Chapter 140
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140
In an instant, So-ya’s face crumpled, looking as if she were about to burst into tears.
“What’s wrong, So-ya?”
As everyone asked with grave concern, So-ya looked back at Ga-hyeon and spoke in a dejected voice.
“What should I do? I lost the light bead Brother Hyeon gave me. It was so dark inside the pond that I took it out, and then…”
“Is that all?”
Ga-hyeon gave a gentle smile and offered So-ya a bowl of warm medicinal decoction.
“It’s alright, So-ya. Your safety is far more important than a bead. Besides, it makes me truly happy to know that the light bead I gave you was actually helpful.”
“But this summer…”
So-ya felt a deep sense of regret, remembering how they had all promised to hang the light beads on the tree branches and hold a festival together.
“Don’t be too upset; let’s drink this first, So-ya. You need to recover your health so we can have the festival and play this summer.”
“Yes…”
Swallowing her lingering regret, So-ya took the bowl and gulped down the decoction.
Seol-yo glanced at So-ya’s face before slipping out toward the edge of the pond. The situation there had already been brought under control.
“…”
Seol-yo stared at the surface of the water, recalling Yi-rim finding So-ya and carrying her out of the pond a few hours ago. Since the sun had set, the water looked dark—almost like black ink.
Be careful of black water. Evil always lurks in dark and damp places.
He remembered the warning Yi-rim had given him not long ago.
But more than that…
It’ll be so much fun to hang the light beads and have a festival together this summer. Don’t you think so, Seol-yo?
He remembered So-ya’s voice even more clearly—how she had chattered excitedly, already looking forward to the coming summer.
The moment he recalled how So-ya’s eyes had sparkled when she said those words, Seol-yo dove into the water without a second thought.
*
By the time Jeok Ah-yun arrived at the pond with Hwa-yu after hearing news of the demonic beast’s appearance, he saw Ri-ri manifesting flames in front of the Emperor.
Why does Ri-ri look like no one in our family?
As if mocking Ah-yun’s suspicions, Ri-ri produced the flames of purification before the eyes of many. A heavy sense of guilt settled in his heart, which had been wavering in confusion. How could he have harbored such ridiculous doubts about his own poor daughter, who had already suffered through a miserable childhood?
“I’m the Bride of the Yellow Dragon! I saved everyone with the power of the Divine Beast! How could he treat me like that?!”
Meanwhile, having returned to her quarters clutching the hands of her father and brother, Ri-ri buried herself under her covers and wailed. She felt utterly wronged.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the Emperor’s cold attitude—how he seemed to have no interest in her despite her being the Bride of the Yellow Dragon. His heartless behavior, ignoring her in front of everyone to carry So-ya away as if she were the only precious thing in the world, replayed in her mind over and over.
“Everyone must have laughed at me! What’s the point of being the Bride of the Yellow Dragon? What’s the point of healing people with the Divine Beast’s power? I just get everything stolen from me like a fool!”
Ri-ri couldn’t stand the thought that this was all So-ya’s fault.
“That girl stole my childhood, and now she’s trying to steal His Majesty from me too!”
Even though she had healed the wounded in front of so many people, she hadn’t received the spotlight. It was because the demonic beast had died right after she used her power! Because His Majesty had emerged with that girl at the very moment all eyes should have been on her!
“It’s obviously a lie that she killed the demonic beast! How could a girl like her kill one?”
“The Yellow Dragon cannot speak lies, Ri-ri. So, it is likely true that she killed the demonic beast,” Hwa-yu explained, trying his best to soothe her.
However, his gentle explanation had the opposite effect.
“So! Are you saying it’s only natural for His Majesty to ignore me and only care for her just because she killed a demonic beast?!”
Everyone broke into a cold sweat as she huffed in rage.
“His Majesty has long been close with the Head of the Baek Clan. Clan Head Baek was His Majesty’s teacher. That is likely why he is looking after the man’s daughter, so don’t take it to heart too much, our dear Ri-ri.”
“And why aren’t you His Majesty’s teacher, Father?!” Ri-ri snapped at Jeok Ah-yun. “What were you doing when the Baek Clan Head became his teacher? If I had known it would be like this, I would have chosen the Baek Clan Head as my father instead of you, just like that fake did!”
“I am sorry, Ri-ri,” Ah-yun apologized to the child.
San-yu, who had been silently watching the scene, had to struggle to keep his expression from hardening.
“I healed everyone there! While I was struggling all by myself, what were you and Brother Hwa-yu doing? You only came running after everything was over! You’re so useless!” Ri-ri vented her indignation, panting. “In the end, it was the White Tiger Clan that handled the demonic beast and evacuated the people! That’s why the Emperor cares more about her than me!”
“But you showed the power of the Divine Beast. His Majesty won’t be able to ignore that. Above all, the Bride of the Yellow Dragon isn’t decided by His Majesty’s whims alone.”
At the coaxing words of her father and brother, Ri-ri’s anger gradually subsided.
“By the way, is it true that the Vermilion Bird appeared in your dream?”
“Do you think I’d lie about that?”
“That’s not what I meant, Ri-ri. I was just worried that you might suffer from handling such great power when your Spirit Core is already weak.”
“It can’t be helped. I have a very grand and sacred duty as the Bride of the Yellow Dragon,” Ri-ri replied primly.
Her mood had improved slightly thanks to her father and brother catering to her, but the memory of Yi-rim’s eyes—looking at her as if she were something filthy—wouldn’t leave her mind.
It was all because of So-ya.
But that girl won’t go around blabbing that I pushed her, will she? What if she tries to drive a wedge between me and His Majesty with useless talk?
As expected, that girl was a nuisance in every way.
I have to get rid of her so she doesn't become a future problem. If she’s around, she’ll be a constant hindrance even after I become the Bride of the Yellow Dragon.
Ri-ri thought to herself, clenching her fists tight.
*
It was the hour when the surroundings grew dark.
The family members, who had been reluctant to leave So-ya’s side, had finally returned to their respective rooms. So-ya walked to the window at the sound of a presence outside.
Noticing a red feather fluttering down, So-ya glanced up. A large bird with beautiful red plumage was perched on a tree branch.
“Brother San-yu!”
At So-ya’s cry, the red bird instantly transformed into a person with a poof. It was San-yu. He lightly hopped down from the branch.
“How did you find your way here at such a late hour?”
“Because I was worried about you.”
With only the open window between them, San-yu spoke with a bright smile.
“But if I had said I was coming to see you, I figured Lord Ga-ya would have kicked me out.”
“You and Brother Ga-ya seem to get along well.”
“Does it look that way?”
“Yes!” So-ya nodded with a beaming smile. “Every time Brother Ga-ya’s name comes up, you look so happy. I’m so glad he has a good friend like you, Brother San-yu.”
“Make sure to tell Lord Ga-ya exactly what you just said, So-ya.”
Ga-ya would surely recoil in disgust. San-yu chuckled, naturally imagining the reaction. So-ya also giggled along with him.
“And I’m sorry about earlier.”
San-yu stroked the head of the smiling So-ya, his eyes drooping sadly.
“When I heard you fell into the water, I wanted to search for you along with your family, but I couldn’t.”
Since he was in the middle of lowering Ri-ri’s guard, he couldn’t openly look after So-ya. He had been so worried when he heard she fell in, and his heart had felt tight and suffocated because he couldn't move immediately to find her like her family had.
“Don’t say you’re sorry. Please don’t. I’m just so happy that you worried about me and came to visit like this.”
So-ya’s soft voice resonated gently in the night air. Unlike when he was dealing with Ri-ri, San-yu felt his heart grow peaceful.
“But is it true that Ri-ri manifested the power of purification?”
“Yes. She healed people with the flames of purification.”
San-yu nodded, his brow furrowing.
She healed people with evil arts.
So-ya’s expression turned serious. Evil arts were powers born from a wicked heart intended to harm others. Was it really alright for people to be treated with such power?
“Um, Brother. I want to check that power Ri-ri used to heal people. Is there a way?”
“Hmm…”
After a moment of thought, San-yu replied with a grin.
“Alright, So-ya. I’ll find a way.”
After San-yu left, the surroundings fell silent. However, So-ya did not leave the window. In truth, the reason she had opened the window and come out was that she had sensed someone else’s presence besides San-yu’s from the start.
“Your Majesty.”
So-ya spoke, staring into the darkness.
“Why are you just watching and leaving?”
A gentle spring breeze blew, swaying the tree branches.
“Oh dear.”
With a soft sigh, Yi-rim stepped out from the dark shadows.
“I only intended to check if you were alright, but I’ve been caught.”
He greeted So-ya with a calm smile.
“Hello, So-ya.”