Chapter 10
The maids who used to serve Lady Lili would always say to Soya:
No one would ever want to be friends with a shabby, useless little bird like you.
You should always be grateful to Lady Lili for taking care of someone like you.
Soya had agreed with those words.
She had no beautiful feathers.
She wasn’t cute.
And she was a sinner who had stolen the young lady’s place.
“Oh my, why would you think that? You’re so cute.”
Yeon-jeong said with a soft laugh as she tied a pretty ribbon at the end of Soya’s hair.
Cute…? Me?
That was a word meant for someone like Lady Lili.
“Look, young lady.”
San-ho held up a mirror.
“Wow…”
Soya’s eyes widened as she saw her reflection.
“Ta-da! Yeon-jeong’s special dumpling hairstyle!”
Yeon-jeong pointed proudly at the two round buns in her hair.
But that wasn’t the only thing that surprised Soya.
Her dry, messy hair—
which used to be mocked as looking like a broom—
now shone softly.
Her complexion was still a little pale.
but it looked healthier.
And her clean clothes gave off a gentle, pleasant scent.
Soya lifted her sleeve and sniffed it.
A warm fragrance filled her nose.
Her heart began to pound.
“How is it? Cute, right?”
“Yes…!”
Her throat felt tight.
and she nodded quickly.
“See? That’s why the youngest young master keeps circling around you.”
“……”
She still didn’t believe that part.
But… how does a place with only young masters have such a pretty room and clothes that fit me perfectly?
A small question arose—
But she pushed it aside.
“Um… can I go greet Lord Sa-eon?”
She thought of him—
the man who saved her,
and brought her here.
“It’s no trouble at all. Stay here for a while.”
Even through her fever,
she remembered his calm but kind voice—
and how warm and steady his embrace had been.
He said ‘for a while’…
She hoped—
that “while” would last longer.
Because—
It had been so long since she felt that kind of warmth.
* * *
With Yeon-jeong and San-ho’s help,
Soya arrived at Sa-eon’s office.
“Oh? “Isn’t this our cotton ball, young lady?”
A handsome man with reddish-brown hair smiled at her.
“Ah… yes…”
Soya blushed.
Why does everyone call me Cotton Ball…? My name is Soya…
“I came to greet Lord Sa-eon… to thank him…”
She fidgeted with her hands as she spoke.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll inform him.”
Through the slightly open door,
She saw Sa-eon patting a boy’s head.
The boy, with long white hair tied neatly back,
was Baek Ga-hyeon, the second son.
He looked at his father with admiration.
Soya glanced at Sa-eon’s large hand—
the same hand that gently patted his son.
“My lord, the cotton-ball young lady has come.”
At those words,
Both Sa-eon and Ga-hyeon turned.
“She wishes to greet you.”
Ga-hyeon’s expression stiffened slightly.
Soya noticed immediately.
She shrank a little.
After three years of being judged,
She was sensitive to such looks.
Still,
she stepped forward.
bowed deeply,
and spoke.
“I came to greet you, Lord Sa-eon. Thank you for saving me, treating me, and giving me a warm room and clean clothes.”
Though she spoke shyly,
Her tone and posture were refined.
She has been taught proper etiquette.
Sa-eon realized at once.
“How is your body?”
“I’m better now. My fever is gone, and my throat doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“You look much better.”
He smirked slightly.
“Good timing. Ga-hyeon, show Soya around the palace.”
“…Me?”
Ga-hyeon looked surprised.
He had already formed a poor impression of her.
She ate peaches even though they make her sick.
He disliked children who couldn’t express themselves properly.
He didn’t like that she appeared in his father’s arms.
He didn’t like that she was given that room.
He didn’t like being interrupted earlier.
But—
He couldn’t disobey his father.
Wanting to appear perfect,
He hid his feelings.
“Understood, Father.”
He turned to Soya and smiled gently.
“Hello, Soya. Would you like to look around with me?”
“Ah… yes…”
Soya carefully took his hand.
He smiled sweetly.
Sa-eon watched them leave—
and chuckled.
* * *
Ga-hyeon glanced down at Soya walking beside him.
Her hand is so small.
Even his younger brother wasn’t this small.
Her legs are short too.
She hurried to keep up with him.
It looked a bit pitiful.
What is Father thinking?
The west wing’s last room—
was meant for an adopted girl from a branch family.
A candidate for the Bride of the Golden Dragon.
The bride of the emperor—
a position equal to the emperor himself,
responsible for the empire’s stability.
Traditionally, the Four Great Families provided such candidates.
If no direct daughter existed,
One would be adopted.
The White Tiger family had planned the same.
Many branch families had already brought their daughters.
But now—
This unknown girl occupied that room.
Surely Father doesn’t intend to adopt her…
That couldn’t happen.
She had no proper background.
She wasn’t even a tiger.
What is she… a cat? No… maybe a rabbit…
Either way… she shouldn’t stay in that room.
Still—
He trusted his father.
“This is the garden. The flowers are pretty, right?”
He spoke kindly—
But his eyes showed boredom.
He didn’t think it was worth explaining properly
to a child who would leave soon.
So—
he didn’t slow down.
and only gave brief explanations.
