BRBRP12

**Episode 12**

—

Magic is often called the life force that burns within the body.

The magical energy Sharie infused into Caissa must have helped bring warmth to his chronically cold body.

“That’s incredible.”

Edvin, who had never dabbled in magic, was genuinely impressed. He had thought of her as nothing more than a sacrificial bride in a political marriage, but this unexpected gain was quite something.

“Could your wife perhaps go down in history as a legendary mage…?”

“We can’t know that yet.”

Having magical energy doesn’t automatically make one a mage. You need the ability to shape aether flow and understand complex magic rituals. Even if someone can absorb aether from nature, there’s always a limit.

Sharie could only store a limited amount of aether in her body. No one could predict how her talent would develop in the future.

“But one thing is certain.”

Anette, speaking with unwavering certainty, continued, “Her talent will be a huge help to our lord.”

Edvin, momentarily mesmerized by her beauty, suddenly recalled a conversation he’d had with Caissa.

> *“She could be a spy stealing information… or even an assassin sent to kill you.”*

Caissa had casually dismissed Edvin’s suspicions back then.

> *“That’s not possible. Sharie becoming my wife wasn’t a coincidence.”*

He hadn’t understood those words at the time—but now it all made sense.

‘The lord already knew. He *chose* Sharie to be his bride.’

The political marriage hadn’t made sense from the beginning. Normally, a leader’s spouse would be someone capable of sharing in governance or politics. Yet the small, doll-like rabbit woman hardly seemed like a fitting match for the leader of the snake tribe.

And Caissa’s behavior toward her since the wedding? Uncharacteristically gentle, always smiling, even brushing dust from her hair affectionately.

It was almost ridiculous.

‘Did he eat something weird on the wedding day?’

Ever-loyal Edvin had actually worried about that.

‘So *that’s* what it was all along…’

Now, the pieces finally fit together.

“Our lord had a plan all along,” Edvin muttered.

“Of course he did,” Anette nodded, recalling everything she knew about Caissa. He never acted without purpose—and probably never would.

“In any case, I’ll devote myself fully to helping Lady Sharie develop her talent.”

Anette drained her teacup and added, “So, would you mind leaving now?”

The study where she had been assigned to teach Sharie was messy and full of documents.

“I’m already swamped preparing next week’s training materials. I don’t have time to babysit you.”

But the man in front of her didn’t look like he planned to leave anytime soon.

“Haha. Don’t worry. I’ll go as soon as I finish this tea.”

“That’s what you said ten minutes ago.”

Anette scowled at his teacup, which hadn’t gone down even a drop.

“Mmm. Delicious. You really know how to brew tea, Anette.”

He wasn’t even drinking it properly but still acted impressed. Anette debated whether to throw him out by the collar or let it go.

‘He’s always like this…’

Back during the chaotic times when their former lord had suddenly died, Edvin had assassinated more than a few rivals during the power struggle. But in front of her, he always acted like a fool.

She had been angry with him at first.

But they had fought side by side, loyal to the same lord, and built a relationship of mutual trust over the years.

Maybe that’s why… she didn’t hate his shamelessness anymore.

‘Can’t help it.’

She sighed and took off her glasses to wipe them when—

“Wait a moment,” Edvin said, suddenly getting up and walking to the door.

For a split second, his usually playful green eyes sharpened.

It was brief—but unmistakable.

“…Hmm.”

He glanced outside and, seeing no one, gave an awkward laugh.

“Thought I sensed someone. My mistake.”

Anette, now cold-faced again, snapped back, “If you’re already there, might as well *leave*.”

“So mean! After all the trouble I went through to bring you those tea leaves!”

The tea Edvin brought was a rare black tea grown only on the Nambar Highlands. It was worth its weight in gold.

He was hoping she’d ask him to stay. But Anette just stared at him like he was an eight-legged insect.

“If you’re going to give gifts and act smug about it, why don’t you take them back?”

“I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

Even as he bowed in apology, her glare didn’t soften.

“You really kicking me out?”

Looking down at him groveling, Anette clicked her tongue.

“Fine. You can stay—until I finish *my* tea.”

She poured tea into her own cup.

Unbeknownst to Edvin, this was already her *fourth* refill today.

He could be sharp as a fox, but he was always clueless in moments like this.

Anette’s lips curled ever so slightly.

—

The long hallway felt even longer than usual.

Sharie wiped the cold sweat from her forehead as she walked.

Her legs were heavy, her heart pounding from the hurried trip.

‘I just wanted to return something…’

While organizing things, she’d found a quill in her pen holder that wasn’t hers. It must’ve been mixed up. Not wanting to bother the staff, she’d brought it to Anette herself.

> *“But her talent will definitely help our lord.”*

She hadn’t *meant* to eavesdrop. She’d just happened to hear it—thanks to the rabbit tribe’s naturally sensitive hearing. Even at a distance, she could make out their voices.

Even without a tail, a rabbit was still a rabbit in that regard.

She hadn’t intended to overhear, but still… her mouth felt strangely bitter.

‘So that’s why…’

Now she understood why Caissa had always been so kind to her.

His kindness had gone far beyond what she’d expected. It had almost felt like he was a different person from the one in the original story.

But now she realized—it had all been for a reason.

‘So that’s what this is…’

Her steps slowed. Her chest felt tight, as if something were about to well up.

Her nose twitched, and suddenly, she raised her hands and *smacked* her cheeks.

‘Pull yourself together.’

Objectively, it wasn’t a bad situation for her.

Better to know someone’s intentions than to blindly accept their kindness and live in fear.

If she understood Caissa’s purpose, she could play along and then ask for her own price in return.

In the original story, he would fall in love with the true heroine eventually.

So Sharie simply had to use her abilities, win his favor in advance, and plan a clean, safe divorce when the time came.

‘He wouldn’t just pretend nothing happened after I helped him… right?’

She nearly fell into despair at the thought but shook her head to dismiss it.

Even if his kindness had a reason, the Caissa she had seen so far had been genuinely gentle.

He wasn’t the kind of man who faked everything.

With her thoughts now clearer, the uncertain path ahead seemed a bit easier to face.

‘Alright. Then the first thing I need to do is…’

No matter how much she thought about it, the answer remained the same.

—

“Would you mind taking it off?”

Caissa’s face turned unreadable at her overly bold request.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

Didn’t telling someone to take off their clothes only mean one thing?

Sharie had spoken without thinking—and only realized what she’d said *after* it was out of her mouth.

The setting didn’t help either: a fireplace crackling in their bedroom, deep into the night. No guards outside. Just the two of them.

Sharie’s face turned red like an apple, then pale like a sheet.

“D-Don’t get the wrong idea! I just meant—I wanted to warm you up!”

Flailing, she tried to explain what she had read in a book once.

“I-I remember reading something! In snowy mountains, when people are stranded, they take off their clothes and hug to share warmth! I thought it made sense… That’s all I meant! Nothing weird!”

“Ah…”

Caissa let out a low sigh. It sounded more like resignation than anything else.