Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 65

Chapter 65

While guiding Arin to the Crown Prince's reception hall, Gon had asked her a few questions—and she answered each one so earnestly that he found her kind even to a servant. Every time she spoke, she covered her mouth with her hand, apparently self-conscious about her new front teeth growing in. Even that was demure and endearing, and a smile spread across Gon's face.

Come to think of it, His Highness suddenly asked me to help him dress up this morning.

He usually wore simple clothes he could put on and take off himself, hating to be touched by others. Gon, who had watched Muje since infancy, sensed something sharp.

The reason seems to be this lovely young lady.

He had even dressed up in the morning to prepare for an afternoon appointment. Just then, Muje entered the reception hall.

"Sorry—my teacher held me up."

"No, it's fine! I heard you're busy with official duties. If you're too busy, we can postpone..."

"Not at all. I have plenty of time."

Muje cut her off, and Arin smiled.

"Shall we go?"

He held out his hand, and she placed hers on top of it. Gon nearly bit his tongue in shock.

His Highness reached out first...

Muje had always hated being touched by others, even in formal settings. Seeing him take the initiative with Arin was bewildering—and Gon's shock didn't end there.

"Young Master Muje... I mean, Your Highness."

"You can call me casually."

"But this is the palace."

"It's just the two of us."

Suddenly invisible, Gon widened his distance and used all his willpower to keep his lips from curling up.

And that wasn't all.

"Is that a peacock? The males are so much showier and prettier."

"To impress the females. That's how they survive."

"I see."

"Over there is a giraffe."

"Wow! I want to see!"

He answered even her smallest questions without missing a beat. He usually gave short replies and fell silent. Watching them for even a few minutes, it was clear Muje treated Arin specially.

A daughter of the Geumho House...

Gon's mouth itched to tell the King this joyful news.

Meanwhile, Muje's mind was quite complicated—because of what his father had said that morning.

"At this year's festival, the heirs are to demonstrate their power through transformation. I thought it would be easier for you, so I've already coordinated with Head Geum. Don't worry too much."

"Can't I just do it normally? My power has stabilized a lot lately, and the Divine Maiden is here..."

"Absolutely not. What if someone notices your weakness? And what about a possible attack from the Black Demon clan?"

It was his father's way of protecting him—but there was one problem: Arin would also be attending.

I still haven't told her I'm Seol.

Of course, he was now close enough to her as Muje that he no longer needed to play the lizard. Still, he had hesitated to come clean because he didn't know how she would react. It was strange—he had never worried about hurting anyone before. But the thought of Arin getting hurt made him uneasy, so he kept putting it off. A small lie had snowballed, and now he was in a difficult position.

"I heard there's a gathering of the Twelve Houses' children this afternoon. Will you attend, Young Master Muje?"

"I'm not sure. I don't usually go to those."

"I see. I heard the heirs gather separately."

During the festival, interactions between the Twelve Houses were said to be very active. For Arin, who didn't know many people from other houses, the prospect of a room full of strangers was daunting.

She fidgeted and murmured, "Actually, Brother Doyoung has a stomachache since this morning and can't go. Brother Dohun has other plans..."

She hinted that she'd like him to come along, and Muje smiled faintly.

"Would you like me to go?"

"If you have time."

"Am I just filling in for Doyoung?"

"That's not it!"

As Arin panicked and stammered, Muje laughed. He leaned his head toward her and whispered,

"I'll come as soon as I'm done."

His gaze, steady and warm, made Arin's face redden. She blinked and rolled her eyes.

---

Sosso was proud to have been invited to the Yeonhaje Festival as a member of the Red Serpent House.

Being brought here shows they recognize me as part of the family.

Her mind briefly drifted to Arin, whom she had seen recently—everyone's attention had been on her. It annoyed her that a half-wit was so loved.

Hmph. Good riddance. Now I'm the only daughter of the Red Serpent House.

She admired her heavily made-up reflection in the mirror. She was excited for the afternoon gathering of the Twelve Houses' children—maybe she would run into that boy from a few days ago.

Arriving at the venue with high hopes, Sosso quickly made friends. Everyone was kind to her. Having risen from a collateral branch to a direct line was rare, so she drew a lot of attention—especially since Hong Ijin had already cleaned up her background.

"To succeed in the transformation despite being from a collateral branch—you must be a threat to the Red Serpent heir."

"Oh, I'm still far behind Brother Ahyeon."

"Perhaps, but bringing you here shows how much Head Hong treasures you, doesn't it?"

In the Twelve Houses, power was everything—collateral or direct didn't matter. Everyone assumed Sosso had been adopted because of her abilities and admired her.

Sosso feigned modesty while subtly boasting.

"Father does dote on me. He came to fetch me personally when I first joined the Red Serpent House."

"How amazing."

For the head of a house to move personally was a significant event. Sosso subtly hinted at her high value.

Just then, Cheong Yuhui, daughter of the Cheongmyo House, spoke up.

"By the way, I heard the Geumho House adopted a daughter too. I wonder if she'll come today."

Her tone suggested she was hoping for something amusing. At the mention of the Geumho House, attention shifted away from Sosso.

"Oh, I saw her in the city—a really cute girl. So tiny. Master Geum was carrying her around like this."

Sightings of Arin were shared from all sides. Sosso felt uncomfortable that Arin had become the topic—afraid the news might reach Hong Ijin, Lady Yeon, or Ahyeon. Of course, she knew she couldn't hide Arin's existence forever.

Someone murmured, "I don't think she's a collateral of the Geumho House. Her hair was red—just like the Red Serpent House."

All eyes turned to Sosso. Just as she looked troubled—

"If we're distinguishing houses by hair color, then I must be from the Black Demon clan, right?"

Cheong Yuhui shook her lustrous black hair and joked lightly. The Cheongmyo House head had many children, mostly by different fathers—so their hair colors varied. Being chosen among them meant she was strong.

"Haha, you're right."

"I didn't mean to target you, Lady Yuhui."

"Of course not. I don't mind. Anyway, these snacks are delicious."

Yuhui smoothly changed the subject, and the frozen atmosphere gradually thawed. The attempt to connect Arin to the Red Serpent House completely fizzled out. Sosso sighed in relief—but Yuhui, who had been watching keenly, said,

"I think I'll take a walk for a bit."

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