Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 53

Chapter 53

[I know I caused you much worry.

I'm truly sorry for being born so inadequate.

Since I probably won't see you again, I take my leave with this letter.

Thank you for everything.

I hope you always stay healthy.]

The child who calmly said goodbye had even prayed for her family's health to the very end. Arin seemed to know she had been abandoned. Why did she leave this behind to make things uncomfortable?

His wife, who had checked the annex belatedly, wept and blamed herself.

"You should have let me care for the child."

When he had told her to do so, she did nothing—only after the child left did she make a scene. At least his son was quiet, but even he seemed unsettled since the Divine Maiden's visit.

"As if I'm the only one at fault."

In truth, his conscience pricked him when he read the child's last letter. The love he had given Arin before she failed the transformation was never false. But powerlessness was as good as a crime. That was how he had stood above his siblings and secured his position.

Still, after years of raising her, she lingered in his thoughts. Now hearing she had been adopted into the Geumho House brought some relief—but why did it have to be the Geumho House? That irritated him.

Hong Ijin stared blankly at the moon outside the window. Arin had said goodbye, but now that she was adopted into the Geumho House, they would meet again someday.

I might see her at the upcoming Yeonhaje Festival.

With that thought, he drank alone.

---

Lately, the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts had been unusually noisy. Wherever Woo-hyun went, trouble followed.

"It's you again."

This time, he had broken a cherished flowerpot, and Yeoryeong was furious. Woo-hyun stood awkwardly and grumbled,

"Then don't put flowerpots under the wall."

"I can't even put a pot in my own house?"

At her rebuke, Woo-hyun looked away. Because of his years on the streets, he was more used to climbing walls than using doors. But he had another reason for climbing them.

"That girl keeps coming," he muttered.

Yeoryeong asked directly, "Surely you mean Arin?"

"The one who comes with her told me to stay out of his sight."

Woo-hyun made Muje his excuse, and Yeoryeong narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm. To me, it looks like you're the one avoiding Arin."

The old woman could read his mind. Woo-hyun didn't argue, just kicked the dirt with his toe.

It was true—he was avoiding Arin. Every time she came to the village, she brought him snacks.

"This is sweet and good."

"You eat it yourself."

"Just try one."

"Ugh, stop being so nice and go away!"

He was used to people avoiding him, but Arin kept pushing even when he told her to stay away—it was awkward.

"Don't treat me like a starving ghost."

"Even when someone cares for you, you complain. When someone shows kindness, you say thank you."

"Kindness? You're just treating me like a beggar and giving alms."

Woo-hyun disliked Arin from the start—her bright, innocent smile as if she had never known darkness, her soft white cheeks that looked like they'd melt at a touch, and those golden eyes that sparkled at him despite everything. He hated all of it—even her stubborn persistence in following him when he told her to go away.

He scowled as he thought of her.

"She keeps being all ticklish."

"Nothing she did was particularly ticklish."

"Yes it is! She keeps talking to me and being annoying."

"How is talking to you 'ticklish'?"

Yeoryeong tilted her head in confusion. Frustrated by his own inability to explain, Woo-hyun said,

"I just don't like her. Normally, people who talk to me either want something or mean harm—but with her, it's nothing like that."

"Oh ho."

Finally understanding, Yeoryeong's lips curled. These past days, Arin had been taking careful note of Woo-hyun whenever she visited. She had also been helping orphans at the relief center. Yeoryeong had let her gentle kindness be, but it seemed to embarrass Woo-hyun.

"Does Arin's kindness for no reason make you feel awkward?"

"It's not awkward—it's uncomfortable! I'd rather deal with people who want something from me."

"You're so bad at this. If you dislike it so much, why do you keep hiding nearby and watching her? If it's so uncomfortable, you could just run far away where she can't see you."

Woo-hyun was shocked that even that had been noticed.

"...Did it show? Does she know too?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. Arin might not, but Muje seems to have noticed."

"Damn it."

Woo-hyun ruffled his hair in frustration. Just as he was about to snap—

"Ugh, I don't know! I just find her uncomfortable!"

Just then, Arin arrived at the shrine and asked innocently,

"Who's uncomfortable?"

Next to her, Muje looked at him as if he were pathetic.

"Aah!"

Startled by Arin's sudden appearance, Woo-hyun jumped back.

"Why'd you suddenly pop out!"

"I just got here."

Arin tilted her head, and Woo-hyun's face flushed red. Staring at her feet, he heard her clear voice.

"It's not me you find uncomfortable, is it?"

"D-do you think I'd be embarrassed by someone like you?! I-I don't care at all!"

"Huh?"

"Ugh!"

Stammering, Woo-hyun scrambled over the wall.

"That brat again...!"

Yeoryeong's shout was useless. Left alone, Arin asked,

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Just think of him as a wild animal. There's much to teach him."

"You have your work cut out, Divine Maiden."

Muje chimed in, and Yeoryeong shrugged. Meanwhile, Muje stared coldly in the direction Woo-hyun had disappeared. He had warned him to stay out of sight, yet he kept lurking around Arin—it was infuriating.

If he had known the boy would be staying here, he would have told Yeoryeong not to allow it.

"But is it really okay to let him roam freely? Other twelfth-years staying in the village might notice him—it's not good."

"I've already told him to stay away from the bridge."

"Hmm."

Muje looked unconvinced. Arin asked,

"Are there other twelfth-years living here too?"

"Of course. If you cross the bridge, there's a village where those in training stay in dormitories."

"I thought there was only the shrine."

"Of course not—it's a village with residents."

"That's amazing! Could I visit the village?"

"Not yet—you haven't officially entered. Later."

"Okay."

Arin gazed wistfully toward the bridge.

"Have you been there, Young Master Muje?"

"I haven't visited either."

In truth, he had come and gone often while in transformed form, but he couldn't say that. If she became curious about his transformations, it would be a problem.

Arin looked curious. "Then if you wanted to, you could go, right?"

Muje nodded lightly. She glanced toward the bridge with a wistful expression.

"That must be nice. I'd love to go someday too."

She had no idea she would end up there in an unexpected way.

---

Contrary to Yeoryeong's expectations, Woo-hyun crossed the bridge to explore the village whenever he could. The lotus token he had stolen from Arin proved very useful—just showing it made people willingly give him food.

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