Chapter : 17
A few hours earlier.
After spending the entire day running around the garden with Gayul, Soya was on her way back to her room, holding hands with Yeonjeong and Sanho. As they walked, she pondered how to protect the benefactors of Baekho Palace from the ghost.
In truth, she already had one idea.
“What’s that ghost even doing? Why isn’t it taking away that nasty girl who made our Lady Riri suffer?”
“Even ghosts probably find her too filthy to take.”
The people of the Vermilion Bird clan had often spoken about her that way.
Some even burned the things she had touched, saying that even ghosts would shudder at them and avoid them. Back then, watching her belongings turn to ashes one by one had hurt her terribly. But after hearing that a ghost had appeared in Baekho Palace, her thoughts changed.
They said even ghosts avoid things I’ve touched because they’re creeped out… So if I leave my things nearby, the ghosts will run away.
Soya decided to place her belongings beside her benefactors.
But she had nothing.
Even the small pouch she had brought when leaving the Vermilion Bird estate had been lost while she was fleeing from an assassin.
Remembering the lost pouch made her a little gloomy. Because that pouch had been…
Oh, this isn’t the time to think about that.
She shook her head briskly to clear her thoughts.
As she worried over having nothing to give, an idea suddenly struck her.
“Wait a moment, Lady Yeonjeong, Lady Sanho! Please wait for me just a little!”
Letting go of their hands, Soya dashed back into the garden.
She looked around quickly and soon found what she was searching for.
Her face brightened as she picked up the three smoothest, prettiest pebbles she could find.
Yeonjeong and Sanho, who had followed her, looked puzzled, but Soya simply smiled sweetly and urged them to hurry back to the room.
Once inside, she blew the dirt off the pebbles, washed them carefully in water, and dried them.
Then she stared at them for a moment before clasping them tightly in her hands and making a silent wish.
Since these are stones touched by Soya’s hands, please make the ghosts avoid them.
Of course, nothing appeared to change. But a satisfied smile spread across her face.
All done!
Her preparations were complete.
Now I just need to place these beside Lord Saeon and the young masters!
But when she tried to step outside alone at this late hour, she felt a little scared.
She glanced nervously at Yeonjeong.
“My lady, do you have something to say?”
Soya had been playing with the pebbles instead of sleeping, even though she must have been tired from playing all day. When Yeonjeong noticed her sneaking glances, she tilted her head curiously.
“Um, Lady Yeonjeong…”
Soya stepped closer and whispered into her ear.
“They said there’s a ghost in Baekho Palace. But these pebbles… if you place them beside someone, the ghost won’t take them away. So I want to put them next to Lord Saeon and the young masters.”
“Ahh, so they’re like talismans!”
“Talismans?”
“Something that drives away ghosts.”
“Ah…! Yes, that’s right! Something like that!”
They didn’t exactly drive ghosts away—they made them avoid the area—but it was similar enough.
“So, um, I need to deliver the talismans to Lord Saeon and the young masters…”
“Oh my, our cute little lady. Were you scared to go out into the hallway alone?”
“Y-Yes…!”
Soya nodded quickly.
Yeonjeong chuckled and held out her hand.
“Then shall I go with you to see the lord and the young masters?”
“Yes!”
Smiling brightly, Soya grabbed Yeonjeong’s hand.
The first place they went was Gayul’s room, since it was closest.
They carefully opened the door and peeked inside. Gayul was sprawled out, blanket kicked aside, softly snoring.
Soya placed one pebble beside him and quickly stepped back into the hallway.
Next, they headed to Gahyeon’s room—the one who had shown her around Baekho Palace on her first day.
The room was so quiet she couldn’t even hear his breathing.
He lay neatly on his back, sleeping peacefully. Soya placed another pebble beside him and quietly left.
Lastly, she headed to Saeon’s study.
“It’s so dark—are you sure he’s inside?”
“The lord often works late into the night.”
When they arrived, Jeokyeong recognized Soya and greeted her.
“Miss Cottonball? Did you come again to thank the lord?”
“No. Well, today, I…”
Smiling kindly, Jeokyeong asked about her visit, and Soya whispered her reason.
“Wow! A ghost-repelling talisman personally made by Miss Cottonball? I’m so jealous of the lord!”
He reacted in an exaggerated, envious tone.
Soya blinked, then hurriedly said, “Th-Then I’ll make one for you too!”
Jeokyeong beamed. “Really? That’s a promise?”
“Yes.”
As Soya hooked her pinky around his—
Yeonjeong suddenly glared at him.
“That’s unfair, my lady! You’re giving that old fox a present before me, when I see you every day?”
“O-Old fox?”
Not knowing they were siblings, Soya was startled by Yeonjeong’s blunt words.
“Make one for me too, my lady! And mine first!”
“O-Okay, Lady Yeonjeong!”
She hooked pinkies with Yeonjeong as well, sealing the promise with their thumbs pressed together.
It felt strange.
No one had ever told Soya they would wait for something from her.
She had always lived quietly, unnoticed.
But now…
It feels like I’ve become someone useful.
The feeling was unfamiliar—awkward, yet pleasantly ticklish.
“Alright, my lady. Go on in and give the talisman to the lord.”
Jeokyeong opened the door with a smile.
“Try going in by yourself this time!”
Encouraged by the two of them, Soya bravely stepped into the study.
“Hello—!”
She was about to greet him when she saw Saeon slumped over his desk, asleep. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
He’s sleeping.
He must have been tired.
I shouldn’t wake him.
She tiptoed quietly across the room.
Then—
“Ugh…”
At the faint groan, Soya startled and tripped, tumbling to the floor.
“Ow…”
Holding back tears, she pushed herself up.
“I’m sorry, Lord Saeon. I didn’t mean to wake—huh?”
Despite the noise, he didn’t stir.
Blinking, Soya realized he was sweating coldly, groaning like someone in pain.
W-What do I do? Did I come too late? Did the ghost already get him?
She clasped her hands and stamped her feet anxiously.
Please… Ghosts, don’t bully Lord Saeon.
At that moment—
Flash!
The pebble in her hand shone brightly.
Her eyes widened.
“Huh…?”
The light vanished just as quickly.
Did she imagine it?
Rubbing her eyes, she looked again—and saw Saeon’s complexion gradually calming.
Her own face brightened in response.
The talisman really worked. Thank goodness.
She gently placed the pebble beside him and slipped out quietly.
In the hallway, Yeonjeong saw her glowing expression.
“Was it a success, my lady?”
“Yes!”
Soya beamed.
“You know, Lady Yeonjeong? I think the talisman really works! The ghost was bothering Lord Saeon, but when it saw the talisman, it ran away!”
She whispered excitedly.
“Oh my.”
It was the first time she’d seen Soya speak so quickly. Yeonjeong smiled at her flushed cheeks.
“That’s wonderful.”
“I’ll make yours tomorrow!”
“Alright, my lady. Then tomorrow you can sleep in, wake up refreshed, and go find the prettiest pebble—oh my, did you fall?”
“Huh?”
“You’re bleeding.”
Only then did Soya notice the scrape on her palm.
She must have hurt herself when she tripped earlier.
“Oh dear, our lady’s delicate hands are bleeding.”
“It’s not that serious…”
She tried to hide her hand behind her back, embarrassed, but Yeonjeong caught her wrist first.
“That won’t do. Let’s go back and put medicine on it.”
“Yes…”
Obediently nodding, Soya returned to her room.
After washing her hands and applying ointment, she lay down and fell asleep with a peaceful heart.
