Chapter Three
_ Mother and Child's Life
"Really... what will you do?!"
The boy's tone was sarcastic, but I wanted him to trust me, and I needed someone with me. I sighed and spoke in a calm tone to provoke him, despite knowing his answer beforehand:
"Why haven't you left if this place makes you feel nauseous...?!"
' He is just a slave '
"I am a lowly slave; I cannot disobey my master's orders."
"But you hate this place and wish for its demise, won't that have an effect?"
He pointed to a collar around his neck and said with a clever smile:
"A slave's task is to execute orders, or else he will suffer greatly. But I can find a loophole; the orders did not say I must not do that..."
I looked at the boy, who seemed completely astute—a boy not over fifteen with honey-colored hair and pale blue eyes full of life despite the bitterness of living in this filthy place. His body was thin and full of scars, his skin was pale, and his clothes were tattered and torn. I wanted to help him even by giving him a little food and clothes, but that wouldn't always be useful. I sighed and looked at him with a smile:
"The woman who gave you the child has dark indigo hair and returned to take his corpse... say these words if anyone asks you, and then..."
After I discussed my plan with him, the boy opened his eyes in shock, looked at me in confusion, and said:
"Will your plan succeed?!"
"I am counting on you for that..."
"But if we are caught.."
"No one will catch us; do as I told you."
"There is a price, right?!"
' Smart boy '
"Certainly."
"What is it?!"
"Your loyalty to me only, whatever the cost."
I extended my hand for a handshake. Despite the many questions filling his eyes, he remained silent and extended his hand. He was about to pull back because of his hand stained with scars and dust, but I pulled it and shook it, saying in an encouraging tone:
"You are up to it... Oh, I forgot, what is your name?"
"I don't have a name... no one ever gave me a name. What they call me is just 'filthy slave,' that's all."
I felt the break in his voice. I smiled at him and said:
"I will give you a special name."
The boy's face lit up, and I approached him and patted his head instinctively. I felt like I was patting my younger brother's head, as I never had siblings in my life...
"Hmm, it must be special. I want a name inspired by pride and a name that resembles you. Ah, I found it..."
"..."
His face was beaming with excitement and anticipation.
"Riley Turia.... Riley means the strong person who loves helping others, and Turia from glory. Thus, he will be the strong and glorious person who loves helping others..."
I clapped my hands with enthusiasm and looked at him as if to say, "Do you like it?"
"Riley Turia... it's beautiful."
He smiled, his eyes glistening with tears. Was a name that important to him to that extent? I am a person used to taking time in choosing things, so I focused when giving him his name, but I was happy when I saw genuine happiness on his face. I patted his head and said:
"Then, Riley, I am counting on you."
He nodded in agreement and said in a voice mixed with tears:
"Trust me, My Lady..."
I handed him the bag of money he would give to his master and gave him another small bag, telling him about its purpose, then left the guild..
I never imagined that in this pestilent place, I would forge real relationships...
* * *
I reached the nearest village to the palace and searched for a prominent spot in front of the windmill. I intentionally made sure someone saw me while I was digging. Afterward, I buried the corpse and placed the clothes in a bag near the body, praying inside for this child's soul to find peace and for his mother's heart to find hope..
I left the place and returned to the tavern where I had rented a room several days ago. I paid my bill in full, rewarded the tavern owner generously, took my belongings, and left completely...
I intentionally lengthened the route to avoid any unnecessary pursuit. After walking for two hours on a road that should have taken less than an hour, I reached the cabin..
The little one was playing with the items I had placed around him, which put my heart at ease.. I knew I was late for the child and his feeding, so I prepared the milk I had bought secretly and fed him. Being alone is one thing, but having a child in my possession is quite another...
After a full day, I woke up at dawn, disguised myself well, and left the cabin and the forest entirely, heading toward a path I had previously marked on the map—a road on the borders of Walter. I was sure everyone was busy now with the child's corpse and that security was lax. The borders that do not break—I was able to exit the border gate of Walter province without problems. This was my goal from the beginning: to stir the story now and escape in the meantime...
After my escape from Walter completely, I used a magical transportation tool. Usually, magic teleportation gates are used; they are less expensive and safer, but they require proof of identity. Even if everyone was busy now, the location of my escape might be discovered. The tool was expensive, but for me, it was more reliable and secretive. Long-distance travel was difficult, so I chose to divide the journey into three stages; I wanted to leave Serdia completely..
* * * Traveling to Orna consumed half of the tool's energy, and I had to book a room in an inn for a full day so the tool could regain its power. The child was also tired from the journey, so I decided we should rest and eat a good meal. When I entered the inn, I felt the owner was a friendly man who had a family. The innkeeper's wife helped me and gave me food, saying it was beneficial for breastfeeding. I was embarrassed when others misinterpreted things, but it wasn't a problem. It wasn't strange for them to believe he was my child; his eyes had turned silver and his hair was dark like mine, although my hair is dark indigo and his hair is a dull black...
I told the lady that I don't feed him that way due to some circumstances, but the woman looked at me with pity and then gave me milk and a lot of advice. Much of it was useful despite me knowing many things about children, pregnancy, childbirth, and so on. In my previous life, during the period before I knew of my inability to conceive, I once showed some symptoms of pregnancy. I was so excited and read much and much about children and caring for them, but I was shocked when I went to find out the test results. The news of my inability to conceive was like a catastrophe that struck my heart. Although it didn't show on me, I truly felt broken. Afterward, I tried to compensate for the matter and decided to adopt a child. I tried hard to convince my ex-husband, and despite him being somewhat convinced, I was shocked by the fact that both families rejected the idea completely, and that the child must be of the same blood...
"My Lady, are you alright?!"
I woke up from the bitterness of memories to the voice of the innkeeper's wife. I looked at her in confusion, but I felt the warm flow on my cheeks and understood why she asked. I smiled at her and said:
"It's nothing important; I remembered some annoying matters.."
"Did the child's father leave you?!"
"The lady has a misunderstanding; my husband passed away when I was pregnant.."
"Oh, I am truly sorry."
"It's alright, I am fine."
My performance was good because of the previous tears and the sad expression, even though it wasn't a studied lie, but I had to justify the absence of the child's father as long as I show that this child is mine..
The woman excused herself and left. I looked at the child who slept quietly on the bed. I stretched out near him quietly and looked at his peaceful and innocent face:
"How can this world be harsh on you?! I won't let you live in that suffocating way. You will be a happy and bright child like other children. You will laugh from your heart and cry like a child when you fall or feel sick, but I will try not to make you cry. I will make sure to educate you well; I will take care of your health so you don't get sick. I will save you before you fall or get hurt as much as I can. I will be your mother in word and deed, as others see me..."
I slept excellently that night and regained my strength and determination. The next morning, I bid the couple farewell with gratitude and left the inn. Orna is located in the southeast of the Carson Empire, and it requires another journey before leaving the empire. After moving a specific distance while carrying the child, who looked at his surroundings with excitement, I laughed at his beautiful and cute looks. I kissed his cheek gently and said:
"You seem to be enjoying yourself very much, my little one.."
The sweet laugh and the tones he made were like healing magic repairing my heart..
I put him back to sleep and placed the tool, which was the size of a man's palm, in my hand and specified the new location: the far south. The distance between Oria and the far south—which is on the Carson border—was further than the distance between Oria and Walter...
After the flash of light that transported me to the forest near the border, I regained my balance and looked at Damian, who was asleep. It might seem like a flash, but it is exhausting for the body. The journey consumed all the "mana" in the tool, and this was frustrating; it needs at least three to five days to return. Fortunately for us, we were at the outer entrance of the forest. I moved smoothly until I reached the entrance of a village called Toriz Village. It is a remote village with a very low population density; it could be a good place to hide if I didn't plan to leave Carson. I moved toward the inn located a few kilometers before the village...
I was walking at a calm pace even though I was truly tired. The child was sleeping in my arms quietly. The child had a strange and comforting warmth that seeped into the depths of my heart. Perhaps if I had given birth to a child in my previous life, maybe I would feel this sensation...
* * *
The inn was old and small, but it served the purpose. I went up to the room that the young and enthusiastic worker guided me to, and I gave him a metal piece to encourage him. I didn't give him much, but he was happy..
I looked at the room, which contained a small bed, a fireplace, a wooden chair, and a table. Everything was shabby and old. I had requested an ordinary room so as not to bring suspicion. I placed the child on the bed and put the many belongings in a corner of the room. The important things were in a special bag that never leaves me. I threw the transportation tool on top of the belongings. Because I was tired from walking that distance, I changed my clothes, and before I closed my eyes, the child cried. I truly felt panic; the child who has been with me for more than a week had not cried in this way. I tried checking his cleanliness or if he was hungry, but everything was fine, yet he was still crying. I couldn't leave him like this, so I carried him, took my special bag, and left the room quickly. The small worker was wandering here and there executing tasks, and when he saw me, he stopped:
"My Lady, do you need any help?!"
"The child! ... He is sick.. Is there a doctor nearby?!"
"Ah, there is one in the village. Do you need me to guide you?!"
"I would be truly grateful to you..."
I went out accompanied by the boy to the village, and the distance wasn't very large to reach the doctor. He was a man in his fifties with a cheerful face and a warm look; his name was Marvin..
When I arrived, he asked me to place the child on the small bed in front of him and examined him here and there while I was truly worried..
"The child is fine. Have you traveled a long distance?!"
I couldn't reveal the whole truth, so I said:
"We came from the north to here and crossed magic gates on the way.."
"As I expected. Children's bodies are less enduring than adults, and traveling by magic is exhausting due to magical backlash..."
"Is it dangerous for my child?!"
"No, he needs to rest for several days—sleep and good food—and I will give him medicine to soothe his body.."
"Thank you, sir."
The doctor handed me a vial with a nice smile. I took out some coins—I didn't even count them—and handed them to him..
"Is this enough?!"
The man took three small metal pieces—I know they are the lowest denomination—and before I could speak:
"Young lady, raising a child is tiring. Keep the money for the child... What is the little one's name?!"
I felt warmth in my heart at the doctor's action; doctors often exploit their profession to make profits... I didn't lie to him about the name because I wouldn't stay in this village for long:
"Damian.... Thank you, sir, truly I am grateful."
The doctor smiled and said kindly:
"Take care of yourselves."
I greeted the doctor and left the clinic, returning to the inn. The child was quiet after taking the medicine..
* * * When I returned to the room, I found a crowd in front of it. There was a stout lady shouting in the face of a man who looked like a vagrant in front of my room. I turned to everyone and looked at the lady:
"What is going on in front of my room?!"
"I caught this vagrant stealing in your room, young lady."
The woman was almost shouting, so I looked at the child, then looked at everyone and said in a moderate voice:
"I beg your pardon; my child is sick and needs to sleep. Please, keep quiet.."
It seems the lady noticed what I was carrying in my hands and said with eyes burning with passion:
"My God! Is this angel your child?!"
I wasn't forced to tell the truth to anyone, so I smiled calmly:
"Yes.."
The lady looked at the crowd and dismissed them without a sound. It seems the lady has authority here. I asked her permission to enter the room, but she entered with me with a gloomy face:
"He scattered the room to search for money. What villains they are to steal from a young mother.."
The money in that bag wasn't important; it was nothing compared to the money I had in my possession—especially since the important jewelry and magical tools were in the special bag I own...
I placed the little one on the bed, covered him well, and began cleaning while the lady helped me. She is very friendly and has a sincere and warm personality, as well as a decisive one. After tidying the room, I was shocked by the magical tool lying far off near the fireplace; its heart was badly broken. I felt shocked and looked at the woman who reached me and said curiously:
"What is this?!"
"It's a family memento..."
I took a deep breath and answered her. Magical tools weren't something easily recognized; therefore, they were made as jewelry, and certainly, despite the necklace's size, she wouldn't think it's a magical tool...
"Oh, it's shattered.. I'm sorry, perhaps because of me when I adjusted it.."
"No problem, I should thank you for your concern.."
It was a truly big problem. Unless I possessed a transportation tool, I wouldn't be able to leave Carson. Exiting by legal means is difficult, and disguising wouldn't help, as the borders are secured with a suppressor for any magic. I can disguise myself by dyeing my hair or otherwise, but the little one will be discovered just by crossing the suppression zone. If I think about crossing the border forest or the surrounding Carson mountains, the situation won't be safe; the forest is dangerous, full of magical and predatory monsters, and the mountain is also full of monsters, not to mention the danger of bandits. It's a risk...
I sighed under the weight of the accumulated events, then after completely finishing the room arrangement, I looked at the stout lady and thanked her, but she looked depressed..
"Was the piece that shattered important?! It seems it was very important. The money you have won't be enough for you and the child; that piece might have been important because it could be sold for a good price. I will buy it even if it's broken for the same price it would have been sold for..."
' Is this woman wealthy or crazy?! She will buy junk '
"No... there is no need for that. I was just planning to look for a place outside Carson to live and settle there, and that piece was just going to help..."
"You can live here, and I will help you as compensation for my shattering of that piece.."
"..."
"Don't be in a hurry to object. You can rest here and take your time in thinking.."
I hesitated a little, but the idea wasn't bad. What am I raving about?! I need rest to think with a clear mind, and the child needs rest for his health to improve..
"I will think about it.."
I smiled tiredly at the lady, whose facial expression lit up. She said kindly and enthusiastically:
"My name is Catherine Boris, and I will help you. Call me Cathy or anything. Ah, call me Auntie, for you remind me of my niece... and you, what is your name? and the name of your cute little one? "
"I am.. called Lucia Pons, and my little one is Damian..."
"Your names are cute. I'll let you rest.... Jaaan.... Jan, bring firewood for the fireplace; the weather is cold at night, and we are on the verge of winter..."
The boy who helped me several times had come quickly when she called him. Indeed, the lady did not leave until the fireplace was lit and warmth spread in the cold room. Afterward, the lady left, and the boy looked at me and said:
"You can rest, My Lady. Ah, and you can call me when you need food..."
I looked at the child and the boy, then said:
"I need milk, for the child might wake up and I'll find nothing to feed him.."
The boy nodded quickly and left. I sighed and threw myself on the bed with exhaustion. I didn't feel myself until I was already asleep. The accumulated fatigue, the shattering of the artifact, the little one's illness, changing my plan's course, and the occurrence of the unexpected were very exhausting...
...... To be continued ......