The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 89

Only then could I finally put my mind at ease and truly face Park Dohyul. 

 

A dignified aura, an intellectual yet restrained demeanor, and eyes that were endlessly deep. 

 

Though he hadn’t fully grown yet, he was quite tall and slender. 

 

Every aspect of him looked as if it had been meticulously drawn, to the point where the word ‘exquisite’ did not feel like an exaggeration.

 

‘So this is what it means to be the male protagonist.’

 

I realized that fact anew and swallowed hard.

 

“H…ello.”

 

I said quietly, as if responding to his greeting. Then I quickly followed up with a question.

 

“Brother, how are you here? Did you know I was coming?”

 

“Ah… well.”

 

Park Dohyul took a moment to catch his breath, then looked at me with a clear gaze and pointed to himself. 

 

“Do you… remember me?” 

 

His tone was subtle.

 

I nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“Yeah. Of course I remember. Strawberry Brother.”

 

“Ah… what a relief.”

 

He let out a long sigh of relief as if a great weight had been lifted and placed his hand over his heart.

 

“I was worried you might have forgotten.”

 

“How could I forget? Brother saved me.”

 

It was only natural. 

 

He was the benefactor who saved my life, and the protagonist of this story.

 

Besides, I had even promised him that I would definitely return.

 

‘The fact that I had left Park Dohyul behind all this time… had been weighing heavily on my heart.’

 

I quietly clenched my fists.

 

Then, without realizing it, I carefully examined Park Dohyul’s face.

 

I looked to see if he was hurt anywhere, if he was okay… if any scars had been left on that fine face.

 

Perhaps feeling my gaze, Park Dohyul slightly tilted his head.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“I was worried all this time. Because I just left like that…”

 

“…..”

 

“I’m relieved too. That we met again.”

 

I spoke carefully, my voice growing even smaller. 

 

During that time, I was too small and powerless… so I couldn’t save him right away. I only felt sorry for making him endure for such a long time. 

 

Mumbling to myself, I finally brought out the guilt that was welling up in my heart.

 

“You know. I’m sorry. Even after promising to come back….” 

 

“But you did come back.”

 

“…..”

 

“I waited. Thanks to you, fighting just like you told me to.”

 

At Park Dohyul’s words, I blanked out for a moment.

 

I didn’t easily grasp the meaning behind them, so I tilted my head slightly. 

 

But just then.

 

Rustle—!

 

Suddenly, a noise came from the bushes. Startled, I jumped up from my spot.

 

Meow—! 

 

Fortunately, a cat that had been hiding in the bushes leaped out. 

 

I felt a sense of relief knowing it wasn’t the people chasing us, but…

 

On the other hand, the urgent situation I was in came to mind, and anxiety suddenly surged up.

 

“Come to think of it, shouldn’t we be hiding somewhere else instead of staying here? Where is this?”

 

“Don’t worry. This house is one of the properties owned by my family. Although it’s not currently in use.”

 

“Uh…”

 

So, that meant it was one of the Prime Minister’s houses.

 

‘Then… doesn’t that mean I’m currently hiding in the house of the enemy who’s chasing me?’

 

I felt strangely uneasy.

 

I scanned the surroundings warily, then cautiously approached the front gate, looked at Park Dohyul, and spoke. 

 

“I’ll definitely repay you for helping me, Brother. But I have to go now. My uncle is in danger.”

 

I was worried about Uncle Gaeddong.

 

I felt like I wouldn’t be able to relax at all unless I went near the tavern and climbed a tree to check if my uncle was safe.

 

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

 

But at that moment.

 

Park Dohyul smoothly approached and blocked me as I was about to open the gate and leave.

 

“Because I’ve already given instructions.”

 

“Instructions?”

 

“Yeah. I sent people who can help him.”

 

I looked at Park Dohyul, feeling bewildered.

 

I couldn’t even begin to guess who these ‘people who can help’ were. 

 

How could Park Dohyul, who was obviously trapped in the Prime Minister’s grasp, have sent people who could be of help to Uncle Gaeddong?

 

“What do you mean by….” 

 

“I formed my own private army. In the meantime.”

 

Park Dohyul answered firmly, without hiding anything.

 

“Because I wanted to fight against my father.”

 

“How did you…?”

 

“There are many ways. I’m a strategist, after all.”

 

“….!”

 

“Of course… there were strategies I devised that could have put you and your father in danger because of my father. But I made separate preparations to ensure that you, at least, would never be hurt.”

 

Park Dohyul continued his words with difficulty, almost as if making an excuse.

 

As if he were afraid that I might misunderstand him.

 

As expected.

 

Making them send a letter to Gaon’s family was also Dohyul’s strategy, one he had to follow outwardly according to his father’s wishes.

 

But at the same time.

 

He had also set up separate countermeasures to ensure I wouldn’t be hurt by that strategy.

 

“It’s okay. My uncle wouldn’t fall for something like that anyway.” 

 

I nodded and spoke as if it were no big deal.

 

At those words, Park Dohyul nodded along as if relieved. Then he spoke quietly and softly.

 

“Regardless, don’t worry about your uncle. I’ll be bringing him here soon.”  

 

“Here?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Park Dohyul gave a faint, thin smile. 

 

And the next moment.

 

“Who’s there!”

 

Suddenly, a fierce shout rang out from outside the gate.

 

* * *

 

“Father, I told you not to follow me! I want to watch the fireworks just with Yeong.”

 

Damho finally raised his voice at the pirate captain, his father, unable to take it anymore. 

 

At that, the captain whistled and stared at a distant mountain.

 

“Now, look at this brat accusing an innocent man. Does it look like I’m following you? I’m just enjoying the festival.” 

 

“You are following me.”

 

Damho pouted his lips like a duck.

 

“Ah, seriously. Why would I follow you? Do I look like a captain who has so much free time that I’d follow my kid around just out of curiosity about what you’re doing with that pretty girl?”

 

“Fine then. I’m going!” 

 

“Don’t go too far, son.”

 

…Whew. Forget it.

 

Damho sharply turned his head and strode towards the tavern as if he didn’t care either way.

 

‘How could I miss this chance when we’ve finally met again.’

 

In fact, since that day, Damho had thought of nothing but wanting to see that child again. 

 

But to meet again by chance like this.

 

This was close to destiny.

 

‘It’s so great that I get to watch the fireworks with such a pretty and cute girl.’

 

With his mouth hanging open in a wide grin at the thought of watching the fireworks with Yeong, Damho took large strides and stood confidently in front of the tavern.

 

And just then, a group of armed warriors brushed past Damho.

 

‘Those are… private soldiers of the Anseong Park family.’

 

Quickly realizing their identity, Damho swiftly pulled his body back and hid.

 

Then, he could faintly hear the conversation they were having among themselves. 

 

“That girl and the man, they ran away?”

 

“Where to?”

 

“The mountain entrance leading inland has already been blocked by another unit. They won’t be able to go there.”

 

“Then… what about the waterways?”

 

“Hah, that’ll be difficult. You know why, right?” 

 

Damho, who was listening to their conversation, frowned deeply.

 

‘They fled? That means….’ 

 

Damho knew the bandits’ circumstances, at least roughly. 

 

They were people who lived in hiding so that the location of their mountain stronghold wouldn’t be revealed.

 

Even Yeong had come in disguise. 

 

There was likely a reason why it would be dangerous if they were discovered. 

 

‘Seeing all those warriors coming out of the tavern… something must have definitely happened to Yeong.’

 

Tremble.

 

Damho clenched his fists in anxiety.

 

Just then.

 

The captain suddenly popped his head out from behind him and threw out a word.

 

“What is it? Is something wrong, son?” 

 

Damho looked back at his father.

 

He always annoyed him, but… he knew better than anyone how strong a person he was.

 

“Father.”

 

“What is it, brat?”

 

“I have something to tell you.”

 

“What.”

 

“Actually, that day when I was chased by enemies and almost died from being attacked on the mountain… I owe my life. If Yeong hadn’t saved me, I might not have come back.”

 

“….!”

 

The captain widened his eyes as if surprised.

 

“Yeong is my savior. And I learned… that a pirate never ignores someone they owe their life to when that person is in a crisis.”

 

Damho sharply raised his head and spoke with emphasis.

 

“So…”

 

Gulp.

 

Damho caught his breath and spoke clearly.

 

“Please help Yeong. Father.”