That Person Is Our Dad
“Haah, this is really troubling. Fur like this has been popping up everywhere these days. The price has dropped a lot. What should I do? If I buy this, I’ll be taking a loss.”
The middle-aged merchant let out a series of sighs.
The woman looked at him helplessly, then glanced back at the goods on the cart. She didn’t look at the large man behind her. It seemed she felt too sorry to do so. At a glance, they looked like any ordinary couple.
In this world, a woman’s position was truly narrow. Especially in small villages like this, it was even worse than in cities. Women often did all kinds of work, yet held no real authority.
It wasn’t simply that there were many abusive husbands—the overall atmosphere itself was like that. Men made decisions, and women followed.
But the middle-aged merchant sensed that this couple was a bit different from the norm. The woman felt very sorry toward the man, but she didn’t seem afraid or intimidated.
Seeing how the man hadn’t said a single word and just stood there, perhaps he was actually a fool despite his decent appearance. Maybe he had lost authority to the woman, or perhaps he liked her so much that he let her control everything.
‘Hmm.’
That might really be the case. The woman looked thin and shabby, but if you looked closely, her features were quite delicate. If she gained a bit of weight or dressed herself up, she would be very pretty.
‘At that level, she could probably be sold to a low-ranking noble for a good price.’
Traveling merchants who roamed remote villages often took on all sorts of jobs. This middle-aged merchant had also received requests from a slave trader connected to nobles—if he found a woman with decent looks, he was to bring her in for a good price.
But even though there were plenty of women, truly pretty ones were rare. If you narrowed it down to the type nobles preferred, it became even rarer.
For struggling commoners, a strong, hardworking woman was best. Because of that, women with only pretty looks often grew up malnourished, making it hard to recognize their beauty potential. Unless someone was exceptionally beautiful, no one looked good when their skin clung to their bones.
Without a good eye for judging value, it was impossible to last long in this business.
The merchant believed he had a good eye, but lately, the type preferred by commoners and nobles had been completely opposite. Even to his trained eyes, suitable women were hard to find.
‘What a waste… she already belongs to someone.’
Still, who knew what would happen next year? In villages like this, when life got hard, people sometimes sold even their children or wives.
“Haah.”
The merchant deliberately sighed deeply while stretching the rabbit fur and pretending to inspect it for flaws. It was excellent. The fat had been carefully removed, the fur was smooth and glossy, dense, and barely shed.
‘The more I look at it, the better it is.’
Thinking that, he continued pointing out flaws and frowning during the conversation, slowly chipping away at the woman’s confidence.
She didn’t seem to understand the difference between summer and winter fur, and each time he pointed out a flaw, her voice grew smaller. She didn’t seem stupid—just gentle and quiet.
‘Such a shame.’
She was exactly the kind the slave trader wanted. Golden hair, pale skin, gentle personality, not too foolish, and a frail body that looked like it might collapse in the wind.
While talking to her, the merchant kept glancing at the large man. But it seemed unnecessary—the man simply stood there silently.
“Alright, times are hard these days, and we’ll likely see each other again. I can’t be too harsh.”
The merchant removed the more expensive items from what the woman had requested and laid out cheaper alternatives instead.
At his subtle signal, his third son quickly brought out older, less desirable goods and placed them in front of the woman.
“Still, being too strict on price is a bit harsh, Father. Shouldn’t we give a little more?”
“Haah, honestly. How will you ever run a business like that? We’re not digging dirt for a living. You’re too soft-hearted.”
The merchant smirked slightly. His son was becoming useful.
“We’ll take a bit of a loss. There’s a child, after all. Ah, we shouldn’t be doing this, but… oh well.”
He grinned as he grabbed the rabbit fur and the bundle of golden hair.
At that moment, the silent large man suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.
‘Gasp! W-What is this?’
It was just a light grip, but he couldn’t move. Worse—an intense pain shot through him, as if his bones might break.
Unable to even scream, the merchant’s face turned pale.
The man looked at him quietly. Not glaring—just looking. But it was terrifying. He didn’t seem angry, yet there was a silent, overwhelming anger.
And he wasn’t a fool. His eyes were sharp—intelligent.
Why hadn’t he noticed? Perhaps the man’s rough appearance and large build had fooled him. He had assumed a brute from a remote village couldn’t be clever.
Sweating heavily, the merchant lowered his gaze like a mouse before a cat.
Lizzy tightened her grip, crumpling the rabbit fur in her hands. She quickly loosened it, worried about damaging it, but her disappointment remained.
She had hoped to buy at least some of what she needed, but it wasn’t enough. From the merchant’s words, prices had risen sharply.
He said it was because of the war. Salt, clothes, shoes, iron pots—everything had become expensive.
“…”
Reluctantly, Lizzy held out the rabbit fur.
But just as the merchant was about to take it, Juhwan stepped forward and stopped him.
“Juhwan?”
She looked up. Juhwan smiled at her.
“Lizzy, this merchant is no good. His eyes lie. Go to another village. One merchant—no competition, expensive. Many merchants—good. They compete. Prices cheaper.”
“…Oh.”
Lizzy was startled.
The merchant, meanwhile, was clutching his wrist and groaning on the ground.
What should she do? What if they demanded compensation?
“Lizzy.”
Juhwan gently held her hand and tapped it reassuringly.
Right. He could use healing magic.
Relieved, Lizzy recalled his earlier questions—about other villages, other merchants.
“There’s another village… but it’s far. We can’t go and return in a day.”
“It’s okay. I’m here, Lizzy.”
Though anxious, his smile reassured her. She nodded slightly.
Just then, the merchant hurriedly spoke.
“W-Wait! You’re not seriously going to another village, are you? Don’t you know the country is in chaos because of the war? Carrying goods like that—bandits are everywhere!”
He forced a smile.
“Alright, I’ll take a loss. I’ll add more salt—and that big water container you wanted.”
Lizzy’s eyes widened.
“That might be enough…”
But Juhwan gently pulled her hand.
“Lizzy, no.”
The merchant grew more desperate, offering more and more.
At that point, Lizzy realized—he had been lying.
In the end, nearly in tears, the merchant offered several times more goods than she had originally expected.
Afterward, they also traded chopped rabbit meat with villagers for oats, pickled vegetables, straw shoes, and bundles of straw.
Juhwan stacked everything onto his wooden carrier.
When he finally stood up with the massive load tied securely, the entire village gasped in amazement. Some children even clapped.
Lizzy stared blankly.
She knew he was strong—but this strong?
Only when he extended his hand did she snap out of it.
Meanwhile, Dorothy had joined the other children, proudly boasting:
“That person is our dad! Our dad!”
She lifted her chin high as she repeated it.
Lizzy couldn’t help but laugh.
The walk home was tiring, but happy.
Dorothy grew more exhausted the closer they got. Lizzy tried to carry her, but Juhwan tucked her inside his clothes and held her with one arm—even while carrying the heavy load.
Dorothy fell asleep instantly.
Lizzy watched him, amazed.
Is it really okay to be this happy?
For some reason… it felt a little frightening.