Chapter 55
It was then, as Soya quietly watched him in that atmosphere that somehow felt like she shouldn’t disturb it.
“You haven’t found the master of the flame yet, so you needed a medium to borrow this power.”
Irim continued his explanation in a calm voice.
“A medium?”
“Yes. For example…”
He trailed off slowly and extended his hand toward her.
“…!”
Soya startled in surprise. There was a fresh wound on his palm.
“Like the summoner’s blood.”
“Brother, y-your wound…!”
Bright red blood dripped down his wrist.
“Don’t worry too much. I made it myself.”
This wound, which hadn’t been on his hand moments before, was one he had inflicted himself while Soya had her eyes closed, listening to the Spirit Core.
“I told you. The summoner’s blood is needed. But since we can’t draw blood from your body, I lent you the blood of the imperial dragon instead.”
“……”
Soya’s pupils trembled faintly.
To wound his own body like that. It was a terrifying thought Soya could never fathom.
Even just looking at it, the wound seemed so painful that it made her shiver, yet Irim showed no sign of pain whatsoever.
“Will you heal it for me, Soya?”
He said, gesturing with his eyes to the flame in her palm.
Soya immediately understood his meaning and swallowed hard, nodding her head.
She carefully opened her palm and focused her mind on the flame blooming there.
Then, slowly—very slowly—the flame moved, enveloping Irim’s hand.
Swish—
As the flame faded away, the wound on his hand vanished cleanly.
But instead of the joy of success, Soya asked in a distressed voice,
“Why would you do something like that? Cutting yourself…”
“Don’t be upset, Soya. Thanks to you, it’s all better now.”
“But… just because it can be healed doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.”
The reason he had cut his own hand was purely to help her use her Unique Ability.
It was something that brought him no benefit whatsoever—he had done it solely for her.
“No. It didn’t hurt.”
“You’re lying.”
Soya said firmly, her face resolute.
At that, the smile slowly faded from Irim’s face.
“……You’re right. It did hurt a little. No, it hurt a lot.”
He told Soya in a steady voice.
“So, Soya. Try not to use this flame if you can help it. Save it for when it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Even without you saying that, I wouldn’t do something so dangerous.”
The summoner’s blood. Since she hadn’t yet found the master of that power, she needed blood to wield it.
Soya remembered the time she had exorcised the ghost from Sa-eon’s study, and when she had purified Seolyo. She had unwittingly gotten scraped and injured then.
It had been a coincidence that she had a wound when the power was needed, allowing her to perform the purification, but she couldn’t rely on such coincidences every time.
And she certainly had no intention of wounding herself like Irim had.
“So, Brother Irim, you promise too. Promise you’ll treasure your own body.”
Irim paused.
For the first time, the ever-relaxed Irim faltered.
The gaze Soya fixed on him was straight and unwavering.
Just like the clear smile she had kept even amid the hostility from those she once believed to be family.
“Yes. I promise you, Soya. I will treasure my body.”
“You have to keep it. Absolutely!”
Having extracted the promise from Irim, Soya finally let go of the hand she had been gripping.
Irim stared at her retreating hand, feeling an odd emptiness in his own, then slowly lifted his head.
He took in Soya’s face with both eyes.
It would be quite a while before he saw her again after they parted this time.
“And Soya. Let me say goodbye in advance. I have to return to the Imperial Palace early tomorrow morning.”
“Ah……”
Regret flickered across Soya’s face.
Of course. Now that he was the emperor of the Taehwa Kingdom, he must be even busier than before.
Seeing her crestfallen expression, Irim chuckled softly and spoke.
“Soya. About that promise from before.”
[I want to take you to the Imperial Palace. If you’ll allow it.]
Soya paused for a moment, recalling the promise they had made before she left the Zhuque Mansion.
Even then, Soya hadn’t been able to give a clear answer.
The Zhuque Mansion, where everyone hated her, had made her shrink smaller with each passing day, yet she couldn’t let go of her lingering feelings for her father until the very end.
Still, gazing at his finger hooked around her pinky, she had harbored some vague hope.
That in this place where her foolish attachments had kept her from fleeing on her own, someone might come to take her away.
But things were a little different now.
Everyone at Baekho Palace was kind and gentle to her.
Above all, she had gained a family here.
A true family that cherished and protected each other, no matter what they were like.
It was while Soya was pondering how to refuse Irim.
“I’m sorry, Soya. It looks like we’ll have to postpone it a bit longer.”
Irim spoke as if he had read her dilemma perfectly.
“The Imperial Palace where I am has turned into utter hell right now. I can’t take you there just yet.”
Irim gave a bitter smile, thinking of the Imperial Palace that reeked perpetually of blood.
“Since I’m not ready yet, once I’ve finished preparing to bring you there, I’ll come ask for your permission again.”
“……”
“Though I’m always late, I won’t be this time.”
“……”
“Will you grow up healthy until then?”
Irim asked in a gentle voice.
Soya still couldn’t give him a clear answer about allowing him to take her.
But there was one thing she could say for sure.
“Brother Irim has never been late, not even once.”
Irim smiled soundlessly at Soya’s response.
For some reason, that distant, hazy smile made Soya feel a little strange.
Swaaah—
The autumn wind blew, scattering Soya’s hair.
“Ah.”
As she reached to brush away the strands fluttering across her vision,
Swish—
Irim leaned in suddenly and gently tucked the disheveled hair behind her ear.
“…!”
At the sudden closeness, Soya’s earlobe burned red, and her face grew hot.
The autumn night air was chilly, yet strangely, it felt sweltering around her.
Soya couldn’t fathom why her heart had been pounding like this since earlier.
* * *
After parting from Irim, Soya didn’t go to her room but headed straight to Sa-eon’s study.
It was late, but still early enough that Sa-eon would be there.
She wanted to boast to him first about using the purification power just now.
‘It’s a power I shouldn’t use recklessly yet, but if I try harder, I should be able to use it without a medium, right?’
Anticipation brimmed on Soya’s face.
‘Will he praise me as a brave and wonderful baby cotton ball again this time?’
Soya liked the feel of his rough palm ruffling her hair. She didn’t actually mind being called a ‘baby’ cotton ball.
It made her feel like a truly loved baby.
‘Heehee.’
Soya arrived at Sa-eon’s study, giggling to herself.
Perhaps because it was late, the corridor was quiet.
Through the slightly ajar door, she could see Sa-eon and Jeokyeong talking.
“Patriarch. What you gave to the little cotton ball lady today—was that Dragon Blood Grass?”
Soya, who had been about to push the door open and enter, froze at the sound of her name.
‘Dragon Blood Grass? What’s that?’
Unable to help herself, Soya held her breath and eavesdropped on their conversation.
