Chapter 90
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Chapter 90
The Underwater Street of the Eastern Lands, bustling with preparations for the Dragon God Festival.
The youngest lady of the Baekho Family, her snow-white hair cascading like snowflakes, stood shyly in a colorful silk dress, waiting for someone.
Not long after, the young master of the Blue Shark Family, his slate-gray hair catching the light, came rushing over and stopped before her, breathless.
"Jeok Soya! Have I kept you waiting?"
Ahan caught his breath as he looked at Jeok Soya, who had been waiting for him.
"Not at all, Ahan. I came out early because I wanted to wait for you."
Jeok Soya giggled as she replied.
"I was so excited about exploring the Underwater Street with you today and watching the falling flower festival that I couldn't sleep all night."
At that moment, Ahan suddenly thrust a bouquet of brilliant flowers right in front of Jeok Soya's nose.
"The flowers were blooming so beautifully on my way here. I thought of you and picked them for you."
"Oh my."
Jeok Soya's eyes widened in surprise as she gazed at the flowers, then she shyly closed her eyes and accepted the bouquet.
"Thank you."
At the young lady's radiant smile, the passersby who had been walking by all lost themselves, turning to look at her.
Even the young master of the Blue Shark Family, who had just handed her the flowers moments before, stood mesmerized, staring only at her face—her smile was so lovely and endearing.
Not long after, news spread like wildfire that the young lady of the Baekho Family from the Western Lands was enjoying the festival with the young master of the Blue Shark Family, one of the most prominent families in the Eastern Lands.
And there were several pairs of eyes watching the scene from a distance.
Baek Gahyun, the second son of the Baekho Family, glared fiercely at the young master of the Blue Shark Family while biting his lower lip.
And Baek Gayul, the youngest son of the Baekho Family, whose eyes blazed with fury as he wore a menacing expression.
And the attendants of the Baekho Family who had followed these troublesome young masters out of concern that they might cause a scene.
The previous evening, throughout dinner, they had tried to persuade Jeok Soya.
They fretted and urged her to reconsider, but Jeok Soya simply smiled gently.
With such a soft expression, once Jeok Soya made up her mind, she rarely wavered.
Until now, I had always appreciated that steadfast side of hers, but for the first time, Baek Gahyun resented that determination.
If she had been stubborn and thrown a tantrum, I could have broken her resolve somehow, but when faced with Jeok Soya speaking in that gentle voice, smiling softly and telling me not to worry, it felt as though I were the one being unreasonable.
"This is serious. Jeok Soya is only twelve years old, and she's already courting a boy."
Baek Gahyun muttered in a dark voice, glaring at the Blue Shark young master.
"Please don't worry so much, young master. Even if you call it courting, they're not even holding hands—they're simply walking side by side enjoying the festival."
"That's right. And the young lady deserves to enjoy some courtship, doesn't she? She's come all this way."
Suri chimed in agreement with Jeok A's words.
"But we don't even know what kind of person he is."
"The young master over there is the eldest son of the Blue Shark Family, and he is only one year older than the young lady Jeok Soya—"
"Who asked about that bastard's background?"
At Jeok A's matter-of-fact report, both Baek Gahyun and Baek Gayul shot him a sharp glare.
"Goodness, how will our young lady ever find a husband if the young masters are like this—"
"What? Husband? Did you just say something you shouldn't have?"
At Suri's words, Baek Gayul shouted indignantly.
"No, young master, I didn't mean to say anything inappropriate—"
"If you ever utter such useless nonsense again, I'll bury that worthless mouth of yours in the deepest depths of the Cheong Hae Sea."
Even Baek Gahyun, whom I'd considered rational, added his voice to the chorus, and Suri felt utterly wronged.
"Seol Yo, say something in my defense."
Suri grabbed Seol Yo, seeking an ally, and shook him desperately.
But unlike the four of them who had been chattering away while chasing after Jeok Soya, Seol Yo had remained silent the entire time.
"...."
He simply stared at Jeok Soya and the shark prince's retreating figures, his eyes drooping at the corners.
Seol Yo didn't quite understand what courtship or any of that meant.
But there was one thing.
She had said I was her closest friend, yet that position had been stolen by that young lord.
It felt different from watching Jeok Soya get along with Jjak Jjak.
When had I felt this way before?
Ah, that time.
Three years ago, when I saw that boy emperor who visited Baek Ho Palace, I felt something similar to this.
This strange feeling—somewhat regretful, somewhat sorrowful.
It was as Seol Yo pressed down that strange feeling and gazed intently at Jeok Soya.
In an instant, his ash-gray eyes trembled faintly.
Jeok Soya's and the shark prince's hands had brushed against each other carelessly.
* * *
Flinch!
Ahan, whose fingertips had grazed Jeok Soya's carelessly, visibly stiffened.
"Ahan?"
"Ah...."
"Ahan, are you alright? Your complexion suddenly looks poor."
Jeok Soya asked with concern in her voice.
"Ah, yes. My apologies. I suddenly felt a chill...."
Ahan wiped away the cold sweat that had formed without his knowledge.
Jeok Soya sighed inwardly, 'Sigh.'
Ahan's sudden chill was due to the terrifying gazes of her older brothers lurking behind him, boring into his back.
The young prince of the Blue Shark Family still seemed unaware of those gazes....
'Really, my older brothers still treat me like a child.'
Since last evening they'd been restless, and now they were following her around like this—she couldn't help but let out a small laugh at their behavior.
But her older brothers' pursuit of her was also part of the plan she had devised.
"Haha. It seems my vitality has weakened lately. I apologize for causing you concern, Miss Jeok Soya."
Ahan, having composed himself, spoke with an awkward smile.
"What do you think of the Underwater Street?"
"It's so beautiful and amazing. I can't believe there's such a magnificent street beneath the sea."
The Underwater Street, which the sea god's power had transferred from the land above into the depths below, harmoniously displayed both the mystery of the sea and the beauty of the land.
Unlike the festival streets on land, this underwater street was a space for marine humanoids.
As an exception, those like Jeok Soya's party who possessed the sea pearls of Cheonghae Palace could freely walk about here.
"Did you know this, Miss Jeok Soya?"
Ahan suddenly spoke to Soya in a serious tone.
"In our Eastern Lands, there's a legend that if a man and woman watch the falling flower display together on the festival's final night, they'll be bound by a lasting vow."
"Oh my, what a romantic notion."
Despite responding with eager anticipation in her voice, Soya felt an inner pang of regret.
'The falling flower display. I've wanted so badly to see it myself....'
Soya toured the Underwater Street with the Blue Shark Family's young lord, visiting its many corners.
She explored the aquatic plant mazes woven from seaweed found only in the depths, and watched performances by colorful schools of small fish.
Ahan gifted her a necklace made from seashells, and she admired the pearl beads that were said to be the Eastern Lands' specialty.
Before she knew it, time had slipped away.
There was still a little time before the falling flower display.
"What if we stroll through the Coral Garden one last time, and then head to the surface when it's time for the display?"
"Yes, that sounds lovely, Ahan."
Soya smiled softly and stepped into the Coral Garden.
When she reached the depths of the garden, she noticed her older brothers' gazes no longer followed her.
'This should be far enough.'
With a thoughtful expression, Soya glanced around before turning back to Ahan with a request.
"Ahan, my throat is parched. Would it be alright if I asked for something to drink?"
"Of course. Please wait here for just a moment."
As Ahan turned from Soya and departed, a satisfied smile bloomed at the corners of his mouth.
'Heh heh, things are proceeding smoothly.'
The young lady of the Baekho Family was as innocent as she appeared, and his plan was advancing far more easily than anticipated.
She was clearly utterly captivated by his handsome face.
'It's a shame not to see that beautiful face again, but it can't be helped.'
However, when he returned humming a cheerful tune.
"Huh? Lady Soya...?"
Ahan looked around in bewilderment.
"S-Soya? Lady Soya! Where are you, Lady Soya!"
Soya, who should have been waiting obediently for him, had vanished.
Completely and utterly!
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