Chapter 118
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 118
Ri-ri’s dissatisfaction didn’t end there.
I’m right here, and all they can do is talk about boring politics.
After the initial greetings, the members of the Vermilion Bird Clan moved inside the pavilion to catch up, discussing the events of the battlefield and the movements in the Southern Land.
Ri-ri had expected them to tell her how pretty she looked in her new clothes and norigae. Instead, seeing them huddled with serious expressions, engaged in such dull conversation, made her feel neglected.
War this, birds that… how can any of that be important!
The first person to notice Ri-ri pouting and heading outside was none other than Hwa-yu.
“Ri-ri, where are you going?”
“This conversation isn’t fun at all. I’m going out to see the Imperial Palace.”
Usually, when she said things like this, everyone would apologize and turn their attention to her. But today was different.
“Oh dear, our Ri-ri must be bored. Then, while Father and our eldest brother talk, shall I take you to see the palace?”
He could have just changed the subject, but Hwa-yu’s suggestion to go sightseeing only soured her mood further.
“No, it’s fine. Everyone seems to be busy with important things, so I’ll just go by myself.”
She spoke while feigning a hidden sulk, and her family replied in doting voices.
“Be careful, Ri-ri.”
“It’s dangerous to go alone, so take the maidservants with you.”
Ri-ri stuck out her lip and walked out.
No, actually, this is better. If I walk through the gardens, I might even run into His Majesty.
The garden Ri-ri was heading toward was a space open to outsiders, making the chances of meeting the Emperor there extremely slim. However, unaware of this fact, Ri-ri harbored that secret hope as she left the maidservants behind and headed into the garden alone.
The sight of the beautiful Imperial Palace quickly chased away her foul mood.
The Vermilion Bird Mansion, known as the Heavenly Ancient Mansion, was incredibly large and beautiful, but it couldn't compare to the Imperial Palace.
Once I become the Bride of the Yellow Dragon, I’ll be able to live here, right?
The mere thought made her heart flutter with excitement.
Everyone said so. They said even His Majesty would be blinded by my beauty the moment he saw me.
Ri-ri believed those words without a shred of doubt. Above all, hadn't her brother Hwa-yu promised her? He said he would make her the Bride of the Yellow Dragon. If it was him, he would find a way to make it happen, no matter what.
Her mood having improved instantly, Ri-ri was humming a tune and walking with a spring in her step when she suddenly stopped.
Huh…?
Not far away, she spotted two boys with snow-white hair and blue eyes.
Ri-ri knew who they were at a glance. They were the young lords of the White Tiger Clan, the rulers of the West.
Seeing the two young lords her own age with such striking appearances, Ri-ri’s face flushed slightly. Then, her eyes met with the one who was slightly taller and had a gentler impression.
Startle.
Ri-ri reflexively gasped in surprise, but the young lord merely stared at her for a moment before turning his gaze away.
W-what? I thought he was looking at Ri-ri just now.
Ri-ri was flustered when the two young lords prepared to walk past her.
Why are they just passing by without talking to Ri-ri?
This had never happened in the Southern Land. Whenever Ri-ri stepped outside her father’s or brother’s estates, everyone would cheer at the sight of her and scramble to say even a single word to her. Her maidservants used to have such a difficult time managing the crowds.
[Oh dear, it’s so bothersome. Why is everyone so desperate to talk to our Ri-ri the moment they see her?]
[It’s because our young lady is so beautiful. You’re so lovely that no one can take their eyes off you.]
Recalling the words of her maidservants, Ri-ri plucked up her courage and approached them.
“Hello!”
At her call, the two young lords of the White Tiger Clan turned toward her simultaneously.
“I am Ri-ri of the Vermilion Bird Clan. You are the young lords of the White Tiger Clan, aren't you?”
“What? The Vermilion Bird Clan?”
Ga-yul, who had been staring blankly, suddenly took on a fierce expression. Though he was loved as a cute tiger cub back at the White Tiger Palace, his essence was still that of a tiger—the king of beasts.
Ri-ri flinched at the sudden surge of ferocity, her body freezing involuntarily.
“Yul.”
At that moment, Ga-hyeon restrained Ga-yul with a soft voice.
“We are in the Imperial Palace.”
“But…!”
“Baek Ga-yul.”
“…”
Ga-yul, who had been bristling, clamped his mouth shut at Ga-hyeon’s word. Ga-hyeon turned his gaze toward Ri-ri, a cold smile playing over his characteristically gentle face.
“No… crest.”
He muttered the cryptic words slowly. Then, he turned around to leave.
“W-wait a moment…!”
Feeling like she couldn't let them leave like this, Ri-ri reached out to grab Ga-hyeon. But she immediately recoiled and let go.
The smile had vanished completely from Ga-hyeon’s face as he looked at her. Those piercing blue eyes unique to the White Tiger Clan stared at Ri-ri, filled with a chilling killing intent. It was a gaze so terrifying it made her skin crawl just by meeting it.
Ri-ri instinctively stumbled backward before collapsing onto the grass.
Swish—
However, far from helping her up, the White Tiger young lords didn't give her a second glance as they walked away.
In the five years she had lived as the young lady of the Vermilion Bird Mansion, this was the first time anyone had treated her this way. She was so embarrassed and angry that tears began to prick her eyes.
“I’m going to go tell Father everything right now!”
Ri-ri huffed in indignation.
Meanwhile, Hwa-yu, who had come out worried about Ri-ri wandering alone, was shocked to find her on the verge of tears.
“Ri-ri!”
“Brother…!”
“What happened? Who made you cry?”
“The White Tiger young lords ignored Ri-ri!”
“What? The White Tiger young lords?”
“Ri-ri went up to them first to say hello, but they didn't even acknowledge me and just ignored me!”
The memory of the moment made the tears well up again.
“Ri-ri is so upset, Brother.”
“Oh, Ri-ri. Don’t cry.”
“Sob, sob, Brother…!”
Ri-ri wailed as she threw herself into Hwa-yu’s arms. Hwa-yu patted her back, his brow furrowed.
The people at the Vermilion Bird Mansion always catered to Ri-ri’s moods. However, he couldn't force people outside the mansion to do the same. This was likely the first time Ri-ri had faced conflict since leaving the estate.
It was perfectly natural for a child to encounter various conflicts as they grew. Therefore, as a guardian, his duty should have been to help her develop the strength to resolve conflicts herself, rather than stepping in to clear them away for her.
Jeok Hwa-yu wasn't unaware of this fact.
But… Ri-ri was too precious.
She was the child his mother had given her life to bring into the world. Yet, she was a pitiful child who had been swapped with a maid’s daughter and forced to wander the streets. In the process, she had been mocked for having no father, and because her Spirit Core was ailing and hadn't been treated in time, she was a tragic child who had been unable to undergo her first beast transformation or her First Growth.
Jeok Hwa-yu felt a profound sense of guilt that matched his love for Ri-ri. Thus, he wanted to be a brother who could do anything for her, and he hoped she would never encounter even the smallest conflict in her life.
To ensure that, he had to place Ri-ri in the most noble position of all.
The Bride of the Yellow Dragon.
Even those insolent young lords of the White Tiger Clan who had upset Ri-ri wouldn't dare act so arrogantly toward the consort of the Son of Heaven. Not just them—even the heads of the Four Great Clans wouldn't be able to hold their heads high in front of Ri-ri.
The biggest obstacle to that plan was the youngest daughter of the White Tiger Clan.
I need to look into this youngest daughter they brought from the White Tiger Clan.
He had investigated the child just before leaving the Vermilion Bird Mansion. Curiously, she wasn't a tiger from a branch lineage, but a child Clan Head Baek Sa-eon had picked up from somewhere. If she was adopted over the tigers of the branch lines, she undoubtedly possessed a powerful supernatural ability.
The fact that the White Tiger Clan was keeping that ability strictly hidden was also a concern.
But if she stands in Ri-ri’s way, I must remove her. By any means necessary.
It was just as he was hardening his resolve with those thoughts.
He paused.
His lips parted slightly as he spotted a tiny bird chirping and flying in the distance.
Mother…?