TLSVB 36

Chapter 36

“Yeongbo is the only tool capable of detecting traces of Myeongyeong. And yet, merely a Yeongbo?”

“I-I…”

“You speak as if this child stole something that belonged to you.”

A chilling wind blew through Ju Jeokseo’s voice.

It was colder than the icy winds of the snowfields.

“This name is something this child obtained with her own hands. It was never yours to begin with.”

Glancing briefly somewhere, Ahee continued speaking with an aggrieved expression.

“But, Family Head! If I had gotten it first, then that name would have become mine!”

When she had first arrived at the estate, Ahee had acted as though she could not quite understand that she was Myeongyeong’s biological daughter.

But after a day passed, and then another, Ahee began behaving as though she was unquestionably Myeongyeong’s true daughter.

As if she were a child who knew exactly what kind of power being Myeongyeong’s daughter carried within the Vermilion Bird Clan.

I should have corrected her behavior back then.

Ignoring the pounding headache in his temples, Ju Jeokseo looked at Ahee.

“No. Names are not decided that way. They are bestowed by the Divine Beast.”

He spoke coldly.

“The Divine Beast does not bestow the same name upon two children. So stop talking nonsense.”

“Family Head…”

“This name belongs to this child.”

Cutting her off firmly, Ju Jeokseo turned to look at the white snake.

Then he gently stroked Baeksa’s head, lifted the child into his arms, and declared,

“The Divine Beast has bestowed a name upon this child.”

Looking around at the beastfolk gathered on the mountainside, he continued,

“From now on, this child’s name is Baekyeon. Furthermore, until Yeon is fully grown, this lord shall personally protect her. Therefore, it would be wise for everyone to refrain from speaking carelessly.”

Only then did the beastfolk begin applauding.

Those who had briefly sided with Ahee hurriedly cheered even louder, afraid that their agreement with her might have been noticed by Ju Jeokseo.

Listening to the cheers, Baeksa tightly wrapped her arms around Ju Jeokseo’s neck.

Baekyeon.

The newly given name produced a pleasant resonance every time it was spoken.

Baeksa blinked.

I have a name too.

This is a name bestowed by the Divine Beast.

And one arranged by Lady Myeongyeong…

Thinking that far, she found herself concerned about Ahee, who had been thoroughly scolded and now looked dejected.

She had no intention of comforting her or giving her the name, but somehow part of what Ahee had said seemed a little true as well.

If Ju Jeokseo had not stepped in so quickly and settled the matter, Baeksa might have ended up giving the name to Ahee—or having it taken from her.

When she reached that thought, Baeksa squeezed her eyes shut.

Why do I hate that idea…?

It seemed she was a selfish child after all.

The residence, the name—everything were things Ahee should have had, yet Baeksa did not want to give them back.

Of course, if she were told to return them, she would.

She had been carefully tending the residence because she wanted to return it to Ahee in its most beautiful condition.

But the name…

This was truly the first thing she had ever possessed.

Being called “White Snake” was hardly a name at all.

And even that had only been given to her at the moment of her death.

Ahee could never understand what it felt like to live two lifetimes with a name like that.

Only Baeksa knew that feeling.

It was an emotion that belonged solely to her.

Baeksa blinked.

Ahee really must be Lady Myeongyeong’s biological daughter.

Suddenly, she thought of the mother whose face and name she did not even know.

What kind of person was my mother?

How did she meet Father?

Did Mother… love me?

While Baeksa was lost in thought, Ju Jeokseo grinned and looked at her.

“Yeon.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“It suits you so naturally, as though it had always been your name.”

As he gently brushed aside her bangs, he whispered those words.

Hwayeong came running over and softly took Baeksa’s hand.

“Baekyeon! Yeon! Congratulations on receiving your name!”

The boy smiled brightly as he held her hand tightly.

“Now we’re really becoming a family. You’ve received a name!”

Doui grabbed her other hand.

“You were trembling like a little puppy before you went up there, but when it mattered, you did just fine.”

“Hehe…”

Baeksa smiled brightly and lowered her eyes shyly.

At the same time, however, she found herself worrying about Ahee, who had been shouting and crying in anger only moments ago.

Ahee was now being comforted by the head of the Song Clan.

Baeksa could see Songhyeon patting Ahee’s back.

Hwayeong seemed to have noticed it too and muttered quietly,

“That girl just doesn’t understand how important a Yeongbo is because she grew up outside. A Yeongbo recognizes its rightful owner. Honestly, it’s strange that it still hasn’t reacted.”

“Hwayeong, be careful saying things like that in public.”

Ju Jeokseo gently admonished his son.

Still grumbling, Hwayeong nodded.

“This is strange, Elder!”

Having followed Songhyeon to a secluded place, Ahee spoke with a twisted expression.

“You told me the Yeongbo would react to me! You said it wouldn’t react to anyone else!”

Songhyeon had been saying exactly that ever since he first put this entire plan into motion.

“Why that piece of junk isn’t reacting, even I don’t know.”

Songhyeon shook his head.

It was not an excuse meant to gloss over the situation.

He genuinely had no idea why the Yeongbo had not responded.

It should have reacted long ago.

The Yeongbo had been designed to recognize Ahee.

Then why had it failed to respond?

“I will investigate that matter further. In the meantime, mind your behavior.”

“But I…”

“Think carefully! That snake girl is receiving unparalleled favor within the Vermilion Bird Clan right now. Turning her into an enemy immediately won’t do you any good—”

He paused mid-scolding.

Then his narrow eyes suddenly gleamed.

“No… that’s not it. Try this instead.”

“Try what?”

“Stop arguing and do exactly as I tell you. If you do, all the beastfolk gathered here will take your side.”

Songhyeon leaned in and whispered into Ahee’s ear.

Ahee nodded.

“But be smart about it,” he warned.

“If you do it foolishly, you’ll only end up digging your own grave.”

Even after Baeksa received the name Baekyeon, the Divine Beast Festival continued.

The beastfolk joyfully enjoyed the grand celebration, one that would not return for another five years.

As the atmosphere grew more lively, some people began paying attention to the little snake child.

“Lady Baekyeon is truly adorable.”

“Yeon is cute because she resembles me.”

Ju Jeokseo answered as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, causing Yeon to feel slightly embarrassed.

Still, I’m glad meeting unfamiliar beastfolk isn’t as scary as I thought.

It was not nearly as frightening as she had worried it would be.

Of course, she had been a little startled when Ahee became angry…

Thinking that, Baekyeon turned her head and looked around.

Ahee isn’t anywhere to be seen.

Strangely, Ahee had been missing for quite some time.

Where had she gone?

Just as the girl was searching for Ahee—

Tap.

Someone tossed a note onto Yeon’s lap and disappeared.

Yeon quickly looked up to see who had given it to her, but the person had already vanished into the crowd.

“What is this?”

She unfolded the note.

I want to apologize to you. Come to the back in secret.

The handwriting was crooked and uneven.

It was a note from Ahee.

She wants to apologize…

She must have been hurt and saddened because she felt her name had been taken away, yet she still wanted to apologize?

Carefully rising from her seat, Yeon headed toward the place where Ahee was supposedly waiting.

“Hey, little squirt, where are you—!”

“Wait.”

Hwayeong tried to stop Yeon, but Doui held him back.

Even so, she was still a little afraid of isolated places, and she hesitated about going to meet Ahee.

At that moment—

Whoosh!

Someone suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

Startled, Yeon’s eyes widened.

It was Ahee.

Ahee dragged Yeon all the way to a deserted area.

Yeon had never intended to go this far and weakly struggled, but it was useless.

Only after reaching a place where no one else was around did Ahee finally let her go.

“You’re really a terrible child, you know that?”

Ahee huffed angrily.

“Everything you have, everything you’re wearing—those were all supposed to be mine. Why does the Family Head cherish you more than me, even though I’m Lady Myeongyeong’s real daughter?”

Yeon had no answer.

Ahee was clearly furious, and it felt wrong for her to casually try comforting her.

Still, she thought it would be best to apologize, so she was just about to speak.

“Ahee, um…”

Poof!

Suddenly, Ahee transformed into a tiny white bird right before Yeon’s eyes.

Then she immediately began plucking out her own feathers with her little beak.

Shocked by the sight, Yeon hurriedly grabbed hold of Ahee.