Episode 9

Soha couldn’t take her eyes off the clothes Rangi had dressed her in.

The pale sky-blue silk shimmered faintly under the light. Over it lay a thin veil of white gauze, flowing softly as though clouds drifted across the heavens.

The fabric brushed against her skin with such softness it almost tickled.

I’ve never seen anything like this back at Seokhwajeon.

In Seokhwajeon, where the Hyeonmu clan lived, the weather was always harsh and cold. People preferred thick garments suited for warmth. No matter how wealthy the nobles were, they would never flaunt themselves in such thin silk robes.

When Soha kept touching the fabric absentmindedly, unable to look away, Rangi chuckled and said:

“Did you know, young lady? Strangely enough, very few girls are ever born into the Geum family. People joke that it’s because their fire energy is so strong. Isn’t it curious?”

Soha nodded.

“Because of that, Lady Cheon rarely gets the chance to dress up a young girl. That’s why she was so delighted to prepare these clothes for you. You should’ve seen how excited she looked!”

Soha realized then that this beautiful outfit had been prepared especially for her by Ihwan’s mother, Cheon Unseon.

The thought made her happy… but also strangely burdened.

“A pretty hairpiece would go well with it, but heavy ones might strain you. I’ll tie your hair with a ribbon of the same color instead.”

“Yes.”

Soha entrusted everything to Rangi.

Rangi combed through the top half of her hair and gathered it neatly in one hand.

“Your hair is quite damaged… but don’t worry. With special camellia oil, I can make it as soft as seaweed in just three days!”

“Yes.”

Soha smiled. Not because she was eagerly looking forward to silky hair, but simply because Rangi’s determination over something as small as hair texture was adorable.

When Soha smiled with her teeth showing, Rangi froze.

“Oh my… young lady…”

“Yes?”

“You look so cute when you smile.”

For a moment, Rangi forgot she was in the middle of tying her hair. She just stared at Soha’s reflection in the mirror.

Soha awkwardly scratched her cheek, not knowing how to respond to such embarrassing praise.

“Ah! Look at me. I’ll finish tying your hair and then fetch a shawl for you.”

Rangi’s eyes sparkled with determination. She wanted to show this shy girl the beauty of Huacheon Palace — no, of all the Suzaku lands.

Just imagining Soha’s delighted reactions to new sights made her heart race. She even wished she could capture those moments in a painting.

When the dressing was finished, Soha looked every bit as graceful as any noble’s daughter.

Her pale complexion and rough hair were easily overshadowed by her bright, lively eyes.

Rangi thought: With such a strong spirit shining in her eyes, she’ll surely recover quickly.

“Let’s go, young lady.”

Rangi took her hand and led her forward.

Soha’s heart raced. Though it was only a walk in the garden, it felt like setting out on an adventure.

“Are you Lady Yeon Soha?”

Soha turned toward the boy who had spoken.

He wore a jade-green robe, his appearance polished and impeccable, radiating refined elegance — neither excessive nor lacking.

The golden hair, just like the clan head’s and Ihwan’s, gave her a strange sense of relief.

When she nodded cautiously, the boy smiled gently and offered his hand.

“I hear your health is not yet fully restored. Allow me to support you.”

This was Geum Jisong, the eldest son of Geum Huicheon — the younger brother of the clan head Geum Heemun.

Rangi introduced him softly to Soha:

“This is Young Master Geum Jisong, son of Lord Huicheon. He’s Master Ihwan’s cousin. His younger brother, Young Master Hyunsong, also lives in Huacheon Palace, but since he’s as mischievous as Master Ihwan, Madam must not have called him here.”

“As mischievous?” Soha asked.

“Exactly,” Rangi whispered.

But before she could say more, Ihwan appeared.

“Mischievous? Who are you talking about?”

He wore robes lavishly embroidered with golden phoenixes, shining so brilliantly Rangi wondered if some important ceremony was happening today.

“Speak of the tiger, and he appears…”

Soha had to stifle a laugh at Rangi’s words. She could already imagine what sort of “mischief” Ihwan got into — sneaking into the frozen north, fighting off spirits, and returning cursed. What else could be expected?

Ihwan coughed theatrically.

“Of course I’d like to show you all of Huacheon Palace, but Mother warned me that if I set foot outside the annex, I’d be in trouble. So our walk won’t be too long.”

“What’s that in your hand?” Jisong asked, eyeing the bundle Ihwan carried.

“Snacks.”

“What, are we going on a grand journey?”

“There’s a patient with us!” Ihwan snapped, glancing quickly at Soha.

Soha tilted her head, puzzled by the way his gaze lingered.

Jisong extended his hand again.

“May I support you, Lady Soha?”

“Well…”

“Don’t just grab anyone’s hand!” Ihwan yelped. “What girl reaches out so easily to a stranger?”

Rangi retorted, “The lady has been bedridden for half a month. What if her strength fails while walking?”

Ihwan thrust his arm out stubbornly.

“Then she can hold onto my elbow.”

But seeing his sulky face, Soha lost the desire to take his arm.

Her eyes met Jisong’s instead. He silently extended his arm once more, and Soha placed her hand upon it.

“Hey!” Ihwan shouted, jumping in protest.

But by then, Soha and Jisong were already walking slowly forward.

“Better keep up, young master,” Rangi teased. “Or you’ll be left behind.”

Ihwan scrambled after them.

The small garden of Unjoru bore the mark of careful tending. Trees, flowers, even the smallest weeds were harmonized with balance. Most stunning of all were the blue hydrangeas in full bloom.

“It’s so beautiful.”

Soha couldn’t hide her wonder.

In her previous life, she had never even dreamed of flower-viewing. She had spent most of her days locked in solitary rooms or temple halls.

Now, surrounded by this vibrant, living garden, she felt as though even breathing was overwhelming.

“Let’s rest here for a while,” Jisong suggested, pointing to a pavilion tiled with blue roofs that matched the hydrangeas.

Soha gasped softly.

“Wow.”

“I should’ve brought tea,” Jisong said regretfully.

“It’s fine,” Soha replied.

“No, no. I’ll have it prepared at once. Please rest in the pavilion until then.”

He treated her with utmost courtesy, unlike with Ihwan, whom he was far more casual around. To him, Soha was a guest who deserved respect.

She sat carefully where he indicated.

“Ihwan, stay here quietly,” Jisong added.

“Don’t treat me like a child,” Ihwan grumbled, but still sat right next to Soha. The coolness of the pavilion floor was refreshing.

“I’ll be back shortly,” Jisong said, leaving to fetch tea.

The moment he left, Ihwan untied his bundle and pulled out a package wrapped in hanji.

Inside were glossy, round sweets.

“What are those?” Soha asked, staring at the delicate little things that looked almost like ornaments for young girls.

“They’re sweets filled with red bean paste. Very soft. Try one.”

He picked out one shaped like a peach and offered it to her.

She brought it to her lips, and the sweet scent rushed into her nose, almost stinging. Surprised, she bit into it.

Her eyes went wide.

“How can something taste like this?”

“Impressive, right? The chefs of Huacheon Palace are the best in all of Haeran!”

Soha nodded. She could see why Ihwan sounded so proud. Anyone who could make something this delicious deserved boasting rights.

But as the sweet melted away in her mouth, Soha just stared down at the treat in her hand.

“You’re not eating more?” Ihwan asked curiously.

“…It feels too precious to eat.”

He blinked in disbelief.

“You’ve seen the gilded pillars of this mansion, and you’re fussing over a single sweet?”

“But still…”

For some reason, it felt too precious — the fleeting sweetness on her tongue, this warm, gentle moment. She couldn’t explain it.

“Ridiculous. I’m not going to steal them. Eat as much as you want. Here, take the bundle—”

But when he turned to hand her another treat, Ihwan froze. The bundle had already been rummaged through.

“What the—?”

A twitching gray tail stuck out from beneath the pavilion.

“What’s that?”

He leapt down, grabbed the fluffy tail, and yanked.

“Yelp!”

“Ahhh!”