Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 24

Chapter 24

Moreover, Seyeon, who remained undaunted by others' stares and words, seemed admirable. Arin asked her,

"What scent is this?"

"It's dried osmanthus. The fragrance is sweet and strong, so it's good for sachets. If you don't like it, I can change it to something else."

"No, I like this scent. You seem to know a lot, Seyeon."

"I usually find answers in books when I don't know something."

For Seyeon, who had many quiet hobbies she enjoyed alone, it was natural—but to Arin, it was like a new world. She liked Seyeon even more.

So Arin kept asking Seyeon questions, like a little child following an older sister around.

"Do you like books?"

"I read every day."

"Wow, there's another person like my big brother here. I prefer swords to books, though."

As Doyoung shuddered, Seyeon said quietly,

"Compared to Young Master Dohun, this is just a hobby. He's so multi-talented—I wouldn't dare compare myself to him."

Though her tone was noticeably firm, Doyoung readily agreed.

"Well, that's true."

Everyone, even the collateral children, knew of Dohun's genius.

Meanwhile, as the three began playing among themselves, the remaining children exchanged awkward glances. They must have belatedly remembered the adults' instructions. Unable to return without having said a word, they were all pondering when to speak up.

Then the apparent leader of the group approached Arin.

"I like books too. Lately, I've been reading Seobaek's The Dragon's Art of War. You've read it too, haven't you, Miss Arin?"

Mentioning one of the classics, Seyeon frowned. It was far too difficult for a six-year-old like Arin—clearly a trap meant to embarrass her. Geum Huijin, granddaughter of the Third Elder, had always had a tendency to look down on others—a tyrant who ruthlessly dismissed anyone she didn't like.

Seyeon knew she had been subtly ostracized by that group, but she had let it be since it didn't bother her much. However, treating the newly adopted Arin like this crossed the line.

"There will surely be a troublemaker at the gathering. Stay close to her and protect her."

Recalling Heetaek's words, Seyeon was about to shield Arin when—

"I haven't read it."

Arin answered innocently without batting an eye. Flustered, Huijin blinked several times. It was as if Arin had openly said, "So what if I'm ignorant?"

"Oh, you haven't... Hmm, if you'd like, I can lend you a copy with an easy commentary. That would be easier to read."

"No. I don't need it."

"Pardon?"

"We're not close enough for you to lend me books."

Arin's crisp reply left Huijin speechless. Then Arin turned her head and added,

"Besides, I don't play with ugly people."

Ugly people. The blunt insult made Huijin freeze like stone. Having been surrounded only by those who used roundabout insults, Huijin had no immunity to a direct, concentrated assault of pure malice.

Seyeon was equally surprised by Arin's unexpected counterattack.

Then—

"Pfft—hahaha! She called you ugly!"

Doyoung, who had been quiet, burst out laughing. He found Arin adorable for putting his teaching into practice. His loud laughter made Huijin's face flush red.

Arin ignored her completely and said to Seyeon,

"Do you have that book too?"

"I do, but it's not necessary to read it now. Instead, I have a children's poetry collection by Seobaek—would you like to borrow that?"

"Okay!"

Huijin felt uncomfortable that Arin rejected her book but accepted Seyeon's.

Is she ignoring me now? How dare she?

Given that they were hiding her origins, it was obvious she was either a beggar picked up off the street or a bastard from another house.

"Hmph!"

Turning away, Huijin was immediately surrounded by her group, who rushed to comfort her. Meanwhile, Arin and Seyeon showed little interest in them.

The tea party had somehow split into two factions. If it ended like this, they might forever shun each other.

"If the atmosphere turns sour, you step in."

Remembering Dogyeong's instructions, Choryeong made a suggestion.

"Since we've had our snacks, how about a game of hide-and-seek? With so many of us, it'll be fun!"

"Hmph, how childish—"

Huijin was about to criticize when—

"Ooh, hide-and-seek sounds great!"

Doyoung cut her off and raised his hand eagerly, forcing Huijin to change her tune. Even she didn't want to make an enemy of the direct-line legitimate son, Doyoung.

"...Well, it might be fun, I suppose."

And so the game of hide-and-seek began. Even before it started, Doyoung was bouncing with excitement.

"Ooh! You're all dead!"

"Young master, you do know the rules of hide-and-seek, right?"

"Of course! The seeker finds the culprit and catches them! Right?"

"No. Finding them is the end. Don't catch them!"

As Choryeong shouted, Doyoung covered his ears and shuddered.

The seeker was chosen, and Seyeon, who became it, sighed softly.

"Oh dear."

Seyeon was not thrilled to be the seeker. It meant running around frantically looking for people. She decided to pretend to look half-heartedly and then give up.

Just then, Arin beside her, beaming with excitement, murmured,

"You know, I played hide-and-seek before... No one could find me, so I stayed crouched for half a day. Later, everyone went home without me."

"..."

"You'll find me, won't you, Seyeon?"

Her sparkling eyes pricked Seyeon's conscience. In the end, Seyeon nodded firmly.

"Yes. I will definitely find you."

She loathed moving, but she couldn't disappoint Arin.

Thus the game began.

"100, 99, 98, 97, 96..."

While Seyeon counted, the children scattered to hide. Even Huijin, who had seemed reluctant, quickly found a spot.

Arin also searched for a good hiding place. Remembering a side path she had seen on the way here, she moved quickly.

"This is perfect."

It was a garden attached to the hall where the banquet would soon be held. Everyone was busy preparing, so they wouldn't think to look here. A large tree stood nearby—if she climbed it, no one would find her. And she could see anyone approaching from afar.

"Hup."

Arin climbed the tree with ease. Having spent her time alone in the annex, she had become an expert at playing by herself—climbing trees was one of her skills.

"Yahoo."

She giggled softly. Just then—

Rustle, rustle.

She heard a presence nearby, and a white lizard emerged from among the leaves.

"...!"

Startled by the unexpected human, the lizard's eyes trembled like an earthquake. Arin, seeing a white lizard for the first time, was fascinated. Its platinum-white skin glistened, and its reddish-gold eyes sparkled like topaz.

"Wow, you're pretty. Where did you come from?"

Of course, the lizard couldn't answer. But having met Geumgeum, Arin thought it worth a try to speak to it.

"..."

As expected, the lizard just stared at her silently. It only tilted its head occasionally, without making a sound.

"I guess you can't talk after all. Geumgeum was a special animal."

Arin sighed and took out a handkerchief from her pocket. She spread it beside her, then suddenly grabbed the lizard without warning.

"...!"

The white lizard, now sitting on the handkerchief, was completely frozen. It kept tilting its head uncomfortably. Then Arin chattered,

"I was getting bored waiting alone—this is perfect. Will you be my talking companion?"

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