Chapter 17
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17
A few hours ago.
It was on the way back to her room, holding hands with Yeon-jeong and San-ho after a long day of running around the garden with Ga-yul.
So-ya was preoccupied with thoughts of how to protect the benefactors of the White Tiger Palace from ghosts.
In truth, she had one method in mind.
[What are the ghosts even doing? Why don't they take away that wicked girl who makes our Lady Ri-ri’s life so difficult?]
[Even ghosts wouldn't take that girl; she’s too filthy for them.]
The people of the Vermilion Bird Clan had often said such things about her.
Sometimes, they would even burn objects she had touched, claiming that even ghosts would find them repulsive and avoid them.
Back then, her heart had ached as she watched her belongings turn to ash one by one, but after hearing that ghosts appeared in the White Tiger Palace, her perspective had shifted slightly.
‘They said even ghosts find the things I touch repulsive and avoid them. So, if I put my things near them, the ghosts will run away.’
So-ya decided to leave some of her belongings near her benefactors.
However, So-ya had nothing to her name.
She had even lost the small pouch she brought when leaving the Vermilion Bird Mansion while fleeing from the assassins.
Recalling the lost pouch made her feel a bit gloomy. Because that pouch was...
‘Oh, now isn't the time to think about that.’
So-ya shook her head to brush away the stray thoughts.
As she fretted over having nothing, a brilliant idea suddenly struck her.
“Wait a moment, Yeon-jeong, San-ho! Please wait for me just a bit!”
So-ya let go of their hands and ran back toward the garden.
After glancing around, she quickly found what she was looking for.
With a face that had brightened instantly, So-ya picked up three of the smoothest, prettiest stones she could find.
Yeon-jeong and San-ho, who had followed her, looked puzzled, but So-ya only gave a bashful smile and urged them to return to the room.
Once back in the room, So-ya blew the dirt off the stones, washed them clean with water, and dried them.
Then, after staring at the stones for a moment, she squeezed them tight in her hands and made a wish in her heart.
‘Since these stones have been touched by So-ya, please make the ghosts avoid them.’
Naturally, the stones didn't look any different on the outside, but a proud smile spread across So-ya’s face.
‘All done!’
So-ya was ready.
‘Now I just have to leave these next to Sa-eon and the young masters!’
However, when it came down to actually leaving the room alone at this late hour, she felt a little scared.
So-ya stole a glance at Yeon-jeong.
“Young Lady, is there something you’d like to say?”
Yeon-jeong asked with a tilt of her head. She had noticed So-ya peeking at her after the girl had spent the evening playing with stones instead of sleeping, despite surely being tired from playing all day.
“Um, Yeon-jeong...”
So-ya approached Yeon-jeong and whispered into her ear.
“You said there are ghosts in the White Tiger Palace. Well, these stones... if you keep them nearby, the ghosts won't take you away. So, I want to go leave them next to Sa-eon and the young masters.”
“Aha, so they’re like talismans!”
Yeon-jeong clapped her hands and nodded.
“Talismans?”
“You know, things that ward off ghosts.”
“Ah...! Yes, that’s right! It’s similar! They’re talismans!”
It was a bit different since they were meant to make ghosts avoid the area rather than actively warding them off, but it seemed close enough to a talisman.
“So, I need to deliver these talismans to Sa-eon and the young masters, but...”
“Oh, my sweet Young Lady. You were scared to go out into the hallway alone, weren't you?”
“Yes, yes...!”
So-ya nodded vigorously.
Yeon-jeong chuckled and held out her hand to So-ya.
“Then shall I go with you to see the Clan Head and the young masters?”
“Yes!”
So-ya smiled brightly and took Yeon-jeong’s hand.
The first place So-ya headed, led by Yeon-jeong, was Ga-yul’s room, which was the closest.
When they carefully opened the door and stepped inside, they saw Ga-yul sleeping soundly, snoring softly with his blankets kicked off.
So-ya placed one stone next to Ga-yul and quickly retreated back into the hallway.
Next, she headed to the room of Ga-hyeon, who had given her a tour of the White Tiger Palace on her first day.
Ga-hyeon’s room was silent, without even the sound of breathing.
So-ya placed a stone next to Ga-hyeon, who was sleeping peacefully in a perfectly straight posture, and then stepped back outside.
Finally, the place So-ya headed was Sa-eon’s office.
“Is he in his office even though it’s this dark?”
“The Clan Head often works until late.”
When they arrived in front of Sa-eon’s office, Jeok Yeong recognized So-ya and greeted her.
“Little Cotton Ball? Have you come to thank the Clan Head again today?”
“No. Actually, today...”
So-ya whispered the reason for her visit to Jeok Yeong, who had asked with a kind smile.
“Wow, a ghost-repelling talisman made by the Little Cotton Ball herself? I’m so jealous of the Clan Head!”
When Jeok Yeong reacted with an exaggeratedly envious voice, So-ya quickly replied, realizing her mistake.
“I-I’ll make one for you too, Jeok Yeong!”
At those words, Jeok Yeong grinned broadly with delight.
“Really? That’s a promise, Young Lady?”
“Yes.”
Just as So-ya was reaching out her pinky to hook it with Jeok Yeong’s...
Yeon-jeong, who had been standing still, glared at Jeok Yeong with wide eyes and spoke up.
“That’s too much, Young Lady! You’re giving a gift to that old fox before me, even though I see you every day?”
“O-Old fox?”
So-ya, unaware that the two were siblings, was flustered by Yeon-jeong’s blunt words.
“Make one for me too, Young Lady! Mine comes before his!”
“O-Okay, Yeon-jeong!”
So-ya made a pinky promise with Yeon-jeong as well.
As they pressed their thumbs together to seal the deal, she felt a strange sensation.
Until now, no one had ever asked So-ya for something or said they would wait for her.
She had always lived holding her breath, but this felt like...
‘It feels like I’ve become someone who is helpful.’
It was a slightly unfamiliar and awkward feeling, yet it made her heart flutter.
“Well then, Young Lady. Go on in and give the talisman to the Clan Head.”
Jeok Yeong smiled and opened the door for her.
“Try going in by yourself this time, Young Lady!”
Encouraged by Yeon-jeong and Jeok Yeong, So-ya bravely stepped into the office.
“Hello—hup!”
So-ya, who was about to greet him immediately, spotted Sa-eon slumped over his desk and quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
‘He’s sleeping.’
Sa-eon must have been tired too.
‘I mustn't wake him.’
So-ya tiptoed as quietly as possible.
It was then.
“Ugh...”
At the sound of a faint groan, So-ya jumped in surprise and ended up tumbling to the floor with a thud.
“Ouch...”
So-ya stood up, blinking back the tears that pricked her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Sa-eon. I didn't mean to wake... Huh...?”
Despite the commotion, Sa-eon didn't wake up. So-ya blinked, and then her eyes widened in alarm.
Sa-eon was groaning and breaking out in a cold sweat, looking like someone in pain.
‘O-Oh no...! I came too late, and he’s already been attacked by a ghost.’
So-ya clasped her hands together and paced anxiously.
‘No. Please... Mr. Ghost, don't torment Sa-eon.’
As So-ya murmured inwardly...
Flash!
A brilliant light suddenly emanated from the stone she was holding.
So-ya’s eyes grew round.
“Huh...?”
The light vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
What was that just now? Did she see it wrong?
So-ya rubbed her eyes and noticed that Sa-eon’s complexion had gradually become peaceful.
“...!”
So-ya’s face brightened in turn.
‘The talisman really worked. What a relief.’
So-ya placed the stone next to Sa-eon and then quietly slipped out.
Yeon-jeong, who was waiting in the hallway, saw So-ya’s bright face and asked, “Was it a success, Young Lady?”
“Yes!”
So-ya replied with a wide smile.
“You know, Yeon-jeong. I think the talisman really works! A ghost was bothering Sa-eon, but it ran away when it saw the talisman!”
So-ya whispered in a highly excited voice.
“Oh my.”
This is the first time I’ve heard our Young Lady speak so fast. Yeon-jeong chuckled, looking at So-ya’s flushed cheeks.
“That is a relief indeed.”
“I’ll make one for you tomorrow, Yeon-jeong!”
“I’d love that, Young Lady. Then tomorrow, after you’ve had a good long sleep, we’ll go pick out the prettiest stone... Oh dear, Young Lady, did you fall?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re bleeding here.”
Only then did So-ya notice that her palm was slightly scraped.
She must have hurt herself when she fell earlier, startled by Sa-eon’s groan.
“Oh, what should we do? Our Young Lady’s lovely hand is bleeding.”
“Uh... it’s not that big of a wound...”
So-ya tried to hide her hand behind her back out of embarrassment, but Yeon-jeong was faster, grabbing So-ya’s wrist.
“This won't do, Young Lady. Let’s get back to the room and apply some medicine.”
“Okay.”
Nodding obediently, So-ya returned to her room, washed her hand clean, applied medicine to the wound, and fell asleep with a peaceful heart.