“Still, it’s impressive. He fulfilled the whims of a grand duke who deserted his duties and managed to spin it positively in the north. Your chief of staff must care about you a lot.”
“What he cares about is not me, but the north. He probably still thinks I have value for the north.”
His immediate, subdued reply made Brody blink her eyes.
What exactly was the relationship between the two of them?
From what she had observed so far, their relationship didn’t seem to be simply that of a superior and a subordinate.
If it were that clear-cut, many of River’s actions would’ve been problematic. His behavior towards the grand duke had been inappropriate, albeit not crossing a certain line.
It seemed more like a closer relationship, like brothers or close friends…
Yet, what he said made it sound like if the north was taken out of the equation, nothing remained between them. That seemed bitter.
Seeing Brody puzzled about how to react, Aidan continued with a lowered head.
“So what I’m saying is, this is not something for you to be grateful about.”
Well, whatever River’s intentions, the result wasn’t bad, was it? Brody couldn’t take the situation as seriously as Aidan did.
“Then I won’t feel burdened by owing him. I’ll make good use of the situation he set up and work for the north.”
Finally, Aidan sighed.
It seemed his message wasn’t properly conveyed.
“Brody, that’s not it. The current situation is excessive.”
“What is excessive?”
“People are calling you the ‘Goddess of Fortune.'”
“Ah, um, cough, cough.”
As she suddenly heard the nickname and coughed, Aidan offered her a handkerchief.
Ah, how embarrassing. To receive such a title just for growing some potatoes…
She mumbled while wiping her mouth.
“Indeed, that is… excessive.”
“That term was a feel-good joke used temporarily during the war; now it’s not. Do you know what it means? It means people want you to live up to that title in the future. That the expectations are high.”
Brody gently pressed her lips with the handkerchief and sank into her thoughts.
She was accustomed to having expectations placed on her.
In her past life, she had carried the burden of her family’s life.
So she knew…
How much that could grind a person down.
‘In my past life, I lived up to others’ expectations… but now it’s different. I’m prepared to betray those expectations and live how I want.’
Wasn’t that a resolution she made even at the cost of experiencing death?
I won’t live so foolishly anymore.
This time, it’s for me. I’ll live freely.
Staying here and doing my best to help the North was my own decision.
Besides, it’s only for three years. Sure, I’ll get some criticism, but she will be living her life comfortably where she can’t hear it. I thought there was no problem.
“Brody, you have to leave after three years.”
Startled, Brody’s hand stopped lifting the soup, as if the words had read her heart.
Keeping her eyes lowered, she calmly replied.
“Yes, Your Highness. So, it’s okay. I just have to leave after three years.”
Was she refuting what Brody had said? Ian shook his head.
“Do you think you’ll be free after three years?”
Taken aback, Brody unconsciously lifted her head.
‘What does he mean…? Is he saying he’ll break the contract?’
Reading her eyes, he saw that her desire to leave was still strong.
‘What a contradiction. I’m trying to let her go, yet…’
Although he knew it, having it reconfirmed made his heart ache.
With mixed emotions, he answered.
“Sure, I will definitely keep my promise. But do you think the River, the North, will let you go? They seem to have every intention of exploiting you. If that’s the case, we don’t know what will happen in three years.”
“Ah…”
Brody felt relief and embarrassment at his response.
He was worried about Brody, of all people.
‘Yes, he’s that kind of person. And yet, I…’
Sighing lightly at her self-loathing, Brody shook off her mood. She had come to help the North; she couldn’t just worry as Ian had said.
Without wavering, she locked eyes with Ian and spoke firmly.
“Your Highness, that’s a concern for later. We have to deal with what’s immediately in front of us first.”
At Brody’s words, the insistence in Ian’s eyes wavered.
‘The matter at hand.’
Ian recalled the image of the princess.
The princess was clearly different from the obese emperor who couldn’t even properly carry his own weight. She looked ambitious and cruel.
Furthermore, she appeared intelligent and even knew how to use the abilities of spirits.
‘Was giving her a three-year reprieve the right thing?’
Perhaps he should have completely toppled the empire then.
But if he had, he would’ve lost the people on the city walls, lost the food storage across the empire, and they would’ve all gone down the path of destruction.
The princess seemed like someone who would choose that cruel path.
Even if she had to be consumed by flames, she would try to burn others; Princess Maila Laili.
She appeared to be extremely dangerous.
As Ian closed his lips and wore a painful expression, Brody rose from the bed and gently took his hand.
“Your Highness, what we should be concerned about now is the North.”
Ian felt a jolt at her touch but didn’t pull away.
She was right.
With a somber face, he listened to Brody’s words.
“You know me, Your Highness. I can do it. I can help Your Highness’s North.”
At her words, Ian’s heart pounded wildly.
It wasn’t out of hopeful anticipation.
‘Help the North… A plant mage, her…’
He remembered the words the princess had shot at him not long ago on the plain in front of the fortress.
“Have you considered what it means to bring her to the North?”
“Yes, she’s certainly appealing. A talent that the North can’t afford to lose.”
“But can she truly be happy in the North?”
Ian’s eyes began to wander, trembling and aimless.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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