Chapter 25
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Chapter 25
"What am I to do, Miss? Tomorrow, neither I nor San Ho will have time to spare."
Tomorrow was the day Baek Sayeon would be away from Baek Ho Palace.
Before the Mountain Lord Festival began, it was an ancient custom for the representatives of each family to tour the Western Lands together and return.
San Ho, the leader of the Indigo Wolf Clan, was also scheduled to depart with Baek Sayeon, and Yeon Jeong had to remain at Baek Ho Palace in place of her brother Jeok Young, who would likewise be absent while attending to the Family Head.
"In two days, we'll hold a ceremonial rite for the Mountain Lord Festival at Horim Mountain. Why don't we all go together then?"
"But... I wanted to pick sky flowers and give them as a gift to the young master."
At Yeon Jeong's words about having to wait two days, Soya's face fell.
"I'll go with you! So you don't need to worry!"
Ga Yul spoke with confidence from beside Soya.
Horim Mountain was located behind Baek Ho Palace, and it was also the place where the Mountain Lord Festival was held every autumn.
Because it fell under the jurisdiction of the Baekho Family, the beasts of Horim Mountain were quite docile and did not harm people.
Moreover, if Ga Yul went along, it wouldn't be dangerous, but...
"Miss, will you be able to climb the mountain?"
"Of course. I'm a beastkin, after all!"
Soya spoke with confidence, but Yeon Jeong remained uneasy.
Beastkin possessed far superior stamina compared to humans. Surely climbing only halfway up the mountain, not even to the summit, couldn't be difficult.
Yet Soya had only recently recovered her strength, and above all, Yeon Jeong worried about how difficult it would be for her little cotton ball of a mistress to climb the mountain on those short legs.
"...Is it not possible, Yeon Jeong?"
Noticing Yeon Jeong's hesitation, Soya asked in a slightly dejected voice.
Just as Yeon Jeong's heart wavered at the sight of Soya's drooping eyebrows.
"Oh my, what's impossible about it? Yeon Jeong must be worried our young lady's legs will hurt. But don't worry. I, San Ho, have all the means to handle this."
San Ho smiled brightly, removed the ornament from her sword, and attached it to Soya's jacket while explaining.
"This jewel is called the Wind Pearl, a treasure of our Indigo Wolf Clan. I'll lend it to you. It will protect your legs and ankles well."
"Is it truly alright to lend me something so precious?"
Soya asked, staring wide-eyed at the ornament embedded with the indigo jewel.
"Of course, Miss. Consider it repayment for the stone amulet."
"Wow...!"
Soya let out a small exclamation of delight and glanced at Yeon Jeong.
Yeon Jeong nodded as if she had no choice.
"But the two of you can't go alone. Suri must go with you too, and you must promise me you'll come down before sunset."
"Yes! I'll do exactly that!"
Soya smiled brightly and held out her pinky finger.
At her suddenly brightened, radiant face, Yeon Jeong let out a short laugh and linked her finger with Soya's pinky.
"Our young lady, tomorrow I'll braid your hair beautifully and pack you a delicious lunch."
"A lunch?"
Soya tilted her head, pressing her thumb against Yeon Jeong's thumb.
"It's a shame I can't go with you, Miss, but this is still your first outing. I can't neglect the preparations."
"...!"
First outing. At those words, Soya's heart leaped with a loud thump.
That night, So Ya couldn't sleep a wink, her heart thrumming with anticipation.
How would Yeon Jeong braid her hair tomorrow?
The dumpling bun hairstyle she'd done on my first day at Baek Ho Palace was adorable, but would she style it even more beautifully this time?
What foods would she pack in the lunch box?
It would be my first time eating from a lunch box—wouldn't it taste absolutely delicious eating together with the youngest young master and Suri?
Would I be able to pick the sky flowers without getting them confused?
What if I accidentally picked the wrong flowers?
As So Ya's thoughts spiraled endlessly, tangling one after another while she tossed and turned, the late hour finally drew her into the realm of dreams.
* * *
In the early morning, while So Ya slept soundly with her heart full of excitement,
Baek Sayeon was just finishing his preparations to depart.
"Father."
Ga Hyeon had woken alone while everyone else slept, coming to see Baek Sayeon off.
"You're up early, Hyeon."
"If you leave now, you won't be back until late evening."
Her voice carried both maturity and a hint of petulance.
At this, Baek Sayeon chuckled softly and patted Ga Hyeon's head absently.
"I won't be too late returning. Guard Baek Ho Palace well while I'm away. With your brother and me gone, you are the master of Baek Ho Palace."
"Me? Really?"
Ga Hyeon's eyes widened in surprise, but soon he broke into a bright smile and answered.
"I'll guard Baek Ho Palace well, Father!"
In that moment, Ga Hyeon's expression was different from the composed young nobleman he showed to the people of Baek Ho Palace, and different too from the prickly, sensitive side he revealed only before Ga Yul and Ho Jeok A.
He was simply an ordinary eleven-year-old boy, his eyes sparkling with his father's attention and affection.
Jeok Young, watching this scene, spoke casually as he and Baek Sayeon left Baek Ho Palace.
"Young Master Hyeon seems happiest when he's with the Family Head."
"Is that so? I see it differently."
Baek Sayeon chuckled and shook his head with an exaggerated sigh.
"These days, he seems more interested in the little cotton ball than in me."
"Young Master Hyeon? Wasn't it Young Master Yul who showed more interest in the young lady cotton ball?"
"There are things only a parent's eyes can see."
Unlike Ga Yul, the youngest who was born spoiled and indulged, Ga Hyeon, being the second son, had strived since childhood to catch his father's eye.
Though outwardly gentle, his sensitive nature was something his father Baek Sayeon could never overlook.
But when So Ya appeared, beneath his guarded attitude toward her, I could sense he was subtly paying attention.
'Perhaps the cotton ball could dissolve that sharp wariness of Hyeon's.'
Baek Sayeon's lips curved slightly as he swept his robes and continued walking.
* * *
"Wow...!"
So Ya let out a soft exclamation before the mirror.
Yeon Jeong had braided So Ya's hair into two strands, then coiled them into loops and fastened them with a crimson silk ribbon.
Seeing her reflection in the mirror looking just as adorable as the dumpling bun hairstyle from the first day, So Ya couldn't help but gasp in wonder.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Yeon Jeong!"
"Hehe, my dear little lady. You must be extra careful today, understand? Promise me?"
Yeon Jeong secured the wicker basket across Soya's shoulders as she spoke.
"Yes, don't worry! I'll come back down before the sun sets!"
Soya answered with spirited confidence.
"Young Master, since you're so excited about this mountain outing, you absolutely cannot leave the young lady alone."
"Don't worry! I'll protect my little cotton ball!"
"Suri, if the young lady shows any sign of fatigue, you must carry her on your back immediately. Understood?"
"Of course! That's precisely why I'm coming along!"
Ga Yul and Suri answered in equally spirited voices.
Suri's back was laden with lunch boxes for three and various supplies hanging from every angle.
Thus, the three of them set off toward the mountainside, leaving Yeon Jeong's worries behind.
Ga Yul, in the form of a tiger cub, bounded along the dirt path on all fours with enthusiastic hops.
Soya climbed the mountain with quick, mincing steps of her short legs.
Thanks to the wind orb San Ho had lent her, her legs didn't ache in the slightest.
Suri followed closely behind with long strides, carefully watching to ensure the young lady wasn't struggling.
Before long, they arrived at the mountainside.
Across the vast expanse of a colorful flower meadow, indigo flower buds that mirrored the sky bloomed brilliantly, catching the eye.
Soya pointed at the flowers and cried out.
"Wait, look there! Those flowers seem to be Sky Flowers!"
At her words, Ga Yul bounded toward where Soya was pointing and sniffed curiously.
"What do you think, Young Master?"
"Hmm...."
Ga Yul tilted his head with an uncertain expression, then suddenly cried "Roar!" and bit off a flower bloom.
Soya watched Ga Yul with an expression of intense anxiety.
With each movement of the tiger cub's mouth, Soya's hands fidgeted nervously.
Soon, Ga Yul swallowed the flower he'd been chewing and exclaimed.
"Roaaarrr! (It really is a Sky Flower!)"
"...!"
Soya's face brightened instantly.
"Purr purr! (Here, these flowers, little cotton ball!)"
Ga Yul gestured with his front paws at the indigo flower blooms beside him, tapping them excitedly.
Soya scurried over to Ga Yul's side and crouched down.
Then, with her tiny fingertips, she carefully dug into the soil and gently harvested the flower, taking care not to damage the roots.
She concentrated so intently on harvesting a single bloom that beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
Finally, holding the harvested flower, she gently blew away the soil clinging to the stem and roots, then carefully placed it in the basket Yeon Jeong had given her.
"Done!"
Soya wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and smiled brightly.
"Wow, the roots didn't get damaged at all!"
"Roar, roar! (Of course not. My little cotton ball is good at harvesting flowers.)"
Ga Yul puffed out her chest with pride over something that wasn't even her accomplishment, tilting her chin upward smugly.
"Unlike a certain young master who shoves flowers straight into his mouth and devours them the moment he spots one."
"Grrrowl! (What did you say?)"
"Oh my! I'll just go fetch some water for both of you!"
As Ga Yul and Suri bickered back and forth, So Ya burst into delighted laughter.
A cool breeze swept down the mountainside, carrying the earthy scent of soil.
Ga Yul, her mood lifted, bounded across the flower field with exuberant leaps and cries.
"Kwaaawaaang! (Cotton ball! Come over here! You can see everything from up here!)"
"Yes, young master."
So Ya giggled softly in response.
Horim Mountain was home to far more than just sky flowers—countless blossoms in vibrant, beautiful hues adorned the slopes.
Simply gazing upon them filled the heart with abundance, and with the cool breeze flowing through, the joy was almost overwhelming.
Above all, for a bird-human with an instinctive nature to follow the sun, the high altitude of the mountainside awakened a primal sense of security.
So Ya was watching Ga Yul bound about playfully, giggling to herself, when it happened.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze upon me.
So Ya turned to look behind her, but saw nothing.
'Hmm? Did I imagine it?'
So Ya tilted her head in confusion.
"Kraaing! (Cotton ball!)"
At the sound of Ga Yul's call, So Ya quickly turned her head, and a shower of leaves came cascading down from above.
"Oh!"
As the sudden rain of leaves fell upon her, So Ya waved her hands frantically while looking upward, and spotted a pristine white tiger cub perched on a branch.
Ga Yul had climbed the tree at some point and was now shaking the branches playfully.
"Krahang!"
Ga Yul laughed with unbridled delight, her pink nose twitching as she let out joyful cries.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org