TWTCB 10

Chapter 10

The other maids who served Lady Lili often told So-ya the same thing.

No one would ever want to be friends with a shabby, ugly little bird like her.

She should always be grateful to Lady Lili for taking care of someone as worthless as her.

So-ya used to agree with them.

She had no beautiful feathers, nor was she cute. She was a sinner who had stolen the lady’s rightful place.

“Goodness, why would our young lady think that? You’re so adorable.”

At that moment, Yeonjeong chuckled while tying a pretty ribbon into So-ya’s hair.

I’m cute?

That was a word meant for pretty girls like Lady Lili…

“Look at this, young lady.”

Sanho held up a mirror in front of her.

“Wow…”

So-ya’s eyes widened as she looked at her reflection.

“Ta-da! Yeonjeong’s special dumpling hairstyle!”

Yeonjeong pointed proudly at the two round buns in So-ya’s hair.

But what surprised So-ya wasn’t just the hairstyle.

Her hair, which used to be rough and straw-like from never being properly cared for, now shone softly and smoothly. Her face was still a little pale, but there was a faint hint of life in it.

On top of that, her clean clothes gave off a pleasant scent.

So-ya even lifted her sleeve and sniffed quietly. A warm fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose. Her heart started beating faster.

“How is it? Cute, right?”

“Y-yes…!”

For some reason, her throat felt hot, so she nodded quickly.

“See? You’re so cute that even the youngest young master can’t help circling around you.”

“….”

She still couldn’t agree that the young master wanted to be friends with her.

But how does this mansion, filled only with young masters, have clothes that fit me and such a pretty room?

A small question formed in her mind, but she quickly pushed it away.

“Um… could I go thank Lord Sa-eon?”

So-ya thought of Sa-eon—the man who had appeared in a dangerous moment, saved her from assassins, and brought her here saying he would “steal” her.

Even while she was feverish and half-conscious, she still remembered his calm but warm voice and his strong, comforting arms.

Stay here for a while.

She hoped that “a while” would last longer.

Because… being held in a strong adult’s arms after so long had felt so warm and safe.

* * *

With the help of Yeonjeong and Sanho, So-ya arrived in front of Sa-eon’s office.

“Oh my, isn’t this our cotton ball young lady?”

A handsome man with reddish-brown hair standing outside the office smiled when he saw her.

“Y-yes…”

So-ya blushed slightly and thought,

Why does everyone call me cotton ball? I’m not a cotton ball… I’m So-ya.

“I came to thank Lord Sa-eon… for saving me.”

She fiddled nervously with her hands.

“I’ll inform the lord. Please wait a moment.”

Through a slightly open door, she could see Sa-eon gently patting the head of a small boy who resembled him.

The well-mannered young master with white hair tied neatly back was Baek Gahyeon, the second son of the White Tiger family.

Gahyeon looked at his father with admiration and pride.

So-ya glanced at Sa-eon’s large hand resting on Gahyeon’s head.

“Lord Head of House. The cotton ball young lady is here to see you.”

At those words, both Sa-eon and Gahyeon turned toward the door.

“She says she wants to thank you, my lord.”

At So-ya’s appearance, Gahyeon’s expression stiffened slightly.

So-ya flinched and shrank her shoulders.

She was used to reading sharp, judgmental gazes.

Even so, she ignored it and walked forward, bowing deeply.

“Thank you so much for saving me, treating me, and giving me a warm room and clean clothes.”

Her voice was timid, but her manners were surprisingly proper.

Sa-eon immediately noticed it.

A child who has been trained in etiquette.

“How is your body?”

“I’m fine now. The fever is gone, and my throat doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Good. You look much better when you’re not sick.”

Sa-eon smiled faintly while looking her over.

“Perfect timing. Gahyeon, show So-ya around the White Tiger Palace.”

“Me?”

Gahyeon looked surprised.

He had already disliked So-ya from the start.

She ate peaches even though she knew they would make her sick.

He despised foolish children who couldn’t even express themselves properly.

He also disliked that such a girl had been brought into his father’s arms and given the western end room.

And he had been irritated by his interrupted time with his father earlier.

But he could not disobey his father.

So Gahyeon nodded.

“I understand, Father.”

He extended his hand to So-ya.

“Hello, So-ya. Would you like to tour the mansion with me?”

“Ah… yes…”

So-ya cautiously took his hand.

Sa-eon watched the two children leave together and let out a small laugh.

* * *

Gahyeon glanced down at the girl holding his hand and trotting behind him.

Her hand is so small.

Even his younger brother Garyul wasn’t this small.

And her legs are so short.

She hurried to keep up with his pace, her tiny feet moving quickly.

It looked somewhat pitiful.

What is Father thinking?

The western end room—

That room had been prepared for adopting a girl from a branch family.

It was meant for candidates of the “Bride of the Yellow Dragon.”

The consort of the Emperor—the Yellow Dragon.

It was not merely an empress, but a position equal to the Emperor, someone who helped maintain the empire and could even act in his place if necessary.

Traditionally, one of the Four Divine Beast families produced the Yellow Dragon’s bride.

But if a direct daughter did not exist, a child from a branch family would be adopted and presented as a candidate.

Since the White Tiger family had no daughters in this generation, they had planned to adopt one from a branch family.

Already, girls from branch families had begun arriving with their parents, trying to leave an impression on Sa-eon.

Yet this unknown girl had taken that room.

Gahyeon could not help but worry.

Not only that, but his father had even assigned the Red Fox and Indigo Wolf families to her.

The Red Fox and Indigo Wolf had long served the White Tiger main line.

Sanho of the Indigo Wolf family was the leader of all wolves in the western lands, once serving directly under Sa-eon.

Yeonjeong of the Red Fox family was the sister of Sa-eon’s aide and managed the household affairs of the White Tiger Palace.

Even if temporary, it was far too much attention.

Surely Father wouldn’t actually make her a branch candidate instead…?

That must not happen.

She had no right to represent the family.

And she wasn’t even a tiger.

She looked small and white…

A cat? No, too gentle for a cat…

Maybe a rabbit? She looked like she would survive on grass…

Anyway, that’s not the point.

What mattered was that she should not remain in the western room.

Of course, Father Sa-eon would handle things properly.

Gahyeon, who respected his father more than anyone, quickly dismissed his doubts.

Doubting his father was not right.

“Here is the garden. The flowers are beautiful, aren’t they?”

Although his voice was gentle as he introduced the mansion, his eyes were filled with annoyance.

He had already decided there was no need to properly guide a child who would leave soon.

So even while So-ya struggled to keep up with her short legs, Gahyeon did not slow down, nor did he bother to explain in detail.