Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 59

Chapter 59

Arin blinked.

"Hmm. I just worry about him. He's a child who was abandoned, like I was."

Unlike herself, who had been fortunate enough to meet Dogyeong, Woo-hyun had wandered the streets and seemed to have suffered many wounds.

"If I hadn't met Dad, I might have ended up like him too. That's probably why I keep worrying about him. I hope he's okay."

At her sincere words, Muje regretted asking. Because unlike him, the two of them shared the same pain—and he was fiercely envious.

"Then rest."

Feeling sour, Muje tried to leave.

"Wait."

Arin caught his hand.

"Dad said you should be checked too."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine—your face is so pale."

Arin cupped his cheek and drew closer. In that moment, Muje's face flushed hot. His heart pounded, frozen, as she whispered,

"I'm sorry. It seems I've put you through a lot because of me."

"Really, I'm fine."

He muttered, unable to meet her gaze. Worried she might see through him, he tried to back away—but Arin pressed closer.

"You're not fine! Your face is red and feverish."

"This is..."

He couldn't finish, rolling his eyes. He couldn't very well say it was because of her.

If only I were in my lizard form.

Then he could be held in her arms without a care. That thought made him feel hollow—like he could never get closer to her than Seol had.

I want to be closer.

Impulsively, he opened his mouth.

"Yes, I suppose I do feel unwell."

He had never acted spoiled before, but Arin responded immediately.

"Really?"

As she flustered and looked around, Muje leaned his weight against her shoulder.

"I feel dizzy too."

"Oh no! What should I do?"

Startled, Arin held him, panicking—and Muje felt his low spirits lift. Hiding a smile, he whispered,

"Just let me stay like this for a moment."

"Ah, yes. I was being too fidgety, wasn't I?"

Arin finally calmed down. Muje rested his head on her lap and closed his eyes. She looked down at him. His fluffy silver hair kept drawing her gaze. Having wanted to touch it for a while, she whispered,

"Young Master Muje, are you asleep?"

"...?"

Receiving no response, Arin carefully touched his hair. The soft texture met her fingers—and Muje opened his eyes.

"Oh."

Startled, she tried to pull away, but Muje caught her hand.

"Please keep going."

His eyes seemed almost pleading, and Arin's heart raced.

"...Okay."

As she continued stroking his hair, Muje curled his lips in satisfaction. Seeing that, Arin suddenly said,

"You look just like Seol."

Muje's eyes widened, and Arin tapped her own lips.

"Seol smiles like that when he's happy. I always thought it was cute."

She smiled as if she had never been crying. Muje looked at her reddened eyes and reached out.

"What if I were Seol?"

His touch, gently stroking her swollen eyes, was tender.

"Would you treat me as kindly as you do him? Or would you push me away?"

Unable to understand the question, Arin blinked. What if Muje were Seol?

"Huh? What do you mean... I didn't mean it in a bad way..."

She was about to apologize, thinking she had offended him.

But Muje took her hand and brought it to his lips.

"Please answer my question."

His persistent gaze followed her, as earnest as if her answer would decide heaven or hell. At his serious tone, Arin chose her words carefully.

"I've always felt that your energy is similar to Seol's... That's probably why I felt so comfortable with you from the start."

From their first meeting, she had felt strangely familiar and at ease with him.

"Even if you were Seol, I don't think anything would change."

"...I see."

"But I did tell Seol all sorts of things, so I might feel a little embarrassed."

She rubbed her cheeks and murmured. Even though it was just a hypothetical, her face grew warm.

"I probably wouldn't be able to tell him everything like I used to."

She had said things to Seol that she had never even told her father. Watching her, Muje sat up and met her eyes.

"Wouldn't it be better if you could talk to him properly?"

"That might be true, but..."

Arin rolled her eyes.

"It's just awkward."

"Then how about practicing from now on?"

"Practicing?"

"Treat me as if I were Seol."

Muje grinned, and Arin blinked.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I want to be friends with you, Lady Arin."

Yes—it had all started with becoming her friend.

"We're already friends..."

"I want to be closer—like Seol, someone you can share your worries with."

Today, Muje was unusually persistent. It reminded her of a sulking Seol, and she laughed.

"I'll try."

Unable to refuse, she agreed, and Muje smiled brightly.

"Good."

It somehow made her heart flutter. She stared at the wall patterns until Eunbaek arrived.

---

After that day, Arin was forbidden from entering the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts for a while. As punishment for entering the village without permission, she was to train at home until the Divine Maiden called for her again.

She resolved to behave quietly until Yeoryeong's anger cooled. Fortunately, Geumgeum sneaked in to update her on Woo-hyun, which gave her some relief.

Don't worry about Woo-hyun—he's doing fine.

She wanted to see him with her own eyes, since he had looked so unwell, but she couldn't cause more trouble. Instead, she sent him a tonic and a note—part of the gifts she had received at the welcome banquet that were good for recovery.

That night, Dogyeong had come to visit her late.

I promised to protect you, yet I didn't even know you were in danger. As your father, I have no face to show you.

Afraid to see his disappointed expression, she had pretended to be asleep. His murmured regret, thinking she was asleep, was filled with deep worry. Only then did she realize how much her reckless actions had pained him.

I'll never make Dad sad again.

So even though she knew Dogyeong often went to the Village, she didn't pester him to take her. She believed that, when the time was right, he would allow it again.

Then, one day, she heard unexpected news.

"I'm going to the Yeonhaje Festival too?"

"Didn't you know? All direct-line members go. Once you're past five, you're eligible."

Doyoung said casually, chewing on a rice cake. At the mention of five, Arin's expression clouded.

So the requirement is being able to transform.

Most twelfth-years could transform after age five, when their core opened. Drooping her brows, she murmured,

"Hmm. Then I can't go."

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