The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 57

* * *

 

“Who told you to pull something like this?!”

 

To cut to the conclusion—I was currently being scolded by the Chief for the very first time since I was born.

 

“Hing….”

 

“…No. That won’t do. Even if you look at me like that! Hold your hands up properly. Don’t let the rabbit doll wobble!”

 

With a face full of sorrow, I gripped my comfort doll and raised my hands even higher.

 

…To explain how things ended up like this—it was simple.

 

The day we were set to leave for the expedition.

 

“I’m so sweepy… I don’t think I can see Dad off… I’m sorry.” 

 

I used sleepiness as an excuse and didn’t go to see the Chief off.

 

Step, step—!

 

The moment the Chief finished saying his goodbyes and left—I quickly slung over my shoulder the bundle I had prepared in advance, filled with snacks and my rabbit doll.

 

Then I slipped out quietly and…

 

Climbed into the very last cart set to depart!

 

Of course, hiding myself inside a pile of straw.

 

It was a perfect plan.

 

At least, up until then.

 

‘I just have to hold out for one day! I’m going all the way without getting caught!’

 

…Or so I thought, but there was a fatal flaw in this plan.

 

‘It—it’s cold!’

 

Shiver shiver shiver—!

 

Clack clack clack clack—!

 

I began to tremble all over inside the straw pile. 

 

At first, I gritted my teeth and endured it, but as time passed, my teeth started chattering and my body shook like a leaf.

 

Traveling light had been a critical miscalculation.

 

“Hey, hasn’t that thing been shaking violently for a while now…?”

 

“Could it be a wild animal that got in? Check it.”

 

And so, I was ultimately discovered by the Chief himself.

 

“D-Dad….”

 

The expression on the Chief’s face when he found me shaking from the cold, bits of straw stuck all over me—it was truly something to behold.

 

Utter shock. A stiff face that didn’t know what to say.

 

And… a deep sigh.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

The chilly question sent a shiver down my spine. 

 

Normally, the Chief would have been overcome with worry first, but this time, he seemed to be barely suppressing his rage. 

 

“…I cannot let this slide just once.” 

 

“Ah, Chief… Please do not scold Seolyeong too harshly.”

 

The uncles nearby were restless and tried to dissuade him, but the Chief seemed to have made up his mind. 

 

“You all stay quiet. Seolyeong, come inside.”

 

“Yeees….”

 

…And so, I was left alone with the Chief at last.

 

The moment we entered the barracks, he picked up a switch.

 

Though he couldn’t bring himself to use it on me, he snapped it sharply against the floor.

 

Then he began to lecture me in a stern tone.

 

“Raise them higher! Can you not hold them properly!”

 

“Hing….”

 

“What did this father tell you was the one thing you must never do?” 

 

“Hic, sniff, l-lyin, lying.”

 

“Ahem! Speak clearly.”

 

No, is he really scolding me this seriously! Do you know how old I actually am!

 

I have my own situation and reasons too…. I know he’s doing this because he’s worried, of course! 

 

“Hic!”

 

I tried to hold it in, but a surge of sorrow suddenly rushed over me. This damn childhood impulse!

 

“I lied!! Waaah!”

 

I finally burst into tears, and the Chief flinched, appearing momentarily lost for words.

 

“I’m sowwy! Daaaad! Huaaaaang!”

 

“If you understand, that’s enough. Put your hands down and come here.”

 

At those words, I instinctively buried myself in the Chief’s embrace, sobbing sorrowfully.

 

The Chief’s clothes became damp with my tears and snot, but he didn’t seem to mind at all.

 

Hoo. The Chief sighed deeply, then turned to Dupil—who looked as though he was being scolded worse than I was—and gave an order.

 

“We must send Seolyeong back immediately. Deputy Chief, take Seolyeong back to the fortress…”

 

‘N-no…!’

 

That was when my mind snapped into focus!

 

This time, I had a clear reason I absolutely could not back down!

 

“I hate you, Dad!”

 

I shouted at the top of my lungs and glared straight up at him.

 

I had meant to throw a childish tantrum, but as I spoke, the sadness became real.

 

“…What?!”

 

“I hate it! I hate everything!”

 

“Seolyeong? I—”

 

“I hate waiting and wondering whether you’ll come back or not!”

 

Wait. Hold on. Why does this feel genuinely heartbreaking now…?

 

‘I’m really worried about him.’

 

Just thinking about how, following the original story’s flow, the Chief might soon die was enough to make me jolt awake at night.

 

Tears welled up in my eyes.

 

Sniff. As I rubbed my nose, the Chief looked utterly flustered.

 

“I haven’t even truly scolded you. Why are you crying again?”

 

That was when—

 

“What? She’s crying again?”

 

The bandits could no longer hold back and rushed into the barracks. Apparently, they’d been eavesdropping outside.

 

“C-Chief!”

 

“How could you be so harsh!”

 

“That’s enough now! What did Seolyeong do that was so wrong?”

 

Everyone stamped their feet seeing me burst into tears.

 

I wiped my eyes hard with my sleeve. Come to think of it, this was the first time I had ever thrown a fit at Dad like this.

 

To me, a father had always been someone to fear.

 

In my previous life, I had never properly voiced a demand or even spoken freely. I had lived in fear every day.

 

But now it was different.

 

I knew.

 

This man would never abandon me.

 

Even if he was not my real father.

 

“I—I’ll be good.”

 

Sniffling, I looked at him earnestly.

 

“I weally won’t cause Dad any twouble. If you tell me to stay only at the inn, I’ll stay. So… don’t leave me behind. It’s dangerous there. I’m worried. Okay?”

 

I calmed myself as best I could and spoke my heart sincerely.

 

Sigh. Then, letting out a short breath, the Chief lowered himself to meet my eyes.

 

Then he asked carefully.

 

“Until now… when I left you alone at the stronghold… were you very lonely?”

 

I didn’t know what to say and simply nodded quietly. The words that had poured out earlier had all been sincere.

 

I knew the Chief was busy.

 

Since he began organizing the rebel army, he had had to establish various footholds and handle countless matters.

 

Even so.

 

‘When I couldn’t see him, I felt hurt. And I was always worried.’

 

Thinking that he had chosen rebellion—and danger—because of me, I could never fully cast aside that worry.

 

And I remembered clearly.

 

The way they stabbed Eonnyeon without hesitation.

 

‘The Prime Minister will never… stop.’

 

Tremble. Noticing my fingertips shaking faintly, the Chief reached out.

 

And once more, he held me tightly.

 

“I am sorry. For making you anxious.”

 

“….”

 

At the comforting pat on my back, I swallowed my tears.

 

“What I did thinking it was for your sake only made you anxious.” 

 

Without realizing it, I gripped tightly at his sleeve.

 

“Then… can I go with Dad?”

 

“Yeah. I understand. However, you must never come close. You must stay at the inn as much as possible……”

 

He immediately turned to Gaon.

 

“Gaon, on the return as well, you are to take responsibility for Seolyeong and watch over her from the rear. Understood?”

 

“I understand.”

 

Though he looked somewhat displeased, Gaon ultimately bowed his head to the Chief’s command.

 

I wiped away my tears inside the Chief’s arms, my lips twitching into a smirk. 

 

‘Yes! I got permission to go! And even a reason to stick close to Gaon!’

 

Bursting with excitement, I sprang out of his embrace and hopped up and down.

 

“Dad! You’re the best!”

 

“You little rascal….”

 

The Chief wiped the tears from my eyes with a faint smile. I felt his touch, sniffed loudly, and grinned.

 

As expected, our Chief is the best!