TWTCB 20

Chapter 20

So-ya was in the garden, choosing pretty stones.

This whole situation had begun when San-ho, upon hearing that So-ya had promised to make protective charms for Yeon-jeong and Jeok-yeong, began pleading for one as well.

[Don’t worry, San-ho-nim. I’ll make one for you too! I want to make lots and lots of charms and protect everyone!]

When So-ya said that while clenching both fists determinedly, San-ho chuckled and made a suggestion.

[Then, young lady, shall we play a game of finding pretty stones?]

[Finding pretty stones?]

[Yes. It’s a game where the person who finds the prettiest stone wins. And the winner gets to keep all three stones—from the other two people as well. How about that?]

[……!]

The word “game” made her cheeks flush red and her heart pound, just like when they had played ball yesterday.

Something as ordinary as walking around the garden and picking stones suddenly felt like the most exciting game in the world.

And if I win, I get all the pretty stones!

A childlike competitive spirit burst within her.

[Th-then let’s start quickly! I’ll go over there!]

So-ya shouted with a flushed face.

Anyone could see how excited she was, and Yeon-jeong and San-ho burst into laughter.

And so the game began.

If I find the prettiest stone, I can make three charms using mine, Yeon-jeong-nim’s, and San-ho-nim’s stones. Then I can protect three people.

So-ya looked seriously at a stone she had just picked up from the grass.

This one has a slightly pointy edge.

At first glance, it was round and smooth, but it wasn’t quite perfect enough to be the “prettiest stone.”

Most importantly, if it was sharp, the person receiving it might get hurt.

Just then, the sound of calm footsteps approached.

When she turned her head unconsciously, she saw Gahyeon walking toward her.

“Ah…!”

So-ya quickly stood up, still holding the stone.

“Hello, young master.”

Gahyeon paused for a moment, then smiled gently and returned the greeting.

“Hello, So-ya. You were playing in the garden?”

“Yes. Um… by the way, about last night…”

She had been about to ask, full of anticipation, whether the little young master had also experienced the charm’s effect like Sa-eon had.

But—

“So-ya, about last night, you left a strange stone in my room. Why did you play such a prank?”

Gahyeon cut her off smoothly.

“Ah, that’s not just a stone—!”

“You brought trash from the garden and secretly left it in my room. That kind of prank is a bit troubling. It’s unfair to the people who clean the room as well.”

At that, So-ya froze and looked up at his face.

His elegantly curved eyes were smiling gently—but they somehow felt cold.

“And please don’t enter my room without permission in the future. It’s uncomfortable. You’re not even a member of the White Tiger Palace.”

Gahyeon sighed softly as he said it, his tone polite but reprimanding.

So-ya’s bright, sparkling eyes from moments ago slowly drooped.

Of course, So-ya had not entered his room on her own.

She had gone with Yeon-jeong, and after meeting Jeok-ho outside the corridor, he had suggested they personally place it by the young master’s bedside. So they had carefully gone in and left it.

But since they hadn’t had the owner’s permission, So-ya thought his words were still correct.

But it wasn’t trash… it was a charm. To the young master, it must have looked like that.

That thought stung a little, but she quietly apologized.

“I’m sorry, young master.”

“….”

Gahyeon closed his mouth.

He already knew from Jeok-ho that she hadn’t actually broken in.

And yet he had spoken like this on purpose—to draw a line.

To say that he did not accept her staying here.

That she could never belong to the White Tiger Palace.

That she should leave quickly if she had any sense.

But So-ya did not argue. She did not defend herself. She didn’t even look hurt.

She simply apologized.

For some reason, Gahyeon felt a heavy weight press down on his chest.

Then his gaze fell to her fingertips.

She was tightly holding a small, round stone—just like herself.

When he saw the dirt smeared on her small hands from picking stones, he suddenly felt uneasy, and quickly turned away.

But even after returning to his room, the image of those drooping pinkish-red eyes kept coming back to him.

That child had carelessly entered his room and left something useless there… and had even taken over the western corner room without knowing her place.

So why do I feel so uncomfortable and guilty?

It was irritating.

It must be because of those drooping eyes.

Those large pink eyes that kept lingering in his mind.

Maybe I should have just told her what she wanted to hear.

That the charm let him sleep peacefully.

If he had said that, would those round eyes have stayed bright instead of drooping?

She didn’t realize I dislike her, did she?

He had deliberately drawn a line, saying she was not part of the White Tiger Palace—but now he found himself worrying that she might have noticed his intention.

Unable to sit still, Gahyeon paced around the room.

Then he suddenly stopped.

He walked over to a jar used for trash.

The servants hadn’t cleaned it yet, so it was half full.

He lifted it and tipped it over.

Crash—

Amid the scattered objects, a single stone rolled out.

Gahyeon quickly picked it up and brushed off the dirt clinging to it.

This was something completely unlike him—someone usually obsessed with cleanliness.

This spot should be good for driving away ghosts.

He placed So-ya’s stone on the bedside table.

Seeing it finally in place made him feel slightly better.

But then his expression stiffened.

But if I leave it here, she won’t see it.

After a moment of hesitation, he walked to the window and opened it.

He placed the stone on the windowsill so that anyone passing through the garden could see it.

Because the cotton-ball liked the garden.

Meanwhile…

After Gahyeon left, So-ya felt guilty.

She had only meant to protect him from ghosts, but instead it seemed she had caused trouble.

He looked really upset because of me.

And yet, he hadn’t gotten angry. He had spoken gently.

The little young master is really kind.

So-ya, used to being scolded by others, thought this sincerely as she stared at the stone in her hand.

Still, she felt she should make him something better than a stone.

But I don’t have anything better than stones… what should I do?

Everything in her room belonged to the Clan Head. Even her clothes and ornaments.

She thought she shouldn’t touch them carelessly, since she didn’t know how long this “temporary stay” would last.

Then her thoughts drifted to the tiger plush she had received that morning.

It was the best thing she owned.

But that was a gift from Sa-eon-nim…

She fidgeted her fingers in worry.

Giving that to the young master would be disrespecting Sa-eon-nim’s feelings.

But she had nothing better.

So-ya didn’t realize this, but whenever she fidgeted her fingers like that, it meant she was deep in serious thought.

Just then, she saw a palanquin approaching in the distance.

Huh?

Her head turned toward it instinctively.

The palanquin stopped in front of the main building, and a young lady about her age stepped down.

Who is she?

So-ya tilted her head, watching the girl who had just arrived.