The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 51

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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 51

 

The crimson eyes that captured the boy standing before her widened into perfect circles.

 

Greeting her with a voice as gentle as spring breeze, he was exactly the kind Prince she had known.

 

The Prince from those unbelievable rumors about causing a bloodbath in the Imperial Palace, killing all his brothers to become Emperor.

 

No, now the Emperor of Taehwa Kingdom.

 

It was when Soya didn’t know what to say, her pupils trembling slightly as only her lips moved.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Along with the low voice she had missed for days seeping into her ears, Saeon’s robes fluttered as they blocked Soya’s view.

 

At the same time, Ga Hyeon stepped forward in front of Soya, and Gayul firmly grasped Soya’s sleeve.

 

Seolyeo glared sharply at the boy from behind Soya, looking over her shoulder.

 

At the immediate reaction of the four men filled with wariness, Tae Irim let out a languid laugh.

 

“How insolent, Saeon. To block the path before the Emperor.”

 

“She is my daughter.”

 

Saeon said while hiding Soya behind his robes as if to conceal her.

 

“Yes. I heard you adopted your youngest daughter just before the last Mountain Lord Festival.”

 

Unlike the tense men of White Tiger Palace, Irim replied with a gentle voice.

 

Saeon somehow didn’t like that composure.

 

“Didn’t you visit White Tiger Palace because you had business with me? I’ll escort you inside, so please come in.”

 

Though he was using honorifics, Saeon’s attitude was consistently defiant. Ever since that moment when Irim had stood before Soya.

 

However, even though Irim must have known of Saeon’s wariness, he didn’t back down and looked at Soya with a faintly smiling face, then curved his eyes gently.

 

At that fresh eye-smile, Soya’s pupils trembled.

 

Not only Soya, but everyone who had come out to greet the Family Head’s return was moved by that beautiful eye-smile.

 

Even Ga Hyeon, Gayul, and Seolyeo, who had been wary of him just moments before.

 

Meanwhile, Saeon alone wore a displeased expression as he looked back at his children.

 

“I have matters to discuss with His Majesty, so let’s postpone the reunion for a bit. Take good care of your little sister.”

 

Saeon ruffled the children’s hair and escorted the Emperor inside the building.

 

And in the place left behind.

 

“Cotton Ball, who was that person just now!”

 

“Soya. Do you know the Fifth Prince, no, His Majesty the Emperor?”

 

Ga Hyeon and Gayul grabbed Soya and asked.

 

At that time, both Elder Brothers’ faces were filled with curiosity and wariness.

 

“Ah… Yes,”

 

Soya, who came to her senses belatedly, soon answered with a bright smile.

 

“We knew each other when we were young.”

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, Saeon was asking Irim the same thing.

 

“How do you know my daughter?”

 

Irim gazed out the window with a face as if recalling very distant past, then answered.

 

“We’ve known each other for a very long time.”

 

Saeon inwardly scoffed. “A very long time” when she’s only eleven years old.

 

Of course, the young Emperor before him had shown behavior in recent months that was hard to believe came from an eleven-year-old.

 

[I promise you, Saeon. Before this year ends, I will ascend to the throne and give you the Dragon Blood Herb.]

 

He who had declared to Saeon that he would become Emperor before the year ended had truly kept his word.

 

After purging his brothers and confining the Former Emperor, he became the Emperor of Taehwa Kingdom himself.

 

Since he usually had a lethargic and quiet disposition in all matters, no one thought he would commit such acts.

 

However, his ability to become Emperor wasn’t simply due to catching off-guard those who were complacent.

 

Irim had dug up weaknesses of his brothers that no one knew about, seized all military power of the Imperial Family, then ascended to the blood-stained throne.

 

This incident would remain in history as an infamy that would follow his name forever. Even if he were to become a sage emperor who bestowed good governance.

 

Even though he must have known this, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation in the blade he wielded toward his own blood relatives.

 

As he ascended the throne covered in blood from head to toe, he truly looked like a demon.

 

What reason could have caused such a change of heart in this young Emperor was unknown…

 

“Though my daughter is young, she’s already nine years old. Since First Growth isn’t far off, I believe it’s improper to associate with her privately.”

 

For Saeon right now, only the fact that the young Emperor was showing interest in Cotton Ball mattered.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Irim tilted his head languidly.

 

Then his fine platinum hair flowed down smoothly following his head’s movement.

 

“Do you really think so?”

 

“?”

 

Saeon slightly furrowed his brow as he looked at Tae Irim.

 

Irim curved his eyes with a soft expression and said.

 

“Baek Saeon. Haven’t you still not completed my command?”

 

A pause.

 

Instantly, Saeon’s face hardened stiffly.

 

[Go to the Southern Region, the Land of Suzaku. Steal the most precious thing from there.]

 

[You cannot possess it. You just need to show me that it’s safe.]

 

Stealing the most precious thing from the Southern Region and showing him it was safe.

 

Yes, that was definitely the extent of his imperial command.

 

Afterward, he had said he would come to see the stolen item once the Imperial Palace was sorted out, but it became unclear due to the bloodbath in the Imperial Family.

 

“What do you mean by that now?”

 

“It doesn’t have much meaning. I just remembered.”

 

Irim smiled slyly as he lifted his tea cup.

 

However, Saeon couldn’t smile along with him.

 

“…”

 

Could this young Emperor have foreseen from the beginning that he would bring that child from the Southern Lands and given such a command?

 

But he doesn’t have the ability to see the future, so how could he be certain of that?

 

“I’ll give you what I promised.”

 

As Irim changed the subject and gestured, his attendant brought a wooden box and placed it on the table.

 

Click. The wooden box opened, revealing the herb contained within.

 

Dragon Blood Herb.

 

When a new Emperor of Taehwa Kingdom ascends the throne, they perform a ceremony before the Imperial Dragon statue.

 

The direct lineage of the Imperial Family has been known as dragon beast-humans for generations, and when they ascend the throne and perform the ceremony, their existing scales peel off and golden scales grow in their place, awakening as an Imperial Dragon.

 

At this time, as scales are forcibly peeled off and flesh is torn, causing bleeding, the flower that blooms while absorbing that blood is the Dragon Blood Herb.

 

Due to this background, it was also a precious medicinal ingredient that couldn’t be easily obtained.

 

“…”

 

Saeon quietly looked down at the Dragon Blood Herb in the box.

 

Even though he was facing the Dragon Blood Herb he had searched for so long, there was no particular change in his expression.

 

However, Irim saw it.

 

The moment the Dragon Blood Herb revealed itself, Saeon’s eyes flinched ever so slightly.

 

* * *

 

Soya was playing by making shapes with the maple leaves that had fallen to the ground.

 

‘Why did Irim Elder Brother, no, His Majesty come to talk with Lord Saeon?’

 

Soya’s mind was filled with thoughts about Irim, whom she had seen just moments ago.

 

‘They said he became the Emperor, and he does seem more mature. He must have been surprised to see me here, but he didn’t show it at all.’

 

Soya, who had been making butterflies by attaching bright yellow ginkgo leaves in pairs, realized she was short on leaves.

 

“Oh my. I’m missing one wing.”

 

“I’ll go pick up more!”

 

Seolyeo, who had been crouching beside Soya admiring the maple leaf pictures, jumped up at those words.

 

Then she ran toward the bushes without giving Soya a chance to say anything.

 

‘Seolyeo really is incredibly fast.’

 

Soya chuckled as she watched her friend who always moved without hesitation to help her, too quick to even catch.

 

It was while she remained alone, waiting for Seolyeo.

 

“Flowers and butterflies.”

 

Suddenly, a shadow fell over Soya’s head.

 

“The flowers are beautiful like you, and the butterflies that only make you wait are just like my pathetic self.”

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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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