The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 63

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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 63

 

Soya waited anxiously in front of Gayul’s room.

 

“Please don’t worry too much, Young Lady.”

 

“How about going inside the room to wait?”

 

Despite Yeonjeong and Sanho’s suggestions, Soya stubbornly persisted.

 

“I want to wait here until Cheongha comes out.”

 

Cheongha, who had arrived at White Tiger Palace a little while ago, had immediately entered Gayul’s room.

 

The reason Cheongha came here was because Gayul’s first growth period was approaching.

 

It’s said that young beastkin experiencing growth pains instinctively recognize only their birth mother even while their reason is paralyzed, and find peace in her embrace.

 

Therefore, the only being who could help with the painful growth pains that had to be endured and overcome alone was the mother beastkin.

 

However, even though a long time had passed since Cheongha entered Gayul’s room, she still hadn’t come back out, so Soya’s worry deepened.

 

Soya crouched down in front of the tightly closed door.

 

Seolyeo in wolf form crouched down next to Soya, whimpering as she waited together with her.

 

How much time had passed?

 

Just as Soya was covering her mouth with her tiny hand and yawning.

 

Creak—

 

The door opened and Cheongha finally came out.

 

“Cheongha!”

 

Soya jumped up and approached her.

 

“How is Yul Elder Brother? Is he okay now?”

 

“Yes, he’s perfectly fine. He’s sleeping soundly. I also placed the talisman that Baby Cotton Ball gave him beside him.”

 

At those words, color returned to Soya’s face.

 

“Thank goodness…!”

 

Seeing Soya’s joyful expression, Cheongha stroked the child’s head and asked.

 

“Would you like to go in together next time?”

 

“Is that okay?”

 

“We can just peek in while he’s sleeping. We’ll keep it secret from the others.”

 

At those words delivered with a wink, Soya’s eyes widened.

 

Would that really be okay?

 

Such doubts crossed her mind for a moment.

 

“I’ll take responsibility and protect Baby Cotton Ball so she won’t get hurt, so don’t worry.”

 

“Yes!”

 

At Cheongha’s additional words, Soya quickly responded.

 

Father and Elder Brothers tended to be somewhat overprotective of her.

 

The same was true for other people in White Tiger Palace, including Yeonjeong and Sanho.

 

This was the first adult to suggest secretly doing something that deviated from the established rules to such a Soya.

 

And it would even be a secret from others…!

 

Soya’s heart pounded with the feeling of breaking rules for the first time.

 

“Oh, I’m hungry. Would Baby Cotton Ball guide me to the dining hall?”

 

Cheongha chuckled and extended her hand to Soya.

 

It was when Soya grasped Cheongha’s hand.

 

She spotted Ga Hyeon walking from the opposite direction.

 

“Oh? Hyeoni Elder Brother!”

 

“So…”

 

Ga Hyeon, who was about to respond with a smile to Soya’s call, suddenly spotted Cheongha beside her and his expression hardened.

 

“Hello, Hyeona. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

 

Cheongha bowed toward Ga Hyeon and greeted him warmly.

 

“…”

 

Ga Hyeon looked at Cheongha silently for a moment, then soon smiled brightly and responded.

 

“Hello, Cheongha. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

 

Pause.

 

A small crack appeared on Cheongha’s face.

 

“Welcome to White Tiger Palace. Soya, were you guiding our guest? She’s an honored guest, so please take good care of her. Well then, Cheongha, I hope you have a peaceful stay.”

 

Ga Hyeon, who greeted with flawless perfect etiquette, smiled properly and turned around.

 

‘Huh…?’

 

Soya noticed that Ga Hyeon’s attitude was very strange.

 

He was certainly smiling warmly, but it was a cold and chilly attitude that seemed to draw a line.

 

And Ga Hyeon’s such attitude continued not just for that day, but throughout Cheongha’s entire stay.

 

* * *

 

“Hmm. Since I heard Baek Saeon adopted a daughter, I naturally thought she’d be a tiger and brought a weapon.”

 

Cheongha looked at the long object wrapped in white cloth and muttered in a deliberately serious voice.

 

“It might be a bit big for Cotton Ball.”

 

“Oh, no! It’s fine! I love it!”

 

Soya excitedly extended both hands.

 

When the white cloth was unwrapped, a long spear with two moon blades attached appeared.

 

“It’s a spear.”

 

“It’s a toy made in imitation of the Azure Dragon Painted Halberd, which is the Azure Dragon’s divine artifact.”

 

Cheongha said, pointing to the Azure Dragon carving engraved on the handle.

 

“Wow…”

 

Soya exclaimed in admiration at the blue jade embedded in the Azure Dragon carving.

 

It was specially made short and light for young beastkin, but it was still a bit big for Soya.

 

However, since it was made as a toy, the tip was blunt so it didn’t seem dangerous.

 

“Thank you so much, Cheongha!”

 

Soya smiled brightly and bowed.

 

“I’m the one who’s grateful that you received it so happily.”

 

Despite their misunderstanding-filled first meeting, the two had become quite close over the past few days.

 

This morning, Cheongha had even braided Soya’s hair in place of Yeonjeong, though unfortunately her skills were terrible.

 

Cheongha made excuses that it was because she had never touched a girl’s hair before, but Soya was very pleased with it.

 

Even when Saeon, seeing the hair Cheongha had braided, asked if she had come back from a duel with someone, she just giggled.

 

Soya glanced at the other gifts piled up in Cheongha’s luggage.

 

“What are those, Cheongha?”

 

“Ah, these are things to give to Hyeon and Yul. I haven’t been able to give Yul his yet because his growth pains aren’t over, and as for Hyeon…”

 

Cheongha hesitated a bit, then smiled brightly and continued.

 

“Well. I’m not sure if that child will happily accept this.”

 

Unlike her bright smile, Cheongha’s eyes looked a bit lonely.

 

“Oh…”

 

Soya trailed off, not knowing how to respond.

 

Over the past few days, Soya had noticed that Cheongha, who only showed a cheerful side in front of others, couldn’t do so particularly in front of Ga Hyeon.

 

And she also realized that the reason lay in Ga Hyeon’s attitude of consistently drawing cold lines.

 

“Still, I have to try. I think I’d have more courage if Baby Cotton Ball came with me. Will you help me?”

 

Cheongha asked in a bright voice to Soya, whose face had darkened as she felt uncomfortable.

 

“Yes, Cheongha!”

 

It happened to be the time when he would be resting in his room after finishing his afternoon training.

 

Soya headed to Ga Hyeon’s room together with Cheongha.

 

“Elder Brother, it’s me, Soya. May I come in?”

 

“Soya.”

 

At Soya’s voice, Ga Hyeon brightened and came out to open the door himself, then noticed Cheongha who had followed behind.

 

“Ah, you came with a guest.”

 

“Yes, Cheongha-nim, to Elder Brother—”

 

“This seems like a rather immature attitude, Cheongha-nim. I’m disappointed.”

 

Ga Hyeon cut off Soya’s words and shot back at Cheongha with a cold voice.

 

“Next time you have business with me, don’t use Soya like this and come directly. It’s unpleasant. Having other people use my family.”

 

“Elder Brother, Cheongha-nim isn’t like that…”

 

It was when Soya, surprised by Ga Hyeon’s openly sharp attitude, tried to stop him.

 

“Sorry.”

 

Cheongha hid the gift she had brought behind her back and apologized with a bright smile on her completely uninjured face.

 

“I didn’t think that far. I wasn’t trying to use your family. I’m really sorry, Hyeona.”

 

“Seeing you apologize like this, you’re someone who knows shame after all. That’s fortunate. The dignity of the Cheong Family hasn’t completely fallen to rock bottom.”

 

Ga Hyeon turned away with a crooked sneer.

 

Cheongha, left in the corridor, stared silently at the closed door for a while even after the room door had shut.

 

Soya felt restless between the two of them for no reason.

 

* * *

 

That evening, after finishing dinner.

 

“Yeonjeong-nim, why does Hyeoni Elder Brother avoid Cheongha-nim?”

 

Soya asked Yeonjeong about the relationship between Cheongha and Ga Hyeon that had been on her mind all along.

 

“Little Young Master thinks that Madam, no, Cheongha-nim abandoned the Young Masters.”

 

“Abandoned… them?”

 

“When Young Master was very young, Cheongha-nim had to leave White Tiger Palace.”

 

Yeonjeong told Cheongha’s story with a somewhat bitter expression.

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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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