episode_0167

A surprising thought came to Tia’s mind, along with the image of someone.

A year ago, Aunt Olivia had been stick-thin. But one day, she suddenly developed such a strong aversion to her favorite stir-fried vegetables that she’d vomit, and then she started constantly pestering for meat.

As Aunt Olivia’s strange behavior continued, the elders whispered that something unusual was happening. They even hinted at anticipation, saying a new life might soon be born.

The symptoms worsened day by day. Sometimes she’d groan and lie down sick, and she’d frequently go to the outhouse, complaining of stomachaches.

Tia, knowing nothing, asked if Aunt Olivia should go see Ritsu since she seemed very ill, but the adults shook their heads and explained.

‘That’s how women are when they’re carrying a child.’

She had completely forgotten. Tia immediately recalled when her last period had been. She had been so busy since moving to Gordburg that she hadn’t even had time to think about such things.

She counted the days on her fingers. Her menstrual cycle always varied by a day or two but was generally regular.

Tracing back her memories, she had her period not long after her first experience. That was in mid-to-late January, so it should have come around mid-February.

But now it was early March.

“……”

Her ‘period,’ which had consistently arrived with the same monthly cycle, wouldn’t suddenly be late for no reason.

There was only one reason…

Pregnancy.

Just as the elders had said with bright smiles.

It was because a baby had taken root in her belly.

It was only natural. Ever since she had allowed internal ejaculation, she had received Fosao’s semen into her womb almost every day. The two had made love so passionately that it would have been stranger if she hadn’t conceived.

And the heavens had rewarded their love.

She had been adequately prepared. When she had sex and felt Fosao’s large chest against her, feeling the semen flow down her legs, she would sometimes imagine it.

The moment his baby would be conceived, her belly would swell, and she would give birth.

She was a little afraid, but Tia truly loved him, so she had always thought she wanted to grant Fosao’s earnest wish. And he, too, had always yearned and longed to create a ‘family’ of his own.

So, Tia’s pregnancy… was a blessing for them both.

Gently—

Tia gently stroked her belly again.

Countless emotions were mixed in that gesture.

The uncertainty of whether a baby truly existed there, even though her belly wasn’t yet swollen.

Yet, the happiness of a woman who had finally created a culmination of love with Fosao.

A surging love to cherish this child nested within her womb, even though she couldn’t meet it yet.

But there was also a sense of disquiet, knowing her body was no longer her own.

And she felt fear, wondering if she could safely raise a child given their current financially unstable situation.

“……”

Seeing Tia with her hand on her lower abdomen, I recalled an old memory.

‘Tia. When I become the village chief, will you take over the apothecary?’

‘Me?’

‘You’re the only one who can read.’

‘Hmm— Alright! I’ll take over the apothecary!’

‘Thank you.’

‘Uh-huh—. Not me, but a child who looks just like Ritsu will take it over!’

‘……What? A child who looks like me?’

‘Yes. Our child.’

We had talked like that. It was just a brief conversation that ended with her laughing and hitting my arm, calling it a joke.

Even then, I foolishly dreamed. Of our future, married to Tia and living happily.

Living as the village chief of Brizdon, spending peaceful days with the villagers, going to Taeldon to enjoy festivals with neighbors, sometimes traveling far with Tia if she wanted to go outside, promising to show new things to our children, and even pondering how we would raise our children. I would lie awake all night, full of such hopeful imaginings.

But Fosao had snatched away every bit of that happy imagination.

‘Our child’ had become… Fosao’s child.

Now I knew how meaningless my imagination had been.

I realized that reality could never align with my dreams, that it was heading down a path I could never reach.

By the fact that she was carrying Fosao’s child.

Because it meant Tia was forever bound to him.

Would she be happy?

Tia… neither smiled nor cried.

She was simply shedding tears she didn’t understand.

Thud!

Fosao, who had left, returned home. Tia quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and went out to greet him.

“Welcome home?”

“Mmm.”

“What about… the job?”

“Ti, Tia.”

Fosao said, taking off his outer coat.

“I’m tr-trying, too. I’m just as mu-much in a hurry, so just wait a little.”

“……”

If he had said that much, Tia was someone who would wait patiently.

Even if she heard that Fosao was frequenting gambling dens with the money she had diligently earned. She was a child who would understand, thinking how desperate he must be to try to relieve pressure by gambling.

But now the situation was different. This house was no longer just for the two of them.

Tia lowered her head. And with difficulty, she spoke the truth.

“I… I’m pregnant.”

“……Wh-what?”

Fosao’s expression turned to one of surprise.

“My period, which should have come last month, didn’t. And today, I experienced morning sickness.”

“R-really?”

“Yes……”

Suddenly, Fosao tightly embraced Tia. He spoke in an emotional voice.

“Tia re-really has my b-baby in her womb.”

And he buried his face in Tia’s belly, giggling.

“I, I’m so happy—. Tee-hee-hee.”

“Since I’m pregnant… so…”

“Is there a-anything you want to eat?”

“No, not yet…”

“Hee-hee-hee— Tia and I— and our ba-baby. Let’s live ha-happily!”

“……”

It seemed Tia wanted to ask Fosao to properly find a job now.

But seeing his innocent, joyous face as he pressed his ear to her lower belly, she ultimately swallowed her words.

She withdrew her uneasy, trembling gaze and immediately looked down at him with a faint smile, adoringly.

“Yes. Together with our baby… let’s live happily.”

Human instinct was stronger than reason.

No matter how intelligent and strong-willed Tia was, she ultimately couldn’t overcome a woman’s nature.

Fosao was the baby’s father, and now Fosao was the only one who could protect Tia and the baby.

***

Time flowed once again.

It was an unchanging daily life. Nothing much changed, except that the farmers became a bit busier, and Fosao and Tia smiled a little more.

The two kept the pregnancy a secret. It was a deeply dishonorable thing for an unmarried woman to become pregnant. So, usually, when unmarried men and women had an ‘accident,’ they would hastily arrange a marriage, regardless of who the other party was.

But that was only possible in the early stages of pregnancy. Tia, who was quite slender compared to other village women, would easily be found out as her belly grew larger over time.

Despite this, the wedding schedule was being postponed day after day. Tia was busy looking after the children, and Fosao would disappear during the day, doing who knows what, so there was no time to even consider it.

That day, too, she was on her way back after sending the children home.

“Fosao Modaless!”

Suddenly, Fosao’s name echoed loudly through the East Gate village.

People returning home one by one turned to look.

“Fosao Modaless—!! Where are you?”

A man wearing a purple turban and colorful, high-quality clothes was striding along, searching for Fosao.

He stopped the villagers and asked where Fosao lived, and everyone pointed to Tia’s house with awkward expressions.

“There? Ahem—.”

The man began to walk purposefully towards Tia’s house.

Tia, not knowing what was happening, ran over hurriedly and asked cautiously.

“Excuse me— what is the matter…?”

“Are you Fosao Modaless?”

With a long beard and stubborn eyes, the man looked very strict just from his appearance.

“I’m the person he lives with.”

“Is that so? Where is Fosao Modaless?”

“He’s not here right now; he’s away. He’ll be back by nightfall. If you have any message, you can leave it with me…”

“Deliver this clearly to Fosao Modaless.”

The man pulled out an old piece of paper. It was filled with letters and numbers. Her red eyes swiftly scanned the text.

[Tax Collection Confirmation]

“This is the tax levied on Fosao Modaless. You are given five days. If payment is not made by then, penalties such as detention, labor reform, or banishment may be imposed by the Lord’s command.”

Tia read the final number.

Total tax for February stay: 450 gold.

She couldn’t believe it, so she rubbed her eyes and read it again.

But the absurd amount was still written there.

“……”

She dared not speak and looked up at the tax collector. But the man, without meeting her gaze, asked with an unexpressive face.

“Did you verify your identity at the castle?”

“I don’t understand what you mean…”

“Since you did not report your arrival to the Lord, an additional 30 gold surcharge has been added for extra investigation. And it appears Fosao Modaless has never registered his name with any farm. What work is he currently doing?”

“I work taking care of children in the village…”

“Not you. Fosao Modaless. I’m asking what *he* does.”

Her heart pounded.

Tia clutched her chest, quickly taking short breaths.

Looking around, she saw the villagers craning their necks, eavesdropping on the conversation.

Barely overcoming the rising pressure, she stammered her reply.

“He’s still… looking for work.”

“Indeed. It seems so. Perhaps the ‘work’ he’s seeking is gambling for money at the casino?”

“What?”

“This is an outrage. The Lord tolerates gambling to some extent, but he has commanded that all those who come merely to gamble without contributing any effort for this land be driven out. Therefore, an additional fine of 400 gold has been added.”

400 gold.

It was not an amount a commoner could possess. In Gordburg, it was a sum that couldn’t even be borrowed from merchants. It was an amount one might barely grasp once in a lifetime, even with lifelong work.

400 gold… was equivalent to being told to leave this place immediately.

Scribble—

He scribbled a signature on the confirmation and handed it to Tia.

“Bring this signed document along with the specified gold coins to the castle within five days. If you fail to comply, the punishment will be immediately enforced.”

“W-wait a moment!”

Tia knelt without realizing it. She pleaded with a piteous voice before the collector.

“He’s looking for work. He’ll find one soon, so could you please give us a little more time? I beg you… please…”

“Hmph. The Lord has already waited a month. Are you asking for more mercy than this?”

“Please… I’ll do anything…”

But the man didn’t listen.

“Abide by the designated deadline.”