Chapter 06
“I’ll do anything you want. If that girl upsets you, I’ll remove her from your sight forever. So please don’t cry, Lili. It breaks my heart.”
Hwa-yu was gently comforting Lili—
and promising to get rid of Soya.
Ah…
Soya’s heart dropped.
As she stood alone in the hallway, pale-faced,
She sensed someone approaching.
It was Jeok A-yun.
His cold warning echoed again in her mind—
that he would not forgive her if Lili were hurt.
He’ll be angry. He’ll punish me for making Lili sad.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heart pounded wildly.
His cold eyes swept over her trembling body—
and then passed right by her.
He walked straight into the room.
“Lili… why are you still crying?”
“Sniff… Father…”
“I’m sorry, Lili. Don’t cry. This is all your father’s fault.”
Ah…
Soya’s strength gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
He hadn’t ignored her punishment—
It was just that comforting Lili was more important than punishing her.
Hearing her father’s gentle voice as he soothed Lili,
Soya limped away down the hallway.
Back in her room,
She cried silently.
* * *
“The young master is calling for you.”
The next day, a maid from the main house delivered the message.
Soya went to find him.
He was at the Summer Lotus Pond.
It was an artificial pond built by Jeok A-yun for his late wife—
a place only direct family members could enter.
There was a time when Soya loved this place.
A red-haired boy stood there with his hands behind his back.
“You called for me, Young Master.”
Hwa-yu slowly turned around.
“…You’re here, Soya.”
His voice was gentle.
Soya looked up at him in confusion.
He was calling her name kindly—
just like he did with Lili.
“Young Master sounds too distant. Call me ‘oppa’ like before.”
“B-but…”
“I will return your core.”
He took out a glowing white orb and handed it to her.
It was her core—
the one he had taken three years ago on their father’s orders.
Soya accepted it, stunned.
She could only blink in confusion at his sudden change.
“After what happened yesterday, I’ve been thinking a lot. I regret how I treated you all this time… leaving you alone and ignoring you.”
“……”
Silence fell between them.
Hwa-yu broke it.
“Today is the last day of the summer festival. Would you like to go see it together?”
“N-no, I couldn’t possibly…”
As Soya waved her hands in panic, he smiled gently.
“Weren’t you always curious about the summer festival?”
“…!”
Her lips froze.
He remembered…
Long ago, they had promised—
that on her sixth birthday, after her first transformation,
They would go to the festival together.
She had waited so eagerly for that day.
But instead—
Everything had fallen apart.
“There’s not much time. You should get ready.”
“……”
“I’ll see you soon.”
Watching his forced kindness,
Soya understood.
Ah… Today is the day I’m being abandoned.
Her eyes dimmed.
Just yesterday—
She had heard him promise in that same gentle voice:
“Get rid of her before the prince returns.”
“Alright.”
She could no longer trust him.
Regret? That he had neglected her?
No.
If he regretted anything—
It was not throwing her out sooner.
So this is why… they’re sending me away.
Soya looked down at the glowing orb in her hand.
For three years,
She had lived incompletely, without her core.
Now she finally understood why it had been taken.
My transformed form… disgusted them.
Taking her core had been a warning—
never to show that form again.
And now, returning it meant—
It doesn’t matter anymore… because they’ll make sure I disappear.
Her eyes filled with sadness.
She slowly closed them.
The glowing orb dissolved into her body.
Her body, once incomplete, was now whole—
but instead of feeling stronger,
She felt weak.
Her chest ached.
Her heart felt heavy.
But she had no time to linger.
Back in her room,
She took out a small wooden box she had hidden away.
It contained everything she owned.
She picked a few items—
and headed to the meeting place.
As she stepped out of the mansion,
Her feet hesitated at the gate.
After a long pause,
she finally crossed it—
and turned back.
For a moment,
She thought she met someone’s gaze from a high pavilion.
But when she blinked,
She realized it was just her imagination.
Her father stood there—
with Lili,
who was laughing brightly.
There’s no way Father would be looking at me.
Whenever he was with Lili,
He saw nothing else.
Lili, who had been crying all day yesterday,
now seemed better.
She was spinning around happily, holding his hand.
And he watched her with a warm, loving smile.
They looked like a perfect family.
So happy.
So complete.
If only I weren’t there…
Soya quietly bowed toward him.
hands neatly clasped.
A silent farewell.
Perhaps—
her last.
* * *
Soya walked through the lively streets with Hwa-yu.
She was finally seeing the summer festival she had longed for.
but instead of joy,
She felt bitter.
“This is your favorite—fruit skewers. Try one.”
Hwa-yu handed her a skewer of sugar-coated peaches.
That’s not my favorite… it’s Lili’s.
Peaches make me sick.
Soya knew—
if she said that,
This fragile moment would shatter.
Even if it was a lie,
She wanted to hold onto this brief kindness just a little longer.
So instead, she smiled.
“Thank you, Young Master.”
But when she tried to eat it, she hesitated.
Hwa-yu’s expression tightened slightly.
Soya noticed immediately.
“It’s alright if you don’t want to eat—”
“N-no!”
She quickly took a bite.
She swallowed too fast and started coughing.
While she wiped the tears from her eyes,
Hwa-yu moved to a nearby stall.
It sold small jewelry—rings and necklaces.
“I’ll take that bracelet with the red gem. It’s a gift for my sister.”
“Oh, is this little girl your sister? She’ll be very happy.”
“Ah.”
As if just remembering,
He picked up another bracelet and handed it to Soya.
“I’ll pay for this too. It’s yours, Soya.”
“……!”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Then her cheeks flushed pink.
“…Thank you, oppa.”
Even though—
It had been bought as an afterthought.
Even though—
He hadn’t even chosen it carefully.
“I’ve always wanted to come to the summer festival. Thank you for remembering… and bringing me here.”
Still—
Soya held the bracelet carefully.
and smiled brightly.
