The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 21

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The next morning.

 

Ah, I don’t know, I ended up burying my face in the Chief’s solid chest. 

 

“Here, have a taste before you go!”

 

“Buy this one too!”

 

And now, I was strolling through the mountain village marketplace, cradled in the Chief’s arms.

 

People were bustling back and forth in the market, which was held once every fifteen days.

 

“Bya…!”  

 

Having never encountered civilization (?) since I was born, I widened my eyes in amazement.

 

‘Somehow… it really feels like a set from a historical drama…!’

 

Having lived in the mountains all this time, this town (?) felt incredibly unfamiliar.

 

Noblemen wearing dopo and women draped in jangot could be seen everywhere. 

 

People carrying heavy loads on their heads… clowns performing tightrope acts and playing kkwaenggwari while doing mask dances… there were truly all kinds of people. 

 

And that wasn’t all. Around a taffy vendor showing tricks with scissors, children were gathered together, snug and cheerful.

 

Merchants, displaying sparkling jewelry, silk, and plenty of food on their stalls, were calling out to customers while keeping an eye on their surroundings.

 

‘Everywhere I look, there’s nothing but amazing things!’

 

I couldn’t take my eyes off the constantly changing scenery for a moment. 

 

“Is it that much fun?”

 

“Woo! (You bet!)” 

 

I waved my arms enthusiastically at the Chief, who smiled gently and seemed rather fascinated by me.

 

Meanwhile, Dupil and Gaon, having arrived at the market, seemed somehow a bit more excited than usual.

 

“Chie… no, my lord. Would it be alright if we went over there to look at some weapons?”

 

“Ha, if Brother Dupil is going, I suppose I’ll have no choice but to follow along.”

 

The two people, as expected of bandits serious about muscle training, immediately pointed toward the blacksmith’s shop and asked with excited expressions.

 

Come to think of it, since bandits rarely come down to the villages, they seemed even more excited.

 

“Very well.”

 

The Chief readily granted their request.

 

“Boo…! (Come back safely!)” 

 

I waved my hand energetically at them as they ran off.

 

Watching the two of them disappear like arrows, I suddenly realized that I was left alone with the Chief. Just then.

 

“Oh my, she looks just like her father. Anyone would think they’re father and daughter~”

 

A woman, like a street vendor calling out to attract customers, spoke to us.

 

Twitch.

 

At her words, the corners of the Chief’s mouth twitched. 

 

“Ahem, hmm. What did you just say?”

 

The Chief subtly asked the woman, as if he hadn’t heard her properly.

 

“I said the young lady is very beautiful because she looks just like you, my lord.”

 

“Do we… really look like father and daughter?”

 

“Oh my, of course. Even her sharp eyes and the expressions she’s making are similar, aren’t they?”

 

Huh? Really? My expression even resembles the Chief’s?

 

I peeked up at the Chief and our eyes met directly.

 

He somehow looked quite pleased.

 

The woman looked at us and, as if amused, chuckled while covering her mouth.

 

“By the way, my lord, when your daughter grows a bit… wouldn’t she need something like this? Or you could have your wife at home take care of it.”

 

She seized the moment to present some shiny luxury items.

 

“I’ll buy them.”

 

The Chief immediately spoke without even looking.

 

I gaped at the Chief’s behavior, but he immediately began scooping up a heap of unnecessary items for me—jade ornaments, norigae, and so on! 

 

I’m starting to worry… isn’t this a bit too much like being ripped off?

 

But since he was showing a rare look of happiness, I held my tongue.

 

‘Sigh. Well, if he’s happy, that’s fine. Whether it’s a waste of money or not isn’t really my concern.’

 

After all, this would be the last time I got to go around like this with the Chief.

 

As I thought this and nodded,

 

“Is there anything you want?”

 

The Chief asked me casually.

 

“…!”

 

To think he would ask something like this to a child barely seven months old. But.

 

‘I’m not an ordinary child!’

 

Right. If they’re asking what I want and promising to buy it for me.

 

It’s only natural not to refuse—! 

 

“Abu! (Okay!)” 

 

I waved my hands energetically and opened my eyes wide in excitement.

 

Then, with my index finger, swish—! I pointed at the things I had been eyeing.

 

“Dhat one, dhat one, dhat one too!”

 

A fluffy baby blanket!

 

A cute teddy bear sewn from cotton! And even colorful clothes!

 

As I pointed at one thing after another, my eyes sparkling, the Chief chuckled.

 

“Alright. As you said, we’ll buy the clothes first. You shouldn’t feel intimidated when you go to a new place.” 

 

Then the Chief, holding me, stopped in front of a silk shop and a cotton fabric shop.

 

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—this marketplace didn’t just sell silk and cotton; it also seemed to carry a small selection of baby clothes, all handmade.

 

“Come in and take a look!”

 

Swish—!

 

As soon as he stood before her, a middle-aged woman suddenly burst out.

 

“My lord, are you looking for baby clothes? Oh my, the little lady is so adorable!” 

 

“Of course she’s beautiful. Now, give me something that would suit her well.”

 

The saleswoman, who was quick to respond, smiled and nodded vigorously. 

 

“Still, let’s try a few on. That’s part of the fun of going out, isn’t it~? Little one, you’ll look so cute too! How about this one? These sogot it’s easy to put on.” 

 

“Hoo?” 

 

“This one is made of hemp, so it’s cool and comfortable. It won’t chafe the baby’s bottom at all—it’s perfect!”

 

The Chief nodded, seemingly intrigued by the woman’s words.

 

“Good. Give me one of these.”

 

“This one is for the head…!”

 

“Please give me this one too.”

 

“Ah, these are baby beoseon (socks). You need these to keep her warm in winter…” 

 

“Please give me this one too.”

 

No, Chief… is it really okay to buy all of that?

 

Even with my worried glance, the Chief paid it no mind.

 

He even ended up buying such an enormous amount of baby clothes, dolls, and other items that his hands could barely hold them all.

 

“I think I’ve bought everything I need, so I’ll be going now.”

 

“Phew, of course! Of course! I’ll need to carry these all the way to your home, then.” 

 

“No need.”

 

With me in one arm and a bundle of tightly wrapped goods in the other, the Chief began to walk.

 

Then, as if an idea had just struck, the woman’s eyes sparkled. 

 

“Wait a moment, my lord! Take this as well. I’ll give them to you for free!”

 

The owner, who had caught us, quickly headed inside the stall.

 

And a moment later…

 

“What are these?”

 

She took out two beautiful pieces of cloth, embroidered with gold at the edges, and handed them to the Chief.

 

“It’s fine cloth. Do you see the pattern at the edges? They embroider just two of the same patterns on each piece. That’s why people these days go crazy for it—it’s called Inyeon cloth!” 

 

“Inyeon cloth?”

 

“Yes! So, the baby has one, and the father has the other! If the two of you share these only two pieces in the world… you’ll feel connected to each other no matter where you are, right? You can tie it with a string, or around the wrist… you can use it in various ways!”

 

“Is it something like a token? Such strange things have become popular.” 

 

“Abhu…” 

 

I fiddled with the beautiful scarlet cloth the woman had placed in my small hands.

 

It felt like smooth silk. 

 

‘It would look cute if I used it as a hair ribbon…’

 

My hair isn’t long enough to use it yet, but.

 

If I grow my hair, I could braid it tightly and tie a ribbon like this, right?

 

“My dad ties my hair up like this beautifully every morning. Your dad doesn’t do that, does he?”

 

Suddenly, memories of what my classmates used to tease me with in my previous life came to mind.

 

Pretty braids.

 

Clean, neat clothes that smelled like fabric softener.

 

Lunchboxes packed by their parents.

 

Children beaming with smiles, proudly showing what their parents had done for them.

 

Come to think of it, I’d once admired those things too.

 

“We decided to wear matching T-shirts as a family.”

 

“I’m wearing matching shoes with my mom!”

 

A close and warm token of family.

 

“Bu! (Take it!)”

 

Perhaps that’s why. Half on impulse, I suddenly held out one of the cloth pieces to the Chief.