Chapter 10
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10
The other maidservants who served Lady Ri-ri had always told So-ya the same thing.
They said no one would ever want to be friends with a shabby, unsightly, and wicked little bird like her.
They said she should always be grateful to Lady Ri-ri for taking care of a plain thing like her.
So-ya had agreed with them.
She didn't have magnificent feathers, nor was she cute. She was a sinner who had overstepped her bounds and stolen the young lady’s place.
“Oh my, why would our young lady think such a thing? When you’re this adorable.”
As she spoke, Yeon-jeong let out a little giggle while fastening a pretty ribbon to the end of So-ya’s hair.
Me, adorable?
That was a word meant for beautiful children like Lady Ri-ri…
“Look at this, My Lady.”
San-ho held up a mirror for So-ya to see.
“Wow…”
So-ya’s eyes grew round with surprise as she stared at her reflection.
“Ta-da! It’s Yeon-jeong’s special dumpling hair!”
Yeon-jeong pointed at So-ya’s hair, which had been gathered and rolled into two plump, dumpling-like buns.
It wasn't just the two round buns that surprised So-ya.
Her hair, which used to be so frizzy and dry that people teased her for looking like a broom because she couldn't wash properly, was now glossy and shimmering. Though her complexion was still a bit pale, a faint vitality had returned to her face.
Moreover, perhaps thanks to her fresh, fluffy new clothes, a lovely scent wafted from her body.
So-ya absentmindedly pulled up her sleeve and sniffed. A cozy fragrance tickled the tip of her nose. Her heart began to thud.
“How is it? You’re cute, aren't you?”
“Yes…!”
For some reason, So-ya’s throat felt tight and hot, so she nodded quickly.
“See? You’re so cute that even the youngest young master keeps hovering around you.”
“…”
Of course, she still couldn't quite agree with the idea that the young master wanted to be friends with her.
But how are there such a beautiful room and clothes that fit me perfectly in a mansion full of only young lords?
A small question sprouted in her mind, but So-ya quickly brushed it aside and spoke to San-ho and Yeon-jeong.
“Um… would it be alright if I went to give my greetings to Lord Sa-eon?”
So-ya thought of Sa-eon, who had appeared at her most dangerous moment to save her from the assassin and had brought her here, saying he would steal her away.
[It’s not a bother at all, so don’t worry and stay here for the time being.]
Even while she had been drifting in and out of consciousness with a fever, she remembered that nonchalant yet kind voice and his firm, cozy embrace.
He told me to stay here for the time being.
So-ya hoped that "for the time being" would be just a little bit longer.
Because… the firm embrace of an adult, which she hadn't felt in so long, had been so comforting and warm.
*
With the help of Yeon-jeong and San-ho, So-ya made her way to Sa-eon’s office.
“Well now, isn't it the little Cotton Ball?”
A handsome man with reddish-brown hair standing in front of the office spotted So-ya and asked with a grin.
“Oh, yes…”
So-ya’s cheeks flushed pink as she thought to herself.
Why does everyone call me Cotton Ball? I’m not a cotton ball, I’m So-ya…
“I came to give my greetings to Lord Sa-eon. To say thank you…”
So-ya said, her hands fidgeting nervously.
“Please wait a moment. I will inform the Clan Head.”
Through the slightly ajar door, So-ya saw Sa-eon patting the head of a young boy who resembled him, as if in praise.
The refined young lord with long white hair tied back in a single ponytail and a gentle impression was the second young lord of the White Tiger Clan, Baek Ga-hyeon.
Ga-hyeon was looking up at his father with eyes full of pride and respect.
So-ya stole a glance at Sa-eon’s broad palm as it gently stroked Ga-hyeon’s hair.
“Clan Head. The little Cotton Ball has arrived.”
At those words, Sa-eon and Ga-hyeon turned toward the door at the same time.
“The young lady says she wishes to give her greetings to you.”
At So-ya’s appearance, Ga-hyeon’s expression stiffened ever so slightly.
Noticing this, So-ya’s shoulders flinched.
Having spent the last three years becoming an expert at reading others' moods, So-ya recognized a sharp gaze directed at her better than anyone.
Yet, because it was a look she had felt so many times before, So-ya ignored the familiar prickle and approached Baek Sa-eon, bowing deeply to offer her thanks.
“I came to give my greetings, Lord Sa-eon. Thank you so much for saving me, treating me, and giving me a warm room and clean clothes.”
Though she was hesitant, the way the child spoke and her movements as she folded her hands and bowed were far from ordinary.
This child has been trained in etiquette.
Sa-eon picked up on this new fact instantly.
“How is your body?”
“I’m much better now. My fever broke, and my throat doesn't hurt anymore.”
“You look much better now that you aren't in pain.”
Sa-eon scanned So-ya’s small frame, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk.
“This works out perfectly. Hyeon-ah. You show So-ya around the White Tiger Palace.”
“Pardon? Me?”
Ga-hyeon asked back, taken aback by his father’s sudden command.
Ga-hyeon had looked down on So-ya from their very first meeting.
To think she just ate the peach even though she knew it would make her sick.
He detested stupid children who couldn't even express their own will properly.
He didn't like that such a foolish child had appeared in his father’s arms, nor did he like that she had been given the room at the end of the west wing.
He also didn't like that his time with his father had just been interrupted.
However, he could not disobey his father’s words.
Ga-hyeon, who wanted to appear as a perfect child more than anyone else in front of his father, hid his distaste and nodded.
“I understand, Father.”
Ga-hyeon reached out a hand toward So-ya and asked in a kind voice.
“Hello, is your name So-ya? Would you like to tour the mansion with me?”
“Ah, I… yes.”
As So-ya carefully took his hand while glancing at him tentatively, Ga-hyeon’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
Sa-eon let out a short laugh as he watched the two children walk out hand-in-hand.
*
Ga-hyeon stole a glance down at So-ya, who was scurrying along to keep up while holding his hand.
Her hand is incredibly small.
His younger brother, Ga-yul, hadn't been this small.
Her legs are short, too.
The way she moved her tiny feet rapidly to match his pace was almost pitiful.
What on earth is Father thinking?
The West End Room.
That was the room his father had prepared to house a girl from a branch lineage for adoption.
It was to put forward a candidate for the "Bride of the Yellow Dragon" under the family name.
The Bride of the Yellow Dragon, the consort of the Son of Heaven who ruled the continent.
It was a position of immense responsibility; she was not merely the Emperor’s wife, but one who watched over the stability of the Empire on equal footing with the Emperor, even performing his duties in his stead during emergencies.
For generations, the Four Great Divine Beast Clans had produced the Bride of the Yellow Dragon. When there was no daughter in the direct line, it was long-standing custom to adopt a child from a branch lineage and put her forward as a candidate.
Thus, since there were no daughters in the White Tiger Clan in this generation, they had planned to adopt a child from a branch line.
Already, girls from the branch lineages were visiting one by one, led by their parents' hands, to make an impression on Sa-eon.
Yet, with a girl of unknown origin occupying that room, Ga-hyeon couldn't help but feel worried.
Furthermore, his father had even assigned a Red Fox and an Indigo Wolf to this little Cotton Ball.
The Red Fox and Indigo Wolf were the two clans of the West that had served the direct line of the White Tiger for generations.
Moreover, the Indigo Wolf Nam San-ho was the leader of all wolves in the Western Land and had originally been his father’s personal attendant. Was not the Red Fox Ho Yeon-jeong the younger sister of his father’s aide, Ho Jeok-yeong, and the one in charge of the White Tiger Palace’s internal affairs?
Even if it was a temporary assignment, it was an excessively grand gesture.
Surely he doesn't intend to adopt this girl into the family instead of a child from the branch line.
For the sake of the clan, that must not happen. There was no way this girl of unknown roots could represent the family.
She wasn't even a tiger.
Seeing how small and white she was… was she a cat? But she seemed a bit too docile to be a cat…
Maybe a rabbit? She looked like she lived on nothing but grass, which suited a rabbit perfectly…
Anyway, that’s not what’s important. She shouldn't stay in the West End Room for long. Though I’m sure Father knows what he’s doing…
Ga-hyeon, the second young lord of the Baek family who respected his father Baek Sa-eon more than anyone, quickly cleared his doubts.
It wasn't right to question his father’s actions.
“This is the rear garden. The flowers are quite pretty, aren't they?”
In contrast to his kind tone as he introduced various parts of the mansion, Ga-hyeon’s eyes were filled with annoyance.
He had decided there was no need to put effort into showing around a child who would only be staying for a short while anyway.
Thus, even though he knew the child was scurrying on her short legs to keep up, Ga-hyeon deliberately did not adjust his pace and gave only the most half-hearted explanations.