Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 26

Chapter 26

One problem after another. Now Dogyeong found himself having to invent a nonexistent white lizard's dietary preferences. He averted his gaze—how was he supposed to know what it liked? Fortunately, his eyes fell on a chestnut tree, and he quickly said,

"Well, as far as I know, they like chestnuts."

"Chestnuts?"

"Especially raw ones."

Arin tilted her head thoughtfully. Come to think of it, the tree where she had met the white lizard was a chestnut tree too.

So it must have climbed up to eat chestnuts. How cute.

She smiled, imagining the white lizard crunching on chestnuts. It was the cutest and most lovable lizard she had ever seen.

"Then next time, I'll pick some chestnuts and leave them out."

Arin answered confidently, and Dogyeong sighed inwardly.

I nearly had the heir of the White Dragon House eating worms. Not that it would have been bad, but he didn't want to shatter Arin's illusions. According to Yeoryeong, since Baek Muje had arrived at the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts, he had not spoken more than three sentences at a time. Knowing he had been sent for his own protection, he was clearly simmering with resentment and staging a silent protest.

I heard he shows no mercy. During his time in the palace, he was notorious for ruthlessly dismissing any servant who made a mistake. Once someone fell out of favor, they couldn't even come near him—he was so finicky that he preferred to be alone. They said it was because he had been born with immense power and could keenly sense impure energies.

But Arin was fine with him.

According to Arin, she had stayed by his side for quite a while. It couldn't have been just because they were peers. And he had even given her a dragon scale—perhaps something about Arin had caught his interest. Dogyeong needed to find out. If the boy was showing interest in his daughter, that was absolutely unacceptable.

Determined to nip any potential relationship in the bud, Dogyeong devised a plan.

"Arin, if you meet the white lizard again..."

He whispered quietly, and Arin's expression turned doubtful.

"Really?"

Dogyeong affirmed with conviction.

"Yes. He'll probably love it."

Imagining the White Dragon's horrified reaction, Dogyeong smiled darkly.

---

The Geumho House was crowded with visitors from collateral families and distinguished guests arriving from Geumho Village. The estate had been opened for Arin's welcome banquet. Of course, the passage connecting to the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts remained sealed by protective formations.

"The evening banquet will begin soon! Everyone, please come inside!"

At the servant's call, those who had been admiring the Geumho House found their seats. Among the crowd was Hong Hyeoksu, the grandson of the Grand Elder and a childhood friend of Ahyeon. He had come along because his father had business at the Geumho House and he wanted to see the sights. But as luck would have it, a banquet was being held, and all sorts of people were pouring in—much to his annoyance.

Squeezing into a seat at the back, Hyeoksu looked around.

"How amazing must this adopted daughter be for them to open the Geumho House? I thought they opened it maybe once a year at most."

"Must be very pretty," a servant offered.

Hyeoksu scoffed. "Hey, have you ever seen a twelfth-year adopted for her looks? She must have incredible twelfth-year abilities!"

"My thoughts were too shallow," the servant groveled.

Hyeoksu puffed up and grabbed a piece of pumpkin pancake from the table.

"Tch, even the Geumho House's food is nothing special."

He was half-heartedly nibbling when—

"Here she comes!"

At the servant's cry, Hyeoksu turned his head—and a question mark appeared on his face.

"Why is she here?"

"Huh? Who... oh! Isn't that Young Lady Hong Arin?"

The servant recognized Arin too, his eyes widening. As Arin entered with Geum Dogyeong, they were both stunned. Then a peculiar expression crossed Hyeoksu's face.

"Did she trick the master of the Geumho House?"

If not, there was no way a house as prestigious as the Geumho would adopt that half-wit. Knowing Arin couldn't transform, Hyeoksu itched to go talk to her, squirming in his seat. But there were too many people, and his seat was too far away to even make eye contact.

"Ugh, why are there so many people here!" he grumbled.

Just then—

"There you are. I've been looking for you."

"Father!"

"We were lucky. Thanks to this, I've been able to make connections with the elders. Hyeoksu, the children of the Geumho elders are all here too—at least get to know their faces."

"More importantly, Father, did you see? The adopted daughter of the Geumho House is Hong Arin! That half-wit!"

"What?"

Startled, Hong Hyeokjae looked toward the front. Dogyeong had Arin on his lap and was feeding her meat. Doyoung was fussing over her too—clearly she was being doted on.

"What in the world...?"

How could the child who had been confined to an annex just a few months ago be all the way out here in Geumho Village? Unaware that Yeoryeong had recently visited Hongsachon, he found Arin's presence here deeply unsettling. After all, he was one of the elders who had strongly insisted she be locked away.

Did the Red Serpent head make some deal with the Geumho master?

Otherwise, Arin's presence here made no sense. He resolved to investigate further during his stay.

His oblivious son raised his voice.

"It must be that girl who lied and fooled the Geumho master. She can't even transform—mmph!"

Hong Hyeokjae quickly clamped his son's mouth shut and muttered meaningfully,

"I need to look into this. You keep quiet too."

---

Outside Maehwadang, the crowd was immense. So many guests had come for her welcome banquet. Arin looked bewildered as she glanced around.

"It's crowded, since the estate isn't opened every day," Dogyeong said, gripping Arin's hand firmly so she wouldn't get lost in the throng. Not to be outdone, Doyoung grabbed her other hand.

"Little one, hold your brother's hand tight, okay? If you let go, you'll get swept away and lost!"

"O-okay!"

Frightened, Arin squeezed their hands. With Dogyeong on her left and Doyoung on her right, Doyoung felt like a royal guard protecting a princess and puffed up with pride.

"It looks like it's just open, but Father is using the power of the Twelve to keep out evil things. How about that? Great, right? Aren't you glad you're my sister?"

"Yeah, it's amazing! I love it! You're so cool!"

Arin answered enthusiastically, and Doyoung beamed. Dogyeong gave him a baffled look.

"I do all the work, and you take all the credit?"

"Well, someday I'll do the work too!"

"Preventing that is my job, you brat!"

Dogyeong flicked Doyoung's forehead, and he yelped.

In truth, the opening of the Geumho House wasn't solely to welcome Arin.

[They seem to be moving again.]

Recalling the letter that had arrived a few days earlier, Dogyeong had laid out more meticulous formations than usual. It had been less than ten years since Yeonhaguk had achieved its current peace. Before that, factions vying for the throne had constantly watched for opportunities to revolt. The rebellion's leader, the Black Demon, had been subdued by the White Dragon House, Yeoryeong, and the Geumho House. As a result, Yeoryeong's power had weakened significantly, and both the White Dragon and Geumho Houses had taken considerable damage.

These damned foals just won't stay dead and keep coming back.

Back   Next