Chapter 59: Mama and Mommy?
Kein's POV
It's been a while since we traveled. Rose had to separate with me after our little camp, making us alert to be awake before sunrise.
I kept the letters Rose would've wanted us to have. "Hey wake up sleepy head." I shake her peaceful looking face and Rose pouts.
"Five more minutes... please... I want to cuddle some more." her hands snakes around my waist and I panic. I could feel her breathing down into my neck when she pulled me closer to her. The smell of her shampoo was too thrilling and- oh no- I have to stop thinking like a pervert.
"Yeah! Sure! Cuddling! Five more minutes but- okay after five more minutes we move okay?" I told her and she mumbled some words I couldn't understand but I kept my body in a really stiff position when she kept me locked in place right where Rose wanted me.
Urk... This is hard. I can't say no but I have to be tough on myself no more sweet cuddling because we'll get caught if this continues. "Rose come on if you don't wake up right now we won't cuddle the next time-" I shook her body again but now I was met with an arm lock around my neck.
Rose leans into my face then to my ears, whispering slowly. "Really? You won't cuddle with me? Ever~?"
I rolled my eyes with a flustered face and removed her lock away from my neck. "You tease." I told her and he giggled immensely as I dragged her out of bed.
pαndα noνɐ1,сoМ I also packed the tent back into my [Storage Ring] while Rose played with Vanilla some more before we had to go into our separate stations. "See you after." I told her to kiss her cheek briefly and she nodded.
"See you in a bit, Kein." she replied and walked back into the carriage undetected and I hopped onto Vanilla's saddle and pretended that I just came back from the morning patrol.
Soon everyone came out of their tents and began yawning, packing everything they needed to continue the journey back home. Everyone headed on to their steeds or walked. I could see the heroes stretching and Natasha with that poker face so I can only guess she's still recovering from me...
After a few more hours of walking the horses and Pegasus seemed so exhausted. They were panting and sweating including Vanilla because it's really been a hot day and our supplies seemed to have not been enough. "Tch... Looks like we'll go on a small detour before we head on home to the kingdom." (Vincent) was holding his reins in his Pegasus and map.
"There's a village nearby if we take this route. Everyone, we'll buy our needed supplies there and stay for the night. Nightfall will come soon." He ordered and us knights saluted while the adventurers grunted in annoyance. Then again this is better than setting up camp in some random forest with bugs and worms?
When we arrived we stopped to a dead village with boarded houses and it looked like few lived here out of desperation. Women
The village was not friendly with us knights.
For some reason the prices doubled when one of the knights that was under me bought food supplies almost leading to a fight. "What do you mean it's ten silver coins for one loaf of bread?!"
"Take it or leave it. I'm running a business here ya hear?! Tsk, damn lapdogs.'' The store owner threw the bread wrapped in brown paper and my comrade barely caught it in time before it could hit the ground.
I saw what happened and ran over to him quickly with worry. That was too far if I'm being honest. "Are you okay?" I asked him while holding his shoulder and glared at the store owner.
"Hey you! That was going too far." I told the store owner but he just scoffs and spits on the ground. What the heck? I held my ground, gritting my teeth.
"You lapdogs of the royal family ain't welcome here. Run off now would you?" he scoffs leaving the front of the store and I look through the soldier who tries to smile at me.
"No problem over here commander. It was just- something stupid but I had it under control ma'am." he shakes his head dejectedly and walked back to the others to talk about what happened.
The common folk of the outside villages... right they've been not satisfied with how the kingdom is running now with the taxes up high and the king being in a disarray state with the engagement with the other kingdom.
They have to keep up appearances and the capital city is mostly the one with lavish houses and high quality of living.
Seeing the knights, who were just doing their jobs might've rubbed them off the wrong way just because we work for the royal family, they think of us as lap dogs. While I understand, that was just rude and horrible to throw bread away while we're purchasing it properly.
After that I decided to continue my walk. The other villagers present gave me a stare that was filled with malice and clearly didn't like me walking around too freely. I tried to ignore them as I walked together with my Pegasus, lead in hand. "Don't mind them girl. Let's just find a place where we can eat or a stable to place you in." I pat her snout and she cuddles my hand for a bit before letting go.
Vanilla was walking by my side looking for any interesting shops and that's when I found an inn where we could stay in and they have a backyard stable behind the place. "Stay here girl. I'll get us checked in before I can place you in their stables." I quickly paid and conversed with the nice lady in front of the desk who was kind and I didn't get any raise in price.
"You see my son is also a knight working hard. He just sent me a letter that he's working hard to get his rank up. You reminded me of him so I'm grateful." (Inn Lady) gave me my room key and a stable renting wooden card and I accept them gratefully. "Thank you so much. I'm sure your son is working hard bringing glory to your family. I actually thought you would be his sister and not his mom."
"Oh my. You're charming, this old woman. You can leave your Pegasus right at the back, it's plenty comfy and I'm sure your steed will have other company in the stables. Some other knights booked their rooms here as well." (Inn Lady) points at Vanilla with a wide smile before tidying up her desk full of papers and books.
I came back to Vanilla and led her back into the inn stables which had plenty of room. Just like the inn lady said, there were other Pegasus steeds in here and I recognize some of them belonging to some Knight friends of mine back at the academy. "Alright, I'll come back after I buy some supplies. Behave Vanilla don't stir any trouble okay?" I pat Vanillas mane as she licks my face, I groaned.
"Ugh, Vanilla, that's really hard to wash out." I wiped the saliva off my face and went on my way to visit the other shops for supplies.
Being a knight around these parts certainly felt like a curse because everywhere the shops that I went to the prices suddenly doubled up from their original price.
My wallet felt empty but not completely- ugh. I stored all the stuff I bought into my [Storage Ring] and walked around some more into the village. It seemed a prosperous one if it weren't for some boarded houses and less people.
"Wah!" While I was lost in thought, a little girl tripped and cried. Her clothes were torn and her long hair was covered completely in mud.
I looked at Vanilla then back at the girl wailing in tears but was trying hard to keep it in. She sniffed and sniffed and I wanted to go in the other direction but.. "M-Mama..." she looked into me with a guilt tripping face and I blinked momentarily and pointed at me.
I am not anyone's mom- in this world- at least- goodness gracious.
"Are you okay?" I kneeled down to inspect for injuries but it seemed like she only has a scratch on her knees, a nasty one at that.
She had really dirty hair, clothes with holes and for some reason I couldn't leave her be.
"Mama?" she calls out to me again and I smile remembering the little girl I have on earth.
It's been a while since someone has called me mother. It's turning on my maternal instinct but I have to stop and find her true biological parents.
"No... I'm sorry but I'm not your Mama." I tell her calmly but she looks at me all confused. "How old are you? Can you stand?" I ask softly trying not to frighten the little girl, I offer her my hand and she takes it standing up.
She also has… silver eyes.
Just like Rose's.
"Mama?" she repeats again. Her mouth lifts up into a huge smile looking sort of happy but then I frown. I'm not anyone's mom- in here- I have to find her parents, right.
"No, again I'm not your mom." I pat her clothes to get the dirt out of it and find a place where I can clean her up, like a public bathing space.
I have time to kill anyways. "Vincent said we'll be staying in this village for the night so might as well."
I looked at the girl and her long dirty hair covered her eyes when she looked down at my shoe. "I don't get how you called me your mom. I'm wearing a whole knight armor, you know. I don't look motherly in this state." I scratch the back of my neck looking left and right for any adults that might be looking for their child right now but nothing.
"You know I think you would make a really good mom."
My shoulders were stiff when I felt someone reaching out to my arms and holding it in place. I facepalmed not knowing this woman would even find me here. I didn't even notice her sneaking behind me.
What is she now a ninja?!
"Ugh, Rose, don't tell me you snuck out under Vincent's care." I turned to see quickly that stupid familiar red shawl that hid her face but not those pretty silver eyes of hers and- soft- front- thing that's on my arms.
I could already feel my face heating up, I couldn't concentrate.
She was even wearing commoner clothing to blend in but even that could not hide those hourglass curves and really- okay stop. "If Vincent knew you snuck out to be with me he'd clearly get my head with no hesitation."
"He won't know. I left a perfect light clone that will be the perfect double and besides the clone can talk and act like me for a few more hours or so." (Rose) kneels in front of the little girl dressed poorly and I could see her shoulders slump.
"What's your name and where are your parents' little girl?" (Rose) comfortably converses with the child and I watch her.
"Do you know where they are?" she asks again and the little girl scratches her little cheeks before her fingers pointed at me. "!!!"
"Mama!" the little girl seemed so confident with her reply with the way she called me her mother.
"No- for the last time I am not your mother-!" I looked at Rose who was already covering her mouth with her hand trying not to laugh. "Pffft-" (Rose)
"Oh dear. Is she a secret love child of yours?" she turns to me while patting the little girl's head softly. "Clearly she's attached to you. What do you think of it?" (Rose)
I could see her forming a smile under that shawl and I shook my head on her joke. "I think she's just mistaken. Come on she's like what- three? four?" I took a good look at the little girl again who smiled widely at me and I was met with confusion.
I took a worried glance at Rose and pointed to a little girl who seemed to be entertaining the princess. "I swear I have never seen this girl in my life yet she's so clingy-"
"Mama! Huff!"
"Oh no! Help!"
She ran into my leg and hugged it tightly. "Let go of me- please..." I pleaded with her trying to tear her away from my leg and I wanted to cry. I don't know how to deal with children her age- I can handle five above because at least they can understand but lower than that?
"Maaaa... ma." she wouldn't let go. I wanted to move my leg higher and try shaking her off but- she won't just come off and I might hurt her if I go overboard with the shaking.
"Pfft!" And this other woman is not helping me at all! She was just looking at me with a grin underneath that shawl, I bet she's already saving this scene as a really nice memory to look back on someday. "Come on, Rose. Help me please, I don't get children at her age!"
I pleaded and Rose stopped giggling to bend down slowly to meet the little girl's eyes but to my surprise she hid behind my leg unable to look at Rose.
Is she suddenly afraid of her now?
"Don't be scared, little one. Actually you know... if this girl is your Mama." she points a finger at me and the little girl listens carefully peeking behind my leg.
"Technically." she continues now pointing at herself, looking proud. "I would be your other Mama."
I could see the little girl's eye twinkle looking at me then at Rose. She slowly lets go of my leg before trying to get close to Rose. "M-Mommy?" she mumbled out and I could see Rose crying while holding her shawl tightly.
"Kein! She! Called! Me! Mommy! Can we adopt her?!" She proceeded to hug the little girl despite being covered in dirt and some more dirt. I sigh, kneeling down at them both, looking seriously at Rose. "I don't think we can at the moment. We have to find a solution for the war, Cecilia's cure and your wedding... Her real parents might even be looking for her right now."
A family with Rose and planning to just live a simple life with her has always been my dream but now isn't exactly the time.
As I gave a good point, Rose's happy mood became sour and dreaded. "You're right. She is my subject and therefore I would help in finding her parents. Should we ask the locals here if anyone might know her?" (Rose)
"Bad news for me though. They don't seem to talk kindly to knights like me." I remembered the confrontation before just for a piece of bread. I don't know what they'll say next if we went and asked around for a missing kid's parents.
Rose carried the little girl in her arms and smiled widely more ever since we've left the [Winshern Kingdom]. "Oh don't worry! I'm sure the good people of [Puronia] still have a heart for common people like us."
"Uh-huh by common people, a princess dressed as a commoner and her loyal brave knight." I held Rose's free hand and we walked together to try and find hospitable looking villagers that would respond kindly to our questions.
"Have you seen this girl's parents?" (Rose) asked as we took turns getting all sorts of replies.
"No miss, I don't recognize her, I'm afraid."
"I'm sorry, no."
"Apologies I don't know that girl anywhere."
These were the usual responses when it came to Rose asking the questions. When I asked them questions the responses I got was;
"Run off now would you? I don't have time for a knight loyal to those royals."
"Ugh no."
"I don't know. Why don't you mind your own business tsk."
Of course, I had to hold down Rose who was going to tear heads like tomatoes but I guess people here are really not friendly with knights and that's understandable- but not okay!
"Do you seriously have no parents, kid?" I ask her one more time and she points at me.
"Mama!" she called me that word again and my mind felt like it was in pain.
I groaned holding the ends of my temples before trying to calm myself down. "Kein, maybe she doesn't have them. We've asked almost everywhere and listened. She has dirty clothes with holes, messy hair, and she looks like she hasn't bathed for days or even weeks." (Rose) cradles the little girl who nestles comfortably in her arms.
"What if her parents..." she looks at the little girl again who smiles, her eyes suddenly becoming droopy and yawning looking tired.
"Mommy..." she mumbles and I could see Rose looking so conflicted. When she gives me a face like that, of course I'm hugely affected as well-!
"Point taken. I could take her to the orphanage when we go back but..." I point at the little girl's knee remembering the slight scratch and how filthy she was. "Let's go and nurse her back to good shape first."
"Oh dear. I never noticed that she had these awful scratches on her knees... Let's go somewhere else private before I heal it. We don't want my cover to be blown after all." (Rose) holds the little girl protectively and I hold the room key to the inn showing it to her.
"I booked a room from an inn that's not too far from here. That's private enough , let's go there."
We continued to hold hands together, walking side by side with a little girl in Rose's arms. If you looked at us in another way... we look like a normal family of three.
It made me happy.
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