The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 69

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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 69

“That’s right. Family of family is family. I didn’t realize that.”

Cheongha, who had looked a bit surprised, soon chuckled softly and lowered herself to Soya’s level.

“Baby Cotton Ball always points out things I haven’t thought of like this. You’re a very clever and bright Baby Cotton Ball.”

Cheongha, matching Soya’s eye level, gently stroked the child’s head as she spoke.

“I also saw it in, in books! I like reading books!”

Soya quickly added, remembering how the White Tiger Palace People once praised her as ‘our clever Young Lady who also loves reading books.’

It was because she hoped Cheongha would think well of her.

However, after adding that, she felt embarrassed as if she had been showing off, which didn’t suit her usual personality.

So Soya timidly added in a very small voice.

“…Of course, I haven’t read as many books as Hyeoni Elder Brother.”

Seeing Soya’s reddened face, Cheongha chuckled.

“Soya is only nine years old but already reads so many books and is so smart, so when you turn eleven like Hyeoni Elder Brother, you’ll become even smarter.”

“…!”

Even though she thought she had gotten used to the warm words people gave her, hearing praise from ‘Mother’ made Soya more excited than usual.

“I, I don’t just read books diligently, Mother! I also take walks diligently, and when I take medicine, I eat it well without making a single frown…!”

So Soya held onto Cheongha, who had to leave, and chattered about herself for quite a while.

Ironically, despite thinking her Elder Brothers had become like babies just moments ago, she was acting more childlike than anyone.

Meanwhile, snowflakes began falling from the sky one by one.

Saeon, glancing up at the sky, said it would be better to depart before it got any later.

Snow accumulation was a problem, but if they waited longer, it would strain Cheongha’s Spirit Core.

“Yes. I really have to go now.”

Cheongha muttered in a bitter voice and stood up.

“Well then, Mother will be back, babies.”

Cheongha gave each of the children one more tight hug and then left.

Soya kept waving both hands with her Elder Brothers, watching the departing figure until Cheongha was no longer visible.

She couldn’t even leave her spot after Cheongha was no longer visible.

So much so that Saeon was the first to ask if she wasn’t cold and suggest they go inside.

But strangely, Soya didn’t want to go in.

The White Tiger Palace without Cheongha felt somehow empty.

So when the three siblings Soya, Ga Hyeon, and Gayul were standing there blankly for a while.

“Elder Brothers, let’s make snowmen!”

Suddenly Soya stepped forward in front of the two and shouted.

“Snowmen?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, yes! Let’s pack snow and make Father, and make Mother, and make all of the Elder Brothers and Soya and Seolyeo and the White Tiger Palace People!”

Gayul was the first to react to those words.

“Then I will! I’ll make Mother’s snowman!”

Before anyone could answer, Gayul jumped into the snow field and began packing snow.

Seeing that, Soya and Ga Hyeon looked at each other and chuckled.

That winter, in front of the White Tiger Palace East Gate, snowmen made to resemble the White Tiger Family members were fully decorated, guarding the Estate.

* * *

Peaceful days continued for a while.

Soya spent enjoyable times swinging around the fire spear Cheongha had given her as a gift, and riding on Seolyeo’s back to roam Horim Mountain.

As the year gradually changed, Soya turned ten years old.

For ten-year-old Soya, Saeon provided teachers.

Gayul truly pitied Soya for having to study, but Soya enjoyed studying.

Literary Studies, Calligraphy and Painting Study, etiquette studies, and Martial Arts Training – there wasn’t a single one that wasn’t fun.

Soya’s Martial Arts Master was none other than Sanho, who had personally gone to Saeon and pestered him, saying she would take responsibility for the Young Lady’s Martial Arts Training.

Compared to other tigers who handled swords freely even before awakening their Spirit Core, Soya’s Martial Arts Training was considerably delayed.

However, Soya worked hard at everything.

“How strange. I was worried our Young Lady would find Martial Arts Training difficult, so I stubbornly insisted to the Family Head that I would definitely take charge.”

Sanho said to Yeonjeong while watching Soya hopping around in the Garden.

“But our Young Lady follows along as well as the tiger Young Masters. Come to think of it, doesn’t it seem like the Young Lady has become healthier than before since the last Mountain Lord Festival?”

“That’s right. Not only has her body become healthier, but her personality has become brighter too.”

Yeonjeong responded with a smile.

The Young Lady, who previously only smiled bashfully, now laughed out loud with clear sounds.

Sometimes she would puff up both cheeks and sulk at the mischievous Youngest Young Master’s pranks.

Yes, just like now.

“Elder Brother, that’s too much. This is something Seolyeo and I worked hard to make, what if you ruin it?”

“Sorry, Cotton Ball. I didn’t do it on purpose… Are you upset?”

Gayul, who had been showing off by transforming frequently since his First Growth, accidentally knocked down the branch tower that Soya and Seolyeo had made with his large tail.

“Since Elder Brother didn’t do it on purpose and apologized like this, it’s okay. But please be careful from now on. Understood?”

However, kind Soya would sulk a little like this but soon cheer up and smile warmly.

Then the Youngest Young Master would also be infected by that kind smile and scratch his head while grinning foolishly.

Last summer, this tiny Cotton Ball Miss who suddenly came into the Family Head’s arms had colored the somewhat bleak White Tiger Palace with such kind and warm hues.

“Yeonjeong, Sanho. Will I be able to grow up magnificently like Yul Elder Brother too?”

Since the Youngest Young Master’s First Growth, the Young Lady’s interests were entirely focused on that.

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

“Our Young Lady is already so wonderful now, perhaps you’ll grow into the most magnificent bird beast-human in the world?”

Soya’s face brightened cheerfully at Yeonjeong and Sanho’s encouragement.

“I want to grow up quickly like my Elder Brothers and go meet Mother!”

Soya spent each day energetically and healthily, constantly thinking about her promise with Cheongha to visit Azure Sea Palace.

However, even as the year passed, the promise with Cheongha couldn’t be kept.

Because Soya hadn’t achieved First Growth.

Not the following year either. Nor the year after that.

* * *

Sunlight filtering through the wooden Window Bars tickled the child’s eyelids.

As the child lying on the Bedroom slowly lifted her eyelids, coral-pink eyes holding a warm hue like spring flowers were revealed.

Soya yawned briefly and sat up.

Then fine white hair flowed down onto the bed.

Before she knew it, three years had passed and Soya had turned twelve years old.

She had grown a span and a half taller than when she first came to the White Tiger Palace.

Now Soya woke up well on her own without Yeonjeong waking her in the morning.

As Soya got up from bed and immediately threw open the window, the sound of birds chirping and singing could be heard.

Originally, no flying creatures lived in the Western Lands.

However, starting from three years ago, birds had begun making nests and establishing territory.

“Hello, Chirpy.”

At Soya’s greeting, a small skylark landed on the Window Frame.

Soya could freely converse with birds, and among them, this ‘Chirpy’ was Soya’s closest friend, whom Soya had personally named.

Second only to Seolyeo, that is.

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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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