Chapter 115
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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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Chapter 115
Jeok Soya grew up showered with affection from the inhabitants of Baek Ho Palace, the beasts of Horim Mountain, and the birds that had journeyed from the Southern Lands.
Her once-round face had grown delicately tapered, and a soft, peachy blush lingered gently upon her tender cheeks.
She had grown taller as well, and unlike her childhood self—when she was merely adorable—she now emanated an air of maturity and refined grace.
No one dared call Jeok Soya a "baby" anymore.
Of course, there were exceptions: Sayeon and Sara.
As for the household lord, he was such a doting father that he still called even the grown Baek Sayeon his "baby," so that was understandable.
Sara, notorious for her cantankerous nature, had been the sort to shake her head disapprovingly at the young masters, calling them "Baek Sayeon's wretched beasts" or "disgusting tigers."
Yet that very Sara affected a tender tone when addressing the cotton ball young lady, calling her "baby."
At such moments, the cotton ball young lady would narrow her eyes warmly and reply, "Oh, Aunt Sara. I'm not a baby anymore."
Watching the warm, radiant smile of the cotton ball young lady—one that had even melted the heart of the cantankerous Sara—someone murmured softly.
[How beautifully our cotton ball young lady has blossomed.]
It was a sentiment all the beast-folk of Baek Ho Palace shared.
Some even forgot their duties at times, so captivated were they by the sight of the cotton ball young lady.
Especially when she stood surrounded by chirping birds, she looked as though a celestial maiden had descended from the heavens.
Of course, when she heard such words, the young lady would laugh melodiously and wave her hand, saying, "Oh my, a real celestial maiden would be offended. Please don't say such things."
"What is it, San Ho?"
Jeok Soya asked, twisting her body slightly while gripping the swing ropes in both hands.
This swing had been crafted by Sayeon himself in the early summer of two years prior, when Jeok Soya had brought a multitude of friends from the Southern Lands.
Two years had already passed since then.
Though Evil had vanished and Hyun Rabaek had perished, Dool had clung to life with stubborn ferocity until the very end.
As though it were his sole purpose, he had led the Demon Legion and resisted with relentless determination.
However, the weakened demons proved no match for the Imperial Army.
So Dool retreated into the deep ravines of the Northern Lands, summoning demons without cease.
Thus, for the past two years, the Imperial Army had pursued Dool's whereabouts while simultaneously searching for scattered beast-folk of the Northern Lands and resettling them.
And several months ago.
The Imperial Army finally located the tenacious Dool and succeeded in severing his head, annihilating the remnants of the demon forces entirely.
One of the two principal architects of Dool's demise was said to be Gaya.
Jeok Soya felt immense pride at this fact, yet simultaneously worried whether he had sustained any injuries in the process.
It was only recently that Gaya had sent her a letter brimming with reassurances and tales of his martial exploits.
Jeok Soya gazed at San Ho with a flutter of anticipation, wondering if there might be more good news.
"A message just arrived from the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Army in the Northern Lands will return in a fortnight!"
"Then Older Brother Gaya is coming home?"
"Yes. And once Gaya returns and the Blue Dragon lord returns to Cheonghae Palace, Chung Ha will come back here as well!"
"...!"
At those words, Jeok Soya's face brightened luminously.
The long war was finally ending, and her scattered family would be reunited—her heart swelled with emotion.
"So the Imperial Palace will hold a grand banquet to celebrate the victory! This is no time to dawdle, young lady. We must begin preparations now if you're to attend!"
"But it's a banquet held by the Imperial Palace, not Baek Ho Palace. What preparations do we need to make...."
"Oh my, we must commission beautiful new garments and procure fine ornaments at once. You must be the most radiant of all on that day!"
San Ho stared at Jeok Soya with eyes blazing like molten fire and cried out.
"What? But the hero of the victory celebration isn't me—it's my Older Brother Gaya...."
"Come along, Miss! Hurry now!"
Jeok Soya tilted her head in confusion to protest, but her words were swallowed by San Ho's insistent voice.
Unable to resist further, Jeok Soya rose with a small, resigned laugh and followed San Ho inside.
* * *
Meanwhile, news of the Imperial Army's victory reached the Joojak Residence in the Southern Lands.
Riri's heart soared at the thought of attending the victory celebration being held at the Imperial Palace.
"If I go to the Imperial Palace, I might meet His Majesty the Emperor, won't I?"
Dressed in her new gown, Riri hummed cheerfully as she held various ornaments up to herself.
"My, how absolutely beautiful you look, Miss."
"How could you be so lovely?"
The Maidservants beside Riri clapped their hands in praise, lavishing compliments upon her.
"Do you think His Majesty will think the same?"
"Of course, Miss. You're so beautiful!"
"Even if we searched the entire continent, there wouldn't be another as fair as you, Miss."
Riri's mood brightened considerably at the Maidservants' words.
"But about this victory celebration—that girl who was adopted into the Baekho Family will be attending too, won't she?"
A sudden thought made Riri ask in a discontented voice.
When she first crossed the threshold of the Joojak Residence, she alone had been the sole legitimate daughter of the Four Great Families.
But when the patriarch of the Baekho Family adopted a daughter, a rival had emerged.
"What if His Majesty prefers that girl to me?"
"Oh, how could His Majesty prefer anyone else when our Miss is so beautiful?"
"But my spiritual core is weak—I can't even transform into my beast form. That girl was carefully selected and adopted by the Baekho Family, so she must be stronger than me, right? What if she becomes the Yellow Dragon's bride instead?"
At Riri's distressed tone, the Maidservants couldn't bring themselves to deny it outright and exchanged nervous glances.
The Yellow Dragon's bride was the Emperor's consort.
Of course, the Dragon's heart mattered greatly, but it was not a position one could ascend to merely by capturing the Emperor's affection.
It was customary to select the most accomplished candidate in every respect from among the prospects sent by each family.
Yet Riri, now fourteen years old, possessed a weak spiritual core—she could not transform into her beast form, nor had any special abilities manifested.
Thus, though the Maidservants always chose their words carefully to please her, they hesitated to make bold promises.
"What? Why can't any of you answer me?"
When the Maidservants failed to provide the reassurance she sought and instead hesitated, Riri's mood soured.
"You don't actually think that girl will become the Yellow Dragon's bride instead of me, do you?"
Riri hurled the ornament she'd been holding to the floor, her voice turning vicious.
"Even if my spiritual core is weak and I can't transform, I'm still the true daughter of the Jujak Family! That girl from the Baekho Family is a fake daughter brought in from outside!"
At her sharp cry, the Maidservants instinctively shrank back.
"Ah, Miss, please calm yourself. If you become this agitated...."
"Then answer me! Say that Riri will become the Yellow Dragon's bride!"
The youngest Miss of the Jujak Family was ordinarily quite gentle, but when anger seized her, she could not control her emotions.
Of course, this was not the Miss's fault.
All of Miss Riri's twisted nature stemmed from the wounds of her childhood.
That wretched thief girl, Jeok Soya, had vanished one day, stealing away Miss Riri's innocent years in the process.
And so our dear Miss Riri had changed.
Thus, Miss Riri was also a victim.
The members of the Jujak Family understood that Miss Riri's temperament was unpredictable, yet when she became ferocious, everyone found her somewhat terrifying.
Just as everyone worried she might hurl objects and resort to violence again.
Creak―
With the sound of the door opening like a note of salvation, Jeok Hwayou appeared.
"Our dear Riri. Why are you so upset?"
"Older Brother...!"
At that tender voice, Riri's nerves, which had been sharp and taut moments before, softened as she nestled into Hwayou's embrace.
"When Riri was little, everyone said it—that only Riri would become the Emperor's consort when she grew up."
At those words, Jeok Hwayou paused, gazing down at his sister's trembling face.
"Is it because of that fake daughter of the Baekho Family, rolled in from who knows where, that Riri cannot become the Yellow Dragon's bride?"
"So that's what troubled our dear Riri."
"Riri wants to become the Yellow Dragon's bride."
Riri spoke through her sobs.
"Older Brother always grants whatever Riri wishes for. So please make Riri the Yellow Dragon's bride. Yes?"
Despite having grown so much, she still whimpered like a child, and at that innocent plea, Hwayou smiled softly and wiped away the tears from his sister's eyes.
"Yes, dear Riri. Don't worry. Older Brother will make you the Yellow Dragon's bride."
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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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