Chapter 140
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Chapter 140
In an instant, Jeok Soya's face crumpled with distress.
"What's wrong, Soya?"
When everyone grew serious and asked, Jeok Soya turned to Baek Gahyun and spoke in a dejected voice.
"Oh no, what should I do? Gahyun lost the luminous orb he received from Older Brother. The pond was so dark that I took it out, and then...."
"What else could you have done?"
Baek Gahyun smiled gently and offered Jeok Soya a bowl of warm medicinal broth.
"It's alright, Soya. What matters most is that you're safe. Besides, I'm truly happy that the luminous orb I gave you was helpful to you."
"But this coming summer...."
Jeok Soya recalled how they had planned to hang the luminous orb on a branch and celebrate together, and felt deeply disappointed.
"Don't be too upset. Drink this first, Soya. You need to recover well so we can have our celebration this summer and enjoy ourselves."
"Yes."
Jeok Soya swallowed her disappointment and drank the medicinal broth with small gulps.
Seol Yo glanced at Jeok Soya's face several times, then quietly slipped outside and headed toward the Palace Pond.
By then, the situation had already been sorted out.
"...."
Seol Yo recalled Tae Irim, who had found Jeok Soya in the pond just moments ago and brought her out, and gazed at the water's surface.
The sun had set, and the water's color had grown dark.
It looked just like black water.
[Beware of black water. Evil always lurks in dark and damp places.]
The warning Tae Irim had given him not long ago came to mind.
But more than that....
[If we hang the luminous orb this coming summer and celebrate together, it will be so much fun. Don't you think so too, Seol Yo?]
He found himself thinking more of Jeok Soya's cheerful, chattering voice as she spoke eagerly of the coming summer.
The moment he recalled the sparkle in Jeok Soya's eyes as she spoke those words, Seol Yo dove into the water without hesitation.
* * *
When Jeok Ahyun arrived at the Palace Pond with Jeok Hwayou upon hearing news of a demonic beast's appearance,
he saw Riri producing purifying flames before the Emperor.
'Why does Riri resemble no one else?'
As if mocking Jeok Ahyun's suspicions, Riri produced purifying flames before the eyes of countless people.
Heavy guilt settled into his heart, which had been confused and unable to grasp the situation.
What senseless suspicion could he have harbored toward his own pitiful daughter, who had endured such an unfortunate childhood?
"I am the Yellow Dragon! I saved everyone with the power of a Divine Beast! How could you do this to me!"
Meanwhile, Riri, who had arrived late and taken her Father and Older Brother's hands to return to her residence, buried herself under the blankets and wept bitterly.
Riri was utterly heartbroken.
The Emperor's indifferent attitude, despite her being the Yellow Dragon's bride.
As if only Jeok Soya, cradled in his arms, mattered, he had ignored her before everyone's eyes and left while holding that child—his cold demeanor kept replaying in her mind.
"Everyone must have laughed at Riri! What good is being the Yellow Dragon's bride? What good is healing people with Divine Beast power! I just lose everything like a fool every time!"
Thinking that it was all Jeok Soya's fault, Riri found herself unbearably anguished.
"That child stole Riri's childhood, and now she's trying to steal His Majesty from Riri too!"
I even healed the afflicted before so many people, yet received no recognition for it.
But right when I had just exerted my power, the Divine Beast died, of all things!
At the very moment when all eyes should have been on me, His Majesty brought out that girl!
"That girl killing the Divine Beast is obviously a lie! How could she possibly kill the Divine Beast?"
"The Yellow Dragon cannot speak falsehoods, Riri. So it's likely true that she killed the Divine Beast."
Jeok Hwayou attempted to console Riri with his explanation.
Yet his gentle words had the opposite effect on her.
"So what? Because that girl killed the Divine Beast, it's natural that His Majesty ignores Riri and only looks after her?"
Everyone had to wipe away cold sweat at the sight of her fuming with indignation.
"His Majesty was already acquainted with the head of the Baek Family. The Baek Family head was His Majesty's teacher, after all. That's why he looks after his daughter. Don't take it to heart, our Riri."
"Father, why aren't you His Majesty's teacher!"
At that, Riri turned her anger toward Jeok Ahyun.
"When the Baek Family head became His Majesty's teacher, what were you doing, Father! If I'd known it would come to this, I would have chosen the Baek Family head as my father instead of you, just like that fake!"
"I'm sorry, Riri."
Jeok Ahyun apologized to the child.
San Yu, who had been silently watching, had to struggle to keep his expression from hardening.
"Riri healed all those people there! While Riri suffered alone like that, what were Father and Older Brother doing? You only rushed over after everything was over! You're truly incompetent!"
Riri vented her grievances with a whimper.
"In the end, the Baekho Family handled everything—dealing with the Divine Beast and evacuating people! No wonder His Majesty looks after her more than Riri!"
"Still, you demonstrated the power of a Divine Beast. His Majesty won't ignore that. Besides, the Yellow Dragon's bride isn't decided by His Majesty's will alone."
With her father and older brother's soothing words, Riri's anger gradually subsided.
"But is it really true that Phoenix appeared in your dream?"
"Would I have lied about it?"
"That's not what I meant, Riri. I'm just worried that you, with your weak spiritual core, might struggle handling such tremendous power."
"There's no helping it. Riri has taken on a very great and sacred duty as the Yellow Dragon's bride."
Riri replied with a knowing tone.
Thanks to her father and older brother's consideration, her mood had improved considerably, but Tae Irim's eyes—which had looked at her as though she were unclean—still lingered in her mind.
It was all because of Jeok Soya.
'But she won't blab about me pushing her, will she? What if she stirs up trouble with His Majesty?'
That girl was troublesome in every way.
'I need to eliminate her before she becomes a problem. If she stays, even if Riri becomes the Yellow Dragon's bride, she'll be a constant hindrance.'
Riri clenched her fists tightly with that thought.
* * *
As twilight descended.
Her family members, who had been reluctant to leave Jeok Soya's side, finally returned to their respective chambers.
Jeok Soya walked to the window at the sound of movement outside.
Upon spotting crimson feathers fluttering down, Jeok Soya lifted her head slightly.
A large bird with beautiful red plumage perched on a tree branch.
"Older Brother San Yu!"
At Jeok Soya's cry, the red bird transformed with a "pop!" into human form.
It was San Yu.
He leaped lightly down from beneath the tree branch.
"How did you manage to find me all the way out here at such a late hour?"
"I was worried about you."
With an open window between us, San Yu spoke with a gentle smile.
"But if I told Gaya that I'd come to find you, I'm certain he'd chase me away."
"You and Gaya seem to get along quite well."
"Does it look that way?"
"Yes!"
Jeok Soya giggled and nodded her head.
"Every time Gaya's name comes up, you look so delighted. I'm so glad Gaya has a wonderful friend like you, Older Brother."
"Tell Gaya exactly what you just said, Soya."
Gaya would surely recoil in disgust. The thought of his reaction made me chuckle involuntarily.
Jeok Soya also laughed aloud, facing San Yu with a soft giggle.
"And I'm sorry about earlier."
San Yu stroked Jeok Soya's hair as she smiled sweetly, his eyes drooping with a sorrowful expression.
"When I heard you'd fallen into the water, I wanted to search for you alongside your family, but I couldn't."
He had been in the midst of dismantling Riri's wariness and couldn't openly attend to Jeok Soya.
How anxious he'd been upon hearing she'd fallen into the water.
How his chest had tightened, how suffocating it had been that he couldn't immediately search for her as her family did.
"Please don't apologize. I'm already so happy that you were worried about me and came to find me like this."
Jeok Soya's voice, speaking gently, resonated softly through the night air.
San Yu felt his heart grow calm—unlike when he'd been facing Riri during the day.
"But is it really true that Riri manifested the power of purification?"
"Yes. She healed people with the flames of purification."
San Yu furrowed his brow and nodded.
'She healed people using sorcery.'
Jeok Soya's expression grew serious.
Sorcery was a power born from malevolent intent meant to harm others.
Could people truly be healed safely by such a power?
"Um, Older Brother. I'd like to verify the power Riri used to heal those people. Is there a way to do that?"
"Hmm..."
After a moment of thought, San Yu smiled gently and replied.
"Yes, Soya. I'll find a way for you."
After San Yu left, silence settled around me.
Yet Jeok Soya didn't leave the window and remained in that spot.
In truth, the reason she'd opened the window and come out was because she'd sensed someone else's presence since earlier—not San Yu.
"Your Majesty."
Jeok Soya gazed into the darkness and parted her lips.
"Why do you simply watch and leave?"
The gentle spring breeze rustled through the branches, swaying them softly.
"Oh dear."
With a quiet sigh, Tae Irim stepped out from the shadows, his figure emerging into view.
"I only meant to check if you were alright, but I've been caught red-handed."
He smiled gently at Jeok Soya in greeting.
"Hello, Soya."
---------------
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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