Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 16

Chapter 16

Meanwhile, Eunbaek was astonished. He had never seen Dogyeong's guard so completely disarmed before. And from the moment Arin appeared, he had been intensely curious about her identity.

Cautiously, Eunbaek asked, "But whose child is this...?"

Judging by her overflowing energy and golden eyes, she was clearly a child of the Twelve Houses. Dogyeong, gently regarding Arin, replied lightly,

"I found her because she was cute."

"...Pardon?"

"I'm going to raise her here from now on."

His clipped explanation made Eunbaek blink. Then, flustered, he asked again,

"Surely you didn't kidnap her?"

He knew Dogyeong liked children, but to abduct another family's precious daughter... Unaware of Eunbaek's concern, Dogyeong answered teasingly,

"She followed me of her own accord?"

"H-heavens! Master!"

Eunbaek gasped, unsure where to even begin correcting the situation. He needed to find out which Twelve House the child belonged to and sort things out immediately.

At that moment, Arin stepped in.

"That's right! I followed him! Don't scold him!"

She spread her arms wide and stood protectively in front of Dogyeong. That brave gesture made his lips twitch—the tiny thing trying to defend him was comical.

Her answer, however, deflated Eunbaek's urgency. Even if her parents hadn't approved, at least the child had consented.

"Is that true?"

"Yes! So please let me stay here. If you just feed me and give me a place to sleep, I'll work hard! I'm good at laundry and cleaning!"

It was meant to persuade them, but Arin's bright declaration darkened both Dogyeong's and Eunbaek's expressions. Unable to bear it, Dogyeong pinched her cheek and scolded,

"I'd rather give you another sweet rice cake than wait for those tiny hands to get anything done."

"Oww, that hurts."

"Of course it hurts—you said something bad. Do you think I'd let a drop of water touch those hands?"

"Ugh."

Arin rubbed her pinched cheek and made a pouty face. All the way here, she had been thinking how to repay Dogyeong's kindness. Her conclusion had been to become a servant.

"I'm good at working!"

"The Geumho House is not so heartless as to make a child work."

"Then... I'll eat a little less..."

"Tsk!"

As Arin persisted, Dogyeong grabbed both her shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"Listen carefully. Your only job here is to eat well, sleep well, play well, and smile well. A child should act like a child and accept adults' care."

He was frustrated by this tiny creature constantly trying to act like an adult. Eunbaek chimed in,

"Indeed. We have no intention of making you work, Miss Arin. This is all because the master has no way with words."

Then what am I supposed to do?

After all, she had come to the Geumho House to repay Dogyeong's kindness.

Can I really stay here without doing anything?

No matter how kind Dogyeong was, having an extra mouth to feed would eventually become a burden. Her own blood had abandoned her for being useless—how much more so a stranger like Dogyeong? If she were abandoned twice, she would not survive.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, the adults finished their conversation.

"Sharp words, Eunbaek."

"For now, since she agrees, I'll let it pass. I trust you will explain the rest later, Master."

Though his attitude seemed almost disrespectful, Dogyeong showed no displeasure. Despite his fierce appearance, he was infinitely generous to his people—something Hong Ijin could never have done.

Dismissively waving his hand, Dogyeong ordered, "Enough. Prepare some tonic to build up the child's strength. She's so gaunt from not eating properly that it's painful to look at."

"Yes. I'll prepare a suitable restorative."

Eunbaek left, and Dogyeong called a servant.

"Take Arin to Maehwadang and assign Choryeong to her."

"Yes, Master."

Arin tugged at his sleeve. "Sir, where are you going?"

She looked uneasy, as he was the only person she knew here. He ruffled her hair playfully and said,

"I'll be back soon. In the meantime, explore your room to your heart's content."

---

After Dogyeong left, Arin followed a servant to Maehwadang. The garden was in full bloom with plum blossoms. Beside it, a family of ducks played on a lake. It was an immaculately kept place, fit for a princess.

"Did we come to the wrong place?"

"This is Maehwadang, miss."

"But I said I was going to my room."

"Yes, you'll be staying here from now on."

"Truly? I'm to stay here?"

Startled, Arin looked around the room. It was more lavish than the room she had stayed in at the Red Serpent House—every ornament on the pillars was delicate and ornate. It was too fine a room for her.

Suddenly recalling how Sosso had taken her room, Arin's expression darkened.

"Was there a child staying here before?"

Such a room must have had an owner—she worried she might be displacing someone.

"No, this room has been empty for a long time."

Just then, Choryeong appeared and answered on the servant's behalf.

"Hello, Miss Arin. I am Choryeong, and I'll be attending to you from now on. Please tell me if you need anything."

Having grown up with many younger siblings, Choryeong immediately understood why Arin had asked. Children who had eaten too much "eye-measuring rice" tended to be wary like that. Knowing this, Dogyeong had assigned Choryeong, who was good at caring for the young.

"Hello. I'm Arin."

Arin bowed politely, and Choryeong nearly trembled.

She's so adorable!

The only children in the Geumho House were the young masters Dohun and Doyoung. Both carried the energy of the Golden Tiger and were larger than their peers. A small, precious, cute child like Arin clutched at the heart just by existing—especially one that Geum Dogyeong had specifically entrusted.

Choryeong crouched to meet Arin's eyes and asked, "How old are you, Miss Arin?"

"I'm six."

"Oh my."

Choryeong blinked in surprise. From her appearance, she had guessed four or five at most. Having gone without proper food for so long, Arin was much smaller than her peers. Sensing why she was surprised, Arin fidgeted her fingers.

"I'll grow soon. I really will."

Having heard that comment all the way here, her reply was a bit sullen. Her plump, slightly pouty cheeks twitched. Seeing that, Choryeong swallowed an inward scream.

What do I do? She's too cute!

Growing up among tough younger siblings, seeing a child like this made Choryeong lose her heart in an instant.

---

Meanwhile, Dogyeong made his way to the shrine where Yeoryeong stayed. He still had many questions regarding Arin. The Divine Maiden, who had told him to take Arin as a daughter, had traveled separately from her the whole way. Clearly, Geumgeum, who had gone on a secret mission, must have given her some information. And given Yeoryeong's character, it seemed unlikely she had suggested he adopt the child simply out of pity.

What is she thinking?

Since she would not tell him, he had to seek her out. He was especially curious about what she wanted to confirm that required wearing the Eun-gipo, the cloth that concealed divine power.

Around the shrine, an especially mysterious energy flowed. There was a secret guest staying there, hidden by Yeoryeong's magic—so potent that even Dogyeong, who already knew who the visitor was, could barely sense the presence.

Yeoryeong, sensing his arrival first, opened the door and said,

"Still as impatient as ever, Dogyeong."

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