“My name is Ri-ri.”
The true young lady of the Vermillion Bird clan crossed through the mansion gates carrying a crimson feather, her luscious red hair and ruby-like eyes sparkling brilliantly.
“I’m nine years old this year, and I recently completed my first beast transformation.”
The moment Clan Head Jeok A-yoon saw the blazing red feather—the kind said to belong only to the direct bloodline of the Vermillion Bird clan—his eyes shook violently.
The girl explained that she had grown up wandering the streets and had never known she was a daughter of the Vermillion Bird clan. Only recently, after completing her first beast transformation somewhat later than most children her age, had she discovered the truth.
“People told me that if I brought this feather here, I’d be able to meet my real family.”
Like the true young lady of the Vermillion Bird clan she was, the child spoke clearly and confidently as she explained why she had come.
“If that feather is truly yours, then why did you bring it instead of transforming directly yourself?”
Speaking in place of the frozen Jeok A-yoon, Jeok Hwa-yu shot the girl a suspicious glare.
“Th-that’s……”
The child fidgeted nervously, making his eyes sharpen even further.
“And how are we supposed to believe you?”
“I-I can do it! I can transform!”
The child shouted after cautiously reading the room.
Then—
Bang!
Closing her eyes tightly, she transformed into a crimson bird.
“……!”
“……!”
Jeok A-yoon and Jeok Hwa-yu froze on the spot.
There was no doubt whatsoever.
The child was undeniably a direct descendant of the Vermillion Bird clan.
But almost immediately after transforming, the girl collapsed weakly onto the floor as the transformation unraveled.
“Child!”
Jeok A-yoon hurriedly caught and supported her.
“My spirit core is weak…… Whenever I transform, it puts strain on my heart. I became seriously ill when I was little, but I wasn’t treated properly in time.”
The child stammered apologetically, her eyelashes trembling.
“I’m sorry. I’m such a foolish child who can’t even transform properly……”
“A fool? No! The fool is not you……!”
Jeok A-yoon raised his voice and tightly embraced the child.
“……The fool is me, for failing to recognize you.”
Holding the child in his arms, Jeok A-yoon silently wept.
The clan entered a festive atmosphere because the “real young lady” had finally returned.
The late madam had not committed adultery after all—the children had merely been switched by a greedy maidservant!
The stain upon the late madam’s honor was erased, and the endless anguish tormenting the Clan Head finally came to an end.
Of course, amidst that warm and celebratory atmosphere, So-ya alone was excluded.
So-ya was considered a sinner who had stolen the true young lady’s place and lived in luxury while the real girl suffered on the streets without proper food or shelter.
Even if none of it had been So-ya’s fault, there was no escaping the piercing gazes directed toward her.
Naturally, So-ya became even more timid than before and stayed hidden for some time so as not to attract attention.
And yet today, of all days, she had gone out to wash clothes and encountered the young master and the real young lady.
I can’t let them see my face.
So-ya pressed herself flat against the floor and lowered her head.
[If that disgusting face of yours appears before me one more time, I may cut off those pathetic little wings.]
The words Hwa-yu had spoken three years ago pierced painfully through her mind like thorns.
Feeling the cold gaze sweeping over her, So-ya shut her eyes tightly and curled into herself even more.
If they see my face, my wings will be cut off.
Even though her spirit core had already been taken and she had never once properly spread her wings, the thought of having them cut off still terrified her.
Meanwhile, Jeok Hwa-yu did not recognize So-ya immediately.
Three years was a long time.
And for a growing child, those years made an even greater difference.
So it was understandable that he failed to recognize her at first glance……
But more than anything, his eyes lingered on her ragged appearance and swollen fingernails.
The So-ya he remembered from three years ago had always worn the finest clothes and eaten the best food, showered constantly with her family’s love.
Her plump cheeks had always glowed with life, and she wore nothing but clean garments.
But now……
“Oh my, who is this child?”
Ri-ri suddenly poked her head out curiously.
“She’s just a servant working in the estate. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with her.”
Hwa-yu answered while immediately turning away from So-ya.
“Oh dear, she smells. I don’t think she’s bathed. How filthy.”
Ri-ri pinched her nose as she spoke.
So-ya’s face flushed bright red.
Now nine years old, So-ya was unusually small and frail for her age.
Ever since her spirit core had been taken three years ago, she had failed to grow properly.
On top of that, she hadn’t bathed or washed her clothes properly for several days, so to a precious young lady, she must have looked utterly pitiful.
Feeling miserable about herself, So-ya curled her fingers inward to hide her swollen fingernails.
“Don’t pay attention to something like that. Why don’t you come this way instead? Over there is the flower garden our late mother cherished.”
Hwa-yu said as he took Ri-ri’s hand and guided her in the opposite direction.
He had not said it specifically to hurt So-ya.
Rather, he was worried Ri-ri might become interested in her.
The people of the Vermillion Bird clan had never told Ri-ri about So-ya’s existence—
About the wicked girl who had stolen the position of “true young lady” before Ri-ri arrived.
The reason was simple.
They feared Ri-ri would be hurt if she found out.
While Ri-ri wandered the streets unable to eat properly, So-ya had enjoyed everything that should have belonged to Ri-ri.
How deeply wounded would Ri-ri be if she learned that truth?
Especially when the child already carried so many scars.
“Wait a moment, Brother.”
Contrary to Hwa-yu’s hopes, Ri-ri began taking interest in So-ya.
“Hey, lift your head. Let me see your face.”
So-ya didn’t know what to do.
Hwa-yu’s terrifying warning—that if she showed her face again, he would cut off her wings—echoed mercilessly through her mind.
“I said lift your head.”
When So-ya still hesitated, unable to obey, Hwa-yu interjected in a slightly displeased tone.
“What are you doing? Ri-ri is giving you an order.”
Is it really okay to show my face……?
Cautiously, So-ya slowly raised her head.
The moment Ri-ri saw her face, her eyes sparkled brightly.
“I want this child to stay by my side! Please let her become my personal maid!”
Ri-ri clapped her hands and declared brightly.
Flinch.
At the same moment Hwa-yu stiffened in shock, So-ya’s face turned pale white.
“But Ri-ri, this child is too young and uneducated to serve as your maid. The attendants currently beside you are much more—”
“But all the maids beside me are older than I am. I want someone my age who can stay by my side like a friend.”
Ri-ri clasped her hands together adorably and feigned an earnest plea.
But Hwa-yu did not budge.
“A friend? Ridiculous. How could someone so lowly possibly become your friend?”
“So you won’t grant Ri-ri’s request? Then I hate you, Brother!”
Ri-ri puffed out her cheeks and jutted out her lips in dissatisfaction.
The sight was incredibly adorable, but Hwa-yu replied stiffly,
“……I think we must discuss this with Father first.”
The “fake” who had stolen the true young lady’s place becoming the true young lady’s personal maid?
Anyone would find that strange.
But Father Jeok A-yoon thought differently.
“Yes, Ri-ri. If it’s something you want, how could I refuse?”
Jeok A-yoon gently stroked Ri-ri’s hair with a warm smile.
“Yay! Father really is the best! Ri-ri likes Father the most!”
When her brother refused her request, Ri-ri had stubbornly run directly to their father instead, and now she bounced around excitedly.
“But Father—”
“It’s Ri-ri’s request.”
Hwa-yu tried to object, but Jeok A-yoon cut him off firmly, though gently.
Then he looked at his daughter with affectionate eyes and asked,
“Are you truly that happy, Ri-ri?”
“Yes! It was Ri-ri’s wish!”
Ri-ri exclaimed while clenching both fists tightly.
With her cheeks flushed pink, the child looked absolutely adorable.
Had she not added those next words, the atmosphere would have remained warm.
“When Ri-ri lived on the streets, I didn’t have a single friend my age. Everyone hated Ri-ri. They mocked and beat me because I was a beggar without a father.”
The expressions of both father and son darkened instantly.
Ri-ri occasionally spoke about her days on the streets.
Whenever she did, the brightness and cheerfulness in her voice only made it more painfully obvious how difficult her life had been, wrenching at the hearts of those listening.
Perhaps it would have hurt less if Ri-ri had simply cried and admitted she had been lonely and miserable……
Jeok A-yoon gave a bitter smile and spoke to her.
“Ri-ri, would you go outside with your brother for a moment?”
“Hm? Just me and Brother?”
Tilting her head curiously, Ri-ri turned her gaze toward So-ya, who still stood awkwardly by the doorway.
Dragged here against her will by Ri-ri, So-ya had been staring at the floor with a deathly pale face the entire time.
Soon, Ri-ri’s eyes curved sweetly as she answered,
“Yes, Father!”
Leaving a quick kiss on her father’s cheek, Ri-ri grabbed her brother’s hand and left the room.
Jeok A-yoon watched her departing figure with a gentle smile.
However, the warm smile on his face vanished like a lie the moment Ri-ri disappeared from sight.
Then Jeok A-yoon looked toward So-ya with cold, hardened eyes.
The stark difference between the way he looked at Ri-ri and the way he looked at So-ya made her freeze stiffly.
“It’s been a long time.”
A voice devoid of emotion was directed at So-ya.
