Side Story 31
Translator: RaidenTL
Side Story 31
Of course, San-yu understood all too well why they were so anxious.
With both his father and Hwa-yu gone, they were likely terrified that the family line would be severed if anything were to happen to him.
"In times like these, I truly envy Lord Ga-ya."
San-yu envied Ga-ya, who had many younger siblings and thus faced no pressure to marry.
Thinking of him naturally brought So-ya to mind.
"…I miss her, my little sister," San-yu murmured, his voice thick with affection.
In truth, not a single day had passed that he hadn't thought of her.
"Marriage is a luxury for a pathetic older brother who hasn't even been able to visit his sister yet."
He let out a soft chuckle and set down the final document.
How much had So-ya grown?
She was seventeen now.
At that age, he had been on the battlefield, enduring growing pains as he reached adulthood. It was hard to believe she had already reached the same age he was back then.
In his memories, So-ya was still just his tiny, precious little sister…
Tap, tap.
The sound of something knocking against the window broke his reverie.
Turning his head, he saw a single sparrow pecking at the glass with its tiny beak.
"Oh, it's Jjaek-jjaek."
San-yu stood up with a bright smile and opened the window to let the bird in.
Jjaek-jjaek fluttered inside and landed on San-yu’s desk, nonchalantly preening his feathers as if to signal his mission was complete.
San-yu carefully untied the letter fastened to Jjaek-jjaek’s leg.
He and So-ya had been exchanging letters consistently. While Jjaek-jjaek usually delivered them, Ga-ya would occasionally visit in person.
In her first letter, So-ya had boasted about learning archery from Ga-ya. San-yu chuckled, remembering how Ga-ya had brought that specific letter himself, wearing a triumphant expression as he urged San-yu to read it immediately.
Back then, Ga-ya had looked as though he were practically begging San-yu to be jealous.
Lord Ga-ya is quite the character. What would I have to be jealous of? It’s a good thing for anyone to cherish So-ya.
"Thank you, Jjaek-jjaek. You worked hard again today."
At his words, Jjaek-jjaek pecked the desk sharply.
"Haha, don't be cranky. Just wait a moment."
San-yu brought out some water and feed for the bird. He chuckled as he watched Jjaek-jjaek drink thirstily.
"Eat slowly, Jjaek-jjaek. No one is chasing you."
Jjaek-jjaek was a clever sparrow whom So-ya had personally taught to walk and fly. San-yu’s eyes crinkled warmly as he watched the bird.
"She has such a kind heart. To think she would teach younger birds the things she never received from her own parents."
San-yu was proud of his sister for growing up so warm and upright.
The man responsible for raising her that way was surely Baek Sa-eon, the Head of the White Tiger Clan.
Thinking of Sa-eon reminded him of the conflict that had once erupted between the White Tiger and Blue Dragon clans.
Was it the year before last? A massive dispute had broken out between the two families.
That was quite the spectacle.
It had been such a scandal that the entire Beastkin society was turned upside down. Neither clan had backed down an inch, and the matter eventually reached the ears of His Majesty at the Imperial Palace.
Though it was eventually smoothed over, the incident had caused San-yu to see Baek Sa-eon in a new light.
I didn't know that man had such a… beastly side to him.
Sa-eon had struck at the very thing Beastkin society valued most. Because of that incident, he had simultaneously earned the nickname "Beast of the Western Lands" and the title of "The Continent's Greatest Doting Husband."
Still, it’s a relief. He’s a man who is truly sincere when it comes to his family.
San-yu slowly looked away from Jjaek-jjaek and unfolded So-ya’s letter.
Hello, Brother. It’s So-ya. I hope you are in good health. Here in the Western Land, the frozen ground is finally thawing, and new life is preparing to sprout.>
The neat handwriting greeted him.
To him, she was still a baby, but reading these increasingly mature sentences made him realize just how much she had grown.
<…So, I suppose you will be very busy again this year?>
San-yu let out a small laugh at the slightly sulky question. He could almost see her childhood self, puffing out her cheeks in a pout.
He pulled out his brush and ink and began to write his reply.
<To So-ya.>
Even her name felt round and adorable. A warm smile bloomed on San-yu’s face as he wrote each character.
<My dear sister So-ya, whom I miss so much. I miss you as well. I have some happy news. I believe I will be able to come and see you early next month.>
* * *
A bird with red feathers landed by a stream where the water ran clear, dipping its beak to drink.
Other birds loitering nearby spotted him and peered over curiously.
San-yu released his Beast Transformation and reached out a hand toward them.
Chirp, chirp—
The birds seemed to approach him for a moment, but then, quite spitefully, they simply finished their water and flew away.
"How cold-hearted."
San-yu let out a soft laugh and sat down on a rock.
The sunlight was brilliant, the breeze was warm, and colorful flowers and green shoots were blooming everywhere.
He was soaking in the atmosphere, realizing that spring had truly arrived, when a humming voice drifted through the singing of the birds.
He paused.
San-yu stood up slowly and followed the sound.
Beyond the thicket, surrounded by birds, stood a young woman in the bloom of youth.
Her white hair swayed gently, and her eyes were a lovely pale pink, like spring blossoms. Her once-round face had matured into a slender, elegant curve. Though her lithe silhouette and the way she smiled at the young birds still held a hint of childhood innocence, she now carried an undeniable air of maturity.
Rustle.
San-yu let out an involuntary sharp breath as he stepped on a fallen leaf.
At the sound, the girl turned her head. Her warm, pale pink eyes widened as they landed on San-yu.
[I want to stay with you a little longer, Brother…]
[Today isn't the only day. Our So-ya is going to play with me again next time, right?]
It was their first meeting since that day three years ago at the Imperial Palace, when they had spread their wings and flown together.
"…Your brother is here, So-ya."
San-yu was the first to speak. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he offered her a bright smile.
"I'm not late this time, am I?"
"Brother San-yu…!"
So-ya’s eyes trembled violently before she broke into a radiant smile and ran toward him.
When he had last seen her, she barely reached his chest even on her tiptoes. Now, she had grown enough to reach his shoulder without effort.
It felt almost cruel how quickly she had become an adult, yet seeing her grow so beautifully made his heart swell with emotion.
San-yu suppressed his rising tears and stroked her hair.
"Our So-ya is all grown up. You could even get married now."
"Oh, Brother, really!"
So-ya’s eyes crinkled as she let out a clear, bright laugh. Her pure laughter echoed against the blue sky, mingling with the singing of the birds.
.
.
It had been eight years since the tiny baby bird first made her nest in the White Tiger Palace.
Time had flowed on, and at last…
The baby bird had grown.
Spring had come for the seventeen-year-old So-ya.
And at that same moment.
"…It’s finally spring."
Deep within the many-layered walls of the Imperial Palace.
For a certain Emperor, who had traded tens of thousands of his own days to secure one perfect day for her.
"The flowers must be blooming on Mt. Horim as well."
In the desolate and lonely Northern Land.
For a certain boy, who had submerged himself into the Black Swamp to become one who truly guards.
A brilliant and beautiful new spring had arrived.
Part 1 Side Stories, End.