Side Story 24
Translator: RaidenTL
Side Story 24
Before coming to the White Tiger Palace, So-ya had no one by her side.
It was only after arriving at the palace that she was finally able to form normal human relationships.
Among them, Seol-yo was the very first friend she had ever made.
Throughout the five years she spent at the White Tiger Palace, Seol-yo had always been with her. Whether they were studying or running through the wilds of Mt. Horim, he was there in every single moment.
Perhaps that was why the void left by his sudden disappearance felt particularly vast.
Since this was her first time experiencing a parting, So-ya—unprepared for a farewell that came without warning—still couldn't get used to the fact that Seol-yo was no longer at the White Tiger Palace.
‘I... I can’t read it yet.’
After hesitating several times, So-ya finally pulled her gaze away from the wooden box containing his letter.
She had told the others with a clear, smiling face that she was fine as long as Seol-yo wasn't in any danger, but...
‘Actually, I’m not fine. I’m upset.’
It hurt that Seol-yo had vanished without saying a word, even to her.
No—it didn't just hurt a little; it hurt a great deal.
This wasn't a feeling of resentment or bitterness. It was pure sadness.
Long ago, So-ya had also tried to leave the White Tiger Palace. She remembered the sorrow her younger self had harbored back then. Thinking that Seol-yo might have left with that same heavy heart made her feel the most upset of all.
And the fact that she couldn't be by her best friend's side while he was suffering saddened her even more.
"Seol-yo was always there for me whenever I was lonely, but I wasn't any help to him at all."
"Cheep, cheep."
At So-ya’s murmur, Jjaek-jjaek approached and let out a cry.
"Jjaek-jjaek. You’re upset that Seol-yo is gone too, aren't you?"
"Cheep..."
Jjaek-jjaek slumped his head dejectedly.
"Cheep, cheep..."
It seemed Jjaek-jjaek was also very distressed. After all, So-ya, Seol-yo, and Jjaek-jjaek had always gone everywhere together.
But then, a tap-tap sounded against the window frame.
There was only one person in the White Tiger Palace who would visit So-ya’s room in such a manner.
"Ga-ya Orabeoni?"
So-ya turned toward the sound.
Instead of coming inside, Ga-ya was leaning against the window frame, waving his hand playfully at her.
"Som-som. Are you busy?"
"No, I was just about to rest. But what brings you here, Orabeoni?"
"You remember the promise you made to your brother, don't you?"
He asked with a mischievous grin.
"Want to go shoot some arrows?"
*
Ever since Seol-yo left, Ga-yul had visited So-ya every single day.
He had the noble-sounding excuse of comforting her after she lost her childhood friend and fell into despair, but the problem was that he was visibly walking on eggshells around her.
Anyone could see that Ga-yul, who kept stealing awkward glances at So-ya, was being overly conscious of her state of mind.
So-ya acted as if nothing were wrong, just like usual.
However, there was no way the quick-witted and clever So-ya wouldn't notice how much Ga-yul was fretting over her.
Unable to watch any longer, Ga-ya grabbed Ga-yul by the scruff of the neck and dragged him to a secluded corner.
"Youngest Tiger. If you make it that obvious that you're worried, it’ll only make Som-som feel more uneasy."
"But I’m Cotton Ball’s brother! I have to make sure she’s always smiling," Ga-yul argued back, defending his actions. "Lately, Cotton Ball hasn't been smiling as much as she used to. But she smiles when I go and play pranks on her."
"..."
"I made a promise to myself a long time ago. I’m going to make sure Cotton Ball smiles happily every single day. So don't get in my way," Ga-yul said with a huff.
Though Ga-yul usually seemed to act without a single thought in his head, it appeared he had been harboring such admirable intentions all on his own.
Ga-ya had felt similarly—the desire to protect So-ya’s smile for a long, long time.
Meanwhile, unlike Ga-yul, Ga-hyeon treated So-ya with his usual composed demeanor.
It was only when letters and gifts began arriving at the White Tiger Palace ahead of the Mountain Lord Festival that Ga-ya discovered Ga-hyeon’s strange behavior.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah, Brother."
Standing before a fire pit, Ga-hyeon turned around with a gentle smile.
"Wasn't that just... something for Som-som?"
Ga-ya frowned as he looked at the letters tossed into the fire. The name of the recipient written on the scorched paper was clearly So-ya’s.
"Yes. There were some things mixed in that So-ya doesn't really need to see," Ga-hyeon explained calmly, tossing the remaining letters into the flames. "Letters asking about Seol-yo’s well-being, for instance."
Every year around this time, various clans would send letters and gifts. So-ya, who had built friendships with the young beastkin of the Western Lands over the course of five Mountain Lord Festivals, received quite a few letters herself.
And some of those were from young girls of the Western Lands who admired Seol-yo.
"Don't worry too much, Brother. I’ve carefully selected and burned only the things that are meaningless to So-ya."
"Even so, you’re just burning her mail as you please?"
"I’m simply reinforcing the fence around So-ya. So that she doesn't have to cry like she did last time. It’s better than her reading those and getting depressed because she’s reminded of Seol-yo."
Ga-hyeon spoke without a hint of remorse in his voice.
"We should never have taken that beast into the White Tiger Palace in the first place. When I think about how much So-ya cried..."
His expression suddenly turned cold and rigid. He trailed off, his fist clenching tightly. He looked as though he were suppressing a surge of rage.
That had happened just yesterday.
Ga-ya reflected on his brothers' words. Ga-yul, who wanted to make So-ya smile every day, and Ga-hyeon, who wanted to eliminate everything that made her cry.
Of course, Ga-ya also preferred it when So-ya smiled rather than cried. It pained his heart when she wept, and his world felt warmer whenever she laughed.
‘But still...’
Ga-ya found it difficult to fully agree with his brothers.
‘How can a person only smile without ever crying? Especially every single day.’
Twang—!
At that moment, an arrow fired by So-ya struck the target.
"Whoa...!"
At So-ya’s exclamation of wonder, Ga-ya was immediately snapped out of his thoughts.
"Orabeoni! Did you see that just now?"
Seeing So-ya so happy brought a natural smile to Ga-ya’s lips.
"A bullseye."
The arrow had flown true, piercing the exact center of the target. It was a remarkable feat, considering it was hard to believe she was shooting for the first time today.
"Incredible. You’re the most amazing Som-som I’ve ever seen."
Ga-ya grinned and stroked So-ya’s hair.
He was reminded once again that So-ya was of the direct lineage of the Vermilion Bird. He had only helped her with her posture a few times, yet she took to archery with ease.
The sight of her reminded him briefly of Jeok San-yu, whom he had seen on the battlefield. It seemed blood truly didn't lie; that extraordinary skill with a bow must have been innate.
"Then this time, let's try shooting with your supernatural ability infused into it, Som-som."
"Yes, Orabeoni!" So-ya answered energetically.
The bow she held, adorned with red feathers, was a birthday gift sent by San-yu.
Initially, Ga-ya had coaxed So-ya into learning archery just to spite San-yu. San-yu had entrusted the bow to him, saying he would come to teach So-ya how to use it himself later, but...
‘As if I’d just sit back and let that happen.’
It had galled him so much when Jeok San-yu bragged about taking So-ya flying. He couldn't stand the thought of them making more memories together, so he had intended to steal San-yu’s opportunity and annoy the fellow.
However, he hadn't brought So-ya out today out of such petty competitiveness.
For the past few days, So-ya had subconsciously avoided going outside, staying cooped up indoors. Even Ga-yul, who usually took her out to play, couldn't easily draw her out of the palace.
Ball games, tag, hide-and-seek, racing...
No matter what they tried to do, it seemed she was afraid it would remind her of Seol-yo.
Remembering that, Ga-ya recalled his previous offer to teach her archery.
It had been a good choice.
The expression on So-ya’s face, having come outside in active wear for the first time in a while, was exceptionally bright.