Chapter 173
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 173
In his fourth life, he had succeeded in bringing So-ya to the Imperial Prince's Palace, narrowly escaping the pursuit of the assassins sent by the Cuckoo.
The simplest and most effective way to protect her within the Imperial Palace was to keep her by his side as his consort.
The Emperor had opposed the match, citing So-ya’s obscure origins, but he was forced to acquiesce when Yi-rim declared that he had already given her his orb.
Yi-rim’s plan was to live quietly within the palace until he reached sixteen—the age when members of the imperial family could become independent—and then leave the capital with So-ya.
Once that time comes, we’ll leave this palace and live in freedom.
Just as she and he had so desperately yearned for... back in their very first life.
In that way, Yi-rim believed he had finally saved her.
However, his hopes were shattered when So-ya suddenly began to wither away from a mysterious illness.
So-ya’s spirit core was the Yellow Dragon’s Orb that he had given her in their first life. But that core, which should have been her source of strength, was now severely damaged.
It was the result of a sinister, foul power the Cuckoo had borrowed from a peril beast.
Had her spirit core been that of an ordinary beastkin rather than the Yellow Dragon’s Orb, So-ya would have died the very day the Cuckoo scaled the manor walls.
Yi-rim summoned every renowned physician to the Imperial Prince's Palace and sought out all manner of rare medicinal herbs to brew for her. Thanks to his efforts, So-ya seemed to regain her health for a brief moment, but in the end, she still met her death.
There was only one thing that could have preserved her spirit core: the Dragon Blood Herb.
Upon realizing this, Yi-rim entered his fifth life. For the first time, he threw himself into the struggle for the throne—not for the sake of turning back time, but to obtain the Dragon Blood Herb.
Even for Yi-rim, who had already ascended as the Yellow Dragon several times before, the path was not easy this time.
It was because he now had someone by his side he had to protect.
The closer he drew to the throne, the more people targeted So-ya. Eventually, there was an attempted poisoning within the palace.
Someone had laced So-ya’s food with toxin.
Looking down at So-ya as she lay on her bed, her face deathly pale, Yi-rim slowly came to a realization. It was impossible to engage in the struggle for the throne with her by his side.
If she stays here, the reach of the Evil will surely find her again. I must send So-ya somewhere safe.
Having lost his mother at a young age, Yi-rim had no political foundation and no one he could truly trust with So-ya’s life.
But then, one man came to mind.
Baek Sa-eon.
A man so powerful that he never had to concern himself with the opinions of others. A man so willful that he had volunteered to be the tutor for a powerless young prince whom everyone else avoided. A man whose nature, despite his cold exterior, would not allow him to easily turn away the weak.
Yes. Perhaps, if it is him...
Cradling So-ya, who could barely open her eyes in the aftermath of the poisoning, Yi-rim headed straight for the White Tiger Palace and knocked on its gates.
After looking troubled for a moment, Sa-eon eventually ushered the young uninvited guests inside.
“I had heard the rumors that Your Highness had taken a girl from the Southern Land as your consort, regardless of the consequences,” Sa-eon said, glancing at the small, snow-white girl lying as still as a corpse, looking like a tiny cotton ball.
He had heard there was an attempted poisoning in the palace; her complexion was indeed ghastly.
“I simply didn't expect that our love-struck Prince would come all this way just to show off his young bride to his teacher.”
Sa-eon spoke with a playful smirk to lighten the heavy atmosphere, but Yi-rim could not bring himself to smile back.
“One year. I will definitely return within that time. So please, protect this child until then, Master.”
He simply bowed his head and made his request with a heavy heart.
Yi-rim took one last look at the quietly sleeping So-ya before leaving the White Tiger Palace to return to the Imperial Palace.
Thus, Sa-eon took So-ya in, and she came under his protection at the White Tiger Mountain Palace, a mountain fortress located at the foot of Mt. Horim.
And one year later.
When Yi-rim, who had become Emperor after a fierce struggle for the throne, returned to collect So-ya, he happened to pass by the front courtyard of the White Tiger Palace. He stopped in his tracks at the sound of voices nearby.
“Hehe, look at this, Cotton Ball! Aren't I cool?”
“Oh, Young Master Yul, really.”
So-ya burst into a peal of laughter at the sight of the baby tiger wagging its tail enthusiastically.
Her clear, bright laughter vibrated through the air.
The sight of her smiling so radiantly struck Yi-rim’s heart with a quiet shock.
Here at the White Tiger Palace, So-ya was smiling beautifully, just as she had in their very first life. It was the first time since he had begun turning back time that he had seen her laugh so brightly and out loud.
“...”
After watching the scene in silence for a long time, Yi-rim slowly turned away to find Sa-eon.
“I have come to take So-ya.”
“...The time has already come, I see.”
Sa-eon murmured in a low voice, looking somewhat regretful, before calling for So-ya.
“Lord Sa-eon, did you call...? Your Highness?”
So-ya, who had come running with a bright smile, widened her eyes in surprise when she spotted Yi-rim.
“You must call him Your Majesty now, not Your Highness, Cotton Ball.”
“Oh! My apologies, Your Majesty.”
When Sa-eon corrected her with a gentle tone, So-ya gave a bashful smile and adjusted the title.
Cotton Ball. So that was what they called her here.
Yi-rim repeated the soft, fluffy-sounding name in his mind as he greeted her.
“It has been a long time, So-ya. Have you been well? You look healthy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to you. Have you been healthy and well as well?”
So-ya and Yi-rim exchanged warm greetings. After a brief conversation about how they had been, Yi-rim brought up the purpose of his visit.
“The turmoil in the Imperial Palace has been settled, so I have come to take you back.”
“Ah...”
For a fleeting moment, a shadow of regret crossed So-ya’s face, mirroring the expression Sa-eon had worn earlier.
Seeing that, Yi-rim felt a strange sensation in his heart.
That evening, unable to sleep, Yi-rim went for a walk and discovered So-ya sobbing quietly.
“Why are you crying on such a happy day, our So-ya? Once you go to the Imperial Palace, you’ll become the Empress.”
The one comforting her with a kind voice was none other than the second young lord of the White Tiger Palace, Baek Ga-hyeon.
“I’m happy that His Majesty came for me in good health and without injury, but... the thought of leaving the White Tiger Palace makes me a little sad.”
So-ya spoke in a muffled, upset voice.
“I’ll miss Lord Sa-eon, Young Master Hyeon, Young Master Yul, Lady Yeon-jeong, San-ho, and everyone else at the White Tiger Palace.”
“Don't be so sad, So-ya. This older brother will definitely come to visit you.”
“Thank you, Young Master. I’m being too much of a baby, aren't I? I’m not a child anymore...”
So-ya added with a shy, bashful smile.
Yi-rim stared at her face as she smiled clearly under the moonlight, then slowly turned his body away.
The next morning.
“I am sorry, So-ya. An urgent matter has arisen that I must attend to. I came to take you with me, but it seems I must promise to do so another time.”
“Your Majesty...?”
“I will definitely return, even if it takes a long time. Will you wait for me here a little longer?”
Yi-rim asked with a gentle smile toward the bewildered So-ya.
At his words, an expression similar to the one she wore when she heard she had to leave the White Tiger Palace appeared on her face.
That fact gave him comfort. The single fact that she felt at least a little bit of regret at parting with him...
And so, Yi-rim departed with a plausible excuse.
It was for the best. He wasn't yet in a position to take So-ya back perfectly.
The Cuckoo remained in the Southern Land, and Hyeon Ra-baek and the Evil remained in the Northern Land.
Since he had handed the Dragon Blood Herb to Baek Sa-eon to heal So-ya’s spirit core, she would now grow up safe and healthy in Sa-eon’s fortress.
He intended to finish the war with the North by then and present So-ya with a safe world.
The war against the North lasted quite a long time, and Yi-rim visited the White Tiger Palace occasionally to see So-ya.
There, surrounded by the genuine kindness of the people, So-ya grew up bright and cheerful.
Sometimes, Yi-rim wondered.
What was it about the people here that made her so radiant?
Sa-eon and the three young lords of the White Tiger Clan each cherished So-ya in their own way.
Not only Ga-hyeon and Ga-yul, who had been with her since she first arrived at the White Tiger Palace, but even Ga-ya—who accompanied the Emperor as an escort whenever Yi-rim visited—had opened his heart to her.
Eventually, Sa-eon even requested Yi-rim to let him become So-ya’s adoptive father.
“When So-ya goes to the Imperial Palace, she will surely need a foundation of power. If Your Majesty permits, I wish to become that child’s sturdiest and most solid fence.”
“...Have you asked So-ya what she wants?”
“I have not asked her yet. However, as I am currently protecting the child at Your Majesty’s request, I thought it best to ask for your intent first.”
“There is no need to ask for my intent. Follow So-ya’s wishes. Her will is my will.”
Yi-rim answered in a calm voice.
But he already knew the answer. He knew that So-ya would be happier than anyone to hear that news.
The time for the final battle was drawing near.
He decided that after defeating the Evil in this battle, he would finally bring So-ya to the Imperial Palace.
“So you're saying that once this war is over, Your Majesty will take Som-som away.”
Ga-ya, who was escorting the Emperor at the vanguard, asked in a grumpy voice.
“You sound as if you're ready to sabotage the end of the war if I say yes, Ga-ya,” Yi-rim remarked nonchalantly as he sliced through the neck of a lunging demonic beast.
“As if. I want this war to end more than anyone.”
Ga-ya replied with an expression and tone that were entirely unconvincing.
At this, Yi-rim let out a short laugh and countered.
“Even so, don't think about kidnapping her under the guise of an elopement. And don't break the carriage either. You might scare her.”
“...”
Ga-ya faltered for a moment at Yi-rim’s casual remarks, as if his inner thoughts had been seen through, but he soon had to focus on the resuming battle.
Having finally located the stronghold of the Black Tortoise Tribe, Yi-rim eventually tore apart Hyeon Ra-baek’s spirit core and killed him.
In that moment, the entire world turned pitch black, and the Evil that had been dwelling within Hyeon Ra-baek’s core fled with a blood-curdling scream.
The Imperial Army had finally secured victory, and Yi-rim felt a surge of excitement at the thought of finally going to get So-ya.
At that time, no one knew.
No one knew that the demonic beast from Mt. Horim, which Sa-eon had picked up in the Northern Land long ago, would go on a rampage and harm So-ya.