Chapter 34
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Chapter 34
'How could I possibly....'
I wanted to stand with composure, but my feet kept trembling uncontrollably.
A fake who stole the seat of the true young lady.
That was Jeok Soya's shame.
A past I didn't want to reveal, an original sin I wanted to excise.
"Were you planning to steal my position too?"
At some point, Siyo straightened her posture and asked Jeok Soya with cold eyes.
"No, no. I had no such intention...!"
"Then leave."
"...!"
"If you don't leave, I'll tell everyone that you're a thief. So leave on your own two feet before that happens."
"...."
Only shallow, ragged breathing escaped between lips drained of all color.
Jeok Soya remembered how people changed in an instant when it was revealed that she was a fake.
I remembered Father's cold back as he pushed me away and turned, and the chill in Hwayu's voice as he stripped away my spiritual core.
The sharp gazes of people transformed overnight, the temperature of the Cold Palace that remained unheated even in the depths of winter—I remembered it all down to my bones.
Merely recalling those moments caused my heart to ache with a dull pain.
At Baek Ho Palace, I had received warm kindness and gentle goodwill from everyone, but I knew the truth.
They didn't know that I was a wicked little bird who had stolen someone else's life. That's why they were kind to me.
'When they find out, they'll all change. Just like Father and Hwayu did. Just like the Jujak Family did.'
If even Sayeon and the people of Baek Ho Palace came to see me that way, it would be too heartbreaking.
After the Mountain Lord Festival ended and before the new young lady arrived at Baek Ho Palace, I would have to leave, but even when I did, I wanted to remain in their memories as something good.
Not as a thieving woman who coveted and stole another's life, but as a kind and well-behaved guest who had stayed at Baek Ho Palace for a brief time.
But, but....
"I, I really won't steal your position, Siyo. Could I perhaps stay just a little longer before I leave?"
"The Western End Room where you've settled yourself—that's my chamber. I can't bear having you there for even one more day."
"Then if I could just say goodbye to Sayeon...!"
"Don't tell anyone. Leave quietly. What if everyone's hearts soften and they try to stop you?"
"...."
"If you're not planning to cling to Baek Ho Palace and steal my place, then leave tonight without anyone knowing."
"...."
"If you're still here by tomorrow morning, I'll reveal your secret to everyone."
Siyo spoke coldly and turned away.
For a while, Jeok Soya stood dazed in the corridor before finally coming to her senses and returning to her room.
That evening, throughout dinner, Yeon Jeong noticed I seemed listless and asked with concern if I was ill, but I simply smiled faintly and replied.
"I'm tired today and want to sleep early, Yeon Jeong."
"Our young lady must have been quite frightened by yesterday's ordeal."
Yeon Jeong spread out the bedding and left early to give me space.
I sat on the bed clutching the tiger doll that Sayeon had given me, watching the daylight fade beyond the window.
Ever since I discovered the truth about this room, I knew I would have to leave, but I never imagined the parting would come so abruptly.
I thought I could stay here a little longer, at least until the Mountain Lord Festival ended.
Where I would go, whether I could truly follow Arang, nothing had been decided yet—but still.
I thought I could bid farewell to everyone with a smile and depart peacefully.
I thought I could tell them how grateful I was for being brought here, how truly joyful my time at Baek Ho Palace had been, and then leave with those words.
I never imagined my identity would be exposed like this, forcing me to flee in shame.
'It's time to go.'
Gazing out at the darkened window, I rose to my feet, pressing my aching nose.
After a brief look around the room, I wrapped the tiger figurine Sayeon had given me in cloth and secured it to my back.
It was the only thing I would take with me. Everything else in this room belonged to someone else.
But then, a rustling sound came from the window.
I lifted my head in confusion, and a dark head poked through the open window.
"Huh? Seol Yo...?"
"Kyuu-ing...!"
Upon spotting me, Seol Yo bounded through the window with a leap.
"Oh!"
Startled by Seol Yo's sudden arrival, I stumbled backward and sat down on the floor.
"Yelp, yelp!"
Seol Yo spun about excitedly, panting, then flopped down and exposed his belly.
Understanding his intention, I smiled softly and stroked his belly.
"Did you come to see me?"
"Yelp!"
"But I have to leave now."
"Kyuu-ang...? Yelp!"
Seol Yo tilted his head in confusion, then sprang up and stood on all fours.
Like a warrior sworn to protect me, he positioned himself in front of me and barked.
"Really? You'll come with me?"
"Yelp!"
"Thank you, Seol Yo. With you here, I won't feel so alone."
I let out a small laugh and got to my feet.
Carefully opening the door, I stepped into the quiet corridor.
When the Hour of the Boar arrived, the guards would change shifts, leaving the corridor empty for a brief moment.
Still, worried I might encounter someone, I slipped out of the building as quietly as possible.
It was as I looked back at Baek Ho Palace one last time.
I stopped.
Suddenly, a sharp, distinctive scent pricked my nose.
'This scent...'
It was the same fragrance that had come from the sachet Siyo had given me.
'That's the scent that drove the wild beasts into a frenzy. Why is it here?'
I turned toward where the scent grew stronger.
Turning the corner along the right side of the building, I came upon a courtyard where the guests' palanquins were gathered.
In a spot where the fragrance grew particularly thick, two palanquins stood adorned with paintings of a brown tiger and a black tiger respectively.
'These are Arang's and Sahye's palanquins....'
I had witnessed the two of them descending from their palanquins before, so I recognized them immediately.
'Could it be Siyo? But why....'
Jeok Soya suddenly recalled that there was a ceremonial rite scheduled for tomorrow's Mountain Lord Festival.
I remembered hearing that all participants in the Mountain Lord Festival would ascend Horim Mountain together to conduct the ceremony.
'If we go up the mountain like this, the mountain beasts will attack Arang's and Sahye's palanquins!'
As this realization struck me, the color drained from my face.
Being hated was something I could bear.
Hatred was something I had grown very accustomed to, and simultaneously, something I had come to expect.
But Arang and Sahye were different.
'Neither Arang nor Sahye has any interest in the Western End Room. None of them covet Siyo's position.'
I could not understand Siyo.
'Why does Siyo want to harm people?'
If I left quietly like this, she might expose that I'm a thief.
I didn't want to be remembered as a bad child again.
But....
'I hate the thought of innocent people getting hurt even more. Besides, Sayeon said so. That I protected Baek Ho Palace.'
[Thank you, cotton puff. For protecting Baek Ho Palace.]
I recalled Sayeon's voice from earlier today and clenched my fists tightly.
'I have to stop Siyo from hurting others.'
Having made my decision, I crouched down toward Seol Yo and asked.
"Listen, Seol Yo. You're strong enough to drive away all the mountain beasts, aren't you?"
"Kyuuing?"
"So, can you help me?"
Seol Yo, who had been tilting his head in confusion, nodded vigorously at my next words.
"Ching, ching!"
* * *
Meanwhile, Baek Gahyun was walking through the Western Corridor.
'It's gotten quite late.'
In his hand, he held something small and round—a gift for Jeok Soya.
'I wonder if Jeok Soya is already asleep.'
It seemed likely.
If she was sleeping, he planned to slip in quietly, place his gift by her pillow, and leave.
Just as she had done for him before.
Upon reaching the Western End Room, he carefully opened the closed door without a sound.
His face suddenly turned rigid.
"Jeok Soya...?"
The room was empty.
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