The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 38

 

* * *

 

Fifteen days have passed since then. 

 

“I intend to hold a grand celebration to announce the arrival of this baby, so gather everyone at the main square in four days.” 

 

Early in the morning, the Chief announced to all the bandits that a celebration would be held to officially welcome me as part of the family. 

 

Over the past fortnight, the essentials I urgently needed had been mostly prepared. 

 

He said that it was finally time to hold an official welcoming ceremony. 

 

What I urgently needed here was…! 

 

“From now on, Dupil shall take the lead in caring for the baby. However, if Dupil is occupied with other matters, Gaon must cooperate and help look after the child as well.” 

 

“Yes, I understand! Chief!” 

 

Thus, the Chief entrusted my overall care to Dupil, the deputy chief, and his subordinates, including Four Ddong Uncles. 

 

“Now that the baby has grown quite a bit, how about giving them a separate, dedicated space apart from the Chief’s barracks?”

 

While checking on the items needed for childcare, Dupil made a suggestion.  

 

“Let it be set not far from my quarters.”

 

The Chief accepted, on the condition that I must be kept close to him.

 

And so, I moved into the barracks right next to the Chief’s barracks! 

 

‘It’s pretty big and cozy, isn’t it?’

 

I stepped into the barracks that Dupil had prepared in advance, my eyes wide as I looked around curiously.

 

Anyway, it meant I finally had my very first official personal space?!) all to myself!

 

Of course, I wasn’t the only one at my first housewarming(?).

 

“Let’s put this one too.”

 

“Ah, stop! Isn’t a tiger skin a bit too much for a little girl’s room?”

 

“How about picking some flowers and putting them here?”

 

“Shall we get a fluffier blanket for her? Huh?”

 

“Let’s put the toys over here!”

 

From the morning, Four Ddong Uncles and the others busily moved around, decorating the room, and before I knew it, my room had become a cozy little space.

 

That wasn’t all.

 

“Since the baby will be staying here, go down to the village and buy the necessary supplies. Take note of what’s needed.”

 

The Chief handed Gaon a thick pouch of coins and instructed him to go to the village himself.

 

After that, all sorts of… no, mountains of new things appeared!

 

Toys of every kind, said to be crafted by the greatest artisans of the Great Ho Kingdom!

 

A variety of baby clothes, socks, and tiny shoes, all prepared in different sizes so I could wear them as I grew!

 

Hair ribbons and all sorts of little accessories just right for a baby like me!

 

They even brought all sorts of bizarre items so I could have my very own personal playground!

 

And it didn’t stop there—they even brought books I’d need for learning to read for the very first time.

 

“Hahahahaha, hahahahahaha. It seems it wasn’t quite right after all, Chief.”

 

Gaon, who had gone to fetch just a single cart but ended up hauling a mountain of supplies back, spent several days clutching his back and groaning in pain.

 

That wasn’t all.

 

I’m not sure how Gaon recruited them, but he brought along two female bandits!

 

“The Chief judged that, to help raise the baby girl, women would be necessary. They are former attendants, skilled at everything including childcare. Help them adapt to life in the mountain stronghold.”

 

“Her  name is Malja.”

 

“This is Bokhee.”

 

 Dupil immediately introduced them in front of everyone.

 

Along with Four Ddong Uncles, they were tasked with taking full charge of my care. 

 

‘Come to think of it, there was this way too?’

 

Thinking about it, there was also the option of bringing in people who actually knew how to take care of a child.

 

‘Before, they hadn’t brought anyone new in because they thought I’d only stay for a short while and then leave.’

 

It seems that the Chief believes that once someone is accepted as family, they are to stay together for life.

 

“Greet them. This is the child the Chief has taken in.” 

 

Anyway, after finishing the introductions in front of the bandits, Dupil brought them to my barracks so we could greet each other once more. 

 

‘I hope we get along well this time!’

 

The events with Pilsuk, the only female bandit, had left a lingering pain in the corner of my heart.

 

Hoping I could get along well with Malja and Bokhee… I gave them a gentle smile.

 

“Hewwo.” 

 

I placed my hand on my belly and bowed my head in greeting.

 

“I’ve heard you’re the precious baby taken in by the Chief. You may speak to us informally.” 

 

The women responded to me politely.

 

“You two will take turns staying by the baby from today onward. Of course, there will be times during the day when I or others will be around.” 

 

After explaining various things and going over the precautions, Dupil soon left the barracks. 

 

In the barracks, which had fallen silent in an instant, I stared quietly at them. And in that moment… 

 

Flash—!

 

Their eyes began to sparkle suspiciously.

 

“You’re so cute.”

 

“Seuph…” 

 

Wait, why are they wiping the spit? 

 

The feeling of unease wasn’t my imagination. They were genuinely captivated by how cute I was.

 

“Today, try wearing this one and this one.”

 

Gaon perfectly coordinated the clothes he brought and dressed me in them.

 

“Haah… how could you have just let me be all this time?”

 

“I’ll fix your hair a little too.”

 

Malja sat me down and carefully brushed my hair with a comb.

 

She skillfully parted my hair and carefully braided it into two neat plaits.

 

After neatly tying decorative ribbons to each braid, they held out the mirror they had brought for me.

 

I carefully took the mirror and looked at my reflection.

 

‘W, wow! I’m so cute I just wanna bite myself…?’

 

It was the first time I saw myself in a proper mirror, not just through someone’s eyes. I was truly thrilled.

 

And the reflection staring back at me in the mirror was undeniably adorable.

 

Rosy cheeks, a round, chubby face, and even my hair—though not very long yet—braided into two pigtails.

 

“Whaaa!” 

 

“Aaack!” 

 

Ah! What a surprise!

 

I turned my head and there stood Uncle Saddong. Instinctively, I shrank back and took a cautious step, but it was already too late! 

 

“Babyy!” 

 

The first to rush over, Uncle Dakdong, scooped me up into his arms. 

 

“You. you’re so prett…!” 

 

“Gasp, Gaeddongie, your nosebleed…!” 

 

“Eeeek! Are you okay?! Are you really okay?!” 

 

After that, all sorts of fuss and commotion started breaking out. 

 

To the point that I was utterly embarrassed!

 

“No, how can this be!” 

 

“There’s no baby like this in the whole world!”

 

“Hohoho, we just wanted to show off a little of our skills.”

 

“You’re just so adorable, no matter what clothes we put on you, it looks perfect.”

 

Malja and Bokhee, looking pleased, flushed their cheeks a rosy red and cleared their throats awkwardly.

 

“W, wow, your skills are amazing!” 

 

“We’ve recruited a talented person!”

 

“Wow!”

 

Watching the bandits lavish praise from all sides, I soon clenched my fist tightly, as if having made up my mind.

 

Then, I stopped in front of them, lined up in a row, with a solemn resolve. 

 

‘I owe a lot to the Four Ddong uncles too.’ 

 

I focused my eyes and, starting with the uncle on the far left, opened my mouth to speak.

 

“Gae-ddong.” 

 

“!” 

 

Surprised, Uncle Gaeddong’s eyes trembled violently. 

 

Whew.

 

I took another deep breath.

 

And after flicking my tongue once to warm up, I continued the next round. 

 

“So-ddong, mal-ddong.” 

 

Hoo, ha, hoo, ha. 

 

It’s still hard to pronounce clearly when there’s a final consonant! 

 

Ugh… I let out a small grunt of determination and then looked at the last person.

 

I fixed my gaze on him, whose eyes sparkled with the brightest anticipation. 

 

I moved my tongue with all the strength I had.