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Chapter 11
Ju Jeokseo looked at Baeksa.
The girl looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment, yet she never actually cried.
It was as if she instinctively knew that this was not a place where she was allowed to cry.
He suppressed the urge to comfort her immediately and slowly lowered his gaze.
As I thought.
Sending her in an imperial carriage, and even dressing her in imperial clothes.
They had sent her here to die.
Only now did he understand why the Emperor had deliberately made such a loud and conspicuous procession instead of moving quietly.
He had been worried that the child might somehow survive.
And if that happened, he intended to use the hands of the southern beastfolk—who despised the Imperial Family—to dispose of his own flesh and blood.
That bastard is worse than an animal.
How can a parent do such a thing to their own child…?
Parents were supposed to love their children unconditionally, no matter what they looked like.
That was a parent’s duty.
And yet—
“I came here under His Majesty’s order to die.”
What kind of monster would give such an order to his own daughter?
He could not understand the Emperor.
No, he did not want to understand him.
The Emperor was not what mattered right now.
Putting thoughts of the Emperor aside, he turned his attention to the tiny little snake before him.
“Your Highness, how old are you?”
“I-I’m seven years old…”
The child hurriedly held up her fingers. There were exactly seven.
“Seven years old?”
Ju Jeokseo raised an eyebrow in disbelief at the unexpected answer.
She’s seven and this small?
She looked no older than five or six.
Even six would have been a generous estimate. Considering her tiny frame and thin limbs, five seemed more appropriate.
Yet she was seven.
Just how neglected was she?
And upon hearing that she was seven years old, a possibility flashed through Ju Jeokseo’s mind.
His missing younger sister.
A child with white hair that resembled hers so closely…
Could it be…?
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
His sister could not have ended up in the Imperial Palace.
The current Emperor hated the southern beastfolk. The chances that he and his sister had married and had a child together were slim.
While Ju Jeokseo was lost in thought, the child looked up at him anxiously.
She seemed worried that he would not believe her.
So he moved on to the next question.
“What is your name?”
“M-My name…?”
The girl rolled her eyes awkwardly.
Seeing that reaction, Ju Jeokseo raised an eyebrow again.
Don’t tell me…
The little snake hesitated before opening her small mouth.
“Um… actually, I don’t have a name. They said snakes don’t need names, so no one ever gave me one…”
As though even admitting it was embarrassing, the girl’s tiny fists clenched tightly.
“His Majesty called me Baeksa. You may call me whatever is most comfortable for you, Head of the House.”
“Your father never even gave you a name?”
“Y-Yes…”
Baeksa nodded.
Carefully reading his expression, she continued.
“Um… if you don’t want to call me that, you can just call me snake.”
Her delicate voice trembled.
Before she could even finish speaking, he answered immediately.
“That won’t happen.”
Ju Jeokseo’s voice was cold with disgust at the Emperor’s cruelty.
After clearing his throat, he spoke as gently as possible.
“I will give you a new name soon. Until then, I will call you Baeksa so you do not become confused. I hope you understand.”
“Okay.”
The child nodded vigorously.
Before Baeksa could say anything else, Ju Jeokseo continued.
“And you may stay here for as long as you wish. The Jujak Clan does not cast out children who have nowhere else to go.”
“Really…?”
“If you need a guardian, I will find someone to raise you. And if you wish to continue living here, then I will become your guardian myself. So there is no need to worry.”
At his words, the little snake’s expression softened.
Her moist eyes sparkled like stars.
Looking up at Ju Jeokseo, she politely folded her tiny hands together.
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Head of the House…! I-I’ll stay quietly and won’t cause any trouble…!”
“How much trouble could you possibly cause? Stop worrying about things like that and make yourself comfortable.”
“But…”
“Instead, it would be best to keep your ability a secret for the time being. It’s an extraordinary ability, but there may be people who would try to misuse it.”
The power the child had displayed earlier.
An ability powerful enough to reduce an ornament to dust in an instant.
Even Ju Jeokseo had never seen anything like it before.
He still believed it was an incredible ability, but until they discovered exactly what it was, it would be better to keep it hidden.
Not every beastfolk in the South was kind-hearted.
Of course, he would do everything he could to protect her from harm.
Still, it was best to take precautions.
“I will investigate what kind of ability it is and how it can be used. Until then, be patient.”
“Yes, Head of the House…”
Baeksa placed both hands on her knees and looked up at him with a gentle smile.
Now that her tension had finally eased, her smile was soft and bright, like a flower blooming after the snow had melted.
As he watched her, the image of his younger sister once again surfaced in Ju Jeokseo’s mind.
He had merely taken in a child with nowhere to go, so why did thoughts of his sister keep returning?
Was it because their hair colors were the same?
Or because that pitiful expression resembled his sister’s?
Either way, it was not particularly important.
After confirming that the child’s expression was far more relaxed than before, he rose to his feet.
A child who had not fully recovered could not be left sitting like this forever.
Standing up, Ju Jeokseo effortlessly lifted Baeksa, who had still been kneeling.
“Ah…!”
“This posture is bad for your knees. Rest comfortably here.”
The man laid the little snake down on a soft, plush silk mattress and gently stroked her small head with his large hand.
“This uncle has to go now. Don’t worry about being thrown out, and get plenty of rest.”
“Okay…”
“If you’re uncomfortable or need anything, tell your attendant. A physician will come later with medicine, and you must take it properly.”
“Yes. I will, Head of the House. Thank you very much.”
Lowering her eyes, the child expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Ju Jeokseo ruffled Baeksa’s hair for no particular reason before leaving.
He knew that the longer he remained in the annex, the less time the child would have to rest comfortably.
After leaving the annex, Ju Jeokseo stopped a servant who was hurrying nearby.
“Keep a close eye on the child. If anything happens, report to me immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
The servant answered promptly.
After giving the annex one final glance, the man departed.
Thank goodness…
That was Baeksa’s very first thought after being left alone.
As she fiddled with her scarred palms, she replayed the encounter in her mind.
The Head of the Jujak Clan’s touch had been as warm as a flame.
It almost felt as though that warmth still lingered in her tiny hands.
It was the first time in her life she had ever experienced the gentle touch of an adult.
That touch had felt like an umbrella shielding her from the rain, and at the same time like a fire warming her body.
He was such a kind person.
Truthfully, she had not expected much.
This was the Southern Lands, where beastfolk who hated the Imperial Family lived, and Ju Jeokseo was their leader.
She had thought she would have no right to complain even if he threw her out immediately.
But…
He said I can stay as long as I want.
And he had even promised to give her a new name.
Did that mean she could live a little longer?
Did it mean she would not have to die at the age of eight like before…?
A small seed of hope quietly blossomed in Baeksa’s heart like a lotus flower.
Not long afterward—
Knock, knock.
“Young Lady, it’s Sirang. I’ve brought the physician with me. May we come in?”
Sirang’s voice came from outside the door.
