“That one’s the butcher where we can buy fresh meat. Although they sell regular livestock meat, they also have monster meat.”

I walked hand in hand with mother. Every week we take turns going to the market once we are old enough. Mother says it’s to help us learn and talk with other people.

“Now, a pack of meat costs 400 coppers or 40 silvers. While monster meat costs less than that because of the gamey flavor, it only costs around 250 coppers or 25 silvers.”

Pointing at the meat in front of the uncle butcher, she started explaining.

“What’s a ‘gamey’ flavor?”

“It’s a strong pungent flavor that monster meat has. We usually buy Stone boar meat for stew but since it’s your birthday, we can buy a whole chicken to share with everyone, then you’ll know the difference!”

She turned smiling at me. The uncle butcher heard us and smiled happily greeting me.

“Oooh, happy birthday lad! Since it’s your birthday I’ll give you a discount!”

The uncle butcher laughed heartily and wrapped a whole chicken for us. Then, we went around to buy more ingredients for the birthday party.

When we passed by the market lined with all kinds of produce, I remembered mother from my past life. Although this market was much more abundant than before and the buildings looked studier, I couldn’t help but reminisce of the past.

300 years can change a lot of things. I lived in a big city before too but compared to the size of Mimok, that city only seemed like a small village. The ground was paved with white stone and red rectangular blocks lining tall buildings, carriages also littered the road which showed how prosperous this world has become.

“Was it different from 300 years ago?”

Mom asked, seeing as how I looked at everything restlessly. Contrary to my fear, curiosity got the better of me and I started looking around.

“Yes, it’s very different. Everything looks so neat and lively, different from before.”

She patted my head and headed towards the inn.

The inn’s sign has a happy bear face. Mom said the inn was called Blissful Bear because the owner was a bear beastman. We left Skoll and Hati in front where horses were tied up and entered the door with bear carvings.

“Welcome! Oh, hi Miss Bea! It’s been a while!”

A chubby lady greeted happily from the counter when the bell on the door rang. She had brown fuzzy long hair and brown fuzzy ears on top of her head. She had a very sweet smile that makes you feel warm.

“Hi Wilma, it has been a while. Is there any room available? Big enough for us two and the two wolves as well.”

Mom approached the counter and lifted me to sit on top. The happy lady was surprised but greeted me with her sweet smile again.

“Why hello there, are you Miss Bea’s little brother?”

Maybe because I’m not used to strangers yet, but I became bashful when she asked. Beside me, mom giggled at the question and answered for me.

“Why does everyone say he’s my brother? His name is Alexander, my son.”

“My!”

The lady appeared shocked but smiled nonetheless. I realized that she’s a very cheerful person and nothing seems to faze her. Compared to that captain earlier…

“I didn’t know you had a son! Aren’t you too you to have a child? He’s around 3-4 years old, no?”

I felt sad having my age underestimated. I know I’m tiny for my age, but I’m turning 6 this spring!

“Too young? Wilma, I’ll be 30 by the end of spring! Do I really look that young?”

Mom touched her face with a tinge of sadness. I’m not sure if it’s bad to look young but I remember mother worried about looking old and wanting to look young again.

“What?! This is the first time I’ve heard of this! I thought you'd just reached 18 when you first came here!”

“Wow, I’m starting to think that everyone thinks the same as you. Is that why I was underestimated when I first came here? Oh god, if I just knew…”

Mom sighed deeply and placed her arms around me.

“Lex dear, they say mommy’s too young to have you. What should I do?”

Nuzzling her face to mine, I felt tickled by her hair brushing my face letting out a giggle.

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with looking young. You’ve already proven yourself capable so no need to worry about that. I’m just really surprised that you’re old enough to have a child and a handsome one at that!”

“Isn’t he?! But I still want him to stay cute for a while longer.”

I’ve known for a while that mom is very clingy, but I can’t help but be embarrassed when she brags about me like this.

“Will I be able to meet his father as well?”

“No, sadly he died before I gave birth to him.”

Mom answered without hesitation. My real father’s alive though but I know mom will never let me meet him. I don’t want to either.

“I see, I’m sorry for asking too much.”

It seems that while they were gossiping, the inn lady still worked to find us a room. She then handed the key to the room we requested.

“Issokay, it’s old news anyway. We’ll stay up until spring, thanks, Wilma!”

“Until spring, so two weeks… Alright, just tell me if you need anything else!”

Mom brought me down and we walked upstairs with our luggage.

“Mom, is that fine? I thought that God would be my fake father?”

“It’s fine. It’s better to say he’s just dead so nobody will ask questions.”

She patted my head as we proceeded to enter our room.