Chapter 17
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Chapter 17
A few hours earlier.
After spending the entire day playing in the garden with Garyul, I was heading back to my room holding Yeon Jeong and San Ho's hands.
I was absorbed in finding a way to protect the benefactors of Baek Ho Palace from the ghosts.
Actually, I had already thought of a method.
[Why won't the ghost take that wicked girl who's been tormenting our Miss Riri?]
[Even ghosts must find her too repulsive to take.]
The people of the Jujak Family often said such things about me.
Some even burned the things I touched, saying ghosts would find them so unsettling they'd avoid them.
Back then, watching those objects turn to ash one by one had broken my heart, but after hearing that a ghost had appeared at Baek Ho Palace, my thoughts shifted slightly.
'If ghosts find things I've touched so repulsive they avoid them, then if I place my belongings beside the benefactors, the ghosts will flee.'
I decided to place my belongings beside the benefactors.
But I had nothing to my name.
I had even lost the pouch I'd brought with me when leaving the Joojak Residence while fleeing from Salsu.
Remembering the lost pouch made me feel a little melancholy. Because that pouch was....
'Goodness, this isn't the time to think about that.'
I shook my head vigorously and cast off the thoughts.
Just as I was troubled by having nothing, a brilliant idea suddenly struck me.
"Wait just a moment, Yeon Jeong, San Ho! Please wait for me!"
I let go of their hands and ran back to the garden.
Looking around quickly, I soon found what I was searching for.
With a brightened face, I picked up three of the smoothest and prettiest pebbles.
Yeon Jeong and San Ho, who followed me, wore puzzled expressions, but I grinned widely and urged them to return to the room.
Back in the room, I blew away the dirt clinging to the pebbles and washed them clean in water, then dried them.
Then, after gazing at the pebbles for a moment, I held them firmly in my hand and made a silent wish.
'Since these pebbles have been touched by my hands, please make the ghosts avoid them.'
Of course, the pebbles showed no visible change, but a satisfied smile bloomed across my face.
'It's done!'
I had finished my preparations.
'Now I just need to place these beside Sayeon and the young masters!'
But actually stepping out of the room alone at this late hour made me a little frightened.
I glanced at Yeon Jeong.
"Miss, is there something you wish to say?"
Yeon Jeong tilted her head and asked, noticing that I, who must have been exhausted from playing all day, was still awake at this hour playing with pebbles.
"Um, Yeon Jeong...."
I approached Yeon Jeong and whispered softly to her.
"You said there's a ghost at Baek Ho Palace, right? Well, these pebbles here—if I place them beside people, the ghosts won't take them. So I want to go place these beside Sayeon and the young masters."
"Ah, so it's like a protective charm!"
Yeon Jeong clapped her hands and nodded.
"A protective charm?"
"It's something that drives away ghosts."
"Ah...! That's right, it's similar! It's a talisman!"
It wasn't exactly driving them away but rather making them avoid the area, so it was slightly different, but it seemed similar enough to a talisman.
"So, I need to bring talismans to Sayeon and the young masters, but..."
"Oh my, our precious young lady. You were afraid to go out into the corridor alone, weren't you?"
"Yes, yes...!"
Soya nodded quickly.
Then Yeon Jeong chuckled and extended her hand to Soya.
"Shall we go together to visit the master and the young masters?"
"Yes!"
Soya smiled brightly and took Yeon Jeong's hand.
With Yeon Jeong's hand in hers, the first place Soya headed was the nearest room—Ga-yul's chamber.
As they carefully opened the door and stepped inside with Yeon Jeong, they found Ga-yul sleeping with the blanket kicked aside, snoring softly.
Soya placed a small stone beside Ga-yul's pillow and quickly slipped back out into the corridor.
Next, she made her way to Ga-hyeon's room—the one who had guided me through Baek Ho Palace on that first day.
Ga-hyeon's room was silent, not a single sound of breathing audible.
Soya carefully set another stone beside Ga-hyeon, who lay sleeping peacefully in proper form, and exited the room.
Finally, Soya's destination was Sayeon's Study.
"It's so dark—is the master really in the study?"
"The master often works late into the night."
As they arrived at Sayeon's Study, Jeok Young recognized Soya and greeted her.
"Little cotton ball? Have you come to thank the master again today?"
"No. Actually, today..."
Soya whispered the reason for her visit to Jeok Young, who smiled warmly at her.
"Wow, a ghost-repelling talisman made by little cotton ball herself! The master must be so lucky!"
Jeok Young responded with exaggerated envy, and Soya quickly realized her oversight.
"Oh! I'll make one for you too, Jeok Young!"
At those words, Jeok Young broke into a wide grin.
"Really? You promise, young lady?"
"Yes."
Just as Soya was extending her pinky finger to link with Jeok Young's outstretched pinky.
Yeon Jeong, who had been quiet, glared at Jeok Young with wide eyes and spoke.
"That's not fair, young lady! You're giving it to that old fox before me, and I see you every day!"
"O-old fox?"
Unaware that the two were siblings, Soya was flustered by Yeon Jeong's blunt words.
"Make mine too, young lady! Mine before his!"
"Oh, all right, Yeon Jeong!"
Soya linked pinkies with Yeon Jeong and made the promise.
They pressed their thumbs together to seal it, but something felt oddly strange.
No one had ever told Soya before that they would wait for something from her.
So I'd always held my breath, lived quietly... but like this, it feels like...
'I've become someone who can actually help.'
It was a strange, awkward feeling—yet oddly ticklish and warm.
"Well then, miss. Do go inside and present the talisman to the master, won't you?"
Jeok Young smiled as he opened the door for me.
"This time, you'll make the journey alone, miss!"
Bolstered by Yeon Jeong and Jeok Young's encouragement, I stepped into the Study Room with newfound confidence.
"Hello there...!"
Just as I was about to greet him, I spotted Sayeon slumped over his desk and quickly covered my mouth with both hands.
'He's sleeping.'
Sayeon must be exhausted too.
'I mustn't wake Sayeon.'
I crept forward, dampening my footsteps as much as possible.
That's when it happened.
"Ugh..."
At the soft groan, I startled and tumbled forward with a crash.
"Ow, ow, ow..."
I pushed myself up, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.
"I'm so sorry, Sayeon. I didn't mean to... wait, huh...?"
Despite the commotion, Sayeon didn't wake. My eyes widened in alarm.
Sayeon was drenched in cold sweat, groaning as though wracked with pain.
'Oh no, oh no...! I came too late—the spirits have already gotten to him!'
I clasped my hands together, bouncing anxiously on my feet.
'No, please... spirits, don't torment Sayeon anymore.'
As I whispered this silent prayer,
Whoosh—!
The stone I was clutching suddenly blazed with light.
My eyes went wide as saucers.
"Huh...?"
The light vanished in an instant.
What was that just now? Did I imagine it?
I blinked hard and noticed Sayeon's expression had grown peaceful and calm.
"...!"
My face brightened in response.
'The talisman really does work. Thank goodness.'
I set the stone beside Sayeon and quietly slipped back out.
Yeon Jeong, waiting in the Corridor, saw my radiant face and asked,
"Did you succeed, miss?"
"Yes!"
I answered with a bright smile.
"That's right, Yeon Jeong. The talisman really does work! The ghost was tormenting Sayeon, but the moment it saw the talisman, it fled!"
Riri whispered excitedly, her voice trembling with enthusiasm.
"My goodness."
I had never heard our young lady speak so rapidly before. Yeon Jeong chuckled softly at the sight of Riri's flushed cheeks.
"How fortunate indeed."
"Tomorrow, I'll make one for you too, Yeon Jeong!"
"That sounds lovely, young lady. Then tomorrow, after you've slept in and rested well, we'll go out to find the prettiest pebbles—oh my, did you fall, young lady?"
"Pardon?"
"You're bleeding here."
Only then did Riri notice that her palm was slightly scraped.
She must have fallen when startled by Sayeon's pained groan moments earlier.
"Oh dear, our young lady's delicate hand is bleeding—whatever shall we do?"
"N-no, it's not that serious a wound..."
Riri tried to hide her hand behind her back out of embarrassment, but Yeon Jeong was faster, gently grasping her wrist.
"This won't do, young lady. Let's return to your room at once and apply medicine."
"Yes."
Riri obediently nodded and returned to her room, where she washed her hand thoroughly, applied medicine to the wound, and drifted peacefully into sleep.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org