Chapter : 16
“What are you staring at so intently, young master?”
A fox beastkin in his mid-teens with reddish hair tilted his head as he asked.
He was Ho Jeok-a, the second son of the Red Fox clan, younger brother of Ho Jeok-young and Ho Yeon-jeong.
“It’s Yul. Just look at that pathetic sight of him. I hear he hasn’t even been attending lessons properly lately. How does he expect to grow up like that?”
Ga-hyeon shook his head in disapproval.
Despite his elegant, noble appearance, his words toward his younger brother were razor-sharp.
In truth, though Ga-hyeon looked gentle and mild, and was known as a polite young nobleman, his personality was cold and cutting.
“To be a direct descendant of the White Tiger and run around like that without any dignity. And that child with Yul…”
He had also heard that Soya’s spirit core had been badly damaged recently, and she’d gone to Aunt Sara for treatment.
“What if she collapses again while running around like that? That foolish baby tiger.”
Ga-hyeon couldn’t help worrying about Soya, who was playing with Ga-yul even though she might faint again at any time.
Obviously Ga-yul must have stubbornly insisted on playing together.
Since childhood, Ga-yul had always loved people. He used to chase Ga-hyeon around every day begging him to play.
Of course, Ga-hyeon rejected him firmly every time. But that child didn’t even know how to refuse, so he probably just went along with it.
She’s the kind of kid who eats peaches even though she’s allergic because she can’t say no… figures.
At that moment, Ho Jeok-a chuckled softly.
“You’re worried about Miss Cottonball, aren’t you?”
Ga-hyeon frowned in irritation.
“Worried? About who? That tiny cotton fluff?”
“That’s not it. Why would I worry about such a pitiful brat who doesn’t even know how to take care of her own body?”
He scowled and sharply turned his head away from the window.
“More importantly, the branch-family tigers should be arriving soon.”
Summer was already ending.
When autumn came, the biggest event in the western lands—the Mountain Lord Festival—would be held.
“Yes, young master. Everyone says this festival will be the perfect chance to catch the patriarch’s eye.”
Recently, the question of who would become the mistress of the western residence had become a huge topic among the tiger clans.
Parents with daughters desperately wanted to have them adopted into the White Tiger clan.
Even if they became Sa-eon’s adopted daughter, ties with their birth family wouldn’t be severed—and if they somehow became the bride of the Yellow Dragon, it would be the greatest honor imaginable.
“So, any girls worth watching this time?”
“I happened to see the list Brother Jeok-young compiled. First, Miss Arang of the Brown Tiger clan…”
“She’s too stupid to be a representative.”
“And Miss Sa-hye of the Black Tiger clan…”
“She’d be lucky if she didn’t disgrace her family.”
“And Miss Siyo of the Silver Tiger clan…”
“She’s… I don’t know. I just don’t like her.”
All the girls Ho Jeok-a listed were outstanding enough that Ho Jeok-young had personally selected them before submitting the list to Sa-eon.
But Ga-hyeon’s standards were so high and picky that none satisfied him.
“If she’s going to be my little sister, shouldn’t she be a bit… smaller, whiter, softer-looking?”
Muttering unhappily, Ga-hyeon looked back out the window.
His gaze fell on Ga-yul, hopping around in his baby tiger form, and Soya panting as she chased after him.
Ga-hyeon watched the small, white, fluffy younger brother he adored—and the even smaller, whiter, softer uninvited guest of the western residence—playing together for a long time.
＊ ＊ ＊
Soya ended up being dragged along by Ga-yul and had to play ball and tag with him in the garden all day.
Ga-yul, transformed into a baby tiger, ran around nonstop without resting even for a moment.
Only after Su-ri finally grabbed Ga-yul and dragged him off to the training hall did the playtime end.
“Oh my, Miss. You must be tired today, right?”
Yeon-jeong brought Soya some cool water as she sat down on the grass, panting.
“The youngest young master never stops running. You can really tell he’s a tiger.”
“If you don’t actually want to play with him and he’s bothering you…”
Soya, drinking water with both hands around the cup, shook her head quickly.
“N-No! I really had fun!”
It had been a long time since she’d run around until she was out of breath.
Every time she chased the ball, the cool breeze brushed her cheeks and her heart pounded.
It was a joy she hadn’t felt in so long.
Besides, Yeon-jeong and San-ho kept suggesting breaks and bringing drinks and snacks, so it wasn’t too exhausting.
She even hoped she could play like this again with the youngest young master.
“But… are there really ghosts in the White Tiger Palace?”
On the way back, holding Yeon-jeong and San-ho’s hands, Soya cautiously asked what had been bothering her.
“Our little cottonball is scared of ghosts?”
“N-No! I’m not scared… I’m worried they might take the young masters away.”
She remembered Ga-yul playing ball earlier and drooped her eyebrows.
“I didn’t know tigers were so small and cute. I feel like I should protect him.”
The tiger with soft pink paw pads was much smaller and cuter than the one she’d seen in picture books.
He said he could defeat ghosts with his sharp teeth and claws…
But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine him winning against a ghost.
“Oh my!”
Yeon-jeong and San-ho burst out laughing.
“The youngest young master is cute, after all.”
“They’ll be happy if Miss says she’ll protect them.”
“Really?”
Soya’s face brightened.
Sa-eon had saved her life, so she wanted to protect them too.
Ghosts were a little—just a little—scary, but…
It’s okay. Ghosts won’t take me anyway.
People in the Vermilion Bird clan used to whisper that even ghosts wouldn’t bother taking a girl like her.
So Soya was sure she wouldn’t run away, even if she was scared.
I’ll definitely protect them!
She clenched her fists, strengthening her resolve.
＊ ＊ ＊
Sa-eon’s office.
A faint shadow lay across Sa-eon’s face as he checked documents at his desk.
Ever since he heard Soya’s spirit core was damaged, he hadn’t been at ease.
He knew better than anyone the pain of a damaged spirit core.
Years ago, his own spirit core had been badly contaminated during the war in the northern lands.
Fortunately, Soya’s wasn’t too severe and could be nourished with Sara’s help.
But unless it was completely healed, the root problem wouldn’t disappear.
And there was only one cure.
“…Dragon’s Blood Herb.”
Sa-eon murmured quietly.
He too had searched long for it to purify his contaminated spirit core.
That was why he’d made a deal with the prince.
Come to think of it, the prince hadn’t contacted him since then.
Even after reporting he’d fulfilled the imperial order in the southern lands, the prince hadn’t asked what he stole.
The prince’s last message was that he would come see it after the imperial palace was settled.
What on earth is that quiet prince planning?
Recently, the situation in the capital had been unstable. At the center of rumors was the Fifth Prince, Tae-rim.
Is he really planning to stir up bloodshed inside the palace?
Sa-eon pressed his temples as a headache struck. It wasn’t just the uncertainty.
At night, his contaminated spirit core rampaged with yin energy—especially on full-moon nights.
“Looks like I won’t sleep peacefully tonight.”
He glanced at the full moon outside.
On nights of strongest yin energy, Sa-eon chose to stay in his office instead of going to bed.
Even awake he felt ill, but if he slept, nightmares of the battlefield tormented him.
Rustle… rustle…
Only the sound of turning pages filled the room.
“…Haah.”
Dizzy, Sa-eon wiped away cold sweat.
He felt particularly unwell tonight.
Thinking he should rest his eyes for a moment, he closed the document and leaned back.
And he fell asleep.
Soon after—
Creak.
The door opened quietly, and under the moonlight, a small shadow tiptoed inside.
Unlock soon!~