The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 36

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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 36

When Soya was young. Of course, she wasn’t fully grown even now, but when she was much smaller and younger than she is now.

When I was sad seeing Ga Bok being expelled after embezzling the family’s wealth, Father told me.

[Distinguishing evil people and exposing evil deeds is not a bad thing, Soya. You must be able to say that what’s wrong is wrong.]

[Especially since you, as a direct descendant of Suzaku, must protect the baby birds of the Southern Region. If you ignore and turn a blind eye to wrongdoing, other innocent baby birds might suffer harm.]

Of course, the current Soya was not a direct descendant of Suzaku, nor did she have any baby birds to protect.

But she still remembered those teachings she had heard on Father’s lap in her childhood days.

Perhaps because I exposed Siyo’s evil deeds, the relationship between Siyo and Saeon might deteriorate.

However, harming others was wrong behavior.

‘Such actions would not be what Lord Saeon wants either. Because Lord Saeon is someone with such a warm and broad back that protects others.’

Soya recalled Saeon’s broad back that had protected her just moments ago and revealed all the things Siyo had done.

“But the same scent came from the other young ladies’ palanquins. If we leave this alone, something dangerous might happen tomorrow…”

“That’s a lie!”

Siyo, now desperate, cut off Soya’s words with a sharp voice.

“That child stole someone else’s position even in the Southern Lands! She’s a criminal who stole from others and ran away!”

“What…?”

In an instant, everyone’s gaze focused on Soya.

“The Suzaku Family is keeping it quiet, but everyone inside the family knows this story! That child stole the position of the Suzaku Family’s youngest daughter and pretended to be their daughter before being expelled!”

“…”

“That child is a liar and a fraud! How can you believe such a child’s words? Even now she’s slandering me to take over the western end room!”

“…”

With each word Siyo spat out, Soya’s body flinched and trembled.

Soya had been prepared for this.

The moment I exposed her evil deeds, she would also reveal all my secrets to everyone.

Being remembered as a bad child by everyone was somewhat sad.

But I couldn’t pretend not to know while knowing that others would be harmed.

Because others getting hurt because I pretended not to know would be an even sadder thing.

Therefore, Soya could endure the sadness of having her shameful secrets exposed.

“Lord Saeon.”

Soya approached Saeon, who was looking at her with a hardened face, and handed him the scent pouch.

“Here, this is the scent pouch I found in Lady Arang and Lady Sahye’s palanquins. It’s the same as what Lady Siyo gave me.”

Though Lord Saeon’s expression as he looked at me without smiling was a bit frightening, I explained as calmly as possible.

“The Youngest Young Master was there with us, so he can serve as a witness.”

“Ri-right! I saw it! Something that looked exactly like that, the silver tiger gave it to Cotton Ball!”

Gayul, who had been mixed in among the people, immediately chimed in agreement.

Saeon, who had silently received the scent pouch from Soya, suddenly hesitated.

“You said there was a scent…?”

Saeon’s face became serious. He couldn’t smell any scent at all.

“Cotton Ball. Did you really smell a scent from this?”

“Yes? Yes.”

Soya nodded her head.

Then people began to murmur. Not only Saeon, but everyone else couldn’t smell any scent either.

“Lo-look. Even at such a close distance, there’s no scent at all. That child is lying…”

Just as Siyo was trying to press Soya with that momentum, stammering, Saeon handed the scent pouch to Jeok Yeong and said.

“Jeok Yeong, immediately take this and go find Sister Sara to inform her of the whole situation.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

The moment Baek Sara’s name was mentioned, Siyo turned pale.

The scent pouch Siyo had used was made using evil magic from the Northern Lands.

If it was Baek Sara, the priestess of White Tiger Palace, she would immediately recognize the evil magic.

Then it would be revealed that there was indeed a problem with the scent pouch as that child said, and if all the things I had done were to be exposed…

‘No. I must become a direct descendant of the White Tiger Family. If I don’t…’

“Family Head! How can you only listen to that child’s claims?”

At that moment, a woman stepped forward, embracing Siyo’s trembling body.

The woman was the mistress of the Silver Tiger Family and Eun Siyo’s mother.

“That’s why I’m seeking the priestess of White Tiger Divine Hall to determine the truth.”

“Determining the truth itself is a disgrace to the Eunho Family! And even if our Siyo really did threaten that child, what problem does that pose?”

Siyo’s mother pointed at Soya and shouted.

“You cannot punish a tiger because of such a nobody child whose status is unclear!”

Soya didn’t argue back against the sharp words directed at her and only looked down at her feet.

It was familiar, and also natural.

However, unlike me, Siyo had parents who protected her, which made me a little envious, and that’s why my nose kept stinging.

It was then.

Swoosh—

A huge shadow fell beside Soya.

‘…!’

Soya’s eyes, which had been staring at her feet the whole time, widened round.

A huge and warm warmth enveloped my hand.

Even without lifting her head, Soya could tell who the owner of this huge and warm presence was.

At that moment, her nose stung and even her eyes felt hot.

“Who said this child was nothing.”

Saeon, standing beside Soya, grasped the child’s small hand and spoke in an angry voice.

“She is my child whom I brought.”

“We-we know too! That this child is the Family Head’s guest! But even so…!”

“You don’t seem to understand what I mean.”

Saeon clicked his tongue briefly and cut off the silver tiger’s words.

“Cotton Ball is my child.”

In that moment, Soya unconsciously lifted her head.

However, Saeon did not look at Soya.

He only glared fiercely at the gathered people,

“My child.”

Only emphasizing those three syllables once more with force.

* * *

Saeon separated Soya until the situation calmed down.

Ga Hyeon took Soya to a nearby empty room.

Soya sat blankly on a chair, fidgeting with her fingers as she fell into thought.

[She is my child whom I brought.]

[Cotton Ball is my child.]

My child…

Why did Lord Saeon say such words?

‘It seemed like he was trying to protect me.’

At that moment, even Soya didn’t envy Eun Siyo.

When she thought about it, Saeon had always protected her from their very first meeting.

‘Just like… Father.’

As soon as that thought crossed her mind, Soya was startled and quickly shook her head.

‘Father? What am I thinking? How could Saeon become my father?’

At this rate, wouldn’t it really seem like she was trying to steal that position, just as Siyo had said?

‘Saeon is a strong person. He protects me simply because he’s strong and righteous.’

So she shouldn’t have such wicked thoughts.

It wasn’t enough that she had already stolen Miss Lili’s family—she couldn’t covet someone else’s things again.

‘But… it really was warm.’

Soya quietly stared at her fingertips where Saeon’s warmth had touched.

Then suddenly, Soya realized that Ga Hyeon hadn’t said a word for a while now.

When she casually lifted her head, Soya discovered that Ga Hyeon was staring only at the wrapping cloth slung over her shoulder, his face pale as a sheet.

“Uh… Young Master?”

Ga Hyeon, who had been silent all this time, slowly parted his lips.

“Why…?”

The voice that leaked between his weakly parted lips trembled like that of someone about to cry.

“Why were you thinking of leaving so easily?”

“What?”

Soya blinked her eyes as she looked at him.

“I heard everything from the brown tiger. You were planning to leave White Tiger Palace.”

“Ah…”

“That bundle on your shoulder. The clothes you’re wearing and the shoes on your feet. You look exactly like someone about to leave.”

Ga Hyeon said through gritted teeth.

Everyone seemed too distracted to notice, but Soya looked exactly like someone who was about to depart.

And that cool, organized atmosphere he had felt the moment he stepped foot in this child’s room.

She really had been planning to leave White Tiger Palace, Soya had.

“Well, I was originally supposed to stay here temporarily and then leave anyway.”

Soya nodded obediently as she answered.

“Who says so! Who says you have to leave…!”

Ga Hyeon, who had been shouting indignantly at Soya for speaking as if leaving was natural, suddenly hesitated.

When Soya first came to this place.

He remembered that he himself had been the one who opposed this child using the Western End Room more than anyone else.

He was also the one who hadn’t hidden his annoyed expression toward the child who followed him around on short legs.

He was the one who had deliberately drawn lines and pushed her away, even knowing she was watching his reactions.

“…Is it because of me?”

Ga Hyeon’s voice trembled as he asked.

“It’s because of me, isn’t it? You wanted to leave because I spoke badly to you and treated you poorly, right?”

“No, Young Master. I just…”

“See. Even now you’re calling me Young Master again.”

“That’s just because I’m not used to it yet…”

Unfortunately, Soya’s explanation didn’t reach Ga Hyeon’s ears.

“I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. So don’t go, Soya. Live with us at White Tiger Palace.”

“…”

At Ga Hyeon’s voice that sounded exactly like he was crying and pleading, Soya hesitated, not knowing how to respond.

“But if I continue to stay here, Siyo might be uncomfortable, and also…”

Soya was listing the reasons why she had to leave one by one.

Creak—

The door opened and Saeon appeared.

“So.”

With a somewhat tired expression, he walked toward Soya step by step.

“You really were planning to leave, Cotton Ball?”

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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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