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Chapter 39
Soya looked out the window and found the change she had discovered fascinating.
Over just one night, the world had become more beautiful.
And Soya knew why her world had changed like this.
[No one has the right to hurt you, and that is not something that should ever be justified.]
[You did nothing wrong. It’s not you who is wrong—it’s them.]
It was the first time anyone had ever said that to her.
Not her father, not her brother Hwayu—everyone had hated her, saying it was all her fault.
In truth… whenever she saw people who hated her, she had always felt unbearably sad and hurt.
Every single day, she wanted to crawl into her blankets and cry out loud.
But people said she didn’t even have the right to be sad, so she endured it.
Yet now… she was being told that it wasn’t her fault.
It felt like the world she had believed in until now was shaking, collapsing, and being rebuilt anew.
From yesterday onward, Soya felt that something inside her had changed greatly.
Before, when she thought of those who hated her, she only felt sadness and hurt.
Now, she felt wronged—and even a little angry.
These emotions were still unfamiliar to her, and she worried she might be heading in the wrong direction, but…
‘Sa-eon said so. That he would show me the right world.’
Soya believed him. If she stayed with Sa-eon, she could walk the right path.
Because he was a firm and strong adult.
Unlike her father…
‘Ah… then does that mean Sa-eon is my father now…?’
As she thought of Jeok A-yoon, Soya suddenly realized a new truth.
He was no longer her father.
The adult with the broad, warm back—the one who said he would show her the right world—he would become her father.
‘I’m… Sa-eon’s daughter…’
Soya repeated that fact quietly in her heart.
It felt like too much happiness for her, and she worried.
Was it really okay for her to receive so much?
‘I want to repay this kindness to Sa-eon and the young masters too.’
The news that Sa-eon had decided to officially register Soya as the youngest daughter of the family spread throughout Baekho Palace in an instant.
Sanho came with joyful news.
“Miss! I’ve officially been assigned as your guard!”
Sanho, who was also the head of the Indigo Wolf Clan, had been temporarily guarding Soya until now.
“Now I don’t have to follow the head of the family when he goes out, and I won’t get dragged into annoying tasks anymore. From now on, I’ll stay right by your side!”
She had been worried ever since Soya was left alone in the mountains while Sa-eon had gone out.
“Really, Sanho-nim?”
“Yes, really!”
As Soya beamed with happiness, Yeonjeong chuckled softly and added even more good news.
“After the Mountain Spirit Festival ends, the head of the family will assign good teachers for you as well, Miss.”
“Wow…!”
Soya’s cheeks flushed pink as her eyes sparkled.
“Ahh, what should we do, little fluff… that’s so unfortunate. You’ll have to study.”
Gayuul, who had come to Soya’s room first thing in the morning and refused to leave, looked at her with genuine pity.
His expression was completely serious.
“Studying is only painful for dumb tigers like you.”
Right then, Gahyeon, who had finished his morning lessons and come to see Soya, scolded Gayuul with a look of disdain.
But when he turned to Soya, his expression softened completely, becoming gentle and warm.
“Soya, if studying ever gets hard or confusing, ask your brother anything. I’ll teach you everything.”
Gahyeon deliberately emphasized the word brother.
“Yes, young ma—…brother!”
Soya, who had almost called him “young master,” hurriedly corrected herself.
Because of that, instead of orabeoni (older brother), she ended up saying dorabeoni.
Gahyeon laughed softly and corrected her.
“Not dorabeoni—orabeoni. Try saying it again, Soya.”
“…Yes, brother.”
Her voice carried a hint of shyness.
Just yesterday morning—and even the day before, when she had been carried down the mountain on his back—she had called him brother.
But calling him that now felt different.
‘Are we really family now?’
It still felt unreal.
“Me too! I’m your brother now too, little fluff! Hurry and call me brother!”
“Yes, Yul-i brother.”
“…!”
When Soya said it with a small giggle, Gayuul’s eyes widened in shock.
He hadn’t expected her to call him that so easily.
It was the first time he had ever been called “brother,” and it made his heart feel strangely ticklish.
‘Me… her brother? It feels like I have something I need to protect now.’
While Gayuul stood there blankly, Gahyeon reached out his hand to Soya.
“Soya, want to go greet Father together?”
“Yes!”
At the mention of going to see Sa-eon, Soya’s face lit up brightly.
“Me too!”
Gayuul quickly snapped out of it and followed along.
Just as Soya stepped into the corridor, holding both brothers’ hands—
“Soya!!!!”
With loud pounding footsteps, Arang came running from afar.
“A-Ah, Lady Arang…!”
“Is it true? Did you really decide to live in Baekho Palace?”
“Yes, that’s what hap—”
“I don’t like it!”
Arang grabbed the hem of Soya’s skirt and burst into tears.
“You promised you’d come with me to the Galho Clan! You promised me!”
“My lady…”
A servant from the Galho Clan tried to calm Arang, but it was no use.
“Soya said she’d be my little sister! Not that stupid white-haired tiger’s sister—mine!”
“How can she be your little sister? Little fluff is already nine.”
Gayuul scoffed.
“What?”
Arang froze, then sprang to her feet.
“She’s nine?”
Arang was nine too.
“When’s your birthday?!”
“In summer.”
“…!”
At Soya’s simple answer, Arang’s mouth fell open.
Her own birthday was in autumn!
“N-no way! Soya… Soya is older than me?!”
Unable to accept that Soya had been born an entire season earlier, Arang began denying reality.
“That can’t be! This must be a dream!”
“Hah! Call her ‘big sister’ and call me ‘big brother,’ brown tiger!”
“What? You wanna fight?!”
Watching Gayuul and Arang bicker again, Gahyeon shook his head.
“Nine or ten—it’s all the same.”
Gahyeon himself was eleven.
Though he personally believed he was worlds apart from these younger, not-yet-grown tiger children.
Soya, the two Baekho tiger young masters, and even Arang—together, the four children went to greet Sa-eon.
Sa-eon watched their retreating backs with a pleased smile.
“So this is what it feels like to have a daughter.”
Gahyeon was one thing, but Gayuul coming to greet him at this hour—
And even holding hands so nicely together.
“Yes… it really is different when you have a daughter.”
Sa-eon was smiling to himself when he suddenly turned his head.
His gaze slid toward Jeokyeong with faint pity.
“That’s unfortunate, Jeokyeong. You don’t even have a daughter.”
“I haven’t even gotten married yet. Thanks to someone, I’m busy working every single day.”
Jeokyeong pouted in complaint.
“How is it my fault you’re not married? That’s just because you lack ability.”
Jeokyeong’s eyebrow twitched.
He clenched his teeth and forced a smile.
“But Head of the Family… calling her your daughter might be a bit much. That little fluff still seems uncomfortable around you.”
“Who says that? She’s uncomfortable around me?”
Sa-eon bristled at the provocation.
“Just now. She called you ‘Sa-eon-nim’ instead of ‘Father’ or ‘Dad.’ Doesn’t that mean she’s uncomfortable?”
