Chapter 76
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76
“Jjaek-jjaek!”
So-ya cried out in surprise and snatched Jjaek-jjaek up.
“Peep?”
Jjaek-jjaek tilted his head, wearing an innocent expression as if he had no idea what he had just done.
“Jjaek-jjaek, are you okay?”
“What is it, Young Lady?”
“Oh, San-ho. What should I do? Jjaek-jjaek swallowed a poisonous insect.”
“A poisonous insect?”
At San-ho’s exclamation, people crowded around Jjaek-jjaek.
“Is he really alright after swallowing a poisonous insect?”
“He doesn’t look particularly different on the outside, but…”
“Will Jjaek-jjaek be okay?” So-ya asked with a worried face.
“…This won’t do.”
Sa-eon stared at Jjaek-jjaek with a feigned look of gravity. He then untied his own hair ribbon and used it to bind Jjaek-jjaek’s body.
“Screee!”
Jjaek-jjaek struggled to break free.
“I’ll have to keep him with me for the rest of the day.”
Sa-eon easily subdued Jjaek-jjaek and tucked him into his robe.
“Peep! Cheep! Peep-peep!”
“No, Jjaek-jjaek. You have to listen to Father.”
Jjaek-jjaek flapped his wings, his eyes welling with tears as he looked at So-ya, but she spoke with a firm voice.
“Peep…”
In the end, Jjaek-jjaek hung his head dejectedly and allowed himself to be carried away in Sa-eon’s arms.
* * *
Once the incident was settled and they returned to the village, Ga-yul came running up to them in a frantic state.
“Cotton Ball! Where did you go? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“Yul-i Brother, are you angry?”
So-ya blinked at his overreaction.
“An—angry? Why would I be angry…?”
Ga-yul immediately softened his voice and cleared his throat.
When she stared at him, he avoided her gaze, which was definitely suspicious.
I’m sure my brothers are hiding something from me…
So-ya felt doubtful, but she soon followed after her father.
Sa-eon informed the villagers that the poisonous insects on the mountain had been dealt with, so there would be no more plague victims.
However, even though Gung-gi and the insects were gone, those whose spirit cores had been contaminated were still suffering. Ordinary medicine offered no way to treat them.
So-ya approached Sa-eon and tugged on his sleeve.
“Father. We’ve found the cause of the people’s pain. So…”
“Cotton Ball.”
Sa-eon interrupted So-ya and lowered himself to her level.
“A short while ago, the Indigo Wolf left for the White Tiger Palace to bring Sister Sa-ra here.”
“Aunt Sa-ra?”
“Yes. So, when she arrives tomorrow morning and checks on the people’s condition, if there is still no other way… we can talk about your idea then.”
“But earlier, you said we should think about it after finding the cause.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then why…!”
So-ya raised her voice without realizing it.
When Ga-yul, who had completed his First Growth, was learning about the duties of the direct lineage, So-ya had studied alongside him. She knew how heavy the weight of the name ‘Direct Lineage’ of the Four Great Clans was.
As a ruling family, they enjoyed many privileges, but the responsibilities they had to shoulder were equally great.
Even though So-ya was not related to her father by blood, she still considered herself a member of the White Tiger Clan’s direct lineage. She had vowed to step forward whenever she could help the clan or protect the people.
Wasn’t the reason her eldest brother—whom she had never even met—left the White Tiger Palace at a young age to go to the battlefield also to fulfill the clan’s duties?
Then why am I being told I don’t have to fulfill the duties of the direct lineage?
This was land under the influence of the White Tiger Clan. Therefore, if she could help the people by sacrificing herself, it was her duty as a member of the direct lineage to do so.
“Is it because I’m not a tiger…?”
So-ya gripped Sa-eon’s sleeve tightly and looked up at him.
“Is it because I’m not a tiger like you and my brothers, Father?”
“It’s not like that, Cotton Ball.”
As if reading So-ya’s mind, Sa-eon wrapped his hand warmly over hers.
“I told you a long time ago that it doesn’t matter whether you’re a tiger or a baby bird.”
“…”
“This is just because I’m a bad adult. I’m a selfish adult who hates the thought of my little Cotton Ball getting hurt, who can’t stand the idea of even a tiny scratch on her hand. That’s why.”
“...!”
So-ya’s hand, still clutching Sa-eon’s sleeve, trembled slightly.
“I didn’t realize you were thinking such things. I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings.”
“…”
Feeling the warmth of his hand and the sincerity in his heart, So-ya felt ashamed and sorry for her earlier outburst.
That’s right. I knew Father was only doing this because he was worried about me. And yet, I threw a tantrum like a child.
“I’m sorry, Father. I was being childish.”
When So-ya apologized with a slight blush, Sa-eon let out a small chuckle and ruffled her hair.
“When my sister arrives tomorrow, we’ll have her check the people’s spirit cores and make sure Jjaek-jjaek is alright too. And if your way is truly the only way to heal the people, then I’ll do as you say.”
“Yes.”
So-ya nodded obediently and turned away.
However, even though she had received the answer she wanted, her face remained thoughtful. She wanted to help the people, but she hated the thought of upsetting her father.
If I cut myself, Father will be very upset, won’t he?
So-ya remembered three years ago, when she had wounded herself to use her power. She remembered her father’s reaction—the first time he had ever shown her such a terrifying face and voice.
So-ya slowly spread her hands open. She closed her eyes tight and tried to focus on her spirit core, but…
It’s no use. I can’t hear anything.
So-ya let out a long sigh and walked on. Then, she spotted Jjaek-jjaek tied to a perch in front of Sa-eon’s quarters.
“Jjaek-jjaek!”
So-ya ran toward him. The grumpy lark turned his head away in a huff.
“I’m sorry, Jjaek-jjaek. Just bear with it until Auntie arrives.”
“Peep-peep!”
“I mean, why would you just pick up and eat anything like that? You have to be careful about what you eat from now on, Jjaek-jjaek. You’re not a baby anymore…”
As So-ya and Jjaek-jjaek were talking, a young sparrow beastkin passing by watched them with fascination and asked, “How can you talk to a lark, Big Sister?”
“Huh? Can’t all bird beastkin communicate with birds?”
When So-ya tilted her head in confusion, the sparrow beastkin shook their hands.
“Of course not. Even my parents can’t do that.”
So-ya blinked at those words.
Now that I think about it…
She didn’t recall seeing any beastkin talking to birds back when she lived in the Vermilion Bird Mansion either…
* * *
That evening, during the quiet hours when everyone was preparing for sleep.
Sa-eon stood by the window, unable to sleep, staring up at the dark sky. He was thinking about So-ya.
My little Cotton Ball seemed very upset.
It weighed heavily on his heart.
The child was right. She was of the White Tiger’s direct lineage, and since she was already twelve, it was only right that she fulfill her duties.
However, So-ya had not yet undergone her First Growth. He had avoided mentioning it because he knew she was sensitive about it, but…
Sa-eon found it hard to accept that a small child, still in her infancy by beastkin standards, was volunteering to sacrifice herself for others.
And yet…
I didn’t realize my overprotectiveness would make her feel that way.
Sa-eon’s eyes narrowed in pain as he recalled So-ya’s face when she asked if it was because she wasn’t a tiger.
Cotton Ball. Do you have any idea?
How much this father worries about you and loves you?
How my heart flutters with anxiety at even the smallest scratch on you?
How my chest aches even more than yours when you’re upset and sobbing?
How I sometimes have violent thoughts of wanting to destroy everything in the world that makes you cry?
And yet, it seems I’m the one who upset you this time, my little Cotton Ball.
Sa-eon shook his head and let out a dry laugh. The child was growing, and she wasn’t someone he could keep tucked away in his arms forever. And yet, his heart grew weak whenever he looked at her…
It was then.
Flap! Flap, flap—!
At the sound of a lark’s wings flapping outside, the gentle smile on Sa-eon’s face vanished instantly.
“Jjaek-jjaek!”
Following So-ya’s scream, Sa-eon bolted outside.