Chapter 134
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Chapter 134
San Ho's wickedly amused expression was so hilarious that Jeok Soya couldn't help but laugh along, her giggles bright and infectious.
"You're absolutely right, San Ho. I've done everything I possibly could, so I'll sleep soundly without a care in the world! Let that man rue the day!"
I'm not sure why those words—words I wouldn't have spoken in my former self—feel so liberating now.
Perhaps, just perhaps....
I've harbored such thoughts all along without realizing it.
I wish that man, whom I once called Father, would feel at least some regret.
No—not just a little. I wish he would regret deeply, profoundly.
I wish he would suffer and lament far more than the pain and sorrow I endured.
"And our young lady wasn't weak at all! She was so magnificent and resolute!"
"Exactly!"
Seol Yo nodded vigorously beside her.
At their comfort, the melancholy that had weighed on Jeok Soya moments before melted away, replaced by a warm glow.
Jeok Soya's eyes widened as she gazed at them both, then she plucked a flowering branch and tucked it gently behind San Ho's ear, then Seol Yo's.
"San Ho is kind. And Seol Yo is kind too."
"Oh my."
San Ho let out a delighted exclamation and broke into a radiant smile.
Seol Yo flinched slightly, then carefully reached out to touch the yellow petals.
Meanwhile, Jeok Soya broke off another flowering branch for Yeon Jeong, who was inside the pavilion.
There was still some time before they would depart for the boat excursion. And yet....
"I can't wait anymore—I want to see Father!"
Perhaps it was because I had confronted that man this morning. Suddenly, I missed Father terribly, desperately.
"What? Right now? If you wait a little longer, the boat excursion will begin soon, and then you can join the household lord and the young masters...."
It might seem like a sudden whim. But Father told me something long ago.
That it's natural for a child to seek their father.
[You can answer honestly, little one. It's only natural that a child would want their father.]
Recalling those words Sayeon had once spoken to me, I called out clearly.
"I want to go see Father right now! Is that alright?"
At the sight of the young lady squinting her eyes brightly, San Ho chuckled and nodded.
"Of course, our young lady. Ask Yeon Jeong to make you look absolutely beautiful."
"Yes!"
Jeok Soya's cheerful laughter rang out as she scampered toward the inner pavilion, bright as the clear sky above.
* * *
The Eastern Archery Range of Imperial Palace.
The grounds were crowded with spectators gathered for the archery competition that had begun early in the morning.
Among them were members of the Baekho Family and Gaya, who had been dragged here by Sayeon.
Since the disturbance yesterday, Gaya had been under Sayeon's close surveillance, and when Sayeon came as guardian to Baek Gahyun and Baek Gayul, who were participating in the archery competition, Gaya was brought along as well.
Contrary to being forcibly dragged here, Gaya was now handling arrowheads, insisting on participating in the archery competition alongside his younger brothers.
Standing side by side, Sayeon and Gaya bore such a striking resemblance that everyone marveled at it.
And the fellow commanders who had fought alongside Gaya marveled for a different reason—it was truly astounding how docile Gaya became in Sayeon's presence.
However, in truth, Gaya was merely feigning compliance while carefully watching for an opportunity.
"Sheathe your murderous intent."
Sayeon clenched his teeth and spoke sharply to Gaya.
"This is the Imperial Palace."
"Tch."
Gaya, who had been nocking arrows and exuding an eerie killing intent even before the competition began, pouted his lips and grumbled.
He had been so disappointed upon learning that the Jujak Family members would not be attending.
But now that they truly weren't coming, Gaya had become thoroughly disinterested.
His attitude suggested he questioned why he should even participate in this tedious competition.
It was Gaya's turn.
"Brother, the arrow is facing the wrong direction."
"Ah, is it?"
Gaya carelessly tossed aside his bow and began flinging arrows with his bare hand.
His posture resembled someone playing a game of pitch-toss.
Yet with each arrow he threw, it struck dead center in the target.
At this remarkable display of skill, Baek Gayul's eyes widened in astonishment as he alternated his gaze between his brother and the target.
"W-brother, you're performing magic!"
At Baek Gayul's startled exclamation, Gaya chuckled and replied.
"If you roll around on the battlefield for eight years like I did, you'll become a sorcerer too, little tiger."
Though Gaya achieved far superior results compared to Baek Gayul, who shot arrows properly nocked on the bowstring, he was disqualified for violating the rules.
Since the Jujak Family, renowned as a house of archery masters, had also not attended, Baek Gahyun became the victor of this competition.
As the competition ended and people began to disperse, Jeok Soya arrived at the archery range.
"Papa!"
Gaya's eyes, which had been listless throughout, suddenly sparkled with light.
"Father!"
However, Jeok Soya passed by Gaya and rushed toward Sayeon, throwing herself into his embrace.
Sensing the coquettish nature of her behavior, Sayeon lowered himself and wrapped his arms around the child.
"My little cotton ball. Did you run all the way here because you missed Father?"
"Oh my, Father. People are listening."
Jeok Soya lowered her voice and pouted.
Being called "little cotton ball" in such a crowded place was somewhat embarrassing.
"What does it matter? Your older brothers are all children in front of Father too."
"But still...!"
Unable to raise her voice loudly due to the crowd, Jeok Soya spoke softly to Sayeon.
Charmed by her appearance, Sayeon chuckled warmly and stroked the child's hair.
"I really should have become a father instead of having three older brothers like this."
Gaya muttered as he watched the affectionate interaction between father and daughter.
"Jeok Soya, look at this."
At that moment, Baek Gahyun approached Jeok Soya, holding the prize he had just received as the victor.
"It's a gift. Your older brother won the competition just now and received this."
"Is it really all right for you to give me something so precious?"
"Of course. The most precious thing to me is our Soya, so it brings me such joy to give precious things to the most precious person."
"Thank you, Older Brother!"
Jeok Soya beamed with delight as she gazed at the wooden box containing Baek Gahyun's gift.
Inside lay a single, brilliant golden orb.
"It's the Imperial House's luminous sphere—said to illuminate even the deepest darkness."
Baek Gahyun explained as Jeok Soya tilted her head in wonder.
"That's incredibly precious!"
"No matter how precious it is, it could never be as precious as you, Soya."
"Oh, you..."
Jeok Soya pondered how best to use this treasure, then spoke her thoughts aloud.
"When I return to Baek Ho Palace, I'll hang it from the great branch in the front courtyard. So that even on the darkest nights, Baek Ho Palace will shine brightly."
"That's a wonderful idea, Soya. This summer, on a night when the stars shimmer brilliantly, we could all celebrate together beneath the luminous sphere—wouldn't that be delightful?"
"Just like the festival we held during the Mountain Lord Festival, with the bonfire at the center?"
Jeok Soya smiled softly, already contemplating whom to invite to the summer celebration.
She absolutely had to invite Arang—otherwise she would sulk.
And perhaps, just perhaps, this time she could share it with Mother.
No—she would. The war was over now.
'This will be the first summer with our entire family gathered together—Mother, Older Brother Gaya, all of us.'
Though summer was still months away, Jeok Soya's heart already raced with anticipation and unbridled joy.
Afterward, Jeok Soya dined with her family at the outdoor pavilion in the Imperial Palace Garden, then made her way toward the pond where a boat excursion was being held.
The Imperial Palace's pond was vast and expansive.
Far larger than the one she had seen at Joojak Residence in her childhood, it stretched wider than most lakes.
Jeok Soya strolled around the pond's perimeter with her family, watching the duck families glide across the water and schools of fish swimming beneath the surface.
They ascended the tall Pavilion Tower, enjoying refreshments while the warm spring breeze caressed their skin.
As they conversed leisurely, noon passed, and the afternoon sun grew increasingly harsh.
Gazing absently downward, Jeok Soya spotted Riri and members of the Jujak Family approaching the pond below the pavilion.
In an instant, her expression froze.
'That scent...'
A sharp, acrid fragrance carried on the spring breeze tickled her nostrils.
It was a scent she knew well.
'There's no mistake. It's the scent of dark magic.'
And the source of this scent was none other than Riri.
Stronger and more pungent than what she had detected from Siyo's sachet long ago—more intense even than what she had sensed crossing the Marsh of the Dead into the Hyun To Underground Palace—a sharp, acrid aura emanated from Riri.
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------