Chapter 36
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36
When So-ya was young—of course, she wasn't fully grown now, but back when she was much smaller and younger than she was today.
Her father had spoken to her as she watched, heart heavy with sorrow, a family servant being driven away for embezzling the clan’s wealth.
[Discerning the wicked and exposing their misdeeds is not a bad thing, So-ya. You must be able to say that what is wrong is wrong.]
[Especially since you, as a direct descendant of the Vermilion Bird, must protect the little birds of the South. If you ignore what is wrong and turn a blind eye, other innocent little birds may suffer.]
Of course, the current So-ya was no longer a direct descendant of the Vermilion Bird, nor did she have any little birds to protect.
However, she still remembered that lesson she had heard while sitting on her father’s lap as a child.
Perhaps exposing Si-yo’s misdeeds would sour the relationship between Si-yo and Sa-eon.
Even so, hurting others was wrong.
‘Sa-eon wouldn’t want that either. Because he’s someone with a warm, broad back—someone who protects others.’
Recalling Sa-eon’s broad back that had shielded her just moments ago, So-ya revealed everything Si-yo had done in detail.
“And the same scent was coming from the other ladies’ carriages. I was worried something dangerous might happen tomorrow if I left it like this…”
“That’s a lie!”
Driven to desperation, Si-yo cut So-ya off with a shrill voice.
“That girl is someone who stole another person’s place even in the Southern Land! She’s a criminal who stole what belonged to someone else and ran away!”
“What…?”
In an instant, everyone’s eyes were fixed on So-ya.
“The Vermilion Bird Clan is keeping it quiet, but everyone within the family knows! They say she stole the position of the youngest daughter and pretended to be the child of that house until she was kicked out!”
“…”
“She’s a liar and a fraud! How can you believe a girl like that? She’s framing me right now just so she can keep the West End Room for herself!”
“…”
Every time Si-yo spat out a word, So-ya’s body flinched.
So-ya had been prepared for this.
She knew that the moment she exposed the other girl’s misdeeds, Si-yo would reveal her secret to everyone.
It was a little sad to be remembered as a bad child by everyone.
But she couldn’t pretend not to know when she saw someone else being harmed.
It would be even sadder if others got hurt because she chose to look the other way.
Thus, So-ya was able to endure the pain of having her shame laid bare.
“Lord Sa-eon.”
So-ya approached Sa-eon, who was watching her with a stiff, hardened face, and handed him the scent pouch.
“Here, this is the scent pouch I found in Lady Ah-rang and Lady Sa-hye’s carriages. It’s the same one Lady Si-yo gave to me.”
Sa-eon’s expressionless face was a bit frightening, but she did her best to explain calmly.
“The Youngest Young Master was there with me, so he can be my witness.”
“Th-that’s right! I saw it! The Silver Tiger gave Cotton Ball something that looks exactly like that!”
Ga-yul, who had been mingling among the crowd, chimed in loudly.
Sa-eon, who had silently taken the scent pouch from So-ya, paused for a moment.
“You said there was a scent…?”
Sa-eon’s face grew grave. He couldn't smell anything at all.
“Cotton Ball. Did you really smell something from this?”
“Pardon? Yes.”
So-ya nodded.
At that, the crowd began to murmur. It wasn't just Sa-eon; no one else could smell anything either.
“S-see? Even from this close, there’s no scent at all. That girl is ly—”
Just as Si-yo tried to press her advantage and corner So-ya, Sa-eon handed the pouch to Jeok-yeong and spoke.
“Jeok-yeong, take this to Sister Sa-ra immediately and inform her of the situation.”
“Yes, Clan Head.”
The moment Baek Sa-ra’s name was mentioned, Si-yo turned pale.
The scent pouch Si-yo had used was made using the evil arts of the Northern Land.
If it was Baek Sa-ra, the Divine Maiden of the White Tiger Palace, she would recognize the sorcery instantly.
If that happened, it would be proven that there was indeed something wrong with the pouch, just as that girl said. And if everything she had done was revealed…!
‘No. I have to become a direct member of the White Tiger Clan. If I don’t…’
“Clan Head! How can you listen only to that girl’s claims?”
At that moment, a woman stepped forward, wrapping her arm around Si-yo’s trembling body.
The woman was the mistress of the Silver Tiger Clan and Eun Si-yo’s mother.
“That is why I am seeking the Divine Maiden of the White Tiger Shrine—to determine the truth.”
“Even questioning the truth is an insult to the Eunho Clan! And even if our Si-yo really did threaten that girl, what does it matter?”
Si-yo’s mother shouted, pointing at So-ya.
“You cannot punish a tiger because of some nobody whose status isn't even clear!”
So-ya did not argue against the sharp words directed at her; she simply stared down at her toes.
She was used to it, and it felt only natural.
However, she couldn't help but feel a pang of envy toward Si-yo, who had a parent to protect her, and her nose began to sting.
It was then.
Ssh—
A massive shadow fell beside So-ya.
“…!”
So-ya’s eyes, which had been fixed on her toes, widened.
A large, warm presence enveloped her hand.
Even without looking up, So-ya knew exactly who this massive, warm presence belonged to.
In that instant, her nose tingled, and a hot sensation rushed to her eyes.
“Who said this child is a nobody?”
Standing beside So-ya, Sa-eon spoke in a voice laced with anger as he clasped the child’s small hand.
“She is my child, whom I brought here myself.”
“W-we know that! We know she is your guest, Clan Head! But even so…!”
“You don’t seem to understand what I mean.”
Sa-eon clicked his tongue briefly, cutting off the Silver Tiger woman.
“Cotton Ball is my child.”
So-ya’s head snapped up instinctively.
But Sa-eon didn't look at her.
He simply glared fiercely at the gathered crowd and repeated those three words with emphasis, as if to drive the point home.
“My child.”
*
Sa-eon separated So-ya from the crowd until the situation settled down.
Ga-hyeon led So-ya to a nearby empty room.
So-ya sat blankly on a chair, fidgeting with her fingers as she sank into thought.
[She is my child, whom I brought here myself.]
[Cotton Ball is my child.]
My child…
Why did Lord Sa-eon say such a thing?
‘It felt like he was trying to protect me.’
In that moment, So-ya hadn't been envious of Eun Si-yo at all.
Come to think of it, Sa-eon had always protected her since their very first meeting.
‘Just like… a father.’
When her thoughts reached that point, So-ya was startled and shook her head vigorously.
‘A father? What am I thinking? How could Lord Sa-eon be my father?’
If she thought like that, it really would be like she was trying to steal someone else’s place, just as Si-yo had said.
‘Lord Sa-eon is strong. He’s protecting me only because he is strong and righteous.’
She told herself she shouldn't have such wicked thoughts.
It wasn't enough that she had stolen Lady Ri-ri’s family; she couldn't covet what belonged to others again.
‘But… it really was warm.’
So-ya stared quietly at her fingertips, where Sa-eon’s warmth had lingered.
Then, she suddenly realized that Ga-hyeon hadn't said a word for a while.
Looking up, So-ya found Ga-hyeon staring at the bundle slung over her shoulder, his face deathly pale.
“Um… Young Master?”
Ga-hyeon, who had been silent the whole time, slowly parted his lips.
“Why…”
The voice that leaked through his weakly parted lips was trembling, like someone on the verge of tears.
“Why were you planning to leave so easily?”
“Pardon?”
So-ya blinked and looked at him.
“I heard everything from the Brown Tiger. You were planning to leave the White Tiger Palace.”
“Ah…”
“That bundle on your shoulder. The clothes you’re wearing and the shoes on your feet. You look exactly like someone about to leave.”
Ga-hyeon spoke through gritted teeth.
Everyone else had been too distracted to notice, but no matter how one looked at it, So-ya was dressed for a journey.
And the cold, tidy air he had felt the moment he stepped into her room…
So-ya really had intended to leave the White Tiger Palace.
“Well, I was only supposed to stay here for a little while before leaving anyway.”
So-ya nodded and answered honestly.
“Who said that! Who said you had to leave…!”
Ga-hyeon, who had flared up at So-ya for speaking as if leaving were a given, suddenly froze.
When So-ya first arrived here.
He remembered that he was the one who had opposed her staying in the West End Room more than anyone else.
He was the one who hadn't hidden his annoyance when the child followed him around on her short legs.
He was the one who had intentionally drawn a line and pushed her away, even though he knew she was walking on eggshells around him.
“…Is it because of me?”
Ga-hyeon’s voice trembled violently as he asked.
“It’s because of me, isn't it? You were going to leave because I spoke harshly to you and treated you poorly?”
“No, Young Master. I just…”
“Look at this. Even now, you’re calling me 'Young Master' again.”
“That’s just because I’m not used to it yet…”
Regrettably, So-ya’s explanation didn't reach Ga-hyeon’s ears.
“I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. So don’t go, So-ya. Live here with us in the White Tiger Palace.”
“…”
So-ya hesitated, not knowing how to respond to Ga-hyeon’s voice, which sounded as if he were sobbing and pleading.
“But if I stay here, Lady Si-yo might feel uncomfortable, and also…”
As So-ya began to list the reasons why she had to leave one by one—
Creak—
The door opened, and Sa-eon appeared.
“So.”
With a somewhat weary face, he walked slowly toward So-ya.
“You really intended to leave, Cotton Ball?”