaise, one was Teddy’s horse, so who was the third one?

“This is…”

“From now on, this is your horse. Since you said you can ride, give it a try. If it gets tough, you can ride with me, so don’t worry.”

‘Ah, I thought we’d ride together on our way to Ferdan Fortress… he prepared a horse for me? Well, my condition has improved considerably.’

Thinking so, Brody walked up to the horse.

The horse, light brown with a white mane, boasted shiny, well-toned muscles.

Well-trained, the horse rubbed its nose against Brody’s outstretched hand.

Though she didn’t know much about horses, she could tell this was a good one at first glance.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

At Brody’s thanks, Aidan simply nodded.

With Teddy’s help, the saddle and luggage were placed, and the three of them set off.

Not long after departing, Aidan carefully observed Brody on her horse, checking for discomfort and her skill in handling the horse.

It seems claiming she couldn’t ride was indeed a lie. Brody was able to control the horse without issue.

Noticing Aidan’s scrutinizing gaze, Brody smiled awkwardly. Aidan returned a faint smile and spurred his horse forward.

And so, Aidan led, with Brody diagonally behind, and Teddy at the rear.

‘Did his mood… improve?’

Brody glanced fleetingly at the upright figure of Aidan riding ahead.

He could be annoyed since she had lied about not being able to ride a horse.

‘But it wasn’t intentional. I really couldn’t ride back then…’

For some reason, she felt unjustly accused.