Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 14

Chapter 14

But he could not reveal such feelings to a child who had just decided to follow him.

"First, we need to get you treated. You have too many bruises on your delicate body."

"I can walk."

As Arin tried to get down hesitantly, Dogyeong adjusted his hold and scolded her.

"After crying like that? If you don't want to fall again, stay still."

He furrowed his brows to scare her, but—

"...Hehe."

Arin just giggled happily. Perhaps she now understood his words were not threats. Longing for human warmth, she felt so comfortable with Dogyeong, who treated her so freely. Ever since word got out that she could not transform, everyone had avoided her.

"I think you're a really good person, sir."

Her honest words slipped out, and Dogyeong's lips curled with satisfaction. She had been so frightened earlier, but now she chattered away. At the same time, he felt a pang of worry—if such small kindnesses opened her heart so easily, how lonely must she have been?

He pinched her cheek lightly and chided,

"I can't tell if that's a compliment or an insult."

"Hehe."

"Such a silly smile."

"Should I not smile?"

"Who said not to? In the Geumho House, you can do whatever you want. You're the child who punched the head of the Geumho House himself, aren't you? With that spirit, there's nothing you can't do in this world."

"...Don't tease me."

The one she should have been angry at was Brother Ahyeon, yet she had taken it out on Dogyeong. Seeing her grow sullen again, Dogyeong added,

"Be like that. If anyone tries to harm you, fight back."

"And if they're stronger than me?"

"What does that matter when I'm by your side?"

Dogyeong grinned playfully, revealing his fangs. What had once seemed terrifying now felt reassuring.

"Yes!"

Arin answered cheerfully and grinned along with him. After a long season of dark clouds, the sun had finally shone in Arin's world.

---

Once Arin made her decision, Geum Dogyeong prepared to leave Hongsachon without hesitation. Before departing, Arin left a letter in the room where she had stayed—in case her family came looking for her, and because she wanted to leave a final farewell.

Sadly, there was no one to see her off. They could not have missed such a large carriage, yet not a single face appeared. After looking back several times, Arin finally gave up and smiled bitterly.

And so the journey began, leaving behind her last lingering attachments. For Arin, who had never left Hongsachon, the road to Geumho Village felt like another world.

As soon as they entered Geumho Village, the air itself changed. A warm breeze carried a faint salty tang. And when the vast ocean stretched before her beyond the window—

"Wow! Is that the sea?"

Arin, who had been sitting quietly, stuck her face out the carriage window, her eyes sparkling. It was the first time she had ever seen the sea. The shimmering waves reflecting the blazing sun were as beautiful as jewels. The sky and sea mirrored each other across the horizon, while seagulls soared leisurely above them.

"It's so beautiful!"

As Arin leaned further out in awe, Dogyeong held her waist.

"You'll fall out."

"Hehe."

Leaning on his arm, Arin drank in the sight of the sea. Dogyeong glanced down at her.

What is this?

"It's a letter Arin left for you."

"..."

"She must have wanted to say goodbye on her way out."

He had wanted to throw it away the moment he found it, but since he was Arin's biological father, he passed it on. He understood Arin's wish to leave a final letter. Hong Ijin had only stared at it silently, fiddling with it without a word. Still, since she was his own daughter, he had expected some emotional turmoil—but he had gone out at dawn, and Arin never even saw his face.

He could have at least seen her off.

In the end, there was not a single thing about the man that pleased him. Arin's repeated backward glances as she left the estate had stayed on his mind. Seeing her brighten up now, he felt relieved.

Dogyeong watched her spirited, bouncing crown of hair. Her plump cheeks bobbed with excitement—utterly adorable. How long had he been watching? Before long, the Geumho House came into view.

"We're almost there."

---

The moment word arrived that Geum Dogyeong had returned, the second son of the Geumho House, Geum Doyoung, abandoned his sword practice and headed straight to the main hall. Surely, having traveled so far, his father would bring back an armful of gifts. He had heard from his nursemaid that the red confections of Hongsachon were especially delicious. Like his father, he had a sweet tooth, and he was already smacking his lips.

But when he reached the main hall, what caught his eye was a tiny, frail child.

"Is it good?"

"Yes! It's delicious!"

His father had a little girl on his lap, feeding her a dried persimmon—one of the precious ones he had saved all winter!

He told me there were none left!

It was a lie meant to curb Doyoung's frequent stomachaches, but he did not know that.

Who is she?

The child devoured a persimmon as big as her face with gusto. She ate so eagerly that Doyoung's own mouth began to water.

Just then, passing servants' whispers reached his ears.

"What is that child to be treated so generously? I've never seen the master make that expression before. Have you heard anything?"

"I don't know. I've only been ordered to prepare Maehwadang for her."

"Maehwadang? That's the room for direct-line daughters. Surely the master wouldn't..."

The servants lowered their voices further, so Doyoung could not catch the rest—but it was enough to guess. Especially since the child's eyes were golden.

"Impossible."

Seeing the trait unique to the Twelve Houses, Doyoung's misunderstanding only grew. Shocked, he dropped his wooden sword with a clatter.

---

As soon as Arin arrived at the Geumho House, she was astonished. What she had thought was a coastal road was actually built over the sea—a bridge created by the divine power of the Golden Tiger. The Golden Tiger, the guardian spirit of the Geumho House, held power over the earth and had protected the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts for generations. The village, situated in the middle of the sea, could only be reached by crossing the Geumho Bridge—a fortress on the water, a path that appeared and disappeared at will, allowing no uninvited entry.

Following that path, they arrived at the Geumho House, which stood at the very front of the village.

"Wow."

Arin gasped in admiration as she stepped down from the carriage. She could feel the mysterious power connecting the land and the island throughout her entire body. It was an overwhelming yet energizing place.

"How do you like it? Is it not more impressive than the Red Serpent House?"

Dogyeong asked proudly, and Arin nodded vigorously. The Red Serpent House was famous for its beauty, but it lacked the grandeur of the Geumho House. This place naturally exuded the dignified aura of a family that had guarded the Divine Maiden for generations.

"It's wonderful!"

"Hm hm."

Dogyeong puffed out his shoulders, clearly pleased. Meanwhile, the Divine Maiden stepped down from the carriage that had followed behind. She had traveled separately the entire way, and Arin looked at her with curiosity. Yeoryeong's face was covered with thick cloth.

She must not be able to see ahead.

Worried that Yeoryeong might trip, Arin watched her closely. Then, suddenly, Yeoryeong approached her as well.

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