Chapter 04
Lili sat in front of a large mirror, getting ready.
The entire mansion was bustling because of the prince’s visit.
“The Fifth Prince is the only legitimate imperial heir of Taehwa Kingdom.”
“They say his health is a bit weak, but no one can match his bloodline or appearance.”
“Do you think it’s true he came for an engagement with our young lady?”
“Maybe our Lady Lili will become the bride of the Golden Dragon.”
“That’s right! She’s the only true daughter among the Four Divine Beast families!”
“And the prince is only two years older than her, so they’re close in age…”
The maids helping Lili were more excited than anyone else, chatting nonstop.
Soya stood quietly in a corner, unable to join their conversation.
The maids pitied Lili—and hated Soya.
Especially when Lili, not knowing the truth, treated Soya kindly,
They resented her even more and bullied her.
They would lock her in dark storage rooms and starve her.
force her to do impossible tasks,
or pinch and hurt her where no one could see.
“A bride of the Golden Dragon? That’s too much for me.”
Lili blushed and waved her hands modestly.
The maids immediately protested.
“Too much? Just look at yourself in the mirror!”
“You’re like a fairy from a story!”
“The prince will fall for you at first sight!”
Soya silently agreed.
As they said, Lili looked truly beautiful after being dressed up.
Especially her brilliant red hair—
so similar to the head of the family and the young master.
“And this beautiful red hair that only the Vermilion Bird’s direct line can have!”
“It’s not a color just anyone can copy. Some foolish girls might see you and dream beyond their place.”
As they praised Lili, the maids glanced at Soya.
Soya understood immediately—
The “foolish girl” they were talking about was her.
Her face flushed red.
Fortunately, Lili didn’t seem to notice.
“Oh my, hearing all that makes me shy. What do you think, Soya?”
Lili smiled brightly and asked.
Soya flinched.
Whenever Lili paid attention to her, the maids’ gazes turned sharper.
“Answer the young lady when she asks you.”
One maid jabbed Soya hard in the side—
right where she had been bruised days ago.
Soya endured the pain and nodded.
“Y-yes… You’re very beautiful…”
She barely managed to answer under the piercing stares.
“Well, of course. Far more beautiful than your pathetic white hair.”
One maid muttered, followed by quiet laughter.
“Don’t say that. It’s not like Soya chose to be born that way.”
Lili spoke gently to stop them.
But as she looked at Soya,
There was a faint sense of superiority and satisfaction in her expression.
“Today, Soya, you will attend me.”
Lili stood up and said it.
“Pardon? B-but I…”
Soya hesitated.
Today was an important day with an important guest.
And her appearance was clearly not suitable to stand before such a guest.
Even so, Lili grabbed her wrist and smiled brightly.
“You’re the one I cherish most.”
Sharp, jealous gazes pierced into Soya.
Humming happily, Lili walked ahead.
Soya lowered her head and followed, unsure of what to do.
She had wanted to avoid being seen by her father and brother—
But she could not disobey the young lady.
The entire household had gathered at the entrance to welcome the prince.
“Father! Brother!”
“Lili, you’re here.”
“Lili!”
Hwa-yu opened his arms, and Lili ran into them.
“Our Lili looks even prettier today. Did you dress up because the prince is coming?”
“Oh please, I’m always pretty.”
She pouted slightly, and he laughed warmly.
“Yes, yes. I know that best.”
“What about the prince?”
“He’ll arrive soon. Let’s wait together.”
Hwa-yu led Lili to stand beside their father.
Soya quietly moved to the very end of the line of servants.
At last, the prince’s carriage arrived.
The door opened.
and a boy about Soya’s age stepped out, supported by a guard.
The first thing Soya noticed—
was his platinum-blond hair, shining like threads of gold in the breeze.
Her gaze followed it—
And at that moment, the prince turned his head toward her.
His teal-green eyes, like fresh greenery, met hers.
Their gazes intertwined gently in the air.
Ah…
Soya’s small lips parted slightly.
Without realizing it, she stared at him.
She had never seen anyone more beautiful than her father.
It seemed everyone else felt the same—
just as they stood there in awe—
“Hello, Your Highness. Welcome to the land of the Vermilion Bird. My name is Lili.”
Lili’s cheerful voice broke the moment.
Soya snapped back to reality and quickly lowered her head.
Her heart pounded.
I looked directly at the prince…
“You must be tired from your journey, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while, Head of the Jeok family.”
Though only eleven, the prince spoke calmly and confidently to the much older Jeok A-yun.
Soya admired him inwardly.
But strangely—
She felt his gaze lingering on her.
She couldn’t lift her head again and could only stare at her feet.
* * *
That night, it was already dark.
Because of the maids’ bullying, Soya could only return to her quarters very late.
She hadn’t eaten dinner properly
and had been locked in a storage room for nearly two hours.
But she didn’t cry.
She was used to it.
Thankfully, the mansion was brightly lit because of the prince’s visit.
That’s a relief… I’m a little scared of the dark.
As she hurried along—
She heard a rustling sound.
Turning her head—
She froze.
Under the moonlight stood a boy with shining platinum hair.
quietly looking at her.
“Y-Your Highness.”
Soya quickly bowed.
But the prince did not answer.
Instead, he looked at her face for a long moment.
Then—
“As I thought.”
He stepped closer.
“It really is you, Soya.”
Soya froze in shock when he said her name.
“You don’t remember me.”
The prince gave a faint, bitter smile and took out a small ornament with a red jewel.
“Three years ago. At the imperial palace. During San-yu’s departure ceremony.”
Soya’s eyes widened.
“Even if I return this… do you still not remember?”
He gently took her hand and placed the ornament in her palm.
“This ornament was left to Soya by her late mother.”
A forgotten memory surfaced in her mind.
There was a time when Soya, like Lili, used to act spoiled with her family.
Three years ago—
when she insisted on going to the palace to see her eldest brother off—
She met a young noble boy in the garden, grieving his mother.
“Whenever I miss my mother, I look at this and feel better. I’ll give it to you, brother. I hope it comforts you too.”
“But Soya… This is your mother’s keepsake. I can’t take something so precious…”
The boy had shaken his head.
But Soya had smiled brightly and said—
“Then you can return it to me later.”
“…Ah.”
“When you’re not sad anymore, come return it, okay?”
“…Okay. I promise.”
The boy had covered his face with a cloth due to his weak health.
“Then it’s a promise, Lim oppa.”
That was why she hadn’t known—
that kind boy—
was the only legitimate prince of the empire.
“I came to keep that promise.”
“Lim… oppa…?”
When Soya remembered his name,
Prince Tae I-rim smiled brightly.
“I was worried I might be too late. I’m glad I could tell you this before the day ends.”
He gently patted her head.
“Happy birthday, Soya.”
At that moment—
Soya remembered something she had tried to forget.
Today—
Lili’s ninth birthday.
One day, Soya was locked in a storage room and went hungry.
The day no one wished her well.
The day even she herself had forgotten—
…was her birthday too.
