Chapter 4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4
Ri-ri sat before a large mirror, grooming herself.
The entire mansion was in an uproar over the Prince’s visit.
“If it’s the Fifth Prince, he’s the only legitimate prince of the Taehwa Empire.”
“They say that although his health is a bit frail, no one can match him in terms of lineage or appearance.”
“Is it true he’s visiting to discuss an engagement with our Young Lady?”
“Perhaps our Lady Ri-ri will become the Bride of the Yellow Dragon.”
“Exactly! Lady Ri-ri is the only legitimate daughter of the Four Great Divine Beast Clans!”
“Besides, the Prince is two years older than our Lady, so their ages are perfect for each other…”
The maidservants helping Ri-ri dress were even more excited than she was, their chatter filling the room.
So-ya stood silently in a corner, unable to join the conversation, merely listening.
Ri-ri’s maids hated So-ya as much as they pitied Ri-ri.
In their eyes, Ri-ri was a kind soul who cherished So-ya, unaware that So-ya was a wicked child who had stolen her rightful place. This perceived injustice made them hate and torment So-ya all the more out of sympathy for their "poor" mistress.
They would call So-ya away to lock her in a dark shed and starve her, force her to do countless chores she couldn't handle alone, or pinch her in hidden places to leave bruises.
“The Bride of the Yellow Dragon? That’s far too much praise for someone like me.”
When Ri-ri blushed and waved her hand in dismissal, the maids grew even more indignant at her modesty and raised their voices.
“Too much praise? Look in the mirror, My Lady! You are so beautiful!”
“You look exactly like a celestial maiden from the old stories!”
“Once the Prince sees you, he’ll fall in love at first sight!”
So-ya silently agreed with them.
Just as the maids said, Lady Ri-ri looked stunning now that she was fully dressed.
Especially that brilliant red hair, radiant as a flame, which she shared with the Clan Head and the Young Masters…
“And look at this beautiful red hair that only those of the Vermilion Bird Clan’s direct lineage can possess! It’s not a color just anyone can have.”
“Of course. It’s a color you can’t imitate even if you try. Honestly, I worry that some stupid children who don’t know their place might see our Lady and start having vain dreams.”
While praising Ri-ri’s red hair, the maids cast pointed side-glances at So-ya.
So-ya realized that the "stupid child who doesn't know her place" referred to her, and her face flushed deep red.
Fortunately, Lady Ri-ri didn't seem to notice.
“Oh, my, you’re all making me blush. What do you think, So-ya?”
Ri-ri asked with a bright smile.
So-ya flinched at that clear, innocent smile.
Every time Ri-ri looked after her like this, the maids’ gazes grew sharper.
“Hey, the Young Lady asked you a question. Why aren't you answering?”
One of the maids poked So-ya hard in the ribs.
It was the exact spot where they had pinched her a few days ago, leaving a bruise.
So-ya endured the stinging pain in her side and nodded.
“Yes, ye-yes… You are beautiful. Very…”
So-ya managed to answer under their stinging glares.
“Well, she’s certainly beautiful enough that your shabby white hair can’t even be compared to her.”
The maid’s blunt remark was followed by a chorus of giggles.
“You shouldn't say things like that, everyone. It’s not like So-ya chose to be born that way.”
Ri-ri restrained the maids with a benevolent tone.
Yet, as she looked at So-ya, a flicker of superiority and satisfaction crossed her face.
“So-ya, you attend to me today.”
Ri-ri said as she stood up.
“What? Bu-but I…”
So-ya asked back in confusion.
Today was the day a very important guest was visiting.
And no matter how one looked at it, So-ya’s appearance was not fit to be seen by such a guest.
Despite knowing this, Ri-ri pulled So-ya’s wrist and smiled broadly.
“You are my most cherished friend, after all.”
Sharp gazes filled with jealousy and hatred pierced So-ya.
Ri-ri hummed a tune as she walked out.
So-ya followed behind her, head bowed low, not knowing what to do.
She had intended to stay out of her father’s and brother’s sight as much as possible, but she could not disobey the Young Lady’s command.
From the Clan Head, Jeok Ah-yun, to the retainers and household members of the Vermilion Bird Clan, everyone was gathered in front of the mansion, waiting for the Prince’s imminent arrival.
“Father! Brother!”
“Ri-ri, you’re here.”
“Ri-ri!”
As Jeok Hwa-yu smiled brightly and opened his arms, Ri-ri ran into them and was pulled into a hug.
“Our Ri-ri looks even prettier than usual today. You must have put in extra effort because the Prince is coming.”
“Oh, stop it. I’m always pretty.”
Jeok Hwa-yu laughed affectionately as he soothed Ri-ri, who was pouting playfully.
“Yes, yes. Your brother knows best how pretty our Ri-ri is.”
“More importantly, what about the Prince?”
“He will arrive shortly. Let’s wait here together.”
Jeok Hwa-yu took Ri-ri and stood beside their father, Jeok Ah-yun.
So-ya, who had been following, watched them blankly for a moment before quietly taking her place at the very end of the line of household retainers.
Finally, the Prince’s palanquin arrived.
The door opened, and a boy around So-ya’s age stepped out, holding an escort’s hand.
The first thing that caught her eye was his platinum-blonde hair, fluttering softly in the breeze.
So-ya’s gaze followed the hair that shimmered like gold thread.
At that exact moment, the Prince turned his head toward her.
Teal eyes, resembling fresh greenery, fixed upon So-ya.
The two children’s gazes locked softly in midair.
‘Ah…’
So-ya’s small, cherry-like lips parted slightly.
She stared at him blankly for a moment without realizing it.
He was the first person she had ever seen who was more beautiful than her father.
It seemed So-ya wasn't the only one who thought so; everyone was staring at the young Prince in a daze.
“Hello, Your Highness. Welcome to the Land of the Vermilion Bird. I am Ri-ri.”
As Ri-ri’s charming voice cut in, So-ya suddenly snapped back to reality.
She quickly lowered her head.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Her heart pounded at the thought that she had been so bold as to look the Prince directly in the face.
“You have traveled a long way, Your Highness.”
“It has been a while, Clan Head Jeok.”
The eleven-year-old Prince did not seem intimidated at all, even when facing Jeok Ah-yun, who was much larger than him.
So-ya marveled inwardly at his dignified and graceful presence.
However, she strangely felt the Prince’s gaze lingering on her, so she couldn't bring herself to look up and kept her eyes fixed on her own toes.
*
It was a dark night.
Due to the maids’ harassment, So-ya was only able to return to her quarters late at night.
She hadn't been able to eat dinner properly and had been locked in the shed attached to the kitchen for nearly an hour, but she didn't cry because she was used to such treatment.
Fortunately, thanks to the Prince’s visit, the mansion was brightly lit everywhere.
‘I’m so glad. Darkness is a little scary.’
Just as So-ya quickened her pace toward her room, she heard a rustling sound. She instinctively turned her head and froze in surprise.
‘…!’
Under the pouring moonlight, a boy with shimmering platinum hair was staring at her.
“I… I greet Your Highness the Prince.”
So-ya quickly bowed her head in greeting.
But the Prince did not answer.
Instead, he stared at So-ya’s face for a long time before finally speaking.
“I knew it.”
He suddenly took a step toward her.
“It really is you, So-ya.”
So-ya froze in shock at the sound of her name coming from his lips.
“You don't remember me.”
The Prince gave a bitter smile and pulled a norigae adorned with a ruby from his robes.
“Three years ago. At Lord San-yu’s departure ceremony. In the Imperial Palace.”
So-ya’s eyes widened.
“Will you still not remember me even if I return this?”
The Prince gently took So-ya’s hand and placed the norigae in her palm.
[They say this norigae was left to So-ya by her deceased mother.]
A fragment of a forgotten memory suddenly surfaced in So-ya’s mind.
There was a time when So-ya, like Lady Ri-ri, would throw tantrums and be stubborn with her family.
Three years ago, when she had insisted on going to the Imperial Palace to see off her eldest brother, who was heading to war.
In the garden there, she had met a young lord who was grieving over his mother’s death.
[So-ya looks at this and feels comforted whenever she misses her mother. I’ll give it to you now, Brother. I hope you can be comforted by it too.]
[But, So-ya. This is your mother’s keepsake. I can’t possibly take such a precious item…]
She had smiled brightly at the young lord who shook his head, unable to accept the norigae she was offering.
[You can just come back and return it later.]
[Ah…]
[When you aren't sad anymore, you’ll definitely come back to return it, right?]
[…Yes. I promise. I will definitely come to return it.]
The frail young lord had been covering his face with a silk veil.
[Then it’s a promise, Brother Rim-i.]
And so, she hadn't known.
That the kind young lord was the only legitimate prince of the Taehwa Empire.
“I came here like this to keep my promise to you.”
“Brother… Rim-i…?”
As So-ya remembered his name, Prince Tae Yi-rim smiled brightly.
“I was worried I might be late, but fortunately, I can tell you this before the day ends.”
He smiled radiantly and stroked So-ya’s hair.
“Happy birthday, So-ya.”
In that moment, So-ya recalled a fact she had tried so hard to forget.
That today, Lady Ri-ri’s ninth birthday.
Today, when she had been locked in a shed and missed dinner because of the maids’ bullying.
Today, when she hadn't heard a single word of celebration from anyone.
Today, which even So-ya herself had forgotten.
…Was also her own birthday.