Chapter 20
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20
So-ya was out in the garden, carefully selecting pretty stones.
This had all started when San-ho, hearing that So-ya had promised to make talismans for Yeon-jeong and Jeok Yeong, had begged for one of her own.
[Don’t you worry, Lady San-ho. I’ll make one for you too! I want to make lots and lots of talismans to keep everyone safe!]
When So-ya had declared this, her small hands balled into determined fists, San-ho had chuckled and made a suggestion.
[In that case, Young Lady, shall we play the Game of Finding Pretty Stones?]
[The Game of Finding Pretty Stones?]
[Yes. Whoever finds the prettiest stone wins. How about the winner gets to keep the stones found by the other two as well?]
[…!]
At the word "game," So-ya’s cheeks flushed pink and her heart began to pitter-patter, just as it had during the ball game the day before.
The mundane task of wandering the garden to pick up stones suddenly felt like the most exciting and joyful game in the world.
‘Besides, if I win, I can have all the pretty stones!’
A competitive streak, instinctive to any child, surged within her.
[Th-then let’s start quickly! I’ll go look over there!]
So-ya shouted, her face bright red.
Yeon-jeong and San-ho burst into laughter at the sight of her, as she was clearly bursting with excitement.
And so, the game began.
‘If I find the prettiest stone, I’ll have three pretty stones including Lady Yeon-jeong’s and Lady San-ho’s. Then I can make three talismans.’
With a look of utmost gravity, So-ya scrutinized a stone she had just plucked from the grass.
‘This one seems a bit too pointy on one side.’
At a glance, it was a round, smooth pebble, but it fell slightly short of being the "prettiest stone."
More importantly, if the edges were sharp, the person receiving the gift might get hurt.
Just then, the sound of steady footsteps reached her ears.
Turning her head instinctively, So-ya spotted Ga-hyeon walking toward her from the opposite direction.
“Ah…!”
So-ya scrambled to her feet, the stone still clutched in her hand.
“Hello, Young Master.”
Ga-hyeon paused for a moment, then offered a gentle smile and a greeting.
“Hello, So-ya. I see you’re playing in the garden.”
“Yes. But, um, by any chance, last night…”
Did the Second Young Master see the effects of the talisman like Lord Sa-eon did?
So-ya was about to ask about the talisman, her voice laced with anticipation.
“By the way, So-ya, I found a strange stone left in my room last night. Why did you play such a prank?”
Ga-hyeon asked, smoothly cutting her off.
“Oh, that wasn’t just a stone…!”
“Picking up trash from the garden and leaving it there in secret… such mischievous pranks are a bit troublesome. It’s also quite inconsiderate to those who come to clean the room.”
So-ya froze at his words and stole a glance up at Ga-hyeon’s face.
His eyes, curved elegantly, were certainly smiling warmly, yet they felt somewhat cold.
“And please, don’t enter my room without permission from now on. It’s uncomfortable. You aren’t even a member of the White Tiger Palace, after all.”
Ga-hyeon let out a soft sigh as he spoke in a pleasant voice. His tone was kind, yet it carried a clear note of reproach.
So-ya’s eyes, which had been sparkling with hope just moments ago, slumped downward.
Of course, So-ya hadn't entered Ga-hyeon’s room entirely of her own accord.
She had gone with Yeon-jeong and handed the talisman to Ho Jeok-a, who was in the hallway.
However, he had suggested that it might be better to place it directly by the Young Master’s bedside, so she and Yeon-jeong had carefully stepped inside and back out.
Nevertheless, since she hadn't received permission from Ga-hyeon, the owner of the room, So-ya felt that his words were justified.
‘But it wasn’t trash, it was a talisman… I suppose to a precious Young Master, it must have looked that way.’
The realization stung a little, but So-ya apologized calmly.
“I’m sorry, Young Master.”
“…”
At that, Ga-hyeon’s mouth snapped shut.
He, too, knew from Ho Jeok-a that So-ya hadn't trespassed maliciously.
Even so, he had spoken that way intentionally to draw a line.
I cannot accept you staying here.
You will never be a member of the White Tiger Palace.
So, if you have any sense, leave this place as soon as possible.
Yet So-ya didn't act indignant, she didn't make excuses, and she didn't even show a hint of disappointment; she simply apologized.
For some reason, Ga-hyeon felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, as if a boulder had been placed there.
Then, his gaze happened to fall on So-ya’s fingertips.
She was clutching a stone in her hand—one that was small and round, just like herself.
The moment he saw the dirt and debris clinging to her hands from picking through the stones, he felt a pang of guilt and hurried away.
However, even after returning to his room, he couldn't stop thinking about how those pale red eyes, once full of expectation, had lost their light.
She was the one who had come into his room uninvited to leave such a useless thing, and she was the one who had the audacity to occupy the West End Room.
‘Why do I have to feel so stifled and guilty?’
He felt irritated.
It was likely because of those drooping eyes.
Those large, pale red eyes kept weighing on his mind and haunting his thoughts.
Perhaps he should have just told her what she wanted to hear.
That he had slept well thanks to her talisman.
If he had said that, would those round eyes have sparkled instead of losing their luster?
‘She didn't realize I dislike her, did she?’
Despite intentionally giving her the cold shoulder and drawing a line by saying she wasn't a member of the White Tiger Palace, he now began to worry that she might have actually caught on to his intent.
Unable to stay still, Ga-hyeon paced his room in circles for a long while before coming to a halt in front of the jar where trash was collected.
It was half-full, as the servants hadn't cleared it yet.
Ga-hyeon lifted the jar and flipped it upside down.
Clatter.
Among the falling items, a single stone tumbled out.
Ga-hyeon quickly snatched it up and brushed away the dirty dust clinging to it with his hands.
It was an act completely uncharacteristic of his nature, as he was usually fastidious to the point of obsession.
‘If it’s meant to ward off ghosts, that spot would be best.’
Ga-hyeon placed So-ya’s stone down on the nightstand by his bed.
Seeing the stone finally in its proper place made him feel significantly better.
As he stared at the stone with a look of satisfaction, his expression suddenly hardened.
‘But if I leave it here, she won’t know.’
After glancing around for a moment, Ga-hyeon walked to the window and pushed it open. Then, he placed the stone on the windowsill.
He placed it so that anyone passing through the garden could see it.
Because the Cotton Ball liked the garden.
* * *
Meanwhile, after Ga-hyeon had left.
So-ya felt sorry, thinking she had caused a nuisance when she had only intended to protect him from ghosts.
‘He seemed quite upset because of me.’
Even so, he hadn't raised his voice and had spoken to her kindly.
‘The Second Young Master is truly a gentle person.’
So-ya, who was accustomed to people being angry with her, sincerely believed this as she stared blankly at the stone in her hand.
It seemed she would have to make a talisman for the Second Young Master using something better than a mere stone.
‘But I don’t have anything better than a stone. What should I do?’
The items in her room weren't hers; they belonged to the Clan Head. The clothes she was wearing and her norigae were the same.
Since she didn't know when this "temporary" stay at the White Tiger Palace would end, she felt she shouldn't touch them carelessly.
Then, her thoughts suddenly drifted to the cloth doll she had received as a gift this morning.
It was the finest thing So-ya possessed.
‘But Lord Sa-eon gave that to me…’
So-ya fell into deep thought, her fingers fidgeting.
‘Giving Lord Sa-eon’s gift to the Young Master would be ignoring Lord Sa-eon’s feelings, so I can’t do that. But I don’t have anything else nice…’
Though So-ya didn't realize it, fidgeting with her fingers was a habit she displayed whenever she was lost in serious contemplation.
Just then, she saw a palanquin passing by in the distance.
‘Oh?’
So-ya’s head turned toward it automatically.
The palanquin stopped in front of the main building, and a young lady about So-ya’s age stepped out.
‘Who is that?’
So-ya tilted her head as she watched the young lady descend from the palanquin.