Chapter 69
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Chapter 69
"That's right. Family of family is family, isn't it? I didn't realize that."
Chung Ha, who had worn a look of mild surprise, soon broke into a soft laugh and lowered herself to Jeok Soya's level.
"My little cotton ball always points out the things I fail to see. You're such a clever and brilliant little cotton ball."
Meeting Jeok Soya's eyes, Chung Ha gently stroked the child's hair as she spoke.
"I saw it in a book too! I love reading books!"
Jeok Soya recalled how the people of Baek Ho Palace had once praised her as "our clever young lady who loves reading books," and quickly added this detail.
She hoped that Chung Ha would think well of her.
Yet the moment the words left her lips, she felt embarrassed—it seemed so unlike her usual nature, as though she were boasting.
So Jeok Soya timidly added one more thing in the smallest of voices.
"...Though I haven't read nearly as many books as Baek Gahyun has."
Chung Ha chuckled softly as she watched Jeok Soya's face flush crimson.
"You're only nine years old and already read so many books and are so clever. By the time you're eleven like Baek Gahyun, you'll be even smarter."
"...!"
Though I thought I had grown accustomed to the warm words people offered me, praise from Mother stirred my heart far more than usual.
"I, I don't just read books diligently, Mother! I also take my walks seriously, and when I drink my medicinal tonics, I don't even frown—I drink them well...!"
And so I clung to Chung Ha, who had to leave, and rambled on about myself for quite some time.
Unlike my earlier thought that I had become like a baby watching my brothers, I was acting far more childish than anyone.
In the meantime, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky one by one.
Sayeon glanced up at the heavens and said it would be best to depart before it grew any later.
The accumulating snow was a concern, but if we delayed further, it would strain Chung Ha's spiritual core.
"Yes. I really must go now."
Chung Ha murmured with a bittersweet tone and rose to her feet.
"Then Mother will be going, my little ones."
Chung Ha embraced each of the children once more before departing.
I continued waving my hands alongside my brothers, watching her receding figure until she vanished from sight.
Even after she disappeared from view, I could not bring myself to leave.
Sayeon had to ask if I wasn't cold and suggest we go inside first.
Yet I found myself strangely reluctant to enter.
Baek Ho Palace felt oddly empty without Chung Ha.
So there we stood—Jeok Soya, Baek Gahyun, and Baek Gayul—dazed in that spot for a while.
"Brothers, let's make snowmen!"
Suddenly I sprang forward before the two of them and cried out.
"Snowmen?"
"All of a sudden?"
"Yes, yes! We'll pack the snow and make Father, and Mother, and all of you brothers, and Seol Yo, and everyone at Baek Ho Palace!"
Baek Gayul was the first to respond.
"Then I will! I'm going to make Mother's snowman!"
Without waiting for anyone to answer, Baek Gayul bounded into the snowy field and began packing snow.
Seeing this, Jeok Soya and Baek Gahyun exchanged glances and chuckled softly.
That winter, the East Gate of Baek Ho Palace was adorned with snowmen crafted in the likeness of the Baekho Family members, standing guard over the estate.
* * *
Peaceful days stretched on.
I played with the fire fan Chung Ha had gifted me, swinging it about with glee, and rode upon Seol Yo's back to roam across Horim Mountain, savoring every joyful moment.
As the seasons turned, I reached ten years of age.
Upon reaching ten, Sayeon appointed tutors for me.
Baek Gayul genuinely lamented that I had begun my studies, yet I found learning to be a delight.
Whether it was classical studies, calligraphy and painting, etiquette, or martial arts training—not a single subject failed to captivate me.
My Martial Arts Master was none other than San Ho, who had personally sought out Sayeon and insisted that she would personally oversee my martial training.
Compared to the other tigers who wielded their blades with ease before awakening their core strength, my martial training had begun considerably late.
Yet I threw myself into everything with earnest dedication.
"It's strange, really. I was so worried our young lady would struggle with martial training that I stubbornly insisted on taking it upon myself."
San Ho spoke to Yeon Jeong as she watched me bounding about in the Garden.
"But our young lady keeps pace just as well as the young tiger masters. Now that I think about it, hasn't she seemed even healthier since the Mountain Lord Festival?"
"That's true. Not only has her body grown stronger, but her spirit has become brighter as well."
Yeon Jeong answered with a smile.
The young lady who once only smiled shyly now laughed with genuine delight.
And sometimes, when the mischievous Youngest Young Master played pranks, she would puff out her cheeks and sulk.
Just like now.
"Brother, that's too much! Seol Yo and I worked so hard to build that, and you've ruined it!"
"I'm sorry, little cotton ball. I didn't do it on purpose... Are you upset with me?"
Ever since his first transformation, Baek Gayul had been proudly showing off his beast form, but he had accidentally knocked down the tower of branches that Seol Yo and I had built with his massive tail.
"Since brother didn't do it intentionally and has apologized so kindly, it's alright. But please be more careful from now on, understood?"
Yet gentle as I was, I pouted only briefly before quickly brightening and smiling warmly at him.
The Youngest Young Master, in turn, was touched by that kind smile and laughed bashfully, scratching his head.
This tiny cotton ball of a young lady, who had suddenly arrived in Father's arms last summer, had painted Baek Ho Palace in such tender and warm hues, dispelling the bleakness that had lingered before.
"Yeon Jeong, San Ho—do you think I can grow as magnificently as Brother Gayul?"
Ever since the Youngest Young Master's first transformation, all of my attention had been fixed upon him.
"Of course, young lady. Please don't worry."
"Our young lady is already so remarkable—I'm certain you'll grow into the most splendid bird-form in all the world."
Their encouragement made my face shine brightly.
"I want to grow quickly like my brothers and go meet Mother!"
I spent each day spirited and healthy, constantly thinking of the promise I had made with Chung Ha to visit Cheonghae Palace.
Yet as the years passed, that promise remained unfulfilled.
Because I could not undergo my first transformation.
Not the following year. Nor the year after that.
* * *
Sunlight filtering through the wooden lattice tickled my eyelids.
As I slowly lifted my eyes open, warm spring-blossom-hued crimson irises came into view.
I yawned softly and sat up in bed.
Silken white hair cascaded smoothly down onto the bedding.
Three years had passed, and I had turned twelve.
I had grown a foot and a half taller since I first arrived at Baek Ho Palace.
Now I woke on my own without Yeon Jeong having to rouse me each morning.
The moment I rose from bed and threw open the window, the cheerful chirping of birds filled the air.
Birds had never inhabited the Western Lands before.
Yet three years ago, they began to build nests and establish their homes here.
"Hello, Jjak Jjak."
At my greeting, a small lark descended onto the windowsill.
I could converse freely with the birds, and among them, this Jjak Jjak—a name I had given myself—was my closest friend.
Second only to Seol Yo.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org