The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 114

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 114

 

A shadow fell over the face that had been smiling warmly beside Lili just moments before.

 

From some point onward, his face had become this lonely and desolate.

 

He had wanted to come see Madam together with Lili, but the child was afraid that ghosts might appear and avoided this place.

 

So he had never been able to come here with Lili even once.

 

‘Still, it would be nice if she could greet her mother at least once.’

 

He felt quite regretful, but there was nothing he could do about it.

 

Step, step.

 

While walking and stepping on grass blades.

 

Suddenly, Jeok Ayun’s expression stiffened with a start.

 

In the distance, he could faintly see a girl with snow-white hair.

 

‘Could it be…?’

 

At the thought that suddenly occurred to him, he quickened his pace.

 

Tap, tap, tap-tap—

 

However, when he arrived in front of Madam’s tomb, no one was there.

 

‘I must have seen things again.’

 

An empty laugh flowed through his teeth.

 

From some point on, he kept seeing things that weren’t there.

 

He knew very well when this had started.

 

[That child is dead.]

 

Soya. It had been since hearing Hwayu’s words that the child had died.

 

Every space that bore traces of the child kept reminding him of her.

 

Even in front of Madam’s tomb, traces of that child remained.

 

He remembered the day he had come here holding the hand of the child who was toddling along.

 

[Father, is Soya really going to see Mother?]

 

The child had been excited since morning at the thought of going to see Mother and had asked several times.

 

[M… Mother? I’m Soya… So, Soya… I’m Soya. I came with Father to see Mother… Wah, wah… Waaaaah.]

 

But when the child actually arrived in front of the tomb, she tried to give a brave greeting as she had practiced, only to burst into tears.

 

He had to struggle for a long time to comfort the child who had suddenly started crying.

 

Was the child three years old at that time, or four?

 

The child had never shown any sign of wanting to see her mother, and the family members praised such a child for being so brave.

 

Looking back, there was no way that small child hadn’t felt her mother’s absence.

 

Even so, the child had endured those feelings.

 

The reason the child had acted that way was probably…

 

‘She was worried that her family would be sad if they knew.’

 

She was a naturally kind and considerate child.

 

He had pushed away such a child with his own hands.

 

That small child who had undergone her First Beast Transformation and came running toward him with a bright smile—he had pushed her away.

 

He knew that the child who had become Lili’s personal servant was enduring sadness with that small body.

 

Even so, he had turned away countless times.

 

But Jeok Ayun still wasn’t sure.

 

If he could turn back time… would he really act differently?

 

Flutter flutter—

 

Just then, at the sound of birds flapping overhead, Jeok Ayun glanced up.

 

A flock of birds covering the sky was heading west in formation.

 

The reason why the birds were leaving was still a mystery.

 

Fortunately, it hadn’t caused any major harm, but…

 

‘How strange. For birds to leave the Southern Lands where Suzaku’s direct lineage lives and move elsewhere.’

 

The corners of his eyes quietly contorted.

 

‘It’s not like I can catch these speechless beasts and ask them why they’re leaving.’

 

He looked at the western sky with a hardened gaze before turning his head away.

 

“The flowers have bloomed.”

 

Discovering the flowers blooming by the grave, he smiled faintly and reached his hand toward the flowers.

 

That was the moment.

 

Whoooosh—

 

Suddenly a wind blew, and the flower stem bent to the opposite side as if avoiding his hand.

 

“…”

 

Jeok Ayun blinked in confusion for a moment, then let out an empty laugh.

 

“Is it just my imagination? It’s as if you’re rejecting me.”

 

He tried speaking to the tomb as usual, but naturally, there was no reply.

 

“I miss you, Madam.”

 

A lonely breeze passed by.

 

* * *

 

Soya returned to White Tiger Palace leading the birds from the Southern Lands.

 

The sky had already grown dark.

 

“Huh? Why are you asking about my father?”

 

Soya tilted her head at the chirping sounds of the birds following behind her.

 

“What? You say you need to see him directly to feel at ease?”

 

The birds stubbornly insisted they needed to see Saeon.

 

‘Did I misunderstand what they’re saying?’

 

Soya was puzzled by the sudden request.

 

However, the birds continued to demand to see Saeon.

 

“Okay, okay. But you know, you’ll be surprised when you see my father. My father is the most handsome and kind person in the world.”

 

Soya spoke with a bright laugh, but the birds snorted dismissively.

 

“Huh? Are you saying you don’t believe me right now?”

 

At the sight of the birds flapping their wings in unison to affirm this, Soya somehow became sulky.

 

“You’ll regret not believing me! Come on, follow me!”

 

Soya flew straight toward the window of Saeon’s office.

 

Tap tap. Tap tap.

 

When she knocked on the closed wooden window frame, the window soon opened.

 

“Chirpy? …Wait, hold on. There’s no way Chirpy could be this cute and adorable.”

 

Saeon, who had been frowning at the small skylark knocking on his window, muttered in a deliberately serious voice.

 

“Among the baby birds I know, there’s exactly one baby bird that’s this cute and adorable.”

 

As if speaking for Soya to hear, he muttered to himself while gently touching the skylark’s tiny head with his fingertip and tilting his head.

 

“Could it be? Is this our Cotton Ball that I know?”

 

At this, Soya giggled and released her transformation technique.

 

Poof!

 

“I’m back!”

 

Soya greeted him energetically and threw herself into Saeon’s arms.

 

“Welcome back, my skylark Cotton Ball…”

 

Saeon, who was holding Soya in his arms and patting her, paused when he noticed the flock of birds behind Soya.

 

“What are all these birds?”

 

“Oh, about that.”

 

Soya laughed sheepishly and scratched her head.

 

“They’re my friends.”

 

“All those many birds?”

 

“Yes. The birds said they wanted to see Father, so I brought them to introduce them.”

 

Saeon looked at the birds with narrowed eyes.

 

Then he chuckled and replied.

 

“Well then, what can I do? Since they’re my daughter’s friends, I can’t very well chase them away.”

 

He turned around and spoke to Jeok Yeong.

 

“Jeok Yeong. Give those little ones something to eat. It would be good to scatter some grain in the front yard.”

 

“Huh? Father. But those Bbyaok, Ssikssik, and Bbyok over there don’t eat grain—they eat bugs.”

 

“…”

 

At Soya’s words from beside him, Saeon closed his mouth for a moment.

 

“…The names are all cute.”

 

“The names aren’t what’s important. Those guys, you see, they’re picky eaters, so if there are no bugs…”

 

“…Whoever gave them those names is very cute.”

 

Saeon earnestly pretended not to hear Soya’s following words.

 

“Please don’t worry too much, Young Lady. I’ll scatter food for your friends properly.”

 

“Are you saying you’ll scatter bugs in White Tiger Palace right now?”

 

Saeon asked with a pale expression.

 

At his unusually urgent reaction, Soya and Jeok Yeong burst into laughter.

 

“Papa’s been thinking, Cotton Ball. Your friends need to fix their picky eating habits.”

 

Among the giggling Soya and Jeok Yeong, Saeon alone became serious and continued speaking at length.

 

At this, Soya laughed and approached the window, shouting to the birds.

 

“Bbyaok, Ssikssik, Bbyok. How about trying grain instead of bugs today?”

 

Then three birds, particularly plump from eating many bugs, fluttered their wings.

 

Watching this scene, Saeon asked with a highly tense expression.

 

“What do your friends say, Cotton Ball?”

 

“They say to prepare very plump and delicious fresh grain instead!”

 

Soya answered with bright laughter.

 

“Then I’ll give orders to bring out the fresh wheat and fresh barley from the storehouse.”

 

When Jeok Yeong spoke with a grin, Saeon let out a sigh of relief.

 

“Let’s go, Cotton Ball. Papa will take you there.”

 

Soya took Saeon’s hand and walked down the corridor.

 

But she kept giggling.

 

It was because she kept thinking of how flustered Father had looked earlier.

 

“To be so happy watching Papa in trouble. What a terrible Cotton Ball.”

 

Saeon spoke grumpily while ruffling the child’s hair.

 

“Then Father is a cowardly tiger! What’s so scary about bugs!”

 

At the affectionate hand messing up her hair, Soya gently closed her eyes and looked up at Saeon.

 

“Even Chirpy isn’t afraid of bugs, you know?”

 

“That can’t be helped. When Papa sees creatures with more than four legs, his body stiffens up.”

 

Saeon shuddered at the thought of bugs, then grinned and added.

 

“So Baby Cotton Ball has to protect Papa.”

 

“Oh my, it can’t be helped. I’ll protect Father!”

 

Soya lifted her chin up and smiled brightly.

 

“Where did you learn that expression?”

 

At that somewhat arrogant-looking expression, Saeon asked in puzzlement.

 

“From Yul!”

 

Clear laughter rang out loudly.

 

Warm smiles bloomed on the faces of the White Tiger Palace People watching this scene.

 

.

 

.

 

Mother.

 

Today too, I’m learning anew how beautiful this world is.

 

Today, for the first time in my life, I tried flying a very long distance, and I also introduced someone precious to the little friends I met for the first time.

 

I learned the satisfaction of completing a flight, and I felt anew the happiness of facing my precious ones and laughing together.

 

Thank you for giving me such a beautiful and wonderful world.

 

I’ll remember for a long time all that love—giving birth to me, cherishing me, and worrying about me until the very end.

 

Though I may never see you again, my Mother who will live on in this heart for a long, long time.

 

May you always be well, even up there in the sky.

 

* * *

 

Several seasons passed through White Tiger Palace.

 

In White Tiger Palace, Cotton Ball Miss’s clear laughter and the White Tiger young masters’ affectionate and sometimes mischievous voices never ceased.

 

As spring went and summer came. As autumn went and winter came. And spring went again…

 

Countless seasons flowed by and yet another spring arrived.

 

A girl with long white hair swaying in the spring breeze sat on a wooden swing, humming a tune.

 

The birds gathered beside her chirped cutely along with the young lady’s humming.

 

“Young Lady, Young Lady!”

 

At that moment, at someone’s calling voice, the girl slightly raised her head.

 

Below the dense white eyelashes that swayed elegantly with each slow blink, soft pink eyes like those holding spring flowers recognized the person and curved affectionately.

 

“What is it, Sanho?”

 

This still lovely young lady was White Tiger Palace’s Cotton Ball Miss, who had somehow become fourteen years old and stood at the midpoint between girl and lady.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————