Chapter 4
Riri was seated before a large mirror, getting dressed up.
The entire estate was abuzz with the visit from the prince.
“The Fifth Prince is the only rightful heir to the throne in the Taehwa Kingdom, after all.”
“They say he may be a bit frail, but no one can match his bloodline or his looks.”
“Is it really true that he’s come for an engagement with the Young Lady?”
“Our Riri might just become the bride of the Imperial Dragon, who knows.”
“That’s right! Riri is the only true daughter of one of the four guardian beast clans!”
“And the prince is two years older than our Young Lady, so they’re the perfect age match…”
The maids helping Riri get ready were even more excited, chattering away among themselves.
Soya, unable to join their conversation, simply stood quietly in the corner, listening in silence.
The maids pitied Riri just as much as they hated Soya.
Especially whenever they doted on Soya without realizing she was the wicked child who had stolen Riri’s place, their sympathy for the “good” Young Lady only made them resent and torment Soya all the more.
For instance, they would drag Soya off and lock her in a dark shed to starve, or make her do tasks far too many for one person, or pinch her in places that wouldn’t show, leaving bruises.
“The bride of the Imperial Dragon? That’s far too grand a story for someone like me.”
Blushing, Riri waved her hands dismissively, but the maids only grew indignant at her modesty and raised their voices louder.
“Too grand? Look in the mirror—how could you be anything less than exquisite!”
“You’re just like a fairy from the old tales!”
“His Highness the prince will fall for our Young Lady at first sight!”
Deep down, Soya agreed with them.
Just as the maids said, Riri looked stunning once her makeup and styling were complete.
Especially those flame-like, brilliantly red locks of hair that resembled the Patriarch and the Young Master…
“And what about this beautiful red hair that only the direct line of the Zhuque Clan can possess? It’s not a color just anyone can have.”
“Of course. No one can imitate it. I worry sometimes that some clueless fool might see our Young Lady and start harboring foolish dreams.”
The maids praised Riri’s red hair while subtly glancing at Soya.
Soya understood that the “clueless fool” they referred to was herself, and her face burned hot with embarrassment.
Fortunately, Riri seemed oblivious…
“Oh, come on, you all make me so shy saying things like that. What do you think, Soya?”
Riri turned to Soya with a bright smile.
Soya flinched at that pure smile.
Whenever Riri paid attention to her like this, the maids’ gazes sharpened like daggers.
“Hey, the Young Lady asked you a question—answer her already!”
One of the maids jabbed Soya painfully in the side.
It was the spot they had pinched a few days ago, still bruised.
Soya endured the stinging pain in her side and nodded.
“Y-Yes… You look beautiful. Really…”
She barely managed to reply under their piercing stares.
“Well, it’s no wonder—she’s far too beautiful to compare to your drab white hair.”
One maid spat the words out, followed by snickering laughter.
“You shouldn’t say things like that. Soya didn’t choose to be born that way.”
Riri gently scolded the maids in a benevolent tone.
Yet on her face as she looked at Soya lingered a faint sense of superiority and satisfaction.
“Today, Soya, you’ll attend me.”
Riri rose to her feet and said to her.
“Me? B-But I…”
Soya stammered in confusion.
Today was the day an important guest was visiting.
And no matter how she looked at it, Soya’s appearance was in no way fit for standing before such a guest.
Even knowing that, Riri grabbed Soya’s wrist and pulled her along with a wide smile.
“You’re my dearest companion, after all.”
Envious, hate-filled glares stabbed toward Soya.
Riri hummed a cheerful tune as she walked ahead.
Soya followed behind, head bowed low, not knowing what to do.
She had planned to stay out of sight from Father and Older Brother as much as possible, but she couldn’t disobey the Young Lady’s command.
From Patriarch Jeok Ayun on down to the retainers and servants of the Zhuque Clan, everyone had gathered in front of the estate to await the prince’s arrival.
“Father! Older Brother!”
“Riri, there you are.”
“Riri!”
Jeok Hwayu spread his arms wide with a radiant smile, and Riri slipped straight into his embrace.
“Our little Riri looks even prettier than usual today. Did you put in extra effort knowing His Highness was coming?”
“Oh, please—Riri’s always been pretty.”
Jeok Hwayu chuckled affectionately, soothing Riri as she pouted her lips with a sulky air.
“That’s right, that’s right. Your big brother knows best how pretty our Riri is.”
“What about His Highness the prince?”
“He’ll be here soon. Let’s wait together.”
Jeok Hwayu led Riri to stand beside their father, Jeok Ayun.
Soya, trailing behind, watched them quietly before slipping to the end of the line of servants.
At last, the prince’s palanquin arrived.
The door opened, and a boy about Soya’s age stepped down, holding the hand of his escort.
The first thing that caught her eye was the platinum hair fluttering softly in the breeze.
Soya’s gaze followed those shimmering strands, like threads of gold.
Just then, the prince turned his head toward her.
His turquoise eyes, reminiscent of fresh green leaves, met hers.
The two children’s gazes intertwined gently in the air.
“Ah…”
Soya’s small, cherry-like lips parted slightly.
Unthinkingly, she stared at him in a daze for a moment.
She had never seen anyone more beautiful than her father.
And she wasn’t the only one thinking that—everyone stood entranced, gazing at the young prince.
“Hello, Your Highness. Welcome to the lands of the Zhuque Clan. I’m Riri.”
Riri’s voice, laced with coquettishness, cut in, snapping Soya back to her senses.
Soya hurriedly bowed her head.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Her heart pounded wildly at the realization that she had insolently stared straight at His Highness the prince.
“You must be weary from the long journey, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while, Patriarch Jeok.”
The eleven-year-old prince faced the much taller Jeok Ayun without a hint of intimidation.
Soya inwardly admired his dignified, graceful bearing.
But strangely, she kept feeling the prince’s gaze on her, so she couldn’t bring herself to lift her head and stared only at her own toes.
* * *
It was a dark night.
Tormented by the maids, Soya could only return to her quarters late into the night.
She hadn’t even eaten properly for dinner and had been locked in the kitchen shed for nearly an hour, but it was a familiar torment, so she didn’t cry.
Fortunately, thanks to His Highness the prince’s visit, lanterns lit every corner of the estate, banishing the darkness.
‘Good thing. I get a little scared in the dark.’
Soya quickened her steps toward her quarters.
Then, a rustling sound made her glance over absentmindedly—and she froze in shock.
“…!”
Beneath the moonlight’s glow stood a boy with platinum hair cascading down, staring at her intently.
“G-Greetings, Your Highness.”
Soya quickly bowed low.
But the prince didn’t reply.
Instead, he gazed at her face for a long moment…
“See?”
He suddenly stepped closer and spoke.
“It really is you, Soya.”
Soya froze in astonishment at hearing her own name from his lips.
“You don’t remember me.”
The prince smiled wryly and drew a norigae embedded with a red gem from his bosom.
“Three years ago. At Lord Sanyu’s expedition ceremony. In the Imperial Palace.”
Soya’s eyes gradually widened.
“Even if I return this, will you still not remember me?”
The prince gently took her hand, placed the norigae in her palm.
[This norigae was left to Soya by my late mother.]
In that instant, a long-forgotten memory surfaced in Soya’s mind.
There had been a time when Soya, like Riri, threw tantrums and acted spoiled with her family.
Three years ago, when she’d insisted on going to the Imperial Palace to see off her eldest brother departing on his expedition.
In the rear garden there, she had met a young lord grieving his mother’s death.
[Soya would look at this whenever she missed Mother and find comfort. Now, I’ll give it to Older Brother. I hope it comforts you too.]
[But Soya, this is your mother’s keepsake. I couldn’t possibly accept something so precious…]
She had beamed at the young lord shaking his head, unable to take the norigae she offered.
[Then just come return it later.]
[Ah…]
[Once you’re no longer sad, you’ll come return it then, right?]
[…Yes. I promise. I’ll definitely come return it.]
The frail young lord had his face covered with a cloth.
[It’s a promise, then, Irim older brother.]
She hadn’t known.
That gentle young lord was the Taehwa Kingdom’s one true heir to the throne.
“I came all this way to keep my promise to you.”
“Irim… older brother…?”
As Soya recalled his name, Prince Tae Irim beamed brightly.
“I was worried I might be too late, but thankfully, I can tell you this before the day ends.”
He smiled dazzlingly and stroked Soya’s hair.
“Happy birthday, Soya.”
In that moment, Soya remembered something she had tried so hard to forget.
Today was Riri’s ninth birthday.
Today, when she hadn’t eaten dinner due to the maids’ torment and had been locked in the shed.
Today, when no one had offered her even a word of celebration.
Today, which even she herself had forgotten.
…was also her own birthday.
