Mano rummaged through the bundle and soon pulled out a red ribbon.
She held the ribbon up to Leticia’s golden hair and smiled brightly.
“It suits you perfectly.”
Leticia was puzzled.
‘A ribbon was the gift for Lord Julios?’
Mano murmured,
“There’s another gift. I’ll give it to you later. Baby, could you turn around for a moment? Okay?”
“Yes… I will.”
Although she was confused, Leticia complied with Mano’s request. As she turned her back to her, Mano’s hands gently combed through her hair like a brush.
She felt the warmth of her fingers carefully gathering her hair behind her ears.
Leticia bit her lip lightly. It occurred to her that this was the first time someone was combing her hair or tying it up since she was born.
There was a time when she didn’t even know such things were possible.
By chance, she had heard that a mother would tie her daughter’s hair…
‘Stop.’
Leticia clenched her hands tightly enough to leave nail marks. After a moment, Mano spoke to her in an urging tone.
“Baby, can you look in the mirror over there?”
Following Mano’s gesture, Leticia saw a mirror placed next to the flower shop. Reflected in it were Leticia, with her golden hair partially tied up, and Mano looking at her affectionately.
The red ribbon complemented her golden hair beautifully.
She tried to hold back tears, but it wasn’t easy. She blinked rapidly to shed the tears.
“Baby, are you crying?”
Seeing Leticia like that, Mano’s face turned sorrowful.
“Don’t cry, baby. If you cry, Mom gets very sad.”
Leticia smiled through her reddened eyes.
“I’m not crying because I’m sad. It’s because I’m happy.”
“Really?”
“…Actually. It’s the first time someone has tied my hair for me.”
“The first time?”
“Yes. Not even once before… so, it felt really nice.”
Her throat tightened with emotion.
Gentle hands tenderly wiped her tear-streaked cheeks.
“I see. Then I’ll do it for you more often. Don’t cry, okay?”
“I’ll try… not to.”
“I’ll comb your hair every day and tie it up, too.”
Mano whispered, cupping her cheek.
“I’ll choose pretty dresses for you, and put slippers on your feet. If your belly hurts, I’ll rub it for you.”
Leticia burst into laughter at Mano’s bold promises.
“My belly?”
“Back then, my hand is a healing hand.”
Mano boasted. She then whispered softly.
“Baby, has anyone done that for you?”
“No, actually, no one has.”
“Then I’m your first?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“So, from now on, if you’re in pain, you come to me?”
“Should I?”
“Yes, yes. Promise me. Promise.”
Mano held out her pinky finger. Even as their fingers hooked together, Leticia thought,
‘Madam Mano will soon forget this promise.’
Yet, Leticia could smile sincerely. Because at that moment, it really felt as if she had gained a mother.
That was when it happened.
“Oh my, what happened?”
A merchant who had gone to buy shoes looked at them in surprise.
Leticia quickly turned her head and wiped away her tears with her sleeve.
Mano said cheerfully,
“It’s her first time. That’s why she cried.”
“Excuse me?”
“I tied her hair for her. Apparently, no one has ever combed and tied her hair before. That’s why she was happy.”
The merchant’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“First time? How can it be the first time…”
“It’s not just that. No one has ever chosen pretty clothes for her, put shoes on her, or even rubbed her belly when it hurt.”
The merchant, initially baffled, soon seemed to realize something and sighed.
“Ah, I see.”
The merchant held Leticia’s hand tightly, empathy in their eyes.
“Be strong, miss. I lost my parents early, so I understand how you feel.”
“……”
“Somehow, that’s why you’re so attached to Madam Mano, like a real mother.”
Leticia could only give an ambiguous smile. It seemed not all truths needed to be revealed.
“Let’s see the shoes. I picked them out, but I’m not sure if you like them. Do you want to try them on?”
“Ah, not me. Madam Mano will wear them.”
Leticia spoke softly to Mano, who was playing with her feet beside her.
“Madam Mano, those boots are for wearing in the desert; they will be uncomfortable for you. We have new shoes here, how about wearing these instead?”
“No!”
Mano shook his head.
“Baby chose them for me. I’ll wear baby’s shoes.”
“Ah……”
“Baby, try on these little shoes. Should Mom put them on for you?”
Leticia placed a pair of brown shoes between her and Mano. She bent her knee and raised one foot beside them.
Mano hummed a little tune as he fitted the shoe onto her foot. The low heel seemed to offer good mobility.
“Baby, you look beautiful. It suits you, doesn’t it?”
“It does. They’re really pretty.”
“Are they uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. They’re very comfortable. Maybe it’s because the leather is thin.”
Leticia smiled and shook her head. Then she spoke to the merchant.
“Thank you so much for your help. How much are the shoes?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But.”
“Think of it as a gift. My goodness, I can’t believe I’m tearing up like this.”
The merchant dabbed at their eyes with their sleeve.
“Reminds me of the old days… It must have been tough losing your parents, but you’ve grown up so well. That’s why it’s a gift. Please, accept it.”
Leticia, initially hesitating, changed her mind and smiled.
“Thank you. I will wear them well.”
Then, Mano, holding the bundle she had brought earlier, whined.
“Baby, will you hold this for me?”
It was a package of gifts meant for Julios.
“Is that alright?”
“Yes, yes. It’s heavy for me.”
“Give it here then.”
Leticia, already concerned that Mano might be burdened, hesitated as she took the bundle.
‘What’s this?’
It wasn’t heavy, but something thin and firm was inside. Before she could check what it was, Mano interlocked her fingers with Leticia’s and stood up.
“Baby, let’s go.”
“Just a moment.”
Leticia bowed deeply to the merchant once more. Then, with sincere gratitude, she said,
“Thank you so much for your help.”
“I’m the one who should be thankful. Please take good care of Madam Mano from now on.”
“I will.”
Leticia and Mano walked away hand in hand, with the merchant’s pleased gaze lingering on their retreating figures for a long time.
***
Going to the market with Mano was indeed special.
Most of the market vendors recognized Mano.
When they met Mano, they all reacted similarly to the florist, as if it were coordinated.
At first, they were surprised to see Mano out without any escort, but soon, they were curiously looking at Mano’s ‘bragging about the baby’.
Fortunately, Leticia did not feel the pressure to reveal her identity as before.
Honestly, speaking out would only ruin Mano’s outing, so she decided to focus on the present.
“By His Majesty’s command, I am assisting with Madam Mano’s outing.”
She just beat around the bush.
“Oh, you must be the lady knight who came with His Majesty from the empire, as Meira mentioned.”
“Yes, that’s right. Could you give us a honey bun? It’s for Madam Mano, please cut it into small pieces.”
“Just a moment.”
Steam rose from the paper bag filled with fried honey buns. Leticia blew on the hot honey bun and said,
“Madam Mano, this is the honey bun you said you wanted to try earlier. Ah, do you want to try it?”
“Ah.”
Mano’s blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. Then, like a baby bird, she took the bread Leticia offered.
Leticia also smiled at the sight of Mano.
Seeing Mano happy made her feel healed.
There was another reason why spending time with Mano was happy.
With Mano, she could honestly speak her heart out, something she couldn’t do with anyone else before.
“Madam Mano, you know, I received a prophecy from the goddess recently.”
“Really?”
“There’s something I desperately wish for. And the goddess told me that it will surely come true.”
“What is it?”
Leticia felt a tickling in her stomach. It was as if she had become a daughter seeking relationship advice from her mother.
She whispered with rosy cheeks,
“…There’s someone I dearly love, and the goddess said that we could live happily ever after. It’s my most earnest wish right now.”
Mano hugged Leticia with a big smile.
“I love you too! I love the baby too!”
“I like you too, Madam Mano.”
Leticia giggled. Her green eyes sparkled like stars. The faces of the vendors who saw this also lit up with smiles.
“Isn’t that the shoe Meira took?”
“That’s right. There was a reason why Meira praised it to the skies.”
“Recently, the demon beasts have been a nuisance, causing headaches, but today feels great.”
While the vendors looked on at them fondly, Mano said to Leticia,
“Baby, that wish will definitely come true. I told you, didn’t I? I had a dream. A dream where the baby wasn’t sick and lived a long and healthy life.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Will you believe what I say?”
Mano whined. Leticia burst into laughter.
“Of course. If it’s something Madam Mano says, I must believe it.”
Mano smiled broadly.
“Ah, as expected. Our baby is beautiful.”
Then, she hugged Leticia. Leticia also smiled and hugged Mano back.
Mano’s hand stroked Leticia’s back. Leticia quietly leaned on Mano.
She had felt it when embracing Dietrian, but the warmth of a person was truly marvelous. Being held by someone made it feel as if wounds were healing.
Mano suddenly said,
“Coming here was the right decision.”
“Hm?”
“I had to tell the baby about the dream. That’s why I came.”
A dream? Before she could ask, Mano whispered,
“I really hated it when the baby was sick.”
Then, she sounded a bit choked up.
“I still hate it… If the baby were my daughter, I would never have let her be sick…”
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