Chapter 114
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 114
A shadow hung over the face that, until a moment ago, had been smiling warmly at Ri-ri.
At some point, his expression had become habitually lonely and desolate.
He had wanted to bring Ri-ri to see his wife, but the girl avoided this place, claiming she was afraid of ghosts. Thus, he had never once come here with her.
Still, it would have been good for her to pay her respects to her mother.
He felt a deep sense of regret, but there was nothing he could do.
Crunch, crunch.
As he walked, treading upon the grass, Jeok Ah-yun’s expression suddenly froze.
In the distance, he caught a glimmer of a girl with snow-white hair.
Could it be…?
The thought spurred him into a hurried pace.
Tap, tap, patter—
However, when he arrived before his wife’s grave, there was no one there.
“I’ve seen another phantom.”
A hollow laugh escaped his lips. For some time now, he had been seeing things that weren't there. He knew exactly when it had started.
[That child is dead.]
It began after he heard Hwa-yu’s words—that So-ya was dead. Every space where the child’s traces remained constantly brought her to mind. Even here, before his wife’s grave, her presence lingered.
He remembered the day he had come here holding the hand of the toddler who was just learning to walk.
[Father, is So-ya really going to see Mommy?]
The child had been so excited to see her mother that she had asked him over and over since morning.
[Mo… Mommy? I’m So-ya… So, So-ya… I’m So-ya. I came to see Mommy with Father… Waaah, waaaaah!]
But once they arrived at the grave, the child, who had practiced greeting her mother so bravely, ended up bursting into tears. He had struggled for a long time to soothe the girl who had suddenly dissolved into sobs.
Was she three or four back then?
The child never let on that she missed her mother, and the clan members praised her for being so brave. Looking back, there was no way such a small child hadn't felt the void left by her mother. Yet, she had suppressed those feelings.
The reason she acted that way was likely…
She was afraid her family would be sad if they knew.
She was a child born with a kind and considerate heart.
And yet, he had rejected that child with his own hands. That little girl who had come running toward him with a bright smile after her first beast transformation—he had pushed her away.
He knew that even after becoming Ri-ri’s servant, she had endured her sorrow with that tiny body. Even so, he had turned a blind eye countless times.
Jeok Ah-yun still didn't know. If he could turn back time… would he truly act differently?
Flutter, flutter—
At that moment, the sound of wings flapping overhead made Jeok Ah-yun glance up. A flock of birds covered the sky, heading west in a long line.
The reason for the birds' departure remained a mystery. Fortunately, it hadn't caused any major harm, but…
It is strange. For birds to leave the Southern Land, where the direct lineage of the Vermilion Bird resides, and move elsewhere.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
It’s not as if I can grab a beast that cannot speak and ask why it is leaving.
He stared at the western sky with a stiff gaze before turning away.
“The flowers have bloomed already.”
Noticing the flowers blooming by the grave, he gave a faint smile and reached out toward them.
In that instant—
Whoosh—
A sudden gust of wind blew, and the flower stalks leaned in the opposite direction as if deliberately avoiding his hand.
“…”
Jeok Ah-yun blinked in momentary bewilderment, then let out another hollow laugh.
“Is it just my imagination? It feels as though you are rejecting me.”
He spoke to the grave as he always did, but naturally, there was no answer.
“I miss you, my wife.”
A lonely breeze swept past.
*
So-ya returned to the White Tiger Palace, leading the birds from the Southern Land. By then, the sky had already grown dark.
“Huh? Why my father?”
So-ya tilted her head at the chirping of the birds following her.
“What? You won’t be relieved until you see him for yourselves?”
The birds were making an odd, stubborn demand to see Sa-eon.
Did I misunderstand them?
So-ya was puzzled by the sudden request. However, the birds continued to insist on seeing Sa-eon.
“Fine, fine. But you’ll be surprised when you see my father, okay? He’s the coolest and kindest person in the whole world.”
So-ya spoke with a giggle, but the birds merely snorted.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
When the birds flapped their wings in unison as if to say ‘yes,’ So-ya pouted.
“You’ll regret not believing me! Come on, follow me!”
So-ya flew straight toward the window of Sa-eon’s office.
Tap, tap. Tap, tap.
When she pecked at the closed wooden lattice, the window soon opened.
“Jjaek-jjaek? …No, wait. There’s no way Jjaek-jjaek could be this cute and lovely.”
Sa-eon, who had been narrowing his eyes at the small lark pecking at his window, muttered in a mock-serious voice.
“I do know one baby bird who is exactly this cute and lovely, though.”
He murmured to himself, clearly intending for So-ya to hear, then tilted his head and tapped the lark’s tiny head with his fingertip.
“Could it be? Is it the Cotton Ball of our house?”
At that, So-ya giggled and released her transformation art.
Poof!
“I’m back!”
So-ya greeted him energetically and threw herself into Sa-eon’s arms.
“You’re back, my little Lark Cotton—”
Sa-eon, who was patting So-ya as he held her, froze when he spotted the flock of birds behind her.
“What are all these birds?”
“Oh, that.”
So-ya scratched her head with a sheepish grin.
“They’re my friends.”
“All of those birds?”
“Yes. They said they wanted to see you, Father, so I brought them to introduce them.”
Sa-eon narrowed his eyes and looked at the birds. Then, he let out a short laugh.
“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. I can’t exactly chase away my daughter’s friends.”
He turned and spoke to Jeok Yeong.
“Jeok Yeong. Give those fellows something to eat. It would be good to scatter some grain in the front yard.”
“Oh? Father. But Ppi-yak, Ppik-ppik, and Ppi-yok over there don’t eat grain; they eat bugs.”
“…”
At So-ya’s remark, Sa-eon fell silent for a moment.
“…Their names are all quite cute.”
“The names aren’t the point. Those guys are very picky eaters, so if there aren't any bugs…”
“…I wonder who gave them such cute names.”
Sa-eon pointedly ignored So-ya’s last words.
“Do not worry, Young Lady. I shall see to it that your friends are well-fed.”
“Are you saying you’re going to scatter bugs in the White Tiger Palace right now?” Sa-eon asked, his face turning pale.
His uncharacteristically urgent reaction made So-ya and Jeok Yeong burst into laughter.
“Cotton Ball, I’ve been thinking. Your friends really need to fix their picky eating habits.”
As So-ya and Jeok Yeong giggled, Sa-eon alone became serious and continued his long-winded explanation.
So-ya laughed, stepped toward the window, and called out to the birds.
“Ppi-yak, Ppik-ppik, Ppi-yok! How about you guys try some grain instead of bugs today?”
At her words, the three birds—who were particularly plump from eating many bugs—flapped their wings.
Watching them, Sa-eon asked with a look of intense tension, “What did your friends say, Cotton Ball?”
“They said to prepare very plump and delicious new grain instead!” So-ya answered with a peal of laughter.
“Then I shall give orders to bring out the new wheat and barley from the storehouse,” Jeok Yeong said with a smirk, and Sa-eon let out a sigh of relief.
“Let’s go, Cotton Ball. I’ll take you to your room.”
So-ya held Sa-eon’s hand as they walked down the hallway. She couldn't stop giggling, as she kept remembering how flustered her father had been just a moment ago.
“To think you’d enjoy seeing your father in such a predicament. You’re a mean little Cotton Ball.”
Sa-eon spoke grumpily as he ruffled the child’s hair.
“Then you’re a scaredy-cat tiger, Father! What’s so scary about bugs?”
At the gentle touch on her hair, So-ya looked up at Sa-eon with her eyes crinkling into crescents.
“Even Jjaek-jjaek isn't afraid of bugs!”
“It can’t be helped. My body just freezes up whenever I see creatures with more than four legs.”
Sa-eon shuddered at the thought of bugs, then added with a grin, “So, my little Cotton Ball has to protect her father.”
“Sigh, I guess I have no choice. I’ll protect you, Father!”
So-ya lifted her chin high and gave a bright smile.
“Where did you learn that expression?” Sa-eon asked, puzzled by her somewhat arrogant look.
“From Brother Yul!”
Her clear laughter rang out high and wide. Watching the scene, the people of the White Tiger Palace all wore warm smiles.
.
.
Mother.
Today, I learned once again how beautiful the world is.
Today, for the first time in my life, I flew a very long distance, and I introduced the people I cherish to the little friends I just met.
I learned the pride that comes after finishing a flight, and I felt anew the happiness of laughing face-to-face with those I love.
Thank you for giving me such a beautiful and wonderful world.
I will long remember all the love you gave me—for giving birth to me, for treasuring me, and for worrying about me until the very end.
Though I may never see you again, my mother, you will live on in my heart for a long, long time.
I hope you are always at peace up there in the heavens.
*
Several seasons passed through the White Tiger Palace.
The palace was never without the clear laughter of the Cotton Ball Young Lady and the warm, sometimes mischievous voices of the White Tiger Young Lords.
Spring passed, and summer came. Autumn passed, and winter came. And spring returned once more…
Countless seasons flowed by, and spring arrived yet again.
A girl with long, flowing white hair that swayed in the spring breeze sat on a wooden swing, humming a tune. The birds gathered beside her chirped along sweetly to her humming.
“Young Lady, Young Lady!”
At the sound of someone calling, the girl slowly lifted her head.
Beneath dense white eyelashes that fluttered elegantly with every slow blink, soft light-pink eyes—as if holding the essence of spring flowers—curved warmly as she recognized the person.
“What is it, San-ho?”
This young lady, as lovely as ever, was the Cotton Ball of the White Tiger Palace, now fourteen years old and standing at the threshold between girlhood and womanhood.