Chapter 122
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 122
The day of the Innate Nature Gathering, which everyone had been waiting for, finally dawned.
Seol-yo stood outside So-ya’s room, waiting for her.
When they were younger, he had been thoughtless enough to burst into the room while she was getting ready, but as he grew older, he realized that such behavior was no longer acceptable.
According to the second young master of the White Tiger Palace, barging into a grown lady’s room was something only uneducated, dim-witted tigers—like the third young master—would do. Even if they were as close as family, boundaries had to be respected.
In truth, Ga-hyeon had said those words to criticize Ga-yul’s habit of visiting So-ya’s room whenever he pleased and causing her trouble. However, Ga-yul had simply let the words go in one ear and out the other, while Seol-yo was the only one who took them to heart.
Seol-yo didn’t want to look like an uneducated fool in So-ya’s eyes.
So, unlike his childhood self who did nothing but follow So-ya around like a puppy, he now accepted Sa-eon’s support, dedicating himself to his studies and training. He still didn’t quite understand why he wanted to look good for her, though.
‘So-ya’s taking longer than usual to get ready today.’
Just as that thought crossed Seol-yo’s mind—
Creak—
At the sound of the door opening, Seol-yo reflexively turned his head and instantly froze.
So-ya was stepping out with Yeon-jeong, looking a bit awkward. Spotting Seol-yo, she glanced at him and asked, “How do I look, Seol-yo?”
“…….”
Seol-yo couldn’t answer immediately.
Seeing his hesitant reaction, So-ya’s expression faltered. “Is it… a bit strange?”
“No! No, So-ya.”
Seol-yo snapped out of his daze and shook his head vigorously.
“You’re… you’re beautiful. Really.”
Seol-yo lowered his gaze slightly as he answered, finding it suddenly difficult to look her directly in the face.
Of course, So-ya had always been pretty.
Seol-yo had first realized this two years ago, during the summer. It had been an exceptionally hot summer, and when the young lady of the Galho Clan came to visit, they had all gone to the stream to play in the water.
So-ya had said it was her first time playing in a stream. With a nervous face, she dipped her pale feet into the water, but soon she was splashing around and bursting into peals of laughter.
That day, for some reason, Seol-yo couldn’t take his eyes off her radiant smile.
[It’s because So-ya is pretty.]
The young lady of the Galho Clan had told him so. She explained that the reason she seemed to sparkle and why he couldn’t look away was simply because she was beautiful.
That was how Seol-yo first learned the meaning of the word ‘pretty.’
And So-ya wasn’t just pretty that day; she was pretty every single day. There wasn’t a day when she wasn’t.
But today, emerging after preparing for the banquet, So-ya sparkled far more than usual. So much so that he had stood there, momentarily paralyzed.
So-ya, however, didn’t seem to believe him easily.
‘But Seol-yo was a bit slow to answer just now.’
Seeing him avoid her eyes and give such an awkward response, she assumed he was lying so she wouldn’t feel bad. Seol-yo was kind like that, after all.
Yeon-jeong and San-ho, who were particularly spirited today, had been grooming So-ya since early morning. They had applied fragrant oils brought from across the sea, leaving a faint scent of flowers lingering around her. The colorful gemstone ornaments hanging from her flowing hair swayed with every step she took.
Her lips, tinted with the rouge currently popular among young ladies in the capital, looked as if they had been stained with flower petals. Her cheeks, flushed from nerves and awkwardness, were as red as spring blossoms even without any makeup.
Having never been adorned like this before, So-ya felt incredibly awkward seeing her own reflection in the mirror.
“Huh? Cotton Ball! What’s with your face!”
Just then, the door to the next room flew open, and Ga-yul hopped out. He shouted the moment he spotted So-ya.
“Is… is it strange?” So-ya asked, her face filling with worry.
“No, that’s not it…! You’re p-p-pre…!”
“You’re beautiful, our So-ya.”
While Ga-yul was busy stuttering like an idiot, Ga-hyeon, who had also finished getting ready, stepped out with a smile and finished his brother’s sentence.
“I think Yul wanted to say that too. That you’re beautiful. Right, Yul?”
Ga-hyeon glared at Ga-yul—out of So-ya’s line of sight—and urged him to answer.
“Y-Yeah.”
Ga-yul nodded obediently. It wasn’t a lie; he had actually stuttered because So-ya looked so stunning.
“Isn’t it a bit awkward? It’s my first time being dressed up like this….”
“Awkward? Not at all. You’re so beautiful that I’m actually worried, So-ya. Worried that all sorts of half-wits won’t be able to take their eyes off you.”
At Ga-hyeon’s tender words, So-ya’s awkwardness melted away.
“Don’t worry, Brother. I think everyone will be looking at you instead,” So-ya replied with a small laugh.
It wasn’t empty flattery. Ga-hyeon, who was always neat, had maintained his characteristic elegant aura while adorning himself with lavish accessories set with blue jade. In particular, the earring hanging from his earlobe was something she hadn’t seen before; its color matched his eyes perfectly and suited him well.
Even Ga-yul, who usually preferred comfortable clothes because he was so active, looked like a proper and dashing young lord today.
Just then, Sa-eon, having finished his preparations, spotted the three siblings and approached.
“My babies, so this is where you were gathered.”
“Father!”
So-ya turned to greet him happily, but then she noticed the hairpin tucked into Sa-eon’s hair.
‘Oh?’
It was the gift from Cheong-ha that So-ya had retrieved from the tree the day before.
Noticing So-ya’s gaze, Sa-eon lowered his eyes slightly and asked, “How is it, my little Cotton Ball? Does it suit your dad?”
“Yes! Mother will be so happy when she sees you!”
As So-ya spoke with a bright smile, Sa-eon let out a soft chuckle.
“Then, shall we go?”
He held out his hand to So-ya.
“Yes!”
So-ya took her father’s hand firmly. Behind them followed Ga-hyeon, Ga-yul, Seol-yo, and the other attendants of the White Tiger Palace. Ga-ya, the guest of honor for today’s banquet, would be making a separate entrance.
Since the banquet hall wasn’t far, they traveled on foot.
Upon arriving at the venue, So-ya’s eyes widened at its sheer scale. It was a grand and magnificent affair, as the victorious generals and their families had all been invited. She felt a pang of regret that her mother couldn’t be there with them. Unfortunately, the Eastern Land was at its busiest, and Cheong-ha could not leave the Cheonghae Palace unattended.
‘But I’ll be able to see her soon anyway.’
As So-ya thought this, holding Sa-eon’s hand and heading toward the seats reserved for the White Tiger Clan—
She faltered.
She spotted a group of people dressed in red entering from the opposite side. Unconsciously, her grip on Sa-eon’s hand tightened.
‘Today, I won’t hide.’
Even though Brother Ga-ya had told her she could hide behind him anytime. She was fourteen now. She was no longer the little child stuck in her nine-year-old self.
So, So-ya bit her inner lip and stared straight ahead without looking away.
At the very moment she felt her eyes meet those of the Vermilion Bird Clan Head, who was entering while holding Ri-ri’s hand—
Flutter—
“Come this way, Cotton Ball.”
Her vision was suddenly blocked by the fluttering hem of Sa-eon’s robe.
“The sun is too harsh on this side. The air isn’t great, either.”
Sa-eon, who had been on So-ya’s left, switched places to her right.
“Father…?”
“My baby should only look at good things,” Sa-eon added with a grin at the blinking So-ya.
“That’s right, So-ya. I don’t want anything dirty reflecting in your beautiful eyes,” Ga-hyeon chimed in.
“R-Right! Because you’re p-p-pretty, Cotton Ball! You should only look at pretty things!”
Following Ga-hyeon’s lead, Ga-yul finally succeeded in saying the word ‘pretty’ all the way through. Seol-yo, standing beside them, nodded his head vigorously.
Her father’s robes, fluttering as if to protect her. Ga-hyeon’s gentle voice, which felt more sensitive than usual despite his smile. Ga-yul’s face, filled with a strange sort of determination. And even Seol-yo, nodding along earnestly to the brothers’ words.
In that moment, So-ya realized.
‘Father and my brothers were just as nervous as I was. And Seol-yo, too… everyone was looking out for me.’
Feeling their sincerity, So-ya’s stiff expression softened into a gentle smile.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Thanks to them, the tension that had gripped her just moments ago vanished completely. So-ya gripped Sa-eon’s hand tightly and stepped toward their designated seats.
*
Jeok Ah-yun’s expression as he headed toward the banquet hall was deeply troubled.
It was because of the conversation he’d had with San-yu the previous night.
[That child is a victim too! Have you any idea how shocked she must have been, at such a young age, to find out she had been swapped!]
The words his eldest son had shouted at his second son had left a deep resonance within him. It was something he had long ignored—the feelings that small child must have felt upon learning she wasn’t his biological daughter.
‘It is pointless to dwell on it now. That child has already left this world.’
The thought made his heart feel heavy once again.
From the opposite side, the people of the White Tiger Clan were entering. He had encountered the White Tiger Clan Head, Baek Sa-eon, a few times while carrying out the Emperor’s orders back when they were both heirs. Their personalities didn’t mesh well, so they hadn’t been on particularly friendly terms.
He reflexively looked up and saw the White Tiger Clan members.
Clan Head Baek Sa-eon. And the small girl entering while holding his hand….
He froze.
In an instant, his footsteps came to a dead halt. His red eyes shook violently, and his lips parted soundlessly.
Was he seeing things?
Hair as white as snow. Eyes of a warm pink, like spring blossoms.
So-ya. It was that child.
The child who had vanished and died five years ago after leaving the mansion….
“She was… alive….”
A pale voice leaked through his teeth.
“Father?”
Ri-ri tilted her head, looking up at Jeok Ah-yun. But in that moment, Jeok Ah-yun couldn’t even hear Ri-ri’s voice.
Just as he was about to take a step toward So-ya as if possessed—
Flutter—
Baek Sa-eon’s robes billowed, obscuring the child, and he quickly switched positions with her. Every time Baek Sa-eon moved, the child’s face would briefly appear and then be hidden again.
It was only when they reached their seats and sat down that Jeok Ah-yun let out a low gasp.
He hadn’t been mistaken.
It was So-ya. It was definitely her.
Just as he clenched his fists, looking as if he might rush toward her at any moment—
Bwaaaaa—
The sound of a trumpet echoed, announcing the arrival of the Emperor.