episode_0002

The vast northern land was thick with a storm-like snowstorm.

The chilly climate made it so cold that not even a single bird flew.

How about the steep cliffs and desolate dry land?

But as dignified as the castle located at its peak.

This is Darin Castle, the residence of the great Bayoren.

It is my husband’s domain and my stronghold.

My name is Mandarine. I am the esteemed lady of Bayoren’s Darin Castle.

Are you just putting on airs for being a lady of a small castle?

Oh, really?

Anyway, can we use the word “great” lightly in our position, where we acknowledge the Northern Duke as our lord? He is truly great because he is the Northern Duke.

But no matter what hierarchy our family belongs to, as a noblewoman, shouldn’t I have some pride?

Bayoren was once a small country of barbarians who opposed the empire. At most, it had a scale of about a hundred thousand people.

Even though we are now subjugated under the empire and incorporated as a small castle, our nobility hasn’t gone anywhere.

In fact, I boastfully make speeches, but I do not have Bayoren blood flowing through me.

I am a person who, in a previous life, lived as a man and met an ignoble end due to a tangerine allergy. Pitying me, a goddess gave me a crude cheat ability: “You will not die from eating any crops related to tangerines. And you will live a healthy long life.” Then, I was thrown into a gloomy medieval world as an outsider.

After that, I was reincarnated in a neutral zone located outside the empire. I was born into a wealthy commoner household that made a business out of tangerine farming and led a peaceful life. My parents named me Mandarine, meaning “tangerine.” It seemed like a hastily chosen name, but as a newborn, I had no say in the matter. Over time, I didn’t care much about it.

If it weren’t for the damn attacks by the Bayoren barbarians, I would have spent my life on the tangerine farm. However, my parents were killed, and I was kidnapped and forced into marriage with my current husband. Come to think of it, it wasn’t even a forced marriage. It was more like a premeditated rape.

How old was I at the time? I was 7 when I was kidnapped. When I had my first experience with a husband, I think I was 14? Well, in the Joseon era, that was considered the age of marriage. Even in this world that advocates for the Middle Ages, it’s considered an early age to get married. But that was your situation. It wasn’t mine.

Anyway, let’s stop talking about the dark stories. I don’t really want to talk about it. What might seem strange to others is why, as a victim of those barbarians, I completely assimilated into their culture. Why would I be proud of these barbarians?

Well, there’s no special reason. It’s because I sincerely love my children. I felt the emotion of love for the first time with two angelic children with white hair.

The first is a boy, Akkael.

The second is a girl, Apiel.

It’s been over 30 years since I was reborn as a woman, so now I don’t consider myself a man. After all this time, considering myself a man would be a sign of mental illness. Accepting that I am a woman was also a decision to become a good mother.

My children have the blood of the northern barbarians. It would have been nice if they were born from the great Northern Duke and lived a perfect life without flaws, but ultimately, it couldn’t be helped that it turned out this way.

Even so, it’s much better than continuing the blood of a commoner with nothing like me. Despite being disregarded by the imperial nobles, I was once the king of the barbarians, after all, due to my lineage.

Therefore, wanting to pass on the best to my beloved children, I decided to accept this lineage. Running away with pregnancy and a child, a common theme in subculture. I did consider it because I resented my husband so much, but once it became a reality, I realized it wasn’t something a sane person would do.

It would be fortunate if ordinary people were not collectively raped by snakes on the road this year. And what about my children who will inherit poverty? What can I do with such a useless ability as “not getting hurt even when eating tangerines”? I don’t love my husband, but for the sake of my children, it was right to just sit here.

Several decades have passed since then. I entered my thirties before. The children have become respectable adults. And today was quite a special day. It was the day when Bayoren, one of my treasures, returned after defeating the demon king.

“Kael, you seem taller these days. You look bigger than your father.”

A ruggedly handsome man with eyes as blue and white as snow and over 2 meters tall. His well-defined muscles felt like rocks. My son is truly a flawless hero.

“I wonder whose son you are, inheriting good genes so well.”

“Heh, whose son are you?”

“Mandarin Bayoren. The noble eldest son of a noble lady.”

“What’s noble about your mother? Nobility comes from your father’s blood.”

“That’s not true. My mother is the greatest woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Geez, flattery…”

Excessive worship. How dare a mere commoner elevate his mother like that.

Still, it feels good.

A slight tingling sensation rises in my chest. My child, who sincerely respects me, is so lovable. We hugged when we first met earlier, but it was a bit lacking to release all the affection. In our private family room where no one is watching, couldn’t I express affection more informally?

But let’s control ourselves.

He’s been an adult for quite some time now, and I must maintain composure as a lady of the house. My improper behavior would tarnish the honor of my family.

Besides, no matter how close the family, he might feel burdened if his mother shows excessive affection.

I thought about it, and it’s been three years since I faced Kyle and saw his face. I’m just glad, but the child will need some time to get more familiar, so I should be careful.

It’s sad, but I have to leave the past when I used to walk through the tangerine fields, as a page of memories now.

“Yeah, anyway, thank you for your hard work. But is the hero’s eyes really golden? I’ve never seen them, so I’m curious.”

“Of course. Normally they are just ordinary golden, but when he wields the sword, they shine more dazzlingly than the sun.”

“Really? I want to see it once in real life. Since he defeated the demon king, he must be incredibly strong, right?”

“When he wields the sword, mountains split, valleys pair up, and thunder rains down at the level of a storm. Perhaps Lucas is a being quite different from us.”

“Lucas? Is that the hero’s name?”

“Haha, the name just slipped out without me realizing. Yes, that’s right. Lucas means ‘light.’ Considering his presence, isn’t it quite a fitting name?”

“Wow…”

Our son is truly remarkable. How can he address the strongest hero of mankind so familiarly? Come to think of it, he is a member of the Hero Party, so it’s only natural, right? Wait, now that I think about it…

“Kyle, did they say anything about giving out rewards from the empire or the royal family as a reward for defeating the demon king? Like inheriting a viscount title or something…”

“I haven’t heard anything yet, but there’s going to be a celebration soon, so maybe they’ll announce it there?”

“Really? Then just in case. I might go up to the capital too.”

“Are you talking about going to the capital, Mother?”

Huh…? As soon as I finish speaking, he suddenly opens his eyes fiercely? Kyle, why are you glaring at your mother like that? Is it so unpleasant for me to go to the capital?

“Why are you like that, Kyle? I want to congratulate you, and I also want to see the hero who defeated the demon king.”

“…Now that I think about it, it seems like you’re quite interested in the hero, Mother.”

“Of course. She’s a fellow outsider like me, isn’t she?”

“She could be a human from a different dimension, couldn’t she?”

“But still, you never know, right? You can find out after talking a few times. If she’s Korean, ask her if she likes kimchi stew or soybean paste stew, and if she’s a foreigner, ask if she likes McDonald’s.”

“…ha.”

What’s this? Did you just sigh? It seems like Kael has become a bit prickly after not seeing him for three years. Or maybe there’s some other reason…

“Hey, Kael, do you hate it so much when your mother visits the capital? Embarrassed by your commoner mother?”

“That’s absolutely not the case. How can you say such a thing knowing how I feel about my mother?”

“Then why did you sigh?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, I’ll be okay if you tell me why you’re acting this way. Can’t you be honest instead of hiding it?”

Kael glanced at me several times and started drawing circles on the table. It’s a habit he always had when he was deep in thought or troubled. Seeing that, I realized my child is still the same.

“Don’t you know? How nobles look at mothers.”

Ah, it’s because of that reason? But he’s quite a character. I know very well that I am beautiful too. Why would my husband seat me in the main hall? The reason is obvious.

But it’s been a long time since the nobles looked at me with disdain. How old was I back then? In my late teens to early twenties…

Anyway, there’s no need to worry anymore. In a noble society where the average marriage age is 17-18, at my age, I’d be considered an old maid, not just unmarried.

Above all, I received a decree from my son that I’m forbidden to go out. So attending my son’s coming-of-age ceremony is like going out after decades. How could I possibly miss such an opportunity?

“Hey, your mother is well past thirty, isn’t she? And that was in her late teens. She wouldn’t even spare a glance at me now, would she?”

“If anything, since her appearance hasn’t changed at all, she’s bound to attract more attention.”

“Kael, don’t be cheeky. Is Mom feeling a little hurt? Do you want to act like your father too?”

“Oh, no, that’s not it… Mother, but still…”

“And her appearance hasn’t changed at all? That’s because you have blinders on when it comes to your mother.”

“It’s not blinders, it’s the truth.”

“Enough! Stop with the awkward compliments. I get it. Why are you so worried? It might be over the top, but can’t you just support me instead of opposing me? I really want to go out for a bit…”

“Sigh, I understand. But you have to stick by my side.”

Huh? Stick by my son’s side even when he’s wearing a mask? That’s too embarrassing… And from an adult perspective like Kyle’s, that doesn’t seem right.

“You might end up being criticized, you know? A member of the hero party not being able to leave a woman’s side.”

“It doesn’t matter. However they judge me, it’s not my concern.”

“Aren’t you being too restrictive on your mother?”

“So you’re not going?”

“Oh, no! I’ll go, I’ll go! I’ll stick close by, so please allow it!”

“Don’t go around without telling us where you’re going.”

“Wait, that seems really excessive. And wouldn’t it be nice for you to receive congratulations from your parents?”

“Can’t you receive them here? There’s nothing to regret if your mother doesn’t attend the celebration.”

“…It seems like you’ve become more stubborn in the past 3 years.”

“I’ve always been the same. It’s your mother who has changed. Why are you suddenly insisting on going out so much?”

“Why is going out, something everyone does, so difficult for me? What did your mother do wrong to give me such a hard time?”

“Wait, could it be that your mother…?”

“…?”

Why does she suddenly stop talking? Why is her face so stern again? He’s my son, but he’s so big that his expression makes me nervous. What kind of serious conversation is she about to bring up?

“Are you perhaps looking for a remarriage partner?”

Huh?