The White Tiger Clan’s Baby Cotton Ball - Chapter 94

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 94

 

“S-Soya? Why are you here…!”

 

A flustered Ahan asked hesitantly.

 

“I’m disappointed, Ahan. I never thought you would try to harm civilians.”

 

“What, what?”

 

At that moment, Ahan turned his head in surprise at the screams coming from around them.

 

The Blue Shark Family’s private soldiers he had brought were being overwhelmed by the Blue Sea Palace soldiers hiding in the small boats.

 

Oh no! It was a trap.

 

“We evacuated the people in advance. The ones in the small boats are soldiers from the Blue Sea Palace. I had a feeling you would harm people tonight.”

 

Soya explained to Ahan in a gentle voice.

 

“The underwater cave below this place, that’s the Blue Shark Family’s hideout, isn’t it?”

 

“H-how did you…!”

 

This too was something she had learned thanks to Chirpy.

 

That they had been using an underwater cave beneath the Blue Sea as their hideout and raising private soldiers.

 

So Soya had guessed that if Ahan had fled, he would have gone there, and Ga Hyeon, who heard this story, came up with a plan.

 

They spread rumors that the suspended festival would be extended, then suggested having fireworks near where their hideout was located.

 

Then those with nowhere left to retreat would seize that opportunity to make their move.

 

And Ga Hyeon’s prediction had been correct.

 

“Then don’t tell me when you suddenly disappeared from the Coral Garden, you had already noticed…!”

 

“Birds hear words spoken during the day, and mice hear words spoken at night, Young Master.”

 

As Soya said this with a grin, a small skylark flew over and perched on her shoulder.

 

“Chirp chirp—!”

 

Chirpy puffed out its chest arrogantly and chirped.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Ahan glared at Soya.

 

To think that small girl had ruined all their plans.

 

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll have to take your life at least.”

 

He drew the sword at his waist and charged at Soya.

 

“Don’t resent me!”

 

It was the moment his sword was about to strike down on Soya’s head.

 

Clang!

 

Soya quickly drew the White Tiger Divine Sword and blocked Ahan’s sword.

 

Clang, clang, claaang—!

 

After exchanging several moves, the two swords pushed against each other in a contest of strength.

 

“It won’t go as you wish, Ahan.”

 

Even though it would be difficult to overcome Ahan, who had a better build than her in terms of strength, Soya’s expression remained remarkably calm.

 

“I will protect it. The Eastern Lands’ festival, the peace, everything.”

 

The moment Soya curled up the corner of her mouth into a smile, the power of steel that responded to her heart dwelled in the blade.

 

Soon the White Tiger Sword began to glow softly with pure white light, and Soya put strength into the sword hilt and pushed away Ahan’s sword.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Splash!

 

Ahan’s sword fell below the water’s surface.

 

Ahan froze in disbelief that his sword had been knocked away by Soya, who was much smaller than him.

 

However, Soya didn’t wait for him to come to his senses.

 

Raising her sword high into the air, Soya swung the blade down.

 

Crash!

 

As the small boat they were on broke apart, Soya nimbly leaped and landed on a large nearby rock.

 

However, unlike Soya who had gracefully leaped, Ahan was launched into the air by the recoil and soon fell below the water’s surface.

 

Splash!

 

The resulting huge spray of water extinguished the firework flames that had been burning above Soya’s head.

 

Not only Ahan, but everywhere there were splashing sounds as the Blue Shark Family’s people were helplessly defeated.

 

Soya leisurely watched as the Blue Sea Palace soldiers pulled them out and escorted them away.

 

‘Now what remains is the Eastern Lands’ responsibility.’

 

This was as far as she, an outsider, could intervene.

 

Taking the criminals away for interrogation and punishment was Mother’s and the Blue Sea Palace’s job.

 

Soya sat on the rock where shallow waves lapped and looked up at the dark sky.

 

While it was good that she had helped Mother stop the Blue Shark Family, she was quite disappointed that she couldn’t see the fireworks she had been most looking forward to.

 

Due to the sporadic battles that had occurred everywhere just moments ago, all the firework sticks had gotten wet and couldn’t be lit again.

 

“What a shame.”

 

Soya muttered in a slightly disappointed tone.

 

“But I can come see the fireworks again next year…”

 

At that moment, she saw a small boat approaching her from the distance.

 

Soya thought it was her Elder Brothers or Blue Sea Palace soldiers who had spotted her and watched it absently.

 

Gradually the small boat drew closer.

 

‘Hyeoni Elder Brother? No… it’s not Elder Brother…’

 

Sitting on it was a boy who appeared to be about two years older than Soya.

 

Platinum blonde hair flowed elegantly from under the black hat on his head, reflecting the moonlight.

 

When the boy slightly lifted his black hat, a boy with an elegant appearance and gentle blue-green eyes revealed his face.

 

“Hello, Soya.”

 

“Your Majesty…?”

 

Soya’s eyes widened.

 

It was Tae Irim.

 

Why was this precious person who should be at the Imperial Palace here?

 

Moreover, there wasn’t even a single guard visible by his side.

 

As she stared blankly at his face that had grown considerably since she last saw him, he smiled gently and asked.

 

“You look like you need a small boat.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Won’t you come over here?”

 

She could have spread her wings and flown, but since she happened to be tired, Soya crossed over to his small boat and traveled together with him.

 

Swoosh— swoooosh—.

 

The small boat cut through the waves and moved forward.

 

Soya asked what she had been curious about.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“I came to keep a promise.”

 

“A promise? With whom?”

 

Instead of answering, Irim smiled mysteriously.

 

‘…?’

 

At the sky that suddenly brightened without warning, Soya looked up.

 

‘…!’

 

In an instant, Soya’s eyes widened.

 

Fireworks began along long strings suspended in the air.

 

“I’m sure all the firework sticks had gotten wet…”

 

“Well. I suppose they all dried in the meantime.”

 

At Irim’s answer, Soya blinked.

 

Could seawater dry that quickly?

 

It seemed unlikely, but…

 

In any case, seeing the beautiful fireworks made her feel good.

 

“It’s so beautiful.”

 

“Indeed. It’s so beautiful.”

 

Irim smiled softly as he looked at Soya’s flushed face reflected in the firelight.

 

The fireworks display continued for quite a long time.

 

Soya and Irim watched it from atop a small boat floating on the water’s surface.

 

The flames that embroidered the black night sky in red and fell onto the water’s surface warmed Soya’s heart thoroughly.

 

After some time had passed, the fireworks display came to an end.

 

Once the lights disappeared, the surroundings felt particularly quiet.

 

In that somewhat awkward silence, Soya was the first to speak.

 

“Oh, that’s right, Your Majesty. I can now use flames freely like this.”

 

Soya conjured a Purification Flame at her fingertips and showed it to him.

 

“Impressive.”

 

Irim reached out his hand and gently caressed Soya’s flame.

 

Soya felt a bit strange at that tender touch, as if he were handling something very precious.

 

She was caught up in that odd feeling that seemed both ticklish and slightly hot.

 

Whoosh—

 

“Ah…!”

 

A sudden strong wind blew, and Soya’s hair ribbon came loose and flew away.

 

It seemed the hair ribbon had loosened a bit while she was crossing swords with Ahan earlier, then came undone in the wind.

 

Soya stamped her feet as she watched her hair ribbon fall onto the water’s surface far away.

 

The water was so dark that it looked a bit dangerous to go retrieve it.

 

Irim, who had been watching silently, smoothly untied his own hair ribbon.

 

“Turn around this way, Soya.”

 

“Your Majesty, you don’t need to…”

 

“It’s fine, come now.”

 

At his gentle voice, Soya obediently turned around.

 

Irim combed through her disheveled hair with his hands and tied it up.

 

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle—

 

His touch gently weaving through her hair was even more skillful than Father’s and Mother’s.

 

Had His Majesty touched many women’s hair before?

 

‘Somehow I feel strange.’

 

Finally, they reached their destination.

 

“Ah, we’re here now…”

 

Soya casually got up and turned around, only to notice that he who should have been behind her was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Huh?”

 

Soya blinked in confusion at the empty small boat.

 

For a moment, she wondered if she had been dreaming.

 

The hair ribbon on her head fluttered in the wind.

 

Upon discovering the trace of his presence, she realized anew that being together with him on this small boat just moments ago had not been a dream.

 

“He must be a busy person, so he probably returned without having time to say goodbye.”

 

Though she felt a bit resentful that he had left without saying goodbye, Soya just smiled softly and let it be.

 

She didn’t notice the black scale that had fallen to the bottom of the boat in the darkness.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————