That morning, the sky was clear without a single cloud. Sunlight slipped through the gaps in the leaves, dancing among the dew droplets that had yet to evaporate. The warm air touched my skin, signaling that today would be a tiring day.
I took a deep breath, staring at the golden wheat fields before me.
"Yeah... it's hot," I muttered, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.
I had been used to working like this since the age of ten. This job didn't make me rich, but it was enough to keep me and my mother alive. That alone was enough—more than enough, even.
"Yo, Rey! As usual, you're too eager!"
I turned around. That deep, spirited voice came from a middle-aged man with silver hair tied back. His face was full of wrinkles, but his smile never faded.
It was Jagu Ixiliar—the head of our village. He had led Hago village for three decades, and under his hands, our small village had grown to become the largest wheat producer in the Moniyan Kingdom.
"Not really, Jagu," I replied briefly, giving a small smile.
He laughed heartily. "How old are you now, Rey?"
I rubbed my chin, trying to recall. I had been working for so long, I almost forgot to count my own age.
"Hmm... seventeen, I think."
"Seventeen already, huh? Time flies so fast." Jagu looked at me for a moment, a faint sadness in his eyes. "Don't you want to become a kingdom soldier? With your abilities, you definitely could."
I was silent for a moment. That offer wasn't the first I'd heard. But my answer was always the same.
"No, Jagu. I want to stay here. Mother... is still sick. I want to take care of her."
He nodded slowly, as if understanding but also regretting. Maybe, for him, a young man like me should have a future beyond just fields and medicine.
After finishing the harvest, I handed the last sack to Jagu. He opened a leather pouch from his pocket and handed it to me.
"This is your pay for today."
I received it with both hands and bowed deeply. "Thank you very much, Jagu."
"Hurry home. Your mother must be waiting for you."
I walked home with light steps. Sweat still drenched my temples, but my heart was warm. The money I received wasn't much—only a hundred Piah silver coins. But every coin mattered. Every single coin brought me closer to hope: curing my mother.
On the way, I looked at the sun rising high. I raised my hand, clenching my fist with spirit.
"Today I got a hundred coins! Thank you, God..."
Upon arriving in front of the house, I took a short breath. Our house wasn't big, just a round building with wooden walls and a roof of dried clay. But... this house was full of memories. This was where I grew up, and this was where mother raised me alone.
I opened the door slowly and said softly, "I'm home, Mother."
From behind the bedroom partition, the sound of a dry cough filled the air, tightening my chest.
"Huk-huk... Rey, you're home..."
I hurried inside and found mother lying weakly on a thin mattress. Her eyes, once bright, now looked dull, but still radiated the same warmth.
"Mother," I said, sitting beside her. "Look, I got a hundred coins today."
Mother looked at me for a long time, then smiled. "Rey... you've grown up, huh. I'm glad to see you like this."
There was a pause before she continued, "But... I want you to chase your dreams too. I want you to become a soldier of the Moniyan Kingdom."
I lowered my head, holding her warm but weak hand. "I can't, Mother. I don't want to leave you alone."
She just smiled, then closed her eyes. I was startled.
"Mother?!"
"I just want to rest for a bit, Rey..."
I took a relieved breath, then kissed the back of her hand. I couldn't cry. Not in front of her.
I slowly stood from the bedside, looking at mother who slowly drifted to sleep. Her breath was still audible, though heavy and occasionally interrupted by a light cough.
I had to make something. Something that could give her strength.
I headed to our small kitchen. The room wasn't much bigger than a cabbage field, but it felt familiar. That's where I'd spent a lot of time since mother fell ill—mixing, tasting, trying recipes from whatever ingredients were available.
I opened the storage cupboard. My eyes swept over its contents.
"Carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and... ah, venison. Not bad."
I bought that venison yesterday, from a traveling merchant who stopped by Hago village market. The market was small and modest, but sometimes I was lucky to find good stuff like this.
I rolled up my sleeves and took a knife.
As the knife's tip touched the meat, the distinct raw scent wafted up. I split it into two parts, then cut it into small pieces.
Then, I quickly sliced the carrots and potatoes. I carefully cut the mushrooms, making sure there were no rotten parts.
I lit the wood stove, placed a big pot on it, then put all the ingredients into the boiling water.
"Wait, something's missing..."
I smelled the broth, but it was bland. I tasted a bit of the water.
"Blegh. Not good."
I scratched my head.
"Oh right... I forgot the seasoning, hahaha!" I smacked my forehead.
It was funny how I could forget something that important. Quickly, I added the available spices: salt, dried basil leaves, a little pepper, and some fried shallot flakes.
I brought my face close to the pot, inhaling the aroma. This time, a wide smile bloomed on my face.
"Now that's venison soup!"
I cupped my cheek with my left hand. The warmth of the dish filled the room.
Unconsciously, my heart felt calm. Somehow, I felt like I was making something far more important than just food.
"Venison soup with love... ah, the name's a bit embarrassing." But I didn't care. I made this dish with all my heart.
I took a plate from the wooden rack and carefully poured it in. The meat looked tender, the broth golden and fragrant.
Before I brought the plate to mother's room, I took a small spoonful.
"Delicious," I muttered in satisfaction.
I walked to the bedroom, carrying the plate carefully so it wouldn't spill. When I arrived, mother was sitting up, leaning on a pillow behind her. Her face still looked tired, but she smiled when she saw me.
"What's that, Rey?"
I raised the plate with a bit of dramatic flair.
"This is... venison soup with lots of love!" I replied proudly.
Mother chuckled softly. "What a funny name, Rey... just like the person."
My cheeks flushed slightly. "Ehe... as long as it's funny but tasty, it's okay, right?"
I sat on the edge of the bed and started feeding her slowly. Every time she opened her mouth, I felt like I was giving her hope. Spoon by spoon... and her gentle smile kept shining.
"Ehhh, you eat too! I can't eat alone, right?" she said, slightly insistent.
I chuckled softly. "Alright, Motdream
We ate together. Amid this simplicity, in a small house that sometimes leaked when it rained, amid an illness we hadn't been able to defeat yet, we laughed.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
I knew... I had to do more than this.
I had to go to the Moniyan Kingdom.
For medicine, for hope, for mother's dream.