Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 28

Chapter 28

"Huh?"

At the unexpected question, Dogyeong tilted his head.

"I caused trouble again, didn't I? Because I'm different from everyone else..."

Arin was about to burst into tears, rambling on.

"You're still as bad at comforting a child as ever."

Yeoryeong quietly entered Maehwadang. Dogyeong, who had been worried about Arin's expression, glanced at her.

"What about the banquet?"

"Geumgeum is taking my place."

Geumgeum, a spirit beast contracted with Yeoryeong, could disguise itself as the Divine Maiden. This was one of its mystical abilities, and the reason rumors spread that Yeoryeong could appear and disappear at will.

Yeoryeong approached Arin and gently stroked her cheek.

"Child, there is nothing lacking in you."

"But everyone called me a half-wit."

"Those are the words of ignorant people."

She softly patted Arin's head. Just that touch brought Arin peace.

"You're not a half-wit—you're special."

"Special?"

"In fact, I too was a twelfth-year who couldn't transform."

When Yeoryeong said she couldn't transform, Arin's eyes went wide. She had heard that the Divine Maiden was revered by all the Twelve Houses—and yet she had been in the same position as Arin.

Arin's lips trembled, unable to fully comprehend it.

"How can someone like me, who can't transform, become as great a twelfth-year as you?"

If there was a way, she would try anything. Arin wanted to stand proud on her own, and she wanted to be helpful to her family. Sensing that resolve, Yeoryeong's eyes softened.

"If you're curious about your abilities, come to the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts with your father soon. It would be too long a story to tell here."

At the mention of the village, Arin's face darkened.

"But I heard that once you enter the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts, you can't leave for three years..."

She didn't want to be separated from her newfound family. Reading her heart, Yeoryeong smiled faintly.

"You're right. Normally, you would have to be apart from your family—but there are exceptions."

She glanced at Dogyeong. Only the Divine Maiden, the head of the Geumho House, and the direct line of the White Dragon House could freely come and go from the village. Arin knew this, too, which made it even harder to understand—she was none of these, except that her father was the Geumho head.

To reassure her, Yeoryeong took out a golden lotus token from her robe.

"Whoever carries this may enter freely for a time."

"Wow."

The gleaming token looked precious.

"Are you sure I can have this?"

"Rather, I should thank you for accepting it. Think of it as a gift to commemorate your becoming a daughter of the Geumho House."

Yeoryeong treated Arin as carefully as a precious crystal orb. It was a stark contrast to her cold demeanor toward others.

It's been a long time since I've seen her smile like this.

Dogyeong, unaccustomed to the sight, brushed his arms to shake off the goosebumps. After the past incident, it had been ages since Yeoryeong smiled so freely. Being near Arin, who held pure divine power, seemed to lift her spirits.

"Then I'll see you soon."

After hugging Arin tightly with a look of reluctance, Yeoryeong departed.

---

Several days passed after the banquet. Arin blinked at the list of gifts that had poured in for her.

"All of these really came?"

It was more than she had ever received for her birthdays at the Red Serpent House. It was a sign of the Geumho House's greater prestige, though that thought didn't quite reach her. Choryeong grinned proudly.

"Of course. They're all yours, Miss Arin. Everything has been inspected, so feel free to use them however you like."

There's too much for me to use alone.

But leaving them to gather dust in a storehouse seemed wasteful. She had seen her mother's forgotten items eventually turn into junk. Wanting to put them to good use instead, Arin said,

"Choryeong, are there many orphans or vagrants in Geumho Village?"

"Being a hub of maritime trade, yes. There are countless cases of children being abandoned. Of course, the master runs a relief center, but..."

"If we exchange these gifts for food, how many children could we feed?"

"Pardon? You want to use these gifts for the street children?"

"They're too much for me. Storing them would cost more than they're worth."

"But..."

Choryeong hesitated, wishing Arin could enjoy them herself. But Arin's mind was made up.

"Since there's a relief center, that's perfect. I want to go there."

"...Very well. But please let me set aside a portion for you, Miss Arin."

"Okay!"

At Arin's insistence, they set out toward the marketplace outside the Geumho House.

"Where are you going?"

They ran into Doyoung, who was about to go to sword practice.

"Miss Arin wants to visit the relief center."

"Why?"

"She wants to share gifts with the street children."

"Hmm. I'll come too."

"Brother, what about your training?"

"It's fine. I don't feel good about letting you go alone. You don't know how tough those street kids can be."

Doyoung immediately stuck close to Arin.

"Aren't you just coming because you want snacks?"

"No, I'm not!"

Doyoung glared at the accurate jab.

"Well, I do want to stop by the dumpling place nearby! Little one, don't you want dumplings too?"

"Yes!"

Arin was happy to go along with whatever Doyoung suggested. Seeing the well-matched siblings, Choryeong just laughed.

As the three of them headed toward the dumpling shop before the relief center, the area around it was in chaos.

"This brat has been at it again!"

Drawing closer, they saw a boy arguing with the dumpling shop owner. With his black hair so shaggy it covered his face, he was clearly a street child. The owner, unable to contain his rage, grabbed a broom. The boy dodged quickly and snarled,

"I have money!"

"There are no dumplings for your kind! How many times do I have to tell you?!"

"Pfft! With that nasty temper, no wonder you're so fat."

"What?! You—!"

The owner, red-faced with humiliation, grabbed the boy by the scruff. Just then, a golden glint flickered in the boy's eyes—and he bit the owner's arm. In that fleeting moment, Arin saw the boy's body darken, and her eyes went wide.

"Let go, you spiteful little blimp!"

With a bite strong enough to tear flesh, the owner screamed.

"Aagh!"

As the owner let go and clutched his arm, the boy snatched a dumpling from the basket and sneered.

"Consider this payment for the trouble."

"Y-you cursed brats...!"

The owner, bleeding heavily, couldn't chase after him. His arm looked as if it had been savaged by a beast. Just then, the boy brushed past Arin. Seeing his dark, discontented eyes, Arin tilted her head.

Did I see wrong?

His eyes had definitely flashed golden, but it had been so brief that she couldn't confirm further.

Choryeong clicked her tongue. "Too many street cats. We'd better watch our purses."

With the owner injured, the shop was in disarray.

"Sigh, there goes my dumpling plan. But I know a good noodle place."

Doyoung, as if he had been waiting, led Arin to a noodle shop instead.

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