Chapter 34
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 34
‘How did she know…?’
So-ya wanted to stand tall and composed, but her toes wouldn't stop trembling.
A fake who had stolen the true lady’s place.
That was So-ya’s deepest shame. It was a past she never wanted to reveal, an original sin she wished she could carve out of her soul.
“Were you planning to steal my place too?”
Si-yo, who had straightened her posture at some point, asked with eyes as cold as ice.
“N-no. I never had any intention of doing that…!”
“Then leave.”
“…!”
“If you don’t leave, I’ll tell everyone that you’re a thief. So leave on your own two feet before that happens.”
“…”
Only faint, ragged breaths escaped from between So-ya’s deathly pale lips.
She remembered how the people who found out she was a fake had changed in an instant. She remembered her father’s cold back as he pushed her away and turned his back on her. She remembered the chilling voice of her brother, Hwa-yu, as he tore away her spirit core.
She remembered, down to her very bones, the sharp gazes of people who had changed overnight, and the biting chill of the Cold Palace, where no heat reached even in the dead of winter.
Those were moments so painful that even recalling them made her heart ache.
Since coming to the White Tiger Palace, So-ya had received warm kindness and gentle favor from everyone, but she knew the truth. They only treated her well because they didn't know she was a wicked little bird who had stolen someone else’s life.
‘Once they find out, everyone will change. Just like Father and Hwa-yu did. Just like the people of the Vermilion Bird Clan.’
It would be too heartbreaking if even Sa-eon and the people of the White Tiger Palace looked at her that way.
She knew she would have to leave after the Mountain Lord Festival ended, before the White Tiger Palace’s new lady arrived. But even if she had to go, she wanted to remain a good memory to them. Not as a thief who coveted and stole another’s life, but as a kind and quiet guest who had stayed at the White Tiger Palace for a short time.
But… but…
“I—I really won’t steal your place, Lady Si-yo. Can’t I just… stay a little longer before I go?”
“That West Wing End Room you’ve settled into—that’s my room. I can’t stand you being there for even one more day.”
“Then, let me at least say goodbye to Lord Sa-eon…!”
“Leave quietly without telling anyone. What if they try to stop you because they’re too soft-hearted?”
“…”
“If you aren't planning to cling to the White Tiger Palace and steal my place, then leave tonight when no one is watching.”
“…”
“If you’re still here by tomorrow morning, I’ll tell everyone your secret.”
Si-yo spoke coldly and turned away.
So-ya stood dazed in the hallway for a long time before finally snapping out of it and returning to her room.
*
That evening.
Throughout dinner, So-ya seemed unusually drained of energy. Yeon-jeong asked worriedly if she was feeling ill, but So-ya simply replied with a faint smile.
“I’m just sleepy today and want to go to bed early, Yeon-jeong.”
“Our young lady must have been very startled by the scary thing that happened yesterday.”
Yeon-jeong laid out the bedding and left the room early to give her rest.
So-ya sat on the bed, clutching the tiger doll Sa-eon had given her, and watched the sun set through the window. Ever since she had learned the truth about this room, she had always known she would have to leave, but she hadn't expected the parting to come so abruptly.
She thought she could stay a little longer, at least until the Mountain Lord Festival was over. She hadn't decided where to go or if she could really follow Lady Ah-rang yet…
Still, she had hoped she could leave after sharing a smiling farewell with everyone. She wanted to tell them how grateful she was for bringing her here and how much she had enjoyed her stay at the White Tiger Palace.
She never imagined she would have to flee like this, her identity exposed.
‘It’s time to go.’
Looking out at the window that had turned pitch black, So-ya stood up, pressing down on the bridge of her stinging nose.
After a brief look around the room, she wrapped the tiger doll from Sa-eon in a cloth bundle and slung it over her back. This was the only thing she was taking. Everything else in the room didn't belong to her.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the window.
She looked up in confusion, and a jet-black head popped over the open windowsill.
“Oh? Seol-yo…?”
“Kkyuing…!”
Finding So-ya, Seol-yo hopped inside.
“Whoa…!”
Startled by Seol-yo’s sudden intrusion, So-ya tumbled back onto the floor.
“Kking, kking!”
Seol-yo panted excitedly, spinning in circles before flopping onto his back and showing his belly. Understanding the gesture, So-ya smiled and stroked Seol-yo’s stomach.
“Did you come to see me?”
“Kking!”
“But I have to leave now.”
“Kkyuang…? Kking!”
Tilting his head, Seol-yo jumped up and stood on all fours. Then, as if he were a warrior protecting So-ya, he stood in front of her and let out a small bark.
“Hmm? Are you saying you’ll go with me?”
“Kking!”
“Thank you, Seol-yo. I don’t think I’ll be lonely with you around.”
So-ya let out a small laugh and stood up.
When she cautiously opened the door and stepped out, the quiet hallway greeted her. At the exact hour of the Pig, the guards changed shifts, leaving the hallway empty for about a quarter hour.
Even so, worried she might run into someone, So-ya moved as stealthily as possible to exit the building.
It was as So-ya was taking one last look up at the White Tiger Palace.
She froze.
Suddenly, a sharp, pungent scent pricked her nose.
‘This scent is…’
It was the same scent that had come from the scent pouch Si-yo had given her.
‘It’s the scent that makes wild beasts violent. Why is it coming from here?’
So-ya walked toward where the scent was strongest.
Turning the corner to the right side of the building, she reached the area where the guests' palanquins were kept. Among them, the scent was particularly strong near two palanquins—one painted with a brown tiger and the other with a black tiger.
‘These belong to Lady Ah-rang and Lady Sa-hye…’
She recognized them immediately, having seen the two ladies disembark from them before.
‘Could Lady Si-yo have…? But why…?’
So-ya suddenly remembered that there was a ritual ceremony for the Mountain Lord Festival tomorrow. She recalled hearing that everyone participating in the festival would climb Mt. Horim together for the ritual.
‘If they go up the mountain like this, the wild beasts will attack Lady Ah-rang and Lady Sa-hye’s palanquins!’
The blood drained from So-ya’s face as the realization hit her.
It was fine if Si-yo hated her. Being hated was something So-ya was very used to; it felt natural, even. But Lady Ah-rang and Lady Sa-hye were different.
‘Neither Lady Ah-rang nor Lady Sa-hye care about the West Wing End Room. None of them are trying to take Lady Si-yo’s place.’
So-ya couldn't understand Si-yo.
‘Why is Lady Si-yo trying to hurt people?’
If she didn't leave quietly now, Si-yo might tell everyone she was a thief. She didn't want to be remembered as a bad child again.
But…
‘I hate it even more when people who haven't done anything wrong get hurt. Besides, Lord Sa-eon said… that I protected the White Tiger Palace.’
[Thank you, Cotton Ball. For protecting the White Tiger Palace.]
So-ya clenched her fists tight, recalling Sa-eon’s voice from earlier that day.
‘I have to stop Lady Si-yo from hurting others.’
Having made up her mind, So-ya leaned down toward Seol-yo and asked, “Listen, Seol-yo. You’re very strong—strong enough to chase away all the wild beasts, right?”
“Kkyuing?”
“So, can you help me?”
Seol-yo tilted his head, then nodded vigorously at So-ya’s following words.
“Kking, kking!”
*
Meanwhile, Ga-hyeon was walking down the west hallway.
‘It’s gotten quite late.’
He was holding something small and round in his hand. It was a gift for So-ya.
‘I wonder if So-ya is asleep.’
It seemed likely. If she was sleeping, he planned to slip in quietly, leave the gift by her bedside, and come back out. Just as So-ya had done for him before.
Arriving in front of the West Wing End Room, he gently pushed the door open, making sure it didn't creak.
Suddenly, his face hardened.
“So-ya…?”
So-ya’s room was empty.