Chapter 4

Ri-ri sat in front of a large mirror while being dressed up.

The entire estate was buzzing because of the prince’s visit.

“If it’s the Fifth Prince, isn’t he the Taehwa Empire’s only legitimate imperial prince?”

“I heard he’s somewhat frail, but no one can compare to him in terms of bloodline or appearance.”

“Is it true he’s visiting to discuss an engagement with the young lady?”

“Perhaps our Lady Ri-ri may become the bride of the Golden Dragon.”

“Exactly! Lady Ri-ri is the only legitimate daughter among the Four Divine Beast clans!”

“And the prince is only two years older than our young lady, so they’re close in age as well……”

The attendants helping Ri-ri prepare chatted excitedly among themselves.

Unable to join the conversation, So-ya silently listened from a corner.

The attendants who served Ri-ri hated So-ya just as much as they pitied Ri-ri.

Especially whenever kind-hearted Ri-ri unknowingly cared for the girl who had “stolen” her place, their resentment toward So-ya only deepened.

They bullied her in ways that would not leave obvious traces—

Locking her in dark storage rooms without food.

Forcing impossible amounts of work onto her.

Pinching hidden parts of her body hard enough to leave bruises.

“That I could become the Golden Dragon’s bride… that’s far too much for someone like me.”

Ri-ri waved her hands shyly, blushing.

The attendants immediately protested loudly at her modesty.

“Too much? Just look in the mirror, Young Lady! You’re so beautiful!”

“You look just like a celestial maiden from the old legends!”

“If His Highness sees you, he’ll fall in love at first sight for sure!”

Hearing them, So-ya silently agreed.

As the attendants said, Lady Ri-ri looked incredibly beautiful after being dressed up.

Especially those blazing crimson locks that resembled the Clan Head and young masters……

“And what about this beautiful red hair that only the direct bloodline of the Vermillion Bird clan can possess? It’s not a color just anyone could have.”

“Exactly. It’s not something you can imitate just because you want to. I worry some foolish child who doesn’t know her place might see our young lady and start harboring ridiculous dreams.”

As they praised Ri-ri’s crimson hair, the attendants subtly glanced toward So-ya.

So-ya realized at once that the “foolish child who didn’t know her place” referred to her.

Her face burned hot with shame.

Fortunately, it seemed Lady Ri-ri hadn’t noticed……

“Oh my, hearing all of you say such things is embarrassing. What do you think, So-ya?”

Ri-ri smiled brightly as she asked her.

At that clear, innocent smile, So-ya flinched.

Every time Ri-ri showed concern for her like this, the attendants’ gazes became even sharper.

“Hey. The young lady asked you a question, so why aren’t you answering?”

One of the attendants painfully jabbed So-ya in the side.

It was the exact spot they had pinched hard enough to bruise a few days earlier.

Suppressing the throbbing pain, So-ya nodded.

“Y-Yes…… You’re beautiful. Very…….”

She barely managed to answer beneath the burning stares directed at her.

“Well, of course. Compared to your pitiful white hair, the young lady is incomparably beautiful.”

Laughter followed the attendant’s blunt remark.

“You shouldn’t say things like that. It’s not as though So-ya chose to be born that way.”

Ri-ri gently reprimanded the attendants in a benevolent tone.

Yet within the expression she directed toward So-ya lingered a faint sense of superiority and satisfaction.

“So-ya, you’ll attend me personally today.”

Ri-ri rose to her feet as she spoke.

“Pardon? B-but I……”

Startled, So-ya hesitated.

Today was the day an extremely important guest was visiting.

And no matter how one looked at it, So-ya’s appearance was not suitable for standing before such a guest.

Even though Ri-ri surely knew that, she simply grabbed So-ya’s wrist and smiled brightly.

“You’re the friend I treasure most.”

Sharp gazes full of jealousy and hatred immediately turned toward So-ya.

Humming cheerfully, Ri-ri walked ahead.

Lowering her head deeply, So-ya followed behind awkwardly.

She had intended to avoid drawing Father’s and Brother’s attention as much as possible, but she could not disobey the young lady’s orders.

From Clan Head Jeok A-yoon to the retainers and servants of the Vermillion Bird clan, everyone had gathered before the estate to await the prince’s arrival.

“Father! Brother!”

“Ri-ri, you’re here.”

“Ri-ri!”

Jeok Hwa-yu spread his arms wide with a bright smile, and Ri-ri happily slipped into his embrace.

“Our Ri-ri looks even prettier than usual today. Did you dress up specially because His Highness is visiting?”

“Oh my, Ri-ri is always pretty.”

Pouting prettily, Ri-ri puffed out her lips, making Hwa-yu laugh warmly.

“Yes, yes. This brother knows best how beautiful our Ri-ri is.”

“More importantly, where is His Highness?”

“He should arrive soon. Let us wait together.”

Hwa-yu brought Ri-ri to stand beside their father, Jeok A-yoon.

Following behind them, So-ya quietly moved to the far end of the line of servants and stood there silently.

At last, the prince’s carriage arrived.

The carriage door opened, and a boy around So-ya’s age stepped out with the help of an escort.

The first thing So-ya noticed was his platinum blond hair scattering softly in the breeze.

Her gaze naturally followed those strands shining like spun gold.

At that exact moment, the prince turned his head toward her.

Blue-green eyes, fresh like lush greenery, met So-ya’s gaze.

The two children’s eyes intertwined softly in midair.

Ah……

So-ya’s tiny cherry-like lips parted slightly.

Without realizing it, she stared blankly at him for a moment.

She had never seen anyone more beautiful than Father before.

Apparently she wasn’t the only one who thought so, because everyone around them seemed equally entranced by the young prince.

Then—

“Hello, Your Highness. Welcome to the land of the Vermillion Bird. My name is Ri-ri.”

Ri-ri’s sweet voice cut in, snapping So-ya back to reality.

She hurriedly lowered her head.

Thump, thump, thump, thump……

Thinking about how improper it had been to stare directly at the prince’s face made her heart pound wildly.

“You must have had a tiring journey, Your Highness.”

“It has been a while, Clan Head Jeok.”

Though only eleven years old, the young prince showed no intimidation whatsoever despite speaking to the much taller Jeok A-yoon.

So-ya inwardly admired his dignified and noble demeanor.

Yet strangely enough, she kept feeling as though the prince’s gaze lingered on her.

Unable to raise her head, So-ya could only stare down at her own feet.

* * *

Night had fallen, and darkness blanketed the estate.

Because of the attendants’ bullying, So-ya was only able to return to her quarters very late.

She had not eaten dinner properly and had been locked inside the kitchen storage room for nearly two hours, but since it was familiar mistreatment by now, she did not cry.

Fortunately, because of the prince’s visit, lanterns lit the estate brightly, so the paths were not dark.

That’s a relief. Darkness is a little scary.

Just as So-ya quickened her pace toward her quarters—

Rustle.

Hearing a sound, she absentmindedly turned her head—

Then froze in shock.

“……!”

Beneath the pouring moonlight stood a boy with shining platinum hair, quietly staring at her.

“Y-Your Highness.”

So-ya hurriedly bowed.

But the prince did not answer.

Instead, he silently studied her face for a long moment before—

“As I thought.”

He suddenly stepped closer and spoke.

“It really is you, So-ya.”

The moment her name left his lips, So-ya stiffened in surprise.

“You don’t remember me.”

The prince gave a bitter smile and pulled out a small ornament decorated with red jewels.

“Three years ago. At Lord San-yu’s departure ceremony. At the imperial palace.”

So-ya’s eyes slowly widened.

“Even after returning this, do you still not remember me?”

The prince gently took So-ya’s hand and placed the ornament into her palm.

[This ornament was something your late mother left behind for you.]

At that instant, a forgotten memory surfaced within So-ya’s mind.

There had once been a time when So-ya, like Lady Ri-ri now, had whined and acted stubbornly with her family.

Three years ago, when she insisted on accompanying the family to send off her eldest brother before his military departure, she had visited the imperial palace.

And there, in the rear gardens, she met a young noble boy grieving the death of his mother.

[Whenever So-ya misses her mother, looking at this comforts her. But now I’ll give it to Brother instead. I hope it comforts you too.]

[But, So-ya. This was your mother’s keepsake. I can’t possibly accept something so precious……]

The young noble boy had shaken his head, unable to accept the ornament she offered him.

And smiling brightly, she had replied—

[Then you can just come return it later.]

[Ah……]

[When you’re not sad anymore, you’ll come return it to me then, right?]

[……Yes. I promise. I’ll definitely come return it.]

The sickly boy had hidden his face behind a veil.

[Then it’s a promise, Brother Rim.]

That was why she never knew.

That the kind young noble boy had been the Taehwa Empire’s only legitimate prince.

“I came here to keep my promise to you.”

“Brother…… Rim……?”

When So-ya finally remembered his name, Crown Prince Tae I-rim smiled brightly.

“I worried I might have come too late, but thankfully I was able to tell you this before the day ended.”

Smiling warmly, he gently stroked So-ya’s hair.

“Happy birthday, So-ya.”

At that moment, So-ya remembered something she had desperately tried to forget.

Today—

The day of Lady Ri-ri’s ninth birthday—

The day she had gone hungry and been locked in storage because of the attendants’ bullying—

The day not a single person had wished her well—

The day even So-ya herself had forgotten—

……Was also her birthday.