Chapter 16
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16
“What are you looking at so intently, Young Master?”
A fox beastkin in his mid-teens with reddish hair tilted his head as he asked.
This was Ho Jeok-a, the second son of the Red Fox Clan and the younger brother of Ho Jeok-yeong and Ho Yeon-jeong.
“I’m talking about Yul. Just look at that pathetic sight. I heard he hasn’t even been attending his lessons properly lately. When does he plan on growing up if he keeps acting like that?”
Ga-hyeon spoke while shaking his head.
Despite his elegant, noble appearance, the words he spat out toward his younger brother were incredibly biting.
In truth, while Ga-hyeon was rumored to be a polite and refined gentleman due to his soft and gentle impression, he was actually a cold-tempered young master who was as sharp as a blade.
“To think he’s a direct descendant of the White Tiger Clan, yet he runs around like that with no sense of dignity. And that girl with him…”
Moreover, he had heard that So-ya’s spirit core had been so badly injured recently that she’d had to visit Aunt Sa-ra.
“What is he thinking, running around like that? What if she collapses again? That stupid baby tiger.”
Ga-hyeon was concerned about So-ya, who was playing with Ga-yul despite the risk of collapsing at any moment.
Undoubtedly, Ga-yul must have pestered her relentlessly to play with him.
Ever since he was little, Ga-yul had loved being around people and would follow Ga-hyeon every day, begging him to play.
Of course, Ga-hyeon had rejected him coldly every time, but it was obvious that the girl didn't know how to say no and was being dragged along.
‘She’s the type who would eat a peach even if she couldn't, just because she can't bring herself to say she can't eat it. It’s obvious.’
At that moment, Ho Jeok-a gave a small laugh and spoke.
“You’re worried about Lady Cotton Ball.”
Ga-hyeon furrowed his brow in displeasure.
“Worried?”
Worried? Me? About whom? Surely not that tiny little cotton ball?
“It’s nothing like that. Who would worry about a pathetic girl who doesn't even know how to look after her own physical condition?”
Ga-hyeon scowled deeply and snapped his head away from the window.
“More importantly, it should be about time for the tigers from the branch lineages to arrive.”
Summer was already nearing its end.
When autumn arrived, the Western Land’s greatest event, the ‘Mountain Lord Festival,’ would be held.
“Yes, Young Master. They say everyone is sharpening their claws, thinking this Mountain Lord Festival is the perfect opportunity to catch the Clan Head’s eye.”
The question of who would become the master of the West End Room had recently become a major topic of conversation among the tigers.
Parents with daughters in the tiger clans were desperate to have their children adopted into the White Tiger Clan.
Being adopted as Sa-eon’s daughter didn't mean cutting ties with one's biological parents, and if she were to somehow become the Bride of the Yellow Dragon, it would be an unparalleled honor for the family.
“So, which children are worth noting this time?”
“I happened to catch a glimpse of the list Brother Jeok-yeong compiled. First, there is Lady A-rang of the Galho Clan and…”
“She’s too dim-witted to be a representative.”
“Lady Sa-hye of the Black Tiger Clan…”
“It’ll be a miracle if she doesn't become a disgrace to the family, let alone a representative.”
“And Lady Si-yo of the Silver Tiger Clan…”
“She’s a bit… I don’t like her for some reason.”
The girls from the branch lineages that Ho Jeok-a listed were all formidable candidates, carefully selected by Ho Jeok-yeong himself before presenting the list to Sa-eon.
However, in the eyes of the fastidious Ga-hyeon, who had high standards, none of them were satisfactory.
“If someone is going to be my younger sister… shouldn't they be a bit more small, white, and soft-looking?”
Ga-hyeon muttered discontentedly and looked out the window once more.
His gaze fell upon Ga-yul, who was hopping around in his baby tiger form, and So-ya, who was chasing after him while panting for breath.
Ga-hyeon spent a long time watching his small, white, and soft younger brother playing with the even smaller, whiter, and softer uninvited guest of the West End Room.
*
So-ya had been swept up by Ga-yul’s pace and spent the entire day in the garden, playing ball and tag.
Ga-yul, who had transformed into a baby tiger, ran around without a single moment’s rest.
The play only ended after Ga-yul—who had skipped his training again to play—was finally caught and dragged away by Su-ri.
“Oh, my lady. Wasn't today exhausting?”
Yeon-jeong asked as she brought cool water to So-ya, who was huffing and puffing on the grass.
“The youngest young master really runs around without stopping. He certainly lives up to being a tiger.”
“If you don't want to play with him and he’s being a nuisance…”
So-ya, who was gulping down water while holding the cup with both hands, quickly shook her head at those words.
“O-oh, no! I had a lot of fun!”
It had been a very long time since she had run around enough to be out of breath.
Every time she ran after the ball, the cool wind brushed against her cheeks and her heart went thump-thump-thump-thump.
It was a joyful feeling she hadn't experienced in ages.
Moreover, it wasn't too difficult because Yeon-jeong and San-ho had occasionally encouraged her to sit on a rock and rest, bringing her drinks and snacks.
She found herself wishing she could play with the youngest young master like this again.
“But… are there really ghosts in the White Tiger Palace?”
On the way back to her room, holding hands with Yeon-jeong and San-ho, So-ya cautiously asked the question that had been bothering her.
“Our little cotton ball, were you scared of ghosts?”
“Ah, no. It’s not that I’m scared… but what if a ghost takes the young masters away?”
So-ya’s eyebrows drooped as she recalled Ga-yul, whom she had been playing ball with until just a moment ago.
“I didn't know tigers were so small and cute. I feel like I should protect them.”
The tiger with the soft pink paws was much smaller and cuter than the ones she had seen in picture books as a child.
‘The young master boasted that he could fight and win against ghosts with his sharp teeth and hard claws, but…’
No matter how much she thought about it, she didn't think he could possibly win against a ghost.
“Oh my!”
Yeon-jeong and San-ho burst into giggles at So-ya’s worried murmurs.
“The youngest young master is indeed still quite cute.”
“Everyone will be so happy if you say you’ll protect them, my lady.”
“Will they really?”
So-ya’s face brightened.
Since Lord Sa-eon had saved her life, she wanted to protect them too.
Even though ghosts were a little—just a tiny bit—scary…
‘It’s okay. Ghosts won’t take me anyway.’
The people of the Vermilion Bird Clan used to whisper that she was a girl even a ghost wouldn't take.
Therefore, So-ya was confident that she wouldn't run away even if she was scared of ghosts.
‘I will definitely protect them!’
So-ya clenched her fists, hardening her resolve.
*
Sa-eon’s office.
A small shadow of gloom hung over Sa-eon’s face as he sat at his desk, reviewing documents.
His heart had been heavy ever since he heard that So-ya’s spirit core was damaged.
Sa-eon knew the pain of an injured spirit core better than anyone.
This was because his own spirit core had been severely contaminated and broken during the war with the Northern Land years ago.
Fortunately, the damage to So-ya’s spirit core wasn't severe, so she could recover with Sa-ra’s help.
However, the fundamental problem would not be solved unless the spirit core was fully healed.
And there was only one way to heal a spirit core.
“…Dragon Blood Herb.”
Sa-eon muttered lowly.
He, too, had searched for the Dragon Blood Herb for a long time to purify his contaminated spirit core.
That was why he had made a deal with the Prince.
Come to think of it, there had been no word from the Prince since that day.
Even after the report that the imperial decree in the Southern Land had been fulfilled, the Prince did not ask what had been stolen.
The Prince’s last message was that he would come to see the stolen item once the Imperial Palace was settled.
‘What on earth is that quiet Prince thinking?’
The situation in the Central Region had been unusual lately. And at the center of the rumors was the Fifth Prince, Tae Yi-rim.
‘Is he really planning to cause a bloodbath within the Imperial Palace?’
Sa-eon suddenly felt a headache and pressed his forehead. It wasn't just because of the uncertain situation.
When night fell, his contaminated spirit core would absorb yin energy and run wild; this was especially severe on nights with a full moon.
“I suppose a peaceful night’s sleep is out of the question today.”
Sa-eon muttered, glancing up at the full moon floating outside the window.
On the night of the full moon, when the yin energy was strongest, Sa-eon chose to stay up all night in his office instead of going to his bedroom.
His body felt terrible even when he was awake, but if he tried to sleep, nightmares of the battlefield would torment him.
Rustle. Scritch.
The room was filled only with the sound of turning pages.
“Sigh…”
Sa-eon wiped away cold sweat, feeling his head spin with dizziness.
His condition was particularly poor today.
Thinking he should close his eyes for just a moment, Sa-eon closed the file and leaned back in his chair.
Before he knew it, he drifted off into a deep sleep.
And a moment later.
Creeeeeak.
The door opened cautiously, and a small shadow crept in under the moonlight.