Chapter 41
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41
Dinner time.
For once, the entire family of the White Tiger Palace was gathered in one place.
The Clan Head and the two young lords were often so busy that it was difficult for them to coordinate their schedules for a meal. But today was So-ya’s first official day as a member of the family!
And so, they all sat down together for the evening banquet.
“We finished the adoption process this afternoon. From now on, if anyone asks for your name, you are to introduce yourself as Baek So-ya, daughter of Baek Sa-eon.”
“Yes!”
So-ya answered vigorously, her face flushed a light pink.
Baek So-ya.
Not Jeok So-ya, but Baek So-ya.
Baek Sa-eon’s daughter, Baek So-ya.
The White Tiger Clan’s Baek So-ya.
The resonance of that name, still so unfamiliar, felt truly beautiful.
“My name is Baek Ga-yul too! Cotton Ball and I have the same ‘Baek’ in our names!”
Ga-yul shouted, his face even more excited than So-ya’s.
“Don’t say such stupid things,” Ga-hyeon remarked, looking at Ga-yul with a pathetic expression.
“I’m just saying it’s cool! Father said that having ‘Baek’ at the start of your name means we’re family! It means Cotton Ball and I are really family now!”
“Please, just shut your mouth. You’re making me embarrassed. So-ya’s going to run away because of your idiocy.”
Ga-hyeon shook his head, looking utterly disgusted.
So-ya simply giggled.
Watching the scene with a satisfied expression, Sa-eon leaned his chin on his hand and asked So-ya, “How is your first day as Baek So-ya, Cotton Ball? Is there anything uncomfortable?”
“No, everyone is so kind to me. They were before, and they are now.”
“That’s a relief. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to speak up.”
“Ah, then, um… about Seol-yo.”
“Seol-yo?”
“The, um, the child you brought with you, Sa-eon-nim!”
“Is that what he told you his name was?”
“Yes! He knows how to write his name, and he’s a very kind and clever child! He helped me yesterday, too!”
Earlier, So-ya had to tell Seol-yo, who was trying to follow her, that he couldn't come any further and sent him back.
She felt a pang of guilt remembering Seol-yo standing quietly by the bushes, wagging his tail vigorously until she was out of sight.
“Could Seol-yo stay here at the White Tiger Palace with us?”
So-ya stole a glance at Sa-eon, worried he might say no.
However, Sa-eon let out a short laugh and answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“If that’s what you want, then do so.”
“Wow…! Really?”
“I’m the one who brought him here in the first place. There’s no reason why not. However, people might be startled if they see him, so be careful not to let them find out he’s a demonic beast.”
“Yes! I’ll explain it well to Seol-yo. He’s a smart boy, so he’ll understand!”
“A demonic beast? Cotton Ball, did you tame a demonic beast?”
Ga-yul, who hadn't seen Seol-yo yet, asked with a voice full of curiosity.
“No, we just became friends. You know, that black wolf you saw yesterday.”
“That black wolf you were riding was a demonic beast? That’s amazing, Cotton Ball! I heard demonic beasts are violent and never become friends with people!”
“You’ll be able to become good friends with Seol-yo too, Brother Ga-yul. Seol-yo is kind and gentle, so he doesn’t hurt people.”
“Then let’s go meet the demonic beast after dinner!”
“No. So-ya promised to go look at the collection in the library with me,” Ga-hyeon interjected, placing side dishes onto So-ya’s rice bowl one by one.
“Then how about we all go to the library together after I introduce Brother Ga-yul to Seol-yo?”
Sa-eon, who had been idly listening to the children’s conversation, perked up his ears. He remembered what Jeok-yeong had said to him that morning.
[She calls you ‘Sa-eon-nim’ instead of ‘Father’ or ‘Dad.’ Doesn’t that mean she’s uncomfortable?]
[She seems perfectly fine calling the young lords ‘Brother,’ though.]
Jeok-yeong was right.
Sa-eon’s brow furrowed slightly.
Even though he thought she would naturally be more comfortable with Ga-hyeon and Ga-yul since they were closer in age, it still bothered him for some reason.
“So-ya, this stupid cub has a disease where he collapses the moment he opens a book. So just come with me, your older brother.”
“Huh? A collapsing disease? Then are books like peaches to you, Brother Ga-yul?”
“N-No! I like books too! I’m going to go read books with Cotton Ball!”
“Ahem, ahem.”
At the sound of the fake cough, the three bickering children turned to look at Sa-eon simultaneously.
“The ritual ceremony scheduled for today was postponed because of what happened yesterday; it will be held on the day of the Mountain Lord Festival instead. And on that day, I intend to formally introduce you to the retainers, Cotton Ball. As my daughter.”
Sa-eon deliberately emphasized the words “my daughter,” secretly hoping she might call him Father in return.
“Am I attending the Mountain Lord Festival too?”
“Of course. You are my daughter now, and a member of the Baek family.”
“…!”
Just as So-ya’s face was about to brighten with joy—
“Then we’ll get to see Cotton Ball’s beast transformation too!”
At Ga-yul’s words, So-ya froze.
“Beast transformation…?”
“Yeah, yeah! You have to transform into your beast form to participate in the Mountain Lord Festival.”
Ga-yul, who had been nagged by Ga-hyeon the whole time, explained excitedly now that a topic he knew about had come up.
But in contrast to Ga-yul’s high spirits, the speed of So-ya’s chopsticks gradually slowed.
Seeing So-ya’s darkened expression, Sa-eon recalled the conversation he had with the child last night.
[I found out I was a fake when I was six. That was the day of my first beast transformation…]
Last night, So-ya had quietly told him about the things that had happened in the Vermilion Bird Clan—things Sa-eon hadn't dared to pry into before.
There was no doubt that So-ya had developed a fear of beast transformation because of what happened that day.
Sa-eon thought of the baby bird, as white as downy fur.
The child had called herself unsightly and ugly, but in Sa-eon’s eyes, she was nothing but cute and lovely.
He couldn't understand the people of the Vermilion Bird Clan who had persecuted this tiny child he only wanted to protect.
He wanted to tell her that every part of her was precious and beautiful, but So-ya’s fear of beast transformation was too deep.
She will have to transform eventually, but there’s no need to rush.
He didn't want to force her and reopen her wounds.
He had made a vow the moment he decided to adopt her: that he would gift this child a happy world without pain.
“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
At Sa-eon’s words, So-ya’s eyes widened.
“Eh? But…! Mmph!”
Ga-hyeon slapped his palm over Ga-yul’s mouth as the latter tried to say something tactless.
“That’s right, So-ya. We didn't ask you to stay here to force you into anything or burden you with responsibilities.”
Ga-hyeon then spoke in a gentle voice to So-ya, who still looked bewildered.
“If anyone tries to force you to do something you don’t want to do, tell me. I’ll scold them all for you. Even if it’s Father.”
Ga-hyeon added the last part in a slightly lowered voice.
Sa-eon let out a chuckle, raising an eyebrow as if he found the situation absurd.
“Goodness. Look at this, Cotton Ball. Your brother is quite terrifying.”
Thanks to them, So-ya’s expression brightened considerably, and the warm dinner continued.
* * *
That evening, So-ya introduced Seol-yo to the household and visited the library—a place only those of the direct Baek lineage could enter—to read books.
Even though she had such a wonderful time with her brothers, a corner of her heart felt strangely prickly and bothered her.
However, So-ya tried her best to ignore that prickly feeling. The happiness of having a new family was simply too great.
And so, time passed until it was the night before the Mountain Lord Festival.
So-ya had a dream.