My Little Dung-Pig
She's turned into a total tsundere since giving birth. It took three days before I could even see the baby's face, and a full seven before I could hold her myself.
"Uh, uh, like this? Like this?"
"Hihi, my lord. She can't hold her head up yet. Please support it."
"L-like this?"
Holding a baby was a first for me in two lifetimes combined, so I fumbled at first. But after a few tries, I got the hang of it.
"Heh."
One glance from her, and I was cracking up. I bit my lip hard to stifle the laughter as I looked down at our daughter.
Why is she so ugly-cute? Her eyes were puffy like she'd scarfed down three packs of instant ramen and crashed. Her cheeks bulged like she'd stuffed a few glutinous rice cakes in her mouth. Her lips were pursed tight, like some stubborn old codger.
But damn, she had charm that blew all that away. The way she scrunched her eyes shut and winked. Those chubby cheeks begging to be nibbled. The pink gums peeking out when she yawned.
"Gahhh! Dung-Pig! Dung-Pig! My pretty little Dung-Pig! You're too cute!"
She was so adorable I couldn't just sit there. If I could, I'd have bolted out and shown her off to the whole village.
"My lord. Do you like her that much?"
Two weeks after giving birth, Eori had regained some energy. But she wasn't back to her pre-pregnancy pep yet, so she sat leaning against the wall.
"Yeah. Way too much."
I nodded firmly at Eori. "I love our daughter. Love her so much it's driving me nuts."
"Hihi. That's a relief, then. I thought you'd be disappointed it wasn't a boy."
"Nah? I prefer daughters."
This time I shook my head firmly and looked back down at our girl. Electrifying. Always fresh. Daughters really are the best.
"Eori. Let's have another girl next time."
"Next... time?"
Eori's face hardened in an instant. I flashed back to her agonized groans during labor and hastily apologized.
"Ah, no, sorry. I was just thinking selfishly. Don't mind me. Just idle talk."
"...Yes. As you wish."
Her face, stiff like she was reliving the contractions, softened into a gentle smile. With color returning to her lips, she beamed contentedly, eyes narrowing as she gazed my way.
More precisely, at our daughter in my arms.
"I want to give our Dung-Pig a little sibling."
"Y-you sure? You okay with that?"
"How could I not be?"
Eori looked up, meeting my eyes. Her gaze brimmed with love.
"A child who looks like you, my lord. That pain? I'd endure it a hundred, a thousand times."
Says the one who screamed her head off.
Making the baby was pure bliss. So much so we'd skipped leaving the house some days, going at it all day long. But the birth? Not so much.
Eori's tortured moans, the midwives' frantic air, the nail-biting wait before the cry. Even now, weeks later, my heart raced recalling it.
Guess we'd have to ease up on baby-making and find alternatives. If only I could get some condoms.
The batch from Hanyang was gone in under a month. I'd sent a letter asking for more, bundled with my World Literature Plagiarism Collection. Got rejected flat. Risk of leaks en route, and the phrasing was too "soft."
"Haaa..."
Damn, shouldn't dwell. One stray thought, and the gloom hit. Even staring at our daughter didn't shake it off quick.
"Eori."
I looked up at her. Her chocolate-dark skin, deep double eyelids, perky nose, and ruby lips exuded a sultry allure. Leaving her—and our girl—felt gut-wrenching.
"What if I just stay here? Skip Jeonju?"
Today was the last I'd see Eori or hold our daughter. Tomorrow, off to the academy in Jeonju for three months without them.
"Hihi, my lord. What are you saying?"
She giggled like a kid, clearly delighted by my whining reluctance.
"You're a father now. Stop your fussing."
"Shouldn't you be the one begging me to stay?"
"Even if I did, what would change?"
She's such a tsundere since the baby. Kinda hurts my feelings.
"Sigh. Still, I don't wanna go."
It sucked leaving after barely two weeks with my girl's face. But no choice. I'd chosen this—marry young, head to academy. My path. Grit it out.
"Oooong..."
Screw it. I'm staying. Her babbling flipped my resolve in a heartbeat. Rectify yourself, regulate family, govern state, pacify world? Can't even stick with family. What success? What saving lives? Right?
"Yeah, yeah. Daddy's not going anywhere, sweetie. It's okay. All good."
"Oong, choop, choop."
Gah! Look at her smacking those lips! Too cute! Camera! Where's a camera? Oh, right—not invented yet. Gotta add that to my next plagiarism request.
"My lord. She seems hungry."
"Uh, yeah. Got it. Here."
Shoving aside my wish to linger, I handed her over. Eori took her smoothly, cradling her and reaching for her jacket ties.
"..."
She hesitated, just gripping the ties.
"Ah, right. I'll step out."
Even if I'd gotten used to holding her, it'd only been two weeks as a mom. I stood to give Eori space—but not before kissing her forehead.
Mwah!
Startled by the sudden peck, Eori looked up at me.
"My lord?"
"Nothing. You're just pretty."
"Hihi."
Her priorities had shifted from me to our baby, but that smile she flashed my way? Always cute.
I left her for the veranda. Through the closed door came Eori's contented voice and eager suckling sounds.
Mmm. Perfect. Minus the Jeonju trip.
If I stayed busy, I might forget about going. But luggage was packed, nothing to do. I just plopped on the veranda, zoning out.
"Ma'am? What's up? Out here?"
Geum-ok was coming in, basket and hoe in hand after heading out post-breakfast.
"Eh, just... Eori's feeding the baby."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Whatcha dig up?"
"Mugwort."
She thrust the basket at me proudly. Barely a handful inside.
"That's all the mugwort?"
"How's this little? I scoured the whole neighborhood."
Fair enough. Weather was warming, but the wind still bit. Mugwort sprouts in spring, but early ones were rare.
"Geum-ok."
"Yes? Need something?"
"Nah. Just... thanks."
Shed hunted since morning. And with me gone, she'd be Eori's main help.
As she paused entering the kitchen, I gazed at her earnestly. "Thanks, Geum-ok. For helping us out."
"Ah, no, really."
She let out an awkward laugh to hide her fluster, but her flushed face gave her away as she played it cool.
"I'm your servant. This is nothing."
"Still grateful."
"Enough. Keep gushing and I'll head in."
Ears red now, she ducked inside. Her bashful vibe was cute; I kept staring even after.
Then I glanced up at the sky. Pristine blue, no smog concept here in Joseon. Zoning out, I pondered academy life ahead.
First year: middle-school basics. Second: real military drills. Third: one semester classroom, then field "practice" as temp instructors.
"Practice" meant officer life kicked off.
Heh. Poor Yong-yong. Park Seon-ryung crossed my mind again. About to commission post-freshman year, but his hazing stunt demoted him to first-year.
Serves him right. Should've dodged trouble his last days as a student. Blame meeting a guy like me.
Wait, no—he got first in last exam thanks to me. Should be thanking me, bowing even. Gotta tease him about it next meet.
I chuckled inwardly, but it could've been me. My antics ended post-freshman semester one. From two on: no incidents, dead quiet, mouse-like. Swore it.
"..."
"..."
"Hey. Kim Si-jin, cadet."
"Yes, Headmaster."
"Why'd you do it?"
"W-well, see..."
"What on earth possessed you to fire your matchlock at fellow cadets? On the first day of term, no less."
"O-one of 'em charged me in a tiger mask. Thought it was real, panicked and—"
"Ho? For real? You, who downed a tiger with two arrows?"
"T-truth is, I just meant to scare him a bit..."