The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 73

“The valley water has swollen, so we will take a detour.”

 

Gaon seemed to be speaking to the Four Ddong uncles, then whispered quietly to me.

 

“It might take a full day to get back, so be prepared. I’ll carry you; if you want to sleep, sleep.”

 

“Mhm.”

 

Gaon spoke without letting me go.

 

Looking at his blunt tone, it was clear he was angry, but the content of his words wasn’t like that.

 

Moreover, strangely enough, he didn’t hand me over to his subordinates. Rather, he kept holding me tightly.

 

‘Huh? But… then how did he get here so fast when he came?’

 

If he had to take a detour because the valley water had swollen, shouldn’t it have taken longer?

 

That question suddenly crossed my mind.

 

But since it wasn’t very important, I decided not to think deeply about it anymore.

 

Throughout the journey back to the mountain stronghold, Gaon, who was carrying me, had a stiffly hardened expression.

 

The Four Ddong uncles followed behind me restlessly. As if they were worried about me.

 

‘No, that can’t be.’

 

I shook my head slowly.

 

The uncles had turned their backs on me. 

 

Gaon had drawn a line, saying we could absolutely never be family.

 

‘I don’t want to be tortured by false hope anymore.’

 

I tried hard to give up trying to read their thoughts and squeezed my eyes shut.

 

I was returning because I decided that, as Damho said, I should have a final… conversation with the Chief before leaving, but that was all.

 

‘Let’s not expect anything. He’s in the middle of plotting a rebellion, after all. If I’m in a position where I could ruin things just by being here… he might decide that casting me out is the right thing to do.’ 

 

It was just that the actions he had shown so far were excessively strange.

 

No matter how much the Chief had decided on rebellion for my sake.

 

Now, time had passed, and the situation had become one where there were many people he had to take responsibility for. Anyone could see that casting me out was the logical thing to do.

 

A brief regret flashed past that it might have been better to leave without seeing him.

 

Nevertheless.

 

‘I’m leaving after seeing him just one last time, just one last time. It seems the Chief ordered Gaon to bring me back anyway…’

 

I missed the Chief terribly.

 

Even at this very moment.

 

* * *

 

Because of the heavy rain that poured for the first time in a while, the mountain path was literally a mess.

 

A large rock was blocking the middle of the path.

 

A few trees were uprooted and lying around haphazardly.

 

The rain was still coming and going, and fierce winds were blowing, making it bone-chillingly cold.

 

Above all, the ground was a slop of thick mud, making every single step a struggle. 

 

After walking for a whole half day like that, I returned to the mountain stronghold.

 

‘…I’m a little scared.’

 

Upon arriving at the entrance, I suddenly felt a pang of fear.

 

It was because I couldn’t forget the cold gazes of contempt and words I had received yesterday morning.

 

I was entering with a worried heart when— 

 

“Release me!”

 

Someone’s loud shout struck my ears. My eyes widened, and I turned my head toward the sound.

 

Inside the grand plaza. A prison made of wooden pillars, with its inside visible, came into view.

 

Jeon Bongjin and a dozen of his subordinates were locked inside.

 

‘Wh-why are those people in there?’

 

They definitely came to cooperate with us and plot treason together, didn’t they?

 

Even if we smoothly coaxed them and made them allies, it wouldn’t be enough, so why lock them up?

 

I tilted my head, unable to understand the situation at all.

 

“She—she’s here!”

 

“What? She came back?!”

 

A murmuring sound was heard, and the stronghold family members flocked out.

 

They all threw glances at me, and although some had expressions as if they were worried.

 

As expected, like yesterday, most people showed signs of disgust or discomfort.

 

I hung my head low while being held in Gaon’s arms. I bit my lip hard, trying my best not to meet anyone’s eyes. 

 

And right then.

 

“Why have you brought the enemy’s daughter back again!”

 

Jeon Bongjin started yelling at the top of his lungs.

 

He reached his hand out between the wooden pillars, even pointing his finger and glaring with bloodshot eyes.

 

“I cannot accept this! Why must we receive such mistreatment because of that child! Your Highness, bring Your Highness here! This is unfair!”

 

As Jeon Bongjin took the lead and spoke, his subordinates behind him also started spitting out curses.

 

“Kill that child immediately!” 

 

“To try and organize a rebel army against the current King while keeping the current King’s daughter, this is absurd!”

 

I couldn’t talk back at all and hung my head as if to hide. I was flustered, unable to do anything about my trembling hands.

 

Suddenly, I felt Gaon’s breathing gradually become rougher.

 

“These b*stards…!”

 

He suddenly spat out a curse. He even drew his sword with the hand not holding me.

 

Startled, I quickly raised my head.

 

‘What’s wrong with him?!’

 

Although he was always blunt, Gaon had never directly cursed with his mouth before.

 

‘Could it be… he’s trying to protect me?’

 

I tried hard to pretend not to know, but I ended up seeing it because I raised my head.

 

Gaon’s expression revealing anger while letting out rough breaths.

 

And it was hard for me to accept the sudden change.

 

At that moment.

 

“Put Yeongie down.”

 

A familiar voice was heard, and the Chief approached with large strides. Behind him, Kim Dupil was hurriedly following.

 

At the appearance of the two, the people surrounding us split in half.

 

“Yes. Chief.”

 

Gaon immediately put me down on the ground and stepped back.

 

“Good work, Gaon. You have fulfilled your order.”

 

As Gaon bowed politely and methodically, the Chief gave a heavy nod.

 

And, this time, he slowly looked at me.

 

“……!”

 

Startled out of my wits, I fixed my gaze on the ground.

 

Squeeze—!

 

Feeling nervous for no reason, I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my hands.

 

‘What if… even the Chief looks at me coldly?’

 

I was afraid that those eyes, which always looked at me with warm affection, would be icy cold this time.

 

Just the thought of it made my heart ache.

 

In the end, it was hard to look straight at the Chief, so I couldn’t raise my head.

 

Thump, thump.

 

My heart pounded even more violently. 

 

At that time.

 

“Raise your head, Yeong-ah.”

 

I heard the Chief’s low and gentle voice as he approached closer.

 

“Did I not tell you to raise your head?”

 

I shook my head slightly side to side and barely opened my mouth.

 

“Why did you… tell them to bring me back?”

 

Ugh.

 

The end of my sentence was terribly slurred.

 

“What on earth does that mean?”

 

The Chief said as if asking back to my question.

 

“I, I know too. If I’m here… things will get hard for Daddy.”

 

“…..”

 

“The Uncles and Aunts want me to leave, too. If I keep staying here, they might leave. Then everyone will be in danger. Dad… you’ll be in danger.” 

 

The area was packed with people, but a silence as heavy as cold water fell over everyone.

 

I clenched my fists tightly.

 

“Is that why you left?”

 

Hah. The Chief let out a short sigh and suddenly bent one knee and sat in front of me.

 

He reached out his hand, gently cupped my face, and lifted my head.

 

With my eyes full of tears, I looked at the Chief’s face.

 

And the moment I faced him.

 

I felt like I was going to burst into tears.

 

Because his expression was…

 

‘He looks heartbroken.’

 

He wasn’t cold, icy, or disdainful like the other people. It wasn’t an expression full of anger like Gaon either. He simply looked… deeply pained, as if he had been wounded.

 

Looking straight at him like that, I quietly nodded.

 

“Yes… because I…”

 

The person who taught me warmth for the first time.

 

“Because I love Dad.”

 

For someone like you. Because this is the only thing I can do.

 

“I think it’s right for you to go back to your Dad and ask him properly. If he loves you!” 

 

That’s what Damho had said. But… honestly, that wasn’t what I wanted to ask. To me, that was a meaningless question.

 

The reason I decided to return here was simply…

 

‘Because I wanted to properly convey my feelings and say goodbye one last time.’