Chapter 114
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Chapter 114
The shadow that had settled over his face was a stark contrast to the tender smile he wore beside Riri just moments before.
For some time now, his expression had grown increasingly desolate and barren.
He had wanted to visit Lady's Grave with Riri, but the child feared ghosts might appear and refused to come to this place.
Thus, he had never been able to bring Riri here.
'Still, it would be nice if she could at least greet her mother once.'
A pang of regret stirred within him, but there was nothing to be done.
Crunch, crunch.
As I walked, treading upon grass blades.
Suddenly, Jeok Ahyun's expression stiffened.
In the distance, a girl with snow-white hair shimmered into view.
'Could it be...?'
The thought seized him, and he quickened his pace.
Tap, tap, patter—
Yet when I reached Lady's Grave, there was no one there.
'I've seen things that aren't there again.'
A hollow laugh escaped between my teeth.
For some time now, I had been seeing things that did not exist.
I knew exactly when this had begun.
[That child has died.]
Ever since I heard Hwa Yu's words that Jeok Soya was dead.
Every space that bore the child's traces kept reminding me of her.
Even before Lady's Grave, her traces remained.
I remember the day I came here, holding the small hand of a child who toddled along.
[Father, is Soya really going to meet Mother?]
The child, excited at the thought of seeing Mother, asked repeatedly from morning onward.
[Um... Mother? I am Soya.... So, Soya.... I'm Soya. I'm coming with Father to meet Mother.... U, uh... Waaah.]
But upon arriving at the grave, the child who had practiced so diligently began to greet her with confidence, only to burst into tears.
I had to spend considerable time consoling the child who suddenly broke down.
Was the child three years old then, or four?
The child never showed any longing to see her mother, and the family members praised such a child for being so brave.
Looking back, there was no way that small child could have failed to feel the absence of her mother.
Yet she endured that sorrow in silence.
The reason the child behaved that way was probably....
'She did it so the family wouldn't be sad if they knew.'
She was a child born with kindness and consideration.
And with these hands, I pushed away that child.
That small child who laughed brightly after her first humanization and came running toward me with a patter of feet—I pushed her away.
I knew that the child who became Riri's servant endured her sorrow with that small body.
Yet I turned away countless times.
But Jeok Ahyun still couldn't quite understand it.
If I could turn back time... would I truly act differently?
Flap, flap—
Just then, at the sound of wings beating overhead, Jeok Ahyun tilted his head upward.
A flock of birds blanketing the sky moved in formation toward the west.
The reason for their departure remained shrouded in mystery.
Fortunately, no great harm had come from it, but...
'How strange. Birds departing from the Southern Lands where the direct descendants of the Jujak Family dwell, migrating elsewhere.'
His eyes narrowed subtly.
'I cannot even ask these voiceless creatures why they leave.'
He gazed at the western sky with a rigid expression before turning his head away.
"The flowers have bloomed already."
Upon discovering the blossoms at the grave's edge, he smiled faintly and reached his hand toward them.
It was at that moment.
Whoosh—
A sudden wind swept through, and as if to evade his touch, the flower stem bent away to the opposite side.
"...."
Jeok Ahyun blinked in momentary confusion before releasing a hollow laugh.
"Perhaps it's merely my imagination. It feels as though you are rejecting me."
As always, I spoke to the grave, but naturally, no answer came in return.
"I miss you, my Lady."
A lonely breeze drifted past.
* * *
Jeok Soya returned to Baek Ho Palace, leading the birds from the Southern Lands.
By then, the sky had grown dark.
"Huh? Why is our father...?"
At the chirping of the birds following behind, Jeok Soya tilted her head in confusion.
"What? You won't be satisfied unless you see him yourselves?"
The birds insisted on seeing Sayeon with unreasonable stubbornness.
'Did I misunderstand what they were saying?'
Jeok Soya was bewildered by this unexpected demand.
Yet the birds continued to whine for her to show them Sayeon.
"Fine, fine. But you'll be amazed when you see our father! He's the most wonderful and kind person in the world."
Jeok Soya spoke with a bright laugh, but the birds scoffed.
"What? You don't believe me?"
At the sight of the birds fluttering their wings in unison to affirm their disbelief, Jeok Soya felt somewhat sulky.
"You'll regret not trusting me! Come on, follow me!"
Jeok Soya flew directly toward the window of Sayeon's Study.
Tap, tap. Tap, tap.
As she tapped on the closed wooden lattice, the window soon opened.
"Jjak Jjak? ...No, wait. There's no way Jjak Jjak could be this adorable and lovely?"
Sayeon furrowed his brow at the small lark tapping against his window, muttering in an deliberately serious tone.
"Among the baby birds I know, there's exactly one that's this cute and lovely."
He deliberately spoke as if ensuring Jeok Soya would hear, then tilted his head as he lightly tapped the lark's tiny head with his fingertip.
"Could it be? Our little fluffy one from this household?"
At that, Jeok Soya giggled and released her transformation spell.
Poof!
"I'm back!"
Jeok Soya greeted him cheerfully and threw herself into Sayeon's arms.
"Welcome home, little lark fluff...."
As Sayeon held Jeok Soya and patted her back, he noticed a flock of birds visible behind her and paused.
"What are all these birds?"
"Oh, well."
Jeok Soya laughed and scratched her head sheepishly.
"They're my friends."
"All of those many birds?"
"Yes. They wanted to see Father, so I brought them to introduce them."
Sayeon narrowed his eyes and gazed at the birds.
Then he chuckled softly and replied.
"Well, what can I do? Since they're my daughter's friends, I can't chase them away."
He turned and spoke to Jeok Young.
"Jeok Young. Give those creatures something to eat. I'd appreciate it if you scattered some grain in the front courtyard."
"Huh? Father. But those three—Chirpy, Peep, and Squawk—they don't eat grain. They eat insects."
"..."
At Jeok Soya's words from beside him, Sayeon fell silent for a moment.
"...Those names are quite adorable."
"That's not the important part. It's just that they're such picky eaters, and without insects...."
"...Whoever gave them those names has excellent taste."
Sayeon deliberately ignored the rest of Jeok Soya's explanation.
"Don't worry yourself, Miss. I'll make sure to scatter food for your friends properly."
"You're saying you'll scatter insects throughout Baek Ho Palace?"
Sayeon asked with a pale expression.
At his unusually urgent reaction, Jeok Soya and Jeok Young burst into laughter.
"I've been thinking about it, little fluff. Your friends really need to break their picky eating habits."
Sayeon continued at length, now serious while Jeok Soya and Jeok Young giggled between him.
At that, Jeok Soya laughed and approached the window, calling out to the birds.
"Chirpy, Peep, Squawk. How about trying some grain today instead of insects?"
Then three birds, particularly plump from eating many insects, fluttered their wings.
Watching their movements, Sayeon asked with a visibly tense expression.
"What are your friends saying, little fluff?"
"Instead, I'd like you to prepare some plump and delicious fresh grain!"
Jeok Soya answered with a bright laugh.
"Then I shall order the fresh wheat and fresh barley from the storehouse to be scattered."
As Jeok Young spoke with a grin, Sayeon exhaled in relief.
"Come on, little cotton ball. Father will take you there."
Jeok Soya took Sayeon's hand and walked down the Corridor.
Yet she kept breaking into giggles.
She couldn't stop thinking about how flustered Father had looked just moments before.
"Here I am, delighting in Father's discomfort. You're too much, little cotton ball."
Sayeon spoke gruffly, ruffling the child's hair with affection.
"Then Father is a cowardly tiger! What's so scary about bugs!"
Jeok Soya's eyes curved into crescents as she gazed up at Sayeon, savoring the gentle touch of his hands in her hair.
"Even Jjak Jjak isn't afraid of bugs."
"That can't be helped. When Father sees creatures with more than four legs, his body goes rigid."
Sayeon shuddered at the thought of insects, then broke into a grin and added:
"So little cotton ball has to protect Father."
"Well, I suppose I have no choice. I'll protect you, Father!"
Jeok Soya lifted her chin with a radiant smile.
"Where did you learn that expression?"
Sayeon asked, puzzled by her somewhat arrogant demeanor.
"From Older Brother Yul!"
Her bright laughter rang out clearly.
A warm smile blossomed on the faces of those in Baek Ho Palace who witnessed the scene.
.
.
Mother.
Today I've come to realize once more just how beautiful this world truly is.
For the first time in my life, I flew across a vast distance, and I introduced the precious people in my heart to the small friends I had just met.
I discovered the fulfillment that comes with completing a flight, and I felt anew the happiness of laughing face to face with those I hold dear.
Thank you for giving me such a beautiful and wonderful world.
I will cherish forever all the love you gave me—bearing me, caring for me, and worrying about me until the very end.
Though I shall never see you again, you will forever dwell in my heart, my Mother.
May you always be well, even in the sky above.
* * *
Many seasons passed through Baek Ho Palace.
The bright laughter of the little cotton ball girl and the affectionate, sometimes mischievous voices of the white tiger princes never ceased to echo through Baek Ho Palace.
Spring went, summer came. Autumn went, winter came. Spring came again....
After countless seasons had flowed and flowed, spring arrived once more.
A girl with long white hair that fluttered in the gentle spring breeze sat upon a wooden swing, humming softly to herself.
The birds gathered beside her, chirping adorably as they mimicked the melody of the young lady's hum.
"Miss, Miss!"
At the sound of someone calling, the girl lifted her head slightly.
Beneath delicate white lashes that swayed gracefully with each languid blink, soft rose-tinted eyes—as though cradling spring blossoms—recognized the caller and curved warmly with affection.
"What is it, San Ho?"
This still-beloved young lady had turned fourteen, now standing at the threshold between girlhood and womanhood—the cherished darling of Baek Ho Palace.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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