Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 64

Chapter 64

Naturally, Hong Ijin's gaze turned toward Geum Dogyeong. Dogyeong was lounging lazily against his chair, chewing on some kind of foxtail grass, his eyes fixed on Ijin with a fierce glint—as if contemplating how to hunt him down. When their eyes met, he let out a low growl, as if to say "What are you looking at?" It was deeply ominous.

Hong Ijin turned away, unwilling to engage.

"How should I know? A tiger's mind is its own."

"But you two used to be close—you could read each other's thoughts with just a glance."

"That was ages ago."

Hong Ijin avoided the uncomfortable topic and greeted someone else instead. Still, the back of his head burned under Dogyeong's stare.

What's his problem now?

As Cheong Haeju said, there was a time when Hong Ijin could read Dogyeong's mind from his eyes alone. They had always been together—it was only natural. In fact, it was Hong Ijin who had introduced him to Jinkyeong.

When the meeting began, true to form, Dogyeong objected to every one of Hong Ijin's proposals.

"I oppose."

"On what grounds?"

"Your face?"

"...Master Geum, is this meeting a joke?"

"...That was a joke. But really, your proposal seems too focused on flaunting the Fire Serpent's power. We're gathered here for harmony—why are you trying to stand out so much?"

At Dogyeong's criticism, Hong Ijin's temple vein bulged. Dogyeong knew better than anyone why Hong Ijin was so desperate to connect with the White Dragon House—yet he still provoked him. After sending Arin away, the Red Serpent House had confessed to the White Dragon Palace that Sosso was only an adopted collateral daughter. The White Dragon Palace had yet to give a decisive answer.

Worried the betrothal might fall through, Hong Ijin had wanted to emphasize harmony between the two houses at this event.

"Standing out? This is about harmonizing the White Dragon's water power with the Red Serpent's fire—"

He tried to offer a plausible explanation, but was cut off.

"Exactly. Why should the White Dragon harmonize only with your house? The Twelve Spirit Beasts are strongest when they work together."

Seeing through his intent, Hong Ijin switched to a counterattack.

"If you don't like me, just say so—don't make lame excuses."

At his provocation, Dogyeong answered without hesitation.

"Fine. I don't like you."

He enunciated each word with a teasing grin, which was infuriating.

"Hah."

Hong Ijin, rather than Dogyeong, felt his blood boil. The childish retort drew laughter from the room.

"Heh."

"Haha! You're still the same."

"Master Geum must be eighteen forever—his inner child never ages."

They all laughed off Dogyeong's tone. It was always like that—whatever he said, people loved it.

Their laughter felt like mockery.

That insufferable bastard.

As Hong Ijin clenched his fist in silence, the head of the White Dragon House and King of Yeonhaguk, Baek Hyeonje, spoke.

"You two still growl at each other whenever you meet."

"I apologize. My mouth was especially itchy today."

"Enough, Master Geum. With three children, you should act more mature."

As Dogyeong shrugged, Cheong Haeju, who had been listening, raised her hand.

"Oh my, three children? I thought you had only two sons?"

She turned to Dogyeong and purred,

"Did you take a new wife? So much for being inseparable—was it only three years?"

At the mention of a new wife, Dogyeong frowned.

"Do you take me for you, Head Cheong? Keeping multiple husbands?"

"Oh, I just have a lot of love to give—how could I love only one man when I'm this pretty?"

Her coquettish tone made Dogyeong grimace. Her polyamory was well-known, and he didn't want to dwell on it.

"I adopted a daughter."

"Oh my, an ill—"

"I took her in with my heart. She's an adorable child I'd never tire of holding. Remove those filthy eyes."

Dogyeong cut her off with a growl.

"Always that tiger temper. Anyway, she's a cute daughter, then."

Haeju winked and pulled something from her bag.

"A gift for your new daughter."

"What's that fluff?"

Dogyeong eyed her hand warily. She held a foxtail-like ornament.

"It's a rabbit-fur accessory, trendy among girls these days—specially made by the Cheongmyo House. It looks pretty on hats or bags."

"You're selling here too?"

"Hmph. If you don't want it, fine."

As she tried to take it back, Dogyeong held out his hand.

"Give it. For my daughter."

"Oh my, wonders never cease."

Haeju giggled and tossed it to him. He caught it and stuffed it into his pocket.

Hong Ijin watched this with astonishment—the man who wouldn't even speak to Haeju now stretching out his hand for Arin.

He really does cherish her?

After the meeting, Hong Ijin followed Dogyeong out, then stopped. In the distance, Arin was walking with Dohun. Seeing Dogyeong, she beamed.

"Dad!"

With a clear voice, she ran toward him. Dogyeong's face broke into a broad smile, and he crouched down, arms wide. Arin leaped into his embrace as if it were the most natural thing.

"Did you come to pick me up?"

"Hehe! Yeah! Brother Dohun said you'd be done around this time, so I came to get you!"

"Such a good child."

Dogyeong rubbed his cheek against hers, and she giggled. Anyone could see they were a happy father and daughter. He cherished a child not of his blood so deeply.

When Hong Ijin had arrived, he had assumed Dogyeong had adopted Arin just to torment him—to keep her by his side and prick his conscience. But that assumption was shattered; Dogyeong seemed to genuinely adore her. And Arin, feeling it, approached him without hesitation.

Seeing them, an old memory surfaced.

"Daddy, let me rub your shoulders!"

"Daddy, look! A pretty flower bloomed! I'll dry the prettiest one and give it to you!"

Arin had always been curious and affectionate. Wherever she went, laughter followed—and Hong Ijin had doted on her especially. That was, until she failed the transformation.

Yes. It was after that that Arin's laughter disappeared. Hearing it again after so long, Hong Ijin's thoughts grew complicated. Strangely, he felt unsettled. When he had sent her away, he hadn't felt much—but seeing them together now, something gnawed at him.

She calls him "Dad" so easily. As if she's forgotten the debt of being born and raised.

Feeling bitter, he turned away from the father and daughter and walked off. Still, their laughter and playful sounds kept reaching his ears.

---

Invited by Muje to the main palace, Arin looked around the reception hall. Unlike the bustling detached palace crowded with twelfth-years for the festival, the Crown Prince's residence was quiet. She had only seen three servants on the way.

Have they all been assigned to the detached palace?

In truth, only those who knew of Muje's condition remained in the Crown Prince's residence—but Arin had no way of knowing that.

Meanwhile, Muje's personal attendant, Gon, kept sneaking glances at the cute little guest.

His Highness invited a friend. And a female friend at that.

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