Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The Day I Met Philia
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“Iaaaan!”
Clatter clatter!
Perhaps because of the endearing way her child—whom she called her son—had turned out, Philia came tumbling down the stairs like she was rolling and threw her arms around Ian. Hugging him very fiercely, and very warmly.
“Have you been well?”
“Ian. I’ve really missed you.”
“It’s cold out, so you must have had it rough.”
Ian patted her back and smiled. No matter how much she said she enjoyed life in the mountains, it couldn’t have been easy for a woman living alone. During the day, she would have endured loneliness in the silence, and at night, fear from the beasts’ howls.
“It was rough... Ian. I’m so proud of you.”
“What have I done?”
“Berik told me everything. You helped people with gula, not just in Bratz but even in Merelrof.”
“Mother. There’s no one here named Bratz.”
At Ian’s words, Philia’s smile grew even brighter. As if it were the best news she could hear. Maybe because of the tears, but her eyes sparkled unusually. With her golden hair, she gave off an aura like the moon manifesting in the night sky.
“Yes. And I heard you’ve earned the palace’s recognition and the trust of the border warriors all in one go. Climbing to such a great position, receiving the love of your people... all of it...”
Mid-sentence, emotion must have welled up. Philia shed tears again and bit her lip hard. No matter how you looked at her, she didn’t seem like a woman who had given birth to sixteen sons. Her youthful face played a part, but the way she expressed her emotions showed just how pure she was.
‘Realizing anew that Derga was trash.’
What on earth had that bastard done to a woman like this? Ian smiled brightly and clasped Philia’s hand.
“Mother. I could help people with gula because you gathered it in advance in the mountains.”
“No. Was it you who gathered it?”
Romandro interjected in surprise.
“You’ve done a great deed, Madam.”
“Ma-Madame? Please speak comfortably.”
“How could I? Lord Ian has received his title, but given the circumstances, I’ve been speaking casually. I can’t do that to you as well. Allow me to greet you properly. I am Romandro, advisor to the palace.”
Philia smiled happily, flustered by Romandro’s courteous greeting. She kept patting Ian’s back, reveling in her joyful happiness.
“Ah. Now I could die without regrets. Ian.”
“Please don’t say that. From now on, come live in the territory. The mountains are cold and dangerous, aren’t they? Even without me, Lord Romandro’s men and the estate staff will take good care of you...”
“You’re leaving in a few days?”
A subtle sadness tinged Philia’s smile.
Truth be told, she felt a bit hurt. Ever since being dragged away by Count Derga, her son seemed to keep his distance from her.
‘But what can I do? It’s my fault. I couldn’t protect the child from the count, so it’s only natural Ian acts this way.’
Philia stroked Ian’s hair, imprinting every detail of her son’s face with her gaze.
“Come back safely. I’ll always be waiting here.”
“...Please take care.”
“Of course. And if things ever get tough, come to your mother anytime. Then... I’ll definitely protect you.”
Ian couldn’t promise to return. Philia hugged her son once more, then carefully made a request.
“But... could you stay with me just for today? There’s so much I want to talk about. It’s been ages since we ate together.”
He had just finished a banquet in Merelrof, but Ian nodded readily.
“Of course, Mother.”
“Shall I make some barley porridge?”
Barley porridge, her son’s favorite food. Philia stroked the back of his hand repeatedly with a wistful smile.
“Yes, please. I’ll just change clothes and come. Haina. Bring Mother whatever she needs.”
“Yes! Madam. Do you remember me?”
“Of course. You’re the one who delivered Ian’s message.”
“Hehe. Please take good care of me from now on!”
Creak.
As the mother and son reunion wrapped up in the lobby, the door opened. Nersarn and a few warriors entered. Their stiff, frozen faces suggested they still hadn’t adjusted to Variel’s winter.
“Ah, Lord Ian.”
“Off to the observatory again?”
“Yes. I heard you went to Merelrof? Everything sorted?”
“Thanks to you.”
Nersarn naturally shifted his gaze to Philia standing behind Ian. They all looked half out of their minds from the cold. One warrior muttered unwittingly.
“Lord Ian, did you have a sister?”
“Not a sister—my mother.”
“...Pardon?”
The warrior asked in bewilderment.
“Honestly, I’d believe it if you said she was your older sister.”
“Yeah. Actually, I’m the older brother.”
“...You’re joking, right?”
“Why ask if you won’t believe it?”
Ian joked as he turned to Nersarn. He couldn’t easily read the frozen warrior’s expression. But it surely wasn’t a positive emotion. The Cheonryeo Tribe believed Ian’s birth mother was dead.
“There are circumstances. Lord Nersarn. If it’s alright, I’d like to explain in detail.”
At Ian’s words, Philia anxiously bit her lower lip. Was the thing she feared happening? She was clearly worried she might cause trouble for Ian.
“No need.”
But Nersarn showed no particular reaction as he took off his overcoat. As if he knew everything already.
“I suspected your birth mother was alive.”
“You suspected?”
“You’ve been mingling with the territory folk nonstop since arriving. The lion who crossed the Great Desert returned alive, so all sorts of rumors reached my ears.”
It wasn’t just about returning alive.
He had led the Cheonryeo Tribe in reconstructing the territory, overthrown his own father Derga, and even earned the palace’s recognition to claim the lordship—an incredible figure.
The territory folk loved gossiping about Ian, down to the tiniest details.
“Including the story that your birth mother disappeared before the reconciliation ceremony. Since you planned everything and crossed the Great Desert, I figured that was part of your preparations too.”
“Does Kakan know as well?”
“Of course. There’s no way Kakan wouldn’t know what I do.”
Ian simply nodded lightly. Then he smiled broadly, conveying his thanks to Nersarn. Not prying despite knowing the truth was proof of the trust they showed.
“Thank you.”
“I thought we’d meet at least once before you head to the capital. But like this...”
Philia, having listened to Ian and Nersarn’s conversation, hurriedly bowed in greeting. She didn’t know the situation, but she knew what she had to say.
“Thank you! For helping my son, Ian. I-I’m sorry, but please continue to look after him.”
“...You have no need to honor me, Madam.”
Philia beamed at Nersarn’s words. She was a woman who had lived like a wildflower her whole life. It just happened to bloom in the slums. Nersarn found himself unable to tear his eyes from Philia’s sparkling hair.
“Don’t do this—go inside and rest comfortably. I’m going to catch up with Mother.”
“Ah. Wait.”
Nersarn snapped to his senses, letting out a small exclamation as he called Ian.
“May I offer some advice?”
“Of course. Please do.”
“Lately, the stars’ movements have been unusual. Especially today—I witnessed dozens of them falling to the earth in a straight line.”
Shooting stars? As if reading Ian’s question, Nersarn added immediately.
“Not shooting stars. They moved slowly, not in the blink of an eye.”
Ian hadn’t seen it himself, so he couldn’t grasp what natural phenomenon Nersarn described. But for someone raised gazing at the Milky Way in the Great Desert to say that, it was clearly no ordinary occurrence.
“Be cautious in the capital. Stars have always signified those who illuminate the world, like you, Lord Ian.”
“Thank you for the advice. But Lord Nersarn.”
Ian engraved the words in his mind and slyly replied.
“I aim to become the sun, not a star.”
Ian, the emperor at Variel’s pinnacle. He revealed his will to return to that body. Nersarn looked slightly surprised, his mouth twitching before he smiled faintly.
“Then to the Great Desert, Lord Ian, you’ll become a truly important figure.”
Swish.
As if not expecting a reply, he headed upstairs with the warriors. Philia watched Nersarn’s retreating figure and whispered cautiously.
“Who is he?”
“Lord Nersarn, the chief’s brother and strategist of the Cheonryeo Tribe. He’ll handle the overall territory operations while I’m away. He keeps wanting to return to the Great Desert, but no one’s as capable as him.”
Philia nodded as if understanding, then looked up at the upper floor again. She gently took Ian’s arm and smiled.
“Ian. Instead of changing, shall we go to the kitchen together? While I boil the barley porridge, sit and tell me what’s been happening lately.”
She seemed to cherish every minute. Ian handed his outer coat to Haina and headed to the kitchen with Philia. The head chef, briefed in advance, had cleared everything neatly.
“Use these bowls, and what else do you need for the barley? And salt?”
“Ah, over there. Salt.”
“The seasonings are in the cabinet below.”
Ian sat at the servants’ break table, watching Philia. She was a bit clumsy at first, but soon grew adept at boiling the porridge.
“Weren’t you lonely in the forest? Derga’s gone now, and the territory’s prosperous, so you can come down. If you want, live in the estate, or I’ll get you a house.”
“Let me think about it a bit. I thought I wasn’t that lonely... but meeting people like this, maybe I was.”
The savory aroma of barley porridge wafted up. Philia gracefully stirred with the ladle and smiled.
“Lost travelers come by sometimes. Just recently, a group of injured people showed up—scared me half to death.”
“Injured people?”
“Yeah. About three. They told me their names, but... um. Ricardo, Nav, and...”
Philia pressed her brow, recalling the name.
“Erika!”
“Oh.”
Bertie Erika. The palace investigation leader who had been wandering in search of Mary and Cheal’s bodies. Her trail had gone cold after getting caught in a skirmish with a caravan from Hawan—unexpected.
“Badly hurt?”
“No. But they said they lost many comrades. So pitiful. They were all struggling, unable to go home.”
“And their next destination?”
“Not sure, but I think they said Hawan.”
“Hmm.”
Ian rested his chin, letting out a meaningful chuckle. Philia beamed and stroked her son’s head.
“Doesn’t the barley porridge smell great?”
“It does, Mother.”
“Ian. If... I wrote you letters, would that be okay? On nights I can’t sleep from worry, I’d like to soothe my heart somehow.”
Philia hesitantly asked permission. She was extremely cautious, afraid of imposing in any way. Ian readily agreed.
“Please do. Just understand if I’m too busy to reply sometimes.”
“Yes. Ian. My son...”
Philia hugged Ian again, burying her face in his shoulder. Ian patted his quietly shaking mother’s back.
“Come back safely, Ian.”