The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 88

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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 88

This is strange.

The three conditions for awakening a divine beast.

Direct lineage blood. The divine beast’s heart. And a spirit body.

Mother, who inherited the direct lineage blood, is right beside me, and there’s also a divine artifact made from the divine beast’s spirit body…

‘Is my heart lacking?’

Soya glanced down at the tree branch in her arms.

“Now that you’ve finished looking around, shall we go to the banquet hall, Soya?”

“Ah… Yes…”

Even as Soya took Cheongha’s hand and walked out, she couldn’t take her eyes off the Azure Dragon Painted Halberd.

‘Why did it fail?’

It was when Soya was lost in thought with a dejected expression.

―Don’t be too disappointed, Baby Bird. Your heart isn’t lacking.

The White Tiger Mountain Lord’s voice echoed in her head.

―That divine artifact is fake.

‘…!’

Soya was so shocked she almost let out a sound.

“Soya?”

However, at Cheongha’s voice calling her, Soya quickly came to her senses.

“Our baby, why do you look like that? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“N-no, Mother! Let’s hurry to the banquet hall!”

Soya shook her head vigorously and took Cheongha’s hand as they left the Sacred Hall.

* * *

That day, Soya had a wonderful time with Cheongha, whom she met after 3 years.

“Mother, I have red feathers now too!”

“Mother! I can now reach the peak of Horim Mountain in just twenty steps!”

Soya and Gayul occupied both sides of Cheongha, chattering away.

Ga Hyeon, who had given up his seat next to their mother to his younger siblings, sat across from them and chuckled as he watched Soya being more talkative than usual.

Although Soya often exchanged letters with Cheongha to share updates, it was much better to see her face directly and be together like this.

‘It would be nice if Mother could live with us at White Tiger Palace too.’

She kept having such thoughts.

And that night.

Something even better happened to Soya.

That was…

“Is it really okay for me to do that?”

Soya asked with an incredulous expression.

“Of course.”

“…!”

She was going to bathe with Mother and sleep together too!

‘I always slept alone at White Tiger Palace…!’

“I’m so happy, Mother!”

Soya was so delighted that she clung to Cheongha’s clothes.

“I’m jealous, Cotton Ball…”

Gayul’s envious gaze followed.

Originally in beast-person society, after the First Growth, even same-gender parent and child don’t sleep together.

Since Soya had learned this way too, it was something she had never imagined, but Cheongha easily ignored the long-standing customs and rules.

She said, “I’m the acting Family Head of Azure Sea Palace, so who would dare say anything to me?”

Having always learned that rules must be followed, Soya’s heart pounded as if it would burst at this aspect of Cheongha.

‘Mother really seems amazing. Sometimes even more than Father.’

Soya soaked and washed with her mother in the warm bath, then changed into fluffy new sleepwear and dried her hair on the bed.

Cheongha personally dried Soya’s hair with a thick towel.

Every time Mother’s hands rubbed her hair dry, Soya’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she giggled.

“Three years ago, when Mother went to White Tiger Palace.”

Cheongha, who was gently combing Soya’s hair with a cypress-scented crescent-shaped comb, suddenly brought up an old story.

“Actually, I was very nervous. I was still in a position where I couldn’t return to White Tiger Palace, and I was worried that saying I wanted to become Soya’s mother in that situation would make our baby uncomfortable.”

A gentle smile lingered on Cheongha’s lips as she recalled that time.

“But when Soya held onto me and called me Mother, and told me we were already family, I was so happy.”

“I just said what was natural… Mother.”

Soya emphasized the word ‘Mother’ and called her once more.

Then Cheongha let out an audible chuckle.

While playing around in Mother’s arms, Soya noticed something small and blue that had fallen on the floor.

“Huh? Mother, this.”

“Ah, that’s a scale.”

Seeing the scale made her realize anew that she was a dragon beast-human.

“I learned that dragon beast-humans are very, very strong! And they can fly in the sky and swim in the ocean too!”

“Oh my, that’s right. Our baby studied very well about Mother, didn’t you?”

“Then does Mother have a Dragon Orb since you’re a dragon beast-human?”

The Dragon Orb. Also called the Wish-Fulfilling Orb, that golden sphere doesn’t actually have the mystical power to grant wishes like in legends.

However, it’s very precious and symbolic to dragon beast-humans, so they give it when confessing their love to their lifelong companion.

“My Dragon Orb, well.”

Cheongha made a subtle smile, then whispered to Soya.

“I gave it to your father long ago.”

“…!”

Soya looked back at Cheongha with a startled expression.

“Then, Mother loves Father… um…”

Soya looked around quickly, and after confirming no one was there, she lowered her voice and whispered like her mother.

“You’re in love with him, right?”

“Hmm?”

“A dragon’s orb is very precious!”

Soya spoke with an excited voice, thrilled about her mother and father’s story.

Actually, it wasn’t as romantic a memory as Soya expected.

[You wouldn’t lose my Dragon Orb. So you manage it for me instead.]

[What? What dragon in the world gives their orb for such a reason…!]

[Thanks, Saeon. I knew I could only count on you.]

[Hey, Cheongha!]

She remembered how Saeon had grabbed the back of his neck with a troubled expression after she unilaterally threw her orb to him.

However, not wanting to crush Soya’s expectations, Cheongha subtly changed the subject.

“Come to think of it, our Soya is at the age where she might have a wonderful young master she’s in love with?”

Instantly, Soya’s face turned bright red.

“N-no!”

Soya quickly raised her voice to deny it.

“I don’t have anyone like that. And I won’t get married and will live at White Tiger Palace forever. With Father… and later when Mother returns, then together…”

“Wow, really? Mother would love that too.”

Cheongha chuckled at Soya’s mumbled response.

“But my baby. Later, when you find someone you’re fond of, you must tell Mother first. Understood?”

“Mm, yes….”

The mother and daughter hooked their pinky fingers together and made a promise.

* * *

The next day.

Soya came to the mainland with her Elder Brothers, Seolyeo, and Chirpy to begin proper festival sightseeing.

They decided to watch the martial arts competition where Gayul had been singing.

While the group scattered to obtain admission tickets for the martial arts competition and simple snacks, Soya remained on the streets with Chirpy to wait for them.

Canola flowers and daffodils throughout the streets were giving off a strong spring atmosphere.

But even amid the lively festival atmosphere, Soya kept thinking about that fake Fire Halberd she had seen yesterday.

Since Cheongha had been beside her last night and she couldn’t converse with the divine beasts, Soya woke up early in the morning and asked the divine beasts about the Fire Halberd.

[That Fire Halberd is fake?]

―Yes, Baby Bird. It’s not that your heart is lacking, so don’t be too disappointed.

[Then where is the real one?]

―Well. We don’t know that either.

To think the Divine Artifact enshrined in Azure Sea Palace’s Sacred Hall was fake.

This was truly a serious matter.

‘Mother seemed like she didn’t know it was fake yet.’

She was walking with a deliberately serious expression, lost in worry.

Because of this, Soya failed to notice someone walking toward her from the opposite direction and ended up colliding with them.

“Ah…!”

“Are you alright!”

Fortunately, the other person quickly supported her so she avoided falling, but somehow she ended up in their embrace.

Soya blinked in surprise for a moment, then snapped back to her senses and escaped from their arms.

“S-sorry! I was lost in thought….”

“As long as Young Lady wasn’t hurt, I’m fine.”

A boy with blue-gray hair smiled gently as he replied.

“You’re Young Lady Soya of the White Tiger Family, correct?”

“Do you know me?”

“I heard talk that an honored guest was coming from the Western Lands. I’m pleased to meet you like this, Lady Soya.”

The boy who had been greeting her with his eyes crinkled added his introduction as if just remembering.

“Ah, I’m Ahan, the eldest son of the Blue Shark Family.”

“Yes, Young Master Ahan. Thank you for helping me like this.”

Just as Soya was responding politely and trying to conclude the conversation.

“If you truly consider it something to be grateful for.”

Ahan offered Soya a handkerchief as he asked.

“Would you give me the opportunity to escort Young Lady during the falling flower festival the day after tomorrow?”

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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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