Chapter 08
The child looked so pale, as if she might collapse at any moment.
Sa-eon’s expression hardened slightly.
“Hey, cotton ball. Are you okay?”
At his voice, Soya snapped back to her senses and looked up.
The man who had just saved her from the assassin stood before her.
He was tall, with refined and handsome features—
But his aura felt cold and intimidating.
Completely different from her father, who always wore a gentle smile.
“Ah…”
A quiet breath escaped her lips.
For a moment, when he had stepped in front of her,
She had thought his back looked like her father’s.
Because—
To her, only her father had ever seemed that strong.
What a foolish thought.
Her father would no longer protect her.
Soya remembered his back—
as he turned away from her and went to Lili.
The warm, dependable figure she once knew—
now only left behind a cold, lonely feeling.
She swallowed her sadness and spoke.
“I’m not a cotton ball. I’m…”
She hesitated.
She used to introduce herself as Jeok Soya of the Vermilion Bird family.
But now—
She couldn’t say that anymore.
“…I’m Soya.”
“Even your name sounds like a cotton ball.”
Sa-eon smirked faintly as he looked at her small frame and round features.
But the smile quickly faded.
Was the Vermilion Bird clan targeting this child?
His eyes narrowed as he observed her.
To send an assassin after such a small girl—
and not just any assassin,
but the Samjok-o, their elite force.
Whoever gave the order was determined to kill her.
“What kind of grudge do you have with those southern firebirds?”
“…Firebirds?”
“Yes.”
Sa-eon pointed at the fallen assassin.
“That’s one of the Vermilion Bird clan’s Samjok-o.”
“Ah…”
She didn’t understand the “firebird” remark.
but she knew the Samjok-o.
They were warriors who only moved under direct orders from the Vermilion Bird’s bloodline.
Soya’s face filled with sorrow.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Then… I almost died… because of the Vermilion Bird family?”
It sounded like she already knew the answer.
and was just confirming it.
“If I hadn’t been here… probably.”
Sa-eon answered bluntly.
And then—
A tear fell.
Then another.
Soon, they poured down like rain.
Sa-eon paused and looked down at her.
Even grown adults feared death.
It wasn’t strange for a child to cry.
But this child—
hadn’t cried when she was about to die.
Yet now—
learning who had sent the assassin—
she cried silently, unable to hold it in.
Her small shoulders trembled as she tried not to make a sound.
For some reason—
It bothered him.
“…Hic… sob…”
“…”
He wasn’t good at comforting children.
His own sons rarely cried.
Even as babies, they barely cried unless they were hungry.
So this was unfamiliar.
Still—
He quietly reached out.
His rough hand gently patted her shoulder.
Her sobbing didn’t grow louder—
But her trembling became stronger.
He stayed beside her until she calmed down.
Then he spoke in a blunt but gentle tone.
“It’s too late for a little cotton ball like you to be wandering around. I’ll take you back to your family.”
Soya wiped her eyes and shook her head.
“It’s okay.”
“What, are you a runaway? Your family must be worried—”
“I don’t have one.”
Her voice was calm.
“No family.”
Sa-eon fell silent.
He looked at her carefully.
She’s definitely connected to the Vermilion Bird clan…
The prince’s strange order came back to mind.
Bring back the most valuable thing.
Originally, he had planned to steal the Vermilion Bird clan’s treasured bow.
But now—
His thoughts changed.
Suddenly—
Soya was lifted into the air.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Her tearful face made her look like a little rabbit.
“Then…”
Sa-eon grinned.
“I’ll steal you instead, cotton ball.”
“W-what…?”
Soya was so shocked her tears stopped.
Steal… her?
That word was used for something valuable.
But she—
wasn’t valuable.
She was a sinner.
“Why me…?”
“Because you’re the most interesting thing I’ve seen here.”
His tone was casual—
but not unkind.
He was curious why the Vermilion Bird clan wanted her dead.
And she had nowhere to go.
More than anything—
He couldn’t stop paying attention to her.
“Are you sure no one is waiting for you?”
He looked straight into her eyes.
“…Yes.”
She nodded.
There had once been people she called family—
But they had tried to kill her.
That was not family.
Even before that—
She had never truly belonged.
And now—
It was time to let go.
“I really don’t have a family.”
Sa-eon studied her answer—
then smirked again.
“Then… will you let me steal you?”
“……”
Her throat tightened.
Soya had always told herself she was okay.
Even if she weren’t her father’s daughter anymore.
Even if her brother looked at her with disgust.
Even if she were alone.
She had endured it all.
But—
I don’t want to die.
Death—
was different.
Too frightening.
Too sad.
She looked at him.
A man as strong as her father.
If she followed him—
She could leave this place.
Even if he looked scary.
Even if he spoke roughly.
Even if he said strange things like “stealing” her—
If I go with him… I can live.
Soya nodded.
“Yes… please take me with you.”
“Good.”
Sa-eon wiped her tear-streaked face with his fingers and grinned.
“Smart choice, cotton ball. I’m Baek Sa-eon, ruler of the West.”
“Yes, Sir Sa-eon. I’m Soya. I’m nine years old.”
She introduced herself again.
“Yeah, cotton ball.”
…Though he clearly wasn’t going to stop calling her that.
“This is mutual agreement, so don’t report me later.”
“R-report…?”
“For stealing you.”
He nodded seriously.
“It would be troublesome if rumors spread that I snuck into the Vermilion Bird territory like a thief and stole something.”
“I-I won’t! I promise!”
Soya quickly said.
No one would care if someone like her disappeared—
But she didn’t want to cause him trouble.
“And… no one will care. They might even be happy… if I disappear…”
Her voice trailed off.
Her throat tightened.
“Cotton ball?”
Noticing her condition—
Sa-eon called out.
But suddenly—
Her head dropped.
“Soya—what’s wrong—”
He reached out—
and froze.
Her body was burning hot.
Like fire.
