The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 275

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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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Part 2, Chapter 67

Irim, who had returned to the Imperial Palace with Soya, escorted her all the way to the front of the pavilion.

“I’ll go alone from here.”

“The moonlit night is dark, so be careful going in.”

“….”

However, Soya didn’t take a step and stared intently at his face.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I don’t dislike it when you look at me this way, but….”

It was when Irim tilted his head to the side and smiled playfully.

“I also need a little time.”

He froze.

“So could you wait for me just a little?”

At the calm words that flowed from between Soya’s lips, the playful smile gradually disappeared from his face.

“…Does that mean you’re giving me a chance too?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed painfully as he asked back.

Soya looked at him and thought.

Perhaps I might wait for a lifetime.

For that gentle person who told me he loved me.

Though that fact was somewhat sorrowful….

Now I’ve come to know that gentle affection remains as a trace in his heart, blooming into new love.

This man’s love, who says he’ll always wait for me wherever I look back, is as great, deep, and precious as his love in the memories I longed for.

Though he lost his memories, his heart wouldn’t change—Soya wanted to believe in this love.

She wanted to believe in this man who spoke of love to her once again.

Therefore, instead of answering, Soya smiled brightly and nodded her head.

“…!”

Instantly, Irim’s face brightened.

“Really?”

He asked again, unable to believe it easily.

“Would I dare lie about His Majesty’s well-being?”

Soon a bright smile bloomed across his face.

“Thank you.”

“I only asked you to wait, I haven’t given you any answer yet.”

“Still, thank you. I will never disappoint you.”

Soya felt a little strange.

She had never seen him smile so brightly and rejoice like this, neither before nor after he lost his memories.

It wasn’t even that she had answered that she liked him too, she had just asked for a little time.

What was so special about just those words that someone who had the entire world under his feet would be so happy?

“I-I’ll really go in now.”

“May I not escort you to your quarters?”

“My Elder Brothers probably haven’t fallen asleep yet. If they notice for no reason, it’ll get noisy.”

Soya’s Elder Brothers were people who could get noisier than anyone else in the world when it came to her affairs.

Though Irim felt regretful, he nodded.

“Then may I come to see you again tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is….”

Toward Soya, who couldn’t answer immediately and hesitated, he slowly reached out his hand.

Rustle.

His fingertips touched her hair.

“During the day I can’t see you, I think I’ll miss you terribly.”

He slowly caressed her snow-white hair while murmuring lonely, then slowly lowered his head.

Soft lips settled onto Soya’s hair.

“…!”

In an instant, Soya’s body froze stiff.

“So, may I not?”

At that languid gaze that met hers directly while his lips were buried in her hair, Soya’s face flushed ‘pop!’ with heat.

“N-no, you may not!”

Soya’s face turned bright red as she pulled her body back.

Because of that, her snow-white hair slipped smoothly through his fingers.

Toward Irim, who looked at it with a somewhat regretful face, Soya shouted.

“I’ll contact you first, so wait obediently!”

Then she spun around and ran away to the opposite side as if fleeing.

“….”

A gentle smile bloomed on Irim’s face as he quietly watched her retreating figure running away from him.

Soon, she turned the corner far away and disappeared from sight.

The smile that had been blooming on his face spread bitterly.

Though he had pretended to be fine in front of her, watching her harbor another man in her heart was quite….

“…Painful.”

Irim murmured, feeling his chest throb with pain.

After becoming aware that he liked her once, that feeling had instantly grown beyond control.

His heart, which had deepened to a degree that surprised even himself, shook him entirely without rest for even a moment.

Soya’s tender face when she thought of the man she longed for was painfully embedded in his chest.

Just how much would one have to love someone to make such an expression?

He was confident about waiting for her.

Even if it required a very long time, he could wait indefinitely.

However, defeating a man who had already entered her heart once would be extremely difficult.

But it couldn’t be helped.

It was his own mistake for not knowing her earlier….

He paused.

Irim, who had been quietly looking at the place where Soya had disappeared, suddenly turned around at a gaze he felt.

Whoosh―!

Then, with a rustling sound, the presence that had been watching him instantly disappeared.

Irim’s eyes hardened stiffly.

* * *

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Soya’s cheeks were flushed red as she ran toward the pavilion.

That gaze that felt languid yet somehow dangerous, and that low voice that had settled by her ear, wouldn’t easily leave her mind.

Only after turning the corner and escaping from Irim’s sight did Soya finally stop running.

“Why is my heart pounding like this….”

It was when she placed her hand on her chest and murmured in confusion.

―That wicked young Imperial Dragon is shaking Soya’s heart with his flashy words! You absolutely must not fall for it easily, Soya!

―That’s right! When Zhua thinks of the tears Soya shed, even while sleeping, Imperial Dragon soup floats before my eyes and I bolt upright!

The Divine Beasts who appeared before her shouted with thoroughly angry faces.

“Y-you guys…! Did you hear all of my conversation with His Majesty?”

Soya asked, stammering in embarrassment.

Though she knew the Divine Beasts were always with her, the fact that they had heard all of her conversation with Irim made her feel newly embarrassed and awkward.

―Of course! That shameless bastard also tried to kiss Soya last time… Mmph mmph!

Soya was so shocked in that moment that she covered Cheonghae Yongsin’s mouth.

“Wh-what are you saying, tried to kiss me! We were just a little close in distance, absolutely not.”

―No, Soya. That bastard’s eyes were definitely full of wicked intentions at that time!

“—That’s right, Lady Soya. I saw it too.”

“—I was watching with my eyes wide open, ready to not let it slide if he tried anything like that!”

At the Divine Beasts’ continued words, Soya’s face turned as red as it could possibly get.

“Don’t appear when I’m with His Majesty from now on!”

At Soya’s outcry, the Divine Beasts froze as if they had heard the most terrible story in the world.

—Wh-what…?

—You’re joking, right, Lady Soya? How could you say that to us…!

—Have you been swayed by that wicked young Imperial Dragon’s tricks?

—Imperial Dragon soup…

The Divine Beasts cried out in protest, but just as Soya was ignoring them as if she couldn’t hear their words and walking away.

She stopped.

She could feel the air change dramatically in an instant.

It wasn’t just Soya who felt it, as the voices of the Divine Beasts who had been loudly protesting also stopped together.

Soya slowly raised her head.

Then she saw a man surrounded by birds on top of a large tree.

“It’s been a while, Hwaon.”

The man greeted Soya affectionately as he descended below.

The Divine Beasts, who had instantly manifested in their true forms, stepped back several paces and prostrated themselves on the ground.

Soya looked at the man approaching her and slowly opened her mouth.

“Lord Han Seol.”

It was General Han Seol of the Snow Peak, the leader of the Four Spirit Generals who supported the Heavenly Realm, and Soya’s elder brother from a thousand years ago.

The birds with colorful feathers that had been gathered around him flew over to Soya upon discovering her and sang cheerfully.

Feeling the joy of the excited birds being transmitted to her, Soya also gently curved her eyes.

To think that the reason she had been able to communicate with birds all this time was because she was the phoenix of the Heavenly Realm, beloved by birds.

It was truly something she could never have imagined.

“You can call me Elder Brother.”

At that somewhat disappointed voice, Soya let out a small laugh.

“Yes, Elder Brother.”

Since their meeting three years ago, he had often come down to the earthly realm to visit Soya.

Whether it was conveying news of their parents’ well-being or secretly delivering treasures from the Heavenly Realm.

Even Soya, who had initially felt awkward around him, now welcomed him warmly.

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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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