Chapter : 4
Liri was sitting in front of a large mirror, finishing her preparations.
The entire mansion was buzzing with excitement because of the prince’s visit.
“If it’s His Highness the Fifth Prince, he’s the only legitimate heir of the Taihwa Kingdom.”
“Though he’s a bit frail, no one can match him in lineage or appearance.”
“Do you think it’s true that he’s visiting to get engaged to the young lady?”
“Perhaps our Liri will become the bride of the Golden Dragon.”
“That’s right! Liri is the only legitimate daughter of one of the Four Great Divine Beasts!”
“And since His Highness the Prince is two years older than our young lady, their ages are quite compatible…”
The ladies-in-waiting helping Liri were even more excited than she was, chattering nonstop.
Soya, on the other hand, stayed in one corner, silently listening without joining their conversation.
The ladies-in-waiting disliked Soya as much as they felt pity for Liri.
Especially when Liri doted on Soya, unaware that Soya was the one who had taken the wronged place in the family’s eyes, the ladies-in-waiting would grow jealous and torment Soya.
They might lock her in a dark storage room and let her starve, force her to do tasks she couldn’t manage alone, or pinch and scratch her in places that wouldn’t be seen—things like that.
“Becoming the Golden Dragon’s bride… That’s far too much for me.”
Liri waved her hands, blushing, but the ladies-in-waiting, offended by her humility, raised their voices even higher.
“Too much? Look at her face! She’s stunning!”
“Just like a fairy from the old stories!”
“Even His Highness the Prince would fall for our young lady at first sight!”
Soya silently agreed with their words.
Indeed, as the ladies-in-waiting said, Liri looked exceptionally beautiful after finishing her preparations.
Her fiery red hair, reminiscent of her family’s head and master, shone brilliantly…
“And just look at this gorgeous red hair, a trait only the direct line of the Phoenix family can have! It’s not a color anyone can possess.”
“Exactly. No matter how you try, you can’t replicate it. I sometimes worry that foolish children might see our young lady and dream beyond their station.”
The ladies-in-waiting praised Liri’s hair while sneaking glances at Soya.
Soya knew that the “foolish children” they referred to meant her and her face burned red.
Fortunately, it seemed Liri hadn’t noticed…
“Oh my, all these compliments are making me embarrassed. What do you think, Soya?”
Liri asked with a bright smile, and Soya flinched.
Every time Liri paid attention to Soya, the ladies-in-waiting gave her sharp, jealous looks.
“Well? The young lady is asking, aren’t you going to answer?”
One of the ladies-in-waiting jabbed Soya sharply in the side.
It was the same spot that had bruised a few days ago from their pinching.
Soya gritted her teeth and nodded, enduring the sting.
“Y-Yes… You’re beautiful. Truly…”
Amid their piercing gazes, she barely managed to reply.
“Of course! Compared to your plain white hair, there’s no contest.”
A laugh followed the cruel remark, and the ladies-in-waiting snickered.
“You shouldn’t say that, everyone. Soya didn’t choose to be born this way.”
Liri’s gentle voice scolded the ladies-in-waiting.
At the same time, a faint look of superiority and satisfaction appeared on her face as she looked at Soya.
“Today, Soya, you will attend to me.”
Liri rose and said to Soya.
“H-How? But I…”
Soya stammered, embarrassed.
Today, an extremely important guest was visiting.
And no matter how you looked at her, Soya’s appearance was not fit to face such a guest.
Liri, knowing this, still tugged Soya’s wrist and smiled brightly.
“You are my dearest companion.”
Sharp, envious glares were now directed at Soya.
Humming a cheerful tune, Liri walked ahead.
Soya, with her head lowered, followed helplessly.
She wanted to stay unnoticed by her father and elder brother, but she couldn’t disobey her young lady.
The mansion’s front yard was already crowded with the Phoenix family retainers and servants, along with the head of the family, Jeok A-yun, waiting for the prince’s arrival.
“Father! Elder brother!”
“Liri, you’re here.”
“Liri!”
Jeok Hwa-yu spread his arms wide, and Liri slipped into his embrace.
“Our Liri looks even prettier than usual today. Maybe she was careful because His Highness the Prince is visiting.”
“Oh, Liri has always been pretty.”
Jeok Hwa-yu gently soothed Liri, who pouted slightly, and smiled kindly.
“Yes, yes. I know better than anyone that our Liri is beautiful.”
“What about His Highness the Prince?”
“He’ll be arriving soon. Let’s wait together, yes?”
Jeok Hwa-yu stood with Liri beside her father, Jeok A-yun.
Soya quietly followed and stood at the far end of the line of servants.
Finally, the prince’s palanquin arrived.
The doors opened, and a boy around Soya’s age stepped out, holding the hand of a guard.
The first thing that caught her eye was his platinum hair flowing with the gentle breeze.
Soya’s gaze followed the golden threads that shimmered like sunlight.
At that moment, the prince turned his head toward Soya.
His turquoise eyes, like fresh greenery, met hers.
Their eyes softly connected in the air.
“Ah…”
Soya’s small, cherry-like lips parted slightly.
She found herself staring at him in a daze.
He was more beautiful than anyone she had ever seen, even more than her father.
And it wasn’t just her—everyone seemed entranced by the young prince.
“Greetings, Your Highness. Welcome to the Phoenix lands. I am Liri.”
Liri’s sweet, playful voice broke Soya out of her daze.
She quickly lowered her head.
Thump, thump, thump…
Her heart pounded at the thought that she had dared to look directly at the prince.
“Thank you for coming such a long way, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while, Jeok A-yun.”
The eleven-year-old prince faced the much taller Jeok A-yun without any sign of intimidation.
His dignity and grace silently impressed Soya.
Yet, strangely, she felt the prince’s gaze constantly on her, and she dared not lift her head, staring instead at her own feet.
Night fell quietly.
Soya was able to return to her quarters only late at night due to the ladies-in-waiting’s torment.
She hadn’t had a proper dinner and had been confined to the kitchen storage for almost an hour, but it was a familiar kind of hardship, so she didn’t cry.
Thankfully, thanks to the prince’s visit, lights were on throughout the mansion, so it wasn’t completely dark.
“Good… It’s lucky it’s not dark. Darkness scares me a bit.”
She quickened her pace toward her quarters.
A rustling sound made her glance up, and she froze in surprise.
Under the moonlight, a boy with platinum hair was looking at her silently.
“Y-Your Highness…”
Soya quickly bowed.
The prince didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he quietly studied her face for a long moment, then…
“Ah… so it is you.”
He stepped closer, speaking her name.
Soya froze, startled at the sound of it.
“You don’t remember me, do you?”
The prince smiled bitterly and pulled out a norigae with a red gem from his clothes.
“Three years ago. At Lord Sanyu’s departure ceremony. At the royal palace.”
Soya’s eyes widened.
“Even if I return this, will you still not remember me?”
Gently, he took her hand and placed the norigae into her palm.
This norigae was left to Soya by her late mother.
A long-forgotten memory resurfaced in Soya’s mind.
There had been a time when she, like Liri, had been stubborn and clingy with her family.
Three years ago, she had begged to see her elder brother off on his first expedition and gone to the royal palace.
There, in the palace garden, she had met a young lord grieving her mother’s death.
“Soya would look at this for comfort whenever she missed her mother. Now, I will give it to my elder brother. I hope he finds comfort in it too.”
“But Soya, this is your mother’s treasure. I can’t accept something so precious…”
The young lord had refused to take it, and Soya had smiled brightly.
“I can bring it back later, can’t I?”
“…Ah…”
“When the sadness is gone, I’ll come back to return it, okay?”
“…Yes. I promise. I’ll definitely come back.”
The frail young lord had covered his face with a handkerchief.
“Then it’s a promise, Elder Brother Lim.”
She hadn’t realized it then.
That kind, gentle young lord was the only legitimate prince of the Taihwa Kingdom.
“I’ve come to keep the promise I made to you.”
“Lim… Elder Brother…?”
Soya remembered his name, and Prince Taeirim smiled brightly.
“I was worried I might be late, but luckily I can deliver these words before the day ends.”
He gently patted Soya’s head, smiling radiantly.
“Happy birthday, Soya.”
At that moment, Soya remembered a fact she had tried hard to forget.
Today, Liri’s ninth birthday…
Today, when she had been tormented by the ladies-in-waiting and couldn’t even have dinner…
Today, when no one had congratulated her…
Today, which even she had forgotten…
…was also her own birthday.
