CHAPTER FOUR.

Landscape After Death

“Come, this is not something that comes every day. Today only! Special products for sale at a special price!”

“It’s a necklace made by applying the popular style in the capital. Look at this color shining brightly when it reflects the sunlight!”

“Pick any 5 items you want! Just pick 5 items and I’ll give them to you for only 10 pennies! Oh, it’s cheap. Oh, I’m dying.”

Energetic shouts echoed throughout the market here and there. Merchants, without a moment’s rest, strained their necks to attract the attention of customers.

“We have fruits here. Delicious fruits harvested on the farm early this morning! They are very sweet and tasty, so at least taste them before you go!”

An old man selling fruits persistently shouted from a corner of the market.

But the items that might attract the attention of tourists were limited. Sparkling jewelry or unique products with distinct appearance and smell from the southern region were spread out, but no one paid any attention to ordinary fruits.

People turned their heads away quickly, losing interest as they passed by the stalls. The old man held up a ripe red apple with his wrinkled hands.

“Taste this sweet and sour ripe apple… Ugh.”

As the old man was about to offer a taste to a passerby, he suddenly clutched his chest. The apple slipped from his hand and rolled on the dirt floor.

The old man staggered, grabbing onto the counter, but he couldn’t hold on and collapsed.

“Someone collapsed over there!”

“Someone collapsed? Where? Where?”

“Don’t we need to call a doctor?”

“Grandpa, look at me, Grandpa! Please wake up!”

A commotion ensued. Some people nearby rushed to the old man. He groaned in pain, clutching his chest.

A man lifted the eyelids of the old man. All that could be seen in his eyes were whites.

“We need to call a doctor or something! This old man might die at this rate.”

“It’s not difficult to call one, but… who will bear the expensive examination and treatment costs?”

“If the doctor is busy, we should call a pharmacist too, right?”

Amidst the commotion, people gathered like clouds but no one dared to step forward.

There were people clicking their tongues in pity, tapping their feet nervously, or simply ignoring the situation as they passed by. In between them, a woman emerged, pushing through.

“Grandpa!”

A young boy holding the woman’s hand affectionately called out to the old man. The woman tightly held the boy’s hand and examined the old man. Her touch on his neck as she checked his pulse was skillful and composed. She wore a wide-brimmed straw hat obscuring her face.

“Mom, grandpa is hurt. Please make him feel better.”

“Okay. Don’t worry. Stay by mom’s side, Rian.”

The woman took out a bottle of medicine from her small bag. She then helped the old man stand up, and poured some medicine into his mouth.

After emptying the entire bottle of medicine, the woman laid the old man back down. Then she began massaging his arms vigorously.

Rian, the boy, also moved his small hands over the old man’s legs.

“Excuse me, but may I ask you to work on the other side?”

“Oh… Yes!”

A young man who had been standing nearby dumbfoundedly began massaging the old man’s arms hurriedly. He felt embarrassed by his own hesitation in front of the woman’s gentle yet firm tone and the diligent movements of the boy’s small hands and couldn’t bring himself to raise his head.

“Ugh… Hoo… Ha…”

“Grandpa! Mom, grandpa!”

“Grandpa Vint, are you feeling better now?”

“Hoo, hoo… Rel… Huh, Rian… How did you…”

“Rian and I were on our way to buy groceries. Take a deep breath. How’s your chest pain? Are you having trouble breathing?”

“Hoo, I think I’m okay now. The pain is gradually subsiding. Thanks to you, I feel like I’ve been saved from death.”

The conscious old man sat up on his own.

As the situation somewhat settled down, people who had gathered dispersed quickly. Even in the midst of this, their gaze suddenly turned towards the woman who had saved the old man.

“Is she a doctor?”

“No, a pharmacist? She took out medicine from her bag.”

“Either way, she seems skilled. She cured the symptoms with just one bottle of medicine.”

“Well, there are many pharmacists in this city.”

The murmurs of the crowd reached the woman’s ears. She pressed her hat down even further. Even after Vint sat up, Rian continued massaging Vint’s legs.

“Little boy, you can stop now. Grandpa is fine.”

“My mom told me to do this if grandpa is hurt.”

“Even if grandpa says he’s fine now. Your hands seem to be in more pain than mine. Who did our puppy take after to be so kind?”

“Mommy!”

Rian answered with a bright smile. Vint, who had laughed heartily at his own unnecessary question, handed Rian a ripe apple.

“You don’t have to give him anything. He already had a snack earlier.”

“It’s in place of the medicine cost. You weren’t planning on charging me the medicine fee anyway. If I don’t give you this, I won’t feel at ease.”

“Yes. I should say thank you to Grandpa, Rian.”

“Thank you, Grandpa! Grandpa’s apples are the best in the world!”

Rian, holding an apple in each hand, bowed deeply with a beaming smile. Vint patted Rian’s head affectionately.

“Oh my, our Rian is growing up so fast.”

“Are you remembering to take your medicine every day? Did you run out?”

“No. I was so busy picking apples at dawn that I completely forgot.”

“Please make sure to take it. It’s more effective if you take it consistently. But this person is……”

The woman glanced at a young man standing silently next to Vint. Only then did Vint turn his head towards the young man.

Suddenly the focus of their attention, the young man cleared his throat.

“I was just passing by when I saw the old man collapse and helped him. I didn’t mean to overhear your conversation. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Thank you for your help…… Ah.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew. The woman’s hat flew off towards the man. The man skillfully caught the hat and returned it to her.

“I’ve learned a lot from a brave little one. Then, I shall be on my way……”

The man froze, extending the hat, unable to take his eyes off the woman.

‘She’s stunningly beautiful……’

The beauty of the woman, previously hidden by her hat and its shadow, was breathtaking. Her black hair reminded him of a starry night sky, and her features were delicately and elegantly arranged.

What’s especially striking were the woman’s eyes. Beneath her long eyelashes, her misty, ultramarine-colored eyes seemed all the deeper.

The man couldn’t take his eyes off her. The woman, sensing his gaze, hurriedly put on her hat and took Rian’s hand.

“Uncle Vint, we’ll see you later.”

“I’m indebted to you again today. Thank you. I’ll stop by your shop later.”

“Goodbye, Grandpa.”

“Yes, take care on your way. Rian.”

The man watched as the woman disappeared into the crowd and belatedly realized who she was.

Rel. She was undoubtedly the pharmacist who had recently made a name for herself in this southern tourist town. A young widow raising a child alone, she was knowledgeable about all things related to medicine and herbs.

I was lucky to have met and spoken with the pharmacist of rumors.

The man shrugged his shoulders and left.

* * *

“Isn’t it heavy?”

“It’s heavy. But I will carry it. If Rian carries this much, Mommy will have less trouble.”

“Do you understand that too? That’s impressive.”

Rian walked away briskly with a proud expression, though his short legs didn’t get him far.

Still, Iren quickly followed, worried about being separated from Rian.

“Mommy, this way. Here. This is the way to our house.”

Walking along the main road, Rian pointed to an alleyway on the right.

As Rian said, entering this alley led to the house where the two lived and where Iren sold her medicines. Iren looked at Rian with pride.

“How old are you this year, Rian?”

“4 years old!”

“Already 4 years old?”

“Not already. Still.”

“Still?”

Iren asked, puzzled. She couldn’t believe Rian was already 4 years old.

Perhaps it was because so much had happened since Rian was born. To Iren, the past four years felt as short as one year.

There were times she felt regretful seeing how quickly her child had grown up enough to share the load with her.

“Rian is still 4 years old.”

Rian’s answer was ambiguous. Was he happy or unhappy about being 4?

Conversing with Rian, who had started speaking early for his age, sometimes felt more challenging than dealing with adults.

While Iren was still pondering this, a familiar building appeared ahead.

Their home was a small two-story house adorned with brown bricks and an orange roof, with ivy climbing its walls.

Drawn by its quaint appearance, seeming like it came straight out of a fairy tale, Iren decided on this house without hesitation. Its proximity to the bustling town center also made it an ideal location for her shop.

“It’s already this late… I should start preparing dinner soon.”

“Mom, I’m going to wash my hands. Please wait.”

“Should we?”

“I’m going to bubble with mom!”

Rian ran into the bathroom as he entered the house. Rian enjoyed cooking with Iren.

No, he enjoyed whatever it was as long as it was with Iren.

The paper bag that Rian had put down collapsed with a thud. Though he was articulate and mature-looking, at times like this, he was unmistakably a 4-year-old child.

Iren moved the paper bag to the countertop with a smile.

After washing his hands, Rian hugged Iren’s legs. Iren also bent down to hug Rian. There was always a gentle scent of sunshine from the child. A cozy scent that warmed her heart whenever she smelled him.

Now, Iren couldn’t even imagine a life without this scent.

“Now, what shall we make for dinner tonight? Please choose the menu, my prince.”

“A pie that mom likes… and a pie that Rian likes!”

“Wow. You like the same thing as mom?”

“Yes! Rian loves mom the most.”

“I love Rian the most too. I love you.”

Iren and Rian laughed with their foreheads pressed against each other. Iren provided a specially ordered stand for Rian to stand on.

Soon, a delicious scent wafted from the kitchen.

It was the scent of absolute happiness that Iren had been dreaming of.

* * *