I Picked Up an Abandoned Villain in the Polar Region

Episode 74

 

The carriage carrying Kyle and Brody was headed for Quis. Quis was a village situated on the border between the wilderness of Rubinus and the plateau of Erbe, marking the southernmost point of the wilderness.

From the capital, Volcan, it took three full days of non-stop travel by carriage to reach Quis. However, surprisingly, the two arrived in just half a day. This was because their carriage was no ordinary one; it moved swiftly by harnessing magical energy.

In other words, they had covered a three-day journey in just one day, thanks to Rubinus’s magic.

For the two, pressed for time, this was a blessing.

By the time they arrived, the sun had already disappeared beyond the ridgeline, and the village marketplace bustled with inn-seekers and shopkeepers closing and tidying up for the day.

Brody and Kyle entered the alleys of the marketplace in search of an inn to spend the night.

“Kyle, let’s go together.”

Brody chirped, hopping toward him and linking arms.

Because Kyle was in wolf form, his gait was naturally different due to his long legs, making it hard for her to keep up with him. Of course, there was more than just practicality behind her arm-linking.

“Let go.”

Kyle warned, annoyed, but Brody clung to his firm arm like a leech, resting her head on it.

“Why not? It’s nice! Do you know how much I’ve missed this?”

Brody, unable to flirt with Kyle while carrying a baby or in Ron’s presence, had held back for a long time. Now, with Ron absent, she felt free as a fish in water.

As they bickered, one trying to shake the other off and the other clinging persistently, the alleyway bustled with innkeepers advertising their establishments.

“Looking for a place to stay tonight? Come to our inn! We’ll give you a great deal!”

“Our inn includes complimentary breakfast!”

Every inn had its own selling point, but Brody, with limited funds, was drawn to the promise of a discount.

“How much cheaper can you make it?” she asked.

The innkeeper replied confidently, “1 dyon and 50 cents per night!”

“That’s expensive! Will we have to share a small room even though there are two of us?”

Kyle, standing nearby, chuckled dryly at Brody’s bold haggling, which seemed as if she were an old acquaintance of the innkeeper.

The innkeeper, however, grew indignant, his face flushing.

“Expensive? Breakfast is included! You’re a tough bargainer for someone so cute!”

“Then why not cut 20 cents off for my cuteness?”

As Brody and the innkeeper quarreled over the 20 cents, another innkeeper quickly intervened.

“You two look like a honeymoon couple! Come to our inn, and I’ll offer a special deal: just 1 dyon, breakfast included!”

“Wow, a honeymoon couple?”

Brody’s eyes lit up, not at the price but at the phrase. Meeting the innkeeper’s gaze, she declared, “Deal!”

Kyle’s growled protest—”We’re not a honeymoon couple!”—was ignored in the cheery atmosphere.

 

***

 

The first floor of the inn they chose was a dining area. After a quick dinner there, the innkeeper led them upstairs to their room. Smiling warmly, he remarked.

“I cleaned this room extra thoroughly since you’re newlyweds. I hope you like it.”

“Really? Thank you so much!” Brody exclaimed.

“We’re not newlyweds,” Kyle grumbled.

The innkeeper, startled by Kyle’s reaction, chuckled as Brody whispered.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just shy.”

Sharing a room as unmarried travelers often invited nosy questions, so Brody decided to embrace the ‘newlyweds’ pretense for convenience.

Nodding in understanding, the innkeeper grinned mischievously.

The inn was old and creaky, with wooden floors groaning underfoot as they walked down the narrow hallway to their room.

When the innkeeper opened the door, a tiny room came into view— with a bed just large enough for two and barely enough space to move.

The towering Kyle, nearly 190 cm tall, made the room feel even smaller.

The scent of roses, from a burning candle, overwhelmed the space.

“I lit a special candle for the newlyweds,” the innkeeper whispered conspiratorially to Brody, winking.

“How thoughtful of you!”

Brody clapped her hands in delight, while Kyle watched their rapport with exasperation.

“Is there another room available?”

Kyle asked.

“This one’s too small.”

He had planned to let Brody take the bed while he slept on the floor, but there was no floor space to spare.

The innkeeper, however, dismissed the request.

“All the other rooms are taken! And why would newlyweds need a big room? Cozy is better! Every couple who’s stayed here has been satisfied. Rest easy!”

With that, the innkeeper shut the door, leaving Brody and Kyle alone.

Kyle glanced around the cramped room, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

If I move that nightstand, there might be space to sleep on the floor, he thought, but even then, it was a space only Brody could fit into.

The old Kyle, indifferent to courtesy, would have made Brody sleep there without hesitation. But now, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Letting her sleep on the cold, hard floor might lead to some trouble later, and that was a risk he wasn’t willing to take.

In the end, Kyle was left with no choice but to share the bed with Brody—something he had adamantly refused just the day before.

The thought of sharing a bed with Brody, especially on a bed that wasn’t even particularly large, made Kyle’s face flush.

It was something he shouldn’t even bother to think about, given how meaningless it was to him—especially with that rabbit.

He shook the thoughts away, trying to redirect his focus. But as he turned his gaze away from the bed, he caught sight of Brody.

Brody, who was in the middle of undressing.

Startled, Kyle recoiled and shouted.

“What are you doing?!”

Brody, equally startled by his outburst, looked up at him with wide eyes.

“What do you think? I’m taking off my outerwear!”

Sure enough, all she had taken off was her robe, which she had been wearing over her dress.

Her intention had only been to remove the robe.

Realizing he had overreacted to something so trivial, Kyle felt the situation grow awkward.

His face burned with embarrassment, and Brody, ever the mischievous rabbit, wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip away.

“What’s with the overreaction? Don’t tell me you wanted me to undress further?”

She stepped closer, reaching for the neckline of her dress as though she might comply if that’s what he wanted.

Kyle, flustered, took several steps back, shouting.

“What nonsense are you spouting?! Don’t you dare take off another piece of clothing!”

But his flushed ears betrayed him, only fueling Brody’s teasing.

Unfortunately for Kyle, the memory of having seen her naked once before flashed through his mind at the worst possible moment.

Unable to handle her provocations, Kyle fled to the bathroom like a man escaping for his life.

After Kyle had finished bathing, Brody followed suit.

By the time she returned, Kyle was already lying on the bed, facing away and pressed into the corner as much as his large frame allowed.

The sight of him squished awkwardly against the wall was so endearing that Brody couldn’t help but giggle.

“Pfft.”

Kyle, clearly still awake, spoke in a low, heavy tone.

“Blow out the candle.”

“Kyaa~”

Brody, excited by his request to extinguish the light, immediately ran over and blew out the candle.

She returned to bed, poked his back with her finger, and said playfully.

“I blew it out, darling.”

Her cheeks were flushed with anticipation.

But Kyle, unamused, responded coldly. “Then go to sleep.”

“…”

His blunt words instantly deflated Brody’s excitement.

She glared at his broad back with narrowed eyes that now bristled with irritation.

“Tch.”

She sighed and lay down in defeat, grumbling under her breath.

How was it possible that none of her attempts to seduce him ever worked? Not even once! It felt like a personal record of endless failures.

“Stupid wolf,” she muttered just loud enough for him to hear.

Kyle didn’t respond, his silence almost mocking.

Eventually, Brody’s grumbling subsided, and her voice softened as she drifted closer to sleep.

“Huh, the candle’s scent is pretty strong,” she murmured.

Kyle had noticed it too. From the moment they’d entered the room, the overpowering scent of the candle had been a persistent annoyance.

He’d already extinguished it while Brody was in the bath, but the fragrance still clung stubbornly to the room, irritating his senses.

There was something oddly unsettling about it.

Feeling increasingly warm, Kyle turned to Brody, who was lying near the window.

“Isn’t it a bit hot in here?”

“Hot? I feel chilly,” Brody replied, wrapping the blanket tightly around herself.

“You’re hogging the blanket. I’m opening the window,” Kyle muttered.

“You’ll get cold while you sleep,” she teased, adding with a sly grin, “Unless someone cuddles me, of course.”

“…”

Kyle clenched his eyes shut, refusing to acknowledge her mischievous comment.

She was insufferable, truly like a mad rabbit.

There was no way he’d cuddle her, not even if the room turned into an oven. He’d rather sweat buckets than give her the satisfaction!

Resolute, Kyle pressed his eyes closed, completely unaware of the consequences he would face from leaving the window shut that night.

Thank you Alice1097 for the kofi and the kind words! It’s always a pleasure to receive your support, dear readers. Thank you all so much ♡⁠(⁠>⁠ ⁠ਊ⁠ ⁠<⁠)⁠♡