The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 156

Soya shared snacks and conversation with Sanyu on the roof of the Imperial Palace.

Was it because she had flown excitedly with her elder brother for the first time?

Or was it because her belly was full and round from eating jerky?

Or perhaps it was because being close to the sun and basking in the sunlight made her feel good.

She began to nod off drowsily.

Sanyu, keenly noticing his sister’s condition, asked in a gentle voice.

“You seem a little sleepy, our Soya.”

“No, I’m not sleepy at all.”

Soya shook her head vigorously and quickly put strength into both her eyes.

But before long, her eyes slowly closed again.

Seeing this, Sanyu let out a gentle laugh and stroked Soya’s head.

“This won’t do, Soya. Let’s slowly head down instead.”

“But…”

Soya glanced at him and murmured.

“I want to stay with Elder Brother a little longer…”

“Today isn’t the only day. Next time too, our Soya, Elder Brother will play with you again. Right?”

“Yes.”

Soya nodded, putting her regretful feelings aside.

“Should Elder Brother carry you down on the way?”

“…!”

Soya’s drowsy eyes sparkled at those words.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. I guarantee it’ll be much fluffier than a tiger’s back.”

Sanyu, transformed into a large bird, gestured—or rather, flapped his wings—for Soya to climb onto him.

Soya carefully climbed onto his back.

“How is it?”

“Just like Elder Brother said, it seems warmer and cozier than a tiger’s back.”

“Elder Brother was right, wasn’t he?”

“Oh, but it’s a secret from Father and the White Tiger Palace Elder Brothers. Especially Gaya—if he hears this, he’ll definitely sulk.”

Soya quickly added with giggles.

Sanyu could somehow imagine it and laughed along with Soya.

Slowly moving his wings, he flew through the sky, cutting through the air.

Soya, enjoying the flight on his back, eventually settled among the fluffy red feathers and fell asleep with soft purring sounds.

Hearing her steady breathing, Sanyu chuckled and flew gently so as not to wake Soya.

He understood well why Soya had been so regretful earlier.

The Imperial Palace banquet was gradually coming to an end.

Soon, Soya would have to return to White Tiger Palace, and he would have to return to the Vermillion Bird Mansion in the south.

‘When that happens… we won’t be able to meet easily just because we want to.’

Thinking this made him feel somewhat bitter.

Passing birds discovered Sanyu and Soya and followed behind them, chirping loudly.

The bird sounds directed at Soya were full of affection.

‘Hmm? The birds?’

The sight of birds being particularly friendly toward Soya seemed curious even to Sanyu.

“How very strange.”

Even as a direct descendant of Suzaku, birds don’t show me this much affection and follow me around.

Then, suddenly noticing Soya sleeping peacefully on his back, Sanyu burst into laughter.

“My sister is so cute and lovable that even the birds follow her.”

Thinking this, he slowly descended.

Thud!

Just as he released his Beast Transformation and was about to carry the sleeping Soya to her room.

He spotted Gaya with bandages wrapped around his shoulder.

Gaya must have noticed him too, as he was looking this way with a very menacing expression.

“Lord Gaya, you’ve injured your shoulder as well.”

When he greeted him cheerfully, Gaya’s expression somehow became even more menacing.

“Hand her over.”

He said, wiggling his finger.

“That Somsomi, she’s my Somsomi.”

However, Sanyu smiled and shook his head.

“Unfortunately, that won’t be possible today.”

He said in a gentle but firm voice.

“Lord Gaya’s Somsomi is also my precious sister.”

At this, Gaya immediately reacted and bristled.

“Why is Somsomi your sister!”

“Oh my. You didn’t know until now? Somsomi is Lord Gaya’s sister, but Soya is my sister.”

“What…?”

“As Lord Gaya said, both Soya and I are feathered beastmen. So Soya decided to make me her elder brother.”

Sanyu smiled mischievously as if teasing Gaya and recited exactly what he had said a few days ago.

“Though I don’t have round pointed ears, or a long tail, or fluffy paw pads.”

“You…!”

“Instead, I have feathers, wings, and a beak. Oh, and Soya and I can fly together too. Since Lord Gaya has no wings, you wouldn’t know the joy of flying with your sister. How truly unfortunate.”

It was when the two were continuing their tense standoff.

Soya slowly woke up and looked up at Sanyu while rubbing her eyes.

“Yaaawn—. Sanyu Elder Brother. Have we arrived already?”

“Som…!”

“Oh my, our Soya has woken up.”

Gaya tried to call Soya, but Sanyu gently interrupted him.

“I’m not really awake, I’m still sleepy.”

“Then close your eyes some more. Elder Brother will escort our Princess Soya to her quarters.”

“Oh my, why am I a princess?”

Soya giggled in response despite being drowsy.

Gaya’s eyebrow shot up crookedly at their affectionate conversation.

He really didn’t like hearing that “Sanyu Elder Brother” coming from Soya’s mouth.

Sanyu escorted Soya to her quarters and came back out.

And Gaya followed behind such Sanyu with a very displeased expression.

“You’re staring so fiercely that you might bore a hole through my face.”

“That would be wonderful. I’d prefer if that ugly face of yours got completely bored through.”

Looking at the thoroughly bristled Gaya, it seemed like it wasn’t just possessiveness toward his sister, but that he had some other issue with me… Those bandages too…

Sanyu, who had been glancing at Gaya’s bandaged shoulder, soon shook off unnecessary thoughts.

Then he bowed to him in greeting.

“Thank you, Lord Gaya.”

“…?”

“For being a good family to Soya, thank you so much.”

“Suddenly…?”

“Just from exchanging a few words, I could tell. From that child’s words, I could see how much she treasures and loves her family.”

Sanyu smiled gently, recalling his conversation with Soya on the Imperial Palace roof.

“She must have been a child with many wounds, but thank you for helping her grow into such a bright child.”

At those words, Gaya felt strangely uncomfortable.

Because he wasn’t the one who should be hearing those words.

“It was Father who brought Somsomi, and it was others who stayed by that child’s side at White Tiger Palace.”

So Gaya replied rather coldly on purpose.

“I was busy rolling around on battlefields, so I didn’t have much time to spend with Somsomi either.”

“Even so, the fact that you and Soya share such a special bond shows how great the affection you’ve shown that child must be.”

“…Well. That’s true.”

Gaya nodded his head, readily acknowledging it.

“Therefore, this is both an expression of gratitude to you and my thanks to you who will become the next master of the White Tiger Family.”

“….”

“Please allow Soya to continue growing up as brightly, spiritedly, and happily as she does now.”

“….”

“Considering what our family clan has done to that child, I know how shameless it is for me to make such a request… but still, I ask of you.”

Gaya stared intently at Sanyu’s face.

He was making the most natural things sound like the most difficult request in the world.

If it were his usual self, he would have stubbornly ignored Sanyu’s words as he acted like Somsomi’s elder brother in front of him.

However, at this moment, he couldn’t do that.

The trembling sincerity, deep affection, and sorrowful regret contained in that voice made it impossible.

“I’ll do that even without you asking. Because Somsomi is my little sister. Because she’s family of White Tiger Palace.”

“How wonderful that is.”

Sanyu smiled brightly.

It was quite a heartwarming scene that would be unthinkable given their usual relationship.

“Oh, but Lord Gaya. By any chance, last evening….”

“Get lost.”

Of course, their conversation didn’t end well as usual.

* * *

The incident that occurred within the Imperial Palace last night fortunately didn’t spread to a large scale, but the Emperor’s bedchamber was attacked and a close guard died.

Though the Imperial Palace was turned upside down by that incident, since the culprit was clear, this situation would be concluded once the punishment was decided.

“However, Your Majesty. What shall we do with the Baek Family’s Daughter?”

Irim, who had been sitting on the dragon throne listening to the words of his ministers, raised his head at someone’s sudden remark.

The Baek Family’s Daughter, Soya.

Rumors that she had awakened the Divine Beast and resolved last night’s situation had already spread far and wide.

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