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Chapter 34

Dogyeong stared incredulously, and Muje leaned his head against Arin's chest, sending a telepathic message.

I made a bet with the Divine Maiden. Until our agreed-upon week is over, I'm staying by this girl's side.

Who gave you permission! Dogyeong felt a headache coming on and glared at Yeoryeong. She must have orchestrated this. She remained unfazed by his fierce gaze.

"Then take good care of Seol, Arin."

"Yes, Divine Maiden! Leave him to me!"

The more brightly Arin answered, the more sullen Dogyeong became. He couldn't fathom why the heir of the White Dragon House was playing the part of a pet in Arin's arms. And a White Dragon pretending to be a lizard, no less.

Do I really have no choice but to take him along?

Seeing how happy Arin looked, he couldn't bring himself to say no.

Fine. It's only a week. What could possibly happen in a week?

After a week, he would send him back without delay.

"Just one week."

With that resolve, Dogyeong gave his stern permission.

"Hehe, thank you, Dad!"

Once Dogyeong agreed, Arin nuzzled the lizard against her face in delight. Muje's eyes bulged, and Dogyeong screamed,

"Don't!"

He snatched Muje away—but in that instant—

"Ugh."

A jolt of pain shot through him, and Dogyeong dropped Muje.

Don't touch me.

Landing gracefully, Muje said calmly, As you know, I have difficulty controlling my power. I might inadvertently cause you great offense, Master Geum.

The courteous tone clashed with his audacious behavior, and Dogyeong glared. He's doing that on purpose. He had barely touched him, yet he reacted so sensitively—while acting docile toward Arin.

Before Dogyeong could argue, Muje added,

I won't do anything to harm your daughter, so rest assured.

He seemed unaware that his very existence was a threat. How could he understand a father's heart, having to leave his precious daughter with a hidden White Dragon?

Yes. You'd better not. Because I might accidentally hit you too.

Emphasizing the word "accidentally," Muje chuckled. In any case, he couldn't harm a single hair on Arin—her touch alone calmed his raging fury.

Ignoring Dogyeong, Muje went to Arin's feet and raised his front paws. Arin scooped him back into her arms, and the moment her hands touched him, Muje made a contented sound. Dogyeong felt deeply conflicted.

"Let's go," he muttered weakly. Arin took his hand.

"Divine Maiden, I'll come again!"

"Yes. Remember to practice the training I taught you every day."

"Yes!"

After Arin left, Yeoryeong said to Geumgeum,

"Visit them often and keep an eye on both of them."

Squeak, squeak. (Don't worry. I hope their compatibility works out!)

Geumgeum whistled as he watched the three of them leave.

Squeak, squeak! (But Arin is too good for him! What will she even talk about with that grumpy guy?)

"Hard to say. He seems to talk a lot when he likes someone. He said more than three sentences earlier, didn't he?"

Squeak? Squeak! (Really? The sun must be rising in the west!)

Geumgeum stared up at the sky and shook his head—fortunately, the sun was setting in the west.

---

Arriving at Maehwadang, Arin's first task was to prepare a sleeping spot for Seol by her bedside. She laid out a soft cushion, and Seol curled up on it as if he knew it was his place. Watching him settle in as if he owned the place, Dogyeong grew tense.

"Even so, sleeping together is a bit much."

"Why?"

"Lizards are sensitive to heat—they'd prefer the cool outdoors to a warm room."

As he made this flimsy excuse, Muje dug his claws into the cushion, clinging to it.

"Really?"

"If you want, I can build Seol a little house outside."

"Hmm."

Arin was pondering when—

Squeak.

Muje made his first vocal sound, diverting her attention. He even licked her finger in a show of affection, as if pleading not to be sent outside. Those pitiful eyes were all it took.

"I want to keep him here. What if he gets caught by a predator outside?"

She hugged Seol protectively.

"He's so cute—everyone would want him."

Indeed.

Watching this utterly un-cute creature put on such a show was maddening. Unable to reveal the truth, Dogyeong could only sigh in frustration. Since this was Arin's first real display of will, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"Only on the cushion, though."

It was a warning to Muje not to dare sneak into her blankets. Muje smiled victoriously. Arin, oblivious, smiled cheerfully.

"Come here, Seol. This is your spot now!"

Muje climbed back onto the cushion, ignoring Dogyeong's warning entirely.

"Good night, then!"

Unable to shake his worry, Dogyeong quietly called Arin aside and whispered,

"Did you do as I told you?"

"His tail?"

Arin lowered her voice in response, and Dogyeong nodded. She answered innocently,

"Yes. He loved it, just like you said. You were right, Dad!"

"...He loved it?"

That was a White Dragon's reverse scale! Incredulous, Dogyeong asked again, and Arin nodded firmly.

"He ate the chestnuts well too. I heard they don't usually eat what others offer—it's amazing, isn't it? I think Seol really likes me too."

The more Arin chattered, the deeper Dogyeong's concern grew. He had given her advice to keep Muje away, but— He let her touch his reverse scale and didn't react? He liked it? That dragon? It seemed his plan had backfired horribly.

Dogyeong muttered blankly, "...Was I wrong?"

That couldn't be. So he really hadn't been angry when his reverse scale was touched? Why on earth?

"Huh?"

"No, nothing. I'm glad he liked it..."

Mumbling to himself, Dogyeong tried to sort out his thoughts. Everything had gone contrary to his expectations.

After Dogyeong left, Arin sat alone and closed her eyes. What she had learned from the Divine Maiden that day was astonishing and mysterious. She had believed herself useless, but she actually possessed a special power. She wanted to train as quickly as possible and wield her power freely, just like the Divine Maiden.

"First, it's important to sense the flow of energy within your own body."

As she concentrated as Yeoryeong had instructed, golden ripples radiated from her, surrounding her like a constellation descending to earth. Feeling it, Arin opened her eyes in awe.

"Wow."

When she touched the energy emanating from herself, it flowed back into her hands.

Sensing the subtle change in Arin's energy, Muje watched quietly. He couldn't see it directly, but he could tell she was operating her core.

What is she, really?

She was clearly a twelfth-year with a core, but her energy was oddly different from others. And more than that...

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