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Chapter 4
Lili was sitting in front of a large mirror, being dressed and prepared.
The mansion was in an uproar because of the imperial prince’s visit.
“If it’s His Highness the Fifth Prince, he’s the only legitimate heir of the Taehwa Empire, right?”
“They say he’s a little weak in health, but no one can compare to him in lineage or appearance.”
“Is it true he’s visiting for an engagement with our young lady?”
“Maybe our Lady Lili will become the bride of the Golden Dragon.”
“That’s right! Lady Lili is the only legitimate daughter of the Four Great Divine Clans!”
“Besides, His Highness is two years older than our lady, so their ages match well…”
The maids helping Lili with her dressing were more excited than anyone else, chattering away.
So-ya stood silently in a corner, unable to join their conversation.
Lili’s maids pitied her deeply—but at the same time, they hated So-ya.
Especially when they didn’t know that Lili was the child who had stolen So-ya’s place. Whenever they showed kindness to So-ya by mistake, their pity for Lili made them treat So-ya even more harshly.
For example, locking her in a dark storage room and starving her, assigning her endless impossible chores, or pinching hidden places on her body to leave bruises.
“Becoming the bride of the Golden Dragon… I’m not worthy of such praise.”
Lili said while blushing and waving her hands, but the maids only became more excited.
“Not worthy? Just look in the mirror! You’re so beautiful!”
“You look like a fairy from ancient tales!”
“If His Highness sees you, he’ll fall in love at first sight!”
So-ya inwardly agreed with them.
As they said, once Lili was fully dressed, she was truly beautiful.
Especially that fiery red hair, so much like the clan head and young master…
“And this beautiful red hair, which only the direct descendants of the Vermillion Bird Clan possess! It’s not a color just anyone can have.”
“Exactly. It’s not something anyone can imitate. I’m honestly worried that some foolish children might see our young lady and start dreaming impossible dreams.”
The maids praised Lili’s red hair while glancing subtly toward So-ya.
So-ya realized the “foolish children” they were referring to was her, and her face turned red with embarrassment.
Thankfully, Lili didn’t seem to notice…
“Oh my, you all make me so embarrassed. What do you think, So-ya?”
Lili asked brightly, smiling at her.
At that clear smile, So-ya flinched.
Every time Lili treated her kindly like this, the maids’ eyes turned sharper.
“Hey, the lady is asking you. Why aren’t you answering?”
One maid jabbed So-ya painfully in the side.
It was the same spot they had pinched a few days ago, leaving a bruise.
So-ya endured the sharp pain and nodded.
“Y-yes… she’s very beautiful… very…”
She barely managed to answer under their piercing stares.
“Well, compared to your dull white hair, of course she is.”
At those words, laughter erupted.
“Don’t say things like that. So-ya didn’t choose to be born that way.”
Lili gently stopped them with a compassionate tone.
But when she looked at So-ya, there was a faint sense of superiority and satisfaction in her expression.
“Today, So-ya, you will serve me.”
Lili stood up and spoke.
“W-what? B-but I…”
So-ya stammered in confusion.
Today was the day a very important guest was arriving.
And her appearance was clearly not suitable for standing before such a guest.
Even knowing that, Lili smiled and grabbed her wrist.
“You’re my most cherished companion.”
Envious, hostile gazes stabbed into So-ya from all sides.
Humming softly, Lili walked ahead.
So-ya followed behind with her head lowered, unsure of what to do.
She had planned to stay out of sight of her father and brothers—but she could not disobey Lili’s order.
From Clan Head Jeok A-yun to the retainers and servants of the Vermillion Bird Clan, everyone gathered in front of the mansion, waiting for the prince.
“Father! Brother!”
“Lili, you’re here.”
“Lili!”
Jeok Hwayu smiled brightly and opened his arms. Lili ran into his embrace.
“Our Lili looks even more beautiful today. You must have prepared carefully for His Highness’s visit.”
“Oh, I’m always beautiful.”
Pouting slightly, Lili was soothed as Jeok Hwayu laughed warmly.
“Yes, yes. Your beauty is something your brother knows best.”
“Where is His Highness?”
“He’ll arrive soon. Let’s wait here together.”
Jeok Hwayu led Lili to stand beside their father, Jeok A-yun.
So-ya, who followed behind, quietly stood at the very end of the line of servants.
At last, the prince’s carriage arrived.
The door opened, and a boy about So-ya’s age stepped out, supported by a guard.
The first thing that caught the eye was his pale gold hair flowing like soft wind.
So-ya’s gaze was drawn to the shimmering strands.
At that moment, the prince turned his head toward her.
His teal eyes, like fresh spring greenery, met hers.
Their gazes intertwined in the air.
“…Ah.”
So-ya’s small cherry-like lips parted slightly.
She stared blankly without realizing it.
It was the first time she had seen someone more beautiful than her father.
And she was not the only one—everyone around them was stunned by the young prince’s presence.
“Greetings, Your Highness. Welcome to the land of Vermillion Bird. I am Lili.”
Lili’s sweet voice broke the moment, and So-ya quickly realized her position.
She lowered her head immediately.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heart pounded wildly, realizing she had looked directly at the prince so disrespectfully.
“You’ve had a long journey, Your Highness.”
“It has been a while, Clan Head Jeok.”
Despite being only eleven, the young prince was not intimidated by Jeok A-yun, who was much larger than him.
So-ya admired his dignity inwardly.
Yet strangely, she felt the prince’s gaze lingering on her. She kept her head down, unable to look up, staring only at her feet.
That Night
The surroundings were dark under the night sky.
So-ya returned to her quarters late after being tormented by the maids.
She had not even been given dinner and had been locked in a storage room for nearly an hour, but she was used to such treatment and did not cry.
Fortunately, thanks to the prince’s visit, lanterns were lit throughout the mansion.
I’m glad… I’m a little afraid of the dark.
Just as she quickened her steps—
Rustle.
Hearing a sound, she turned her head and froze.
Under the moonlight stood a boy with flowing pale gold hair, watching her silently.
“Y-Your Highness…”
She quickly bowed.
But the prince did not answer.
Instead, he looked at her for a long moment…
“Just as I thought.”
He stepped closer.
“It really is you, So-ya.”
At the sound of her name, So-ya froze.
“You don’t remember me.”
Smiling bitterly, he took a jade ornament with a red gemstone from his robes.
“Three years ago. At the imperial palace. During General Sanyu’s departure ceremony.”
So-ya’s eyes slowly widened.
“If I return this, will you still not remember me?”
He gently took her hand and placed the ornament into her palm.
[This ornament was something So-ya’s late mother left her.]
A forgotten memory resurfaced in So-ya’s mind.
There was a time when she, like Lili, had once been a stubborn child who clung to her family.
Three years ago, when she insisted on going to the palace to see her eldest brother off on his military departure.
There, in the palace garden, she met a young noble grieving his mother’s death.
[Whenever I miss my mother, I look at this and find comfort. So I’ll give it to you, older brother. I hope it comforts you too.]
[But, So-ya. This is your mother’s keepsake… I can’t accept something so precious…]
The boy had shaken his head, unable to accept it.
So-ya had smiled gently and said:
[You can return it later.]
[Ah…]
[When you’re no longer sad, you’ll come back to return it, right?]
[…Yes. I promise. I will return it.]
The boy had hidden his face due to illness.
She hadn’t known.
That gentle boy was the only legitimate prince of the Taehwa Empire.
“I came to fulfill my promise to you.”
“Ri… Lin… older brother?”
As she remembered his name, the Fifth Prince Tae I-rim smiled brightly.
“I was worried I might be late, but I’m glad I can say this before the day ends.”
He gently patted her head.
“Happy birthday, So-ya.”
At that moment, So-ya recalled something she had tried so hard to forget.
Today was Lady Lili’s ninth birthday.
Today, when she had been locked in a storage room without dinner.
Today, when no one had wished her a happy birthday.
Today—forgotten even by herself—
…was also her birthday.
