Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 69

Chapter 69

"What? Surely you didn't run your mouth carelessly?"

Hong Ijin snapped, and Ahyeon pounded his chest in frustration.

"If I had, would I have come running to you? It was Geum Dohun—he used sparring as an excuse to beat me black and blue!"

Ahyeon showed his blistered palm, seething. His hand was still trembling.

Ignoring his son's injury, Hong Ijin assessed the situation grimly. The fact that Arin had been cast out of the Red Serpent House was now public. If word spread that she had been confined and abused in the annex, it would be a disgrace to the family.

"If not you, then who...?"

He pressed his throbbing temples, when—

"Hic!"

Sosso stood frozen in the doorway, covering her mouth. Startled, she couldn't stop hiccupping.

"Hic! Sniff."

Swallowing pitifully did no good. Her frightened eyes and trembling body made it clear she was the source. Hong Ijin's gaze turned fierce.

"Sosso, was it you?"

"I'm sorry—I didn't mean to—hic!—I didn't—hic!"

Sosso's tearful eyes pleaded with Hong Ijin and Ahyeon. Their response was ice-cold.

"How much did you say? You didn't mention the annex, did you?"

"N-no! I didn't say that! I really didn't!"

She was about to, but Muje had stopped her—though she didn't mention that.

"Hah."

Hong Ijin rubbed his face. Though unintentional, it was a blow to the Geumho House. At least they hadn't found out about the annex—he didn't want to imagine what that mad tiger would do.

He seems to care for Arin, so he probably won't say anything reckless.

For now, the best course was to let the rumors die down. Having quickly calculated, Hong Ijin scolded Sosso.

"I'm deeply disappointed in you."

"Father..."

"I brought you here to get close to the Crown Prince, and instead you're mingling with gossips. Do you have any idea how big a mess you've made?"

"..."

"Don't leave the residence for a while. If you run your mouth again, I won't bring you next year."

With that, Hong Ijin left in a hurry. It was a thunderbolt of a warning. Being left out of an event attended by recognized heirs meant only one thing—she could be cast out. Sosso trembled.

Ahyeon sighed. "Just hold on until Father calms down. He didn't mean it."

"Brother..."

"I need to rest too."

He retreated to his room, as if he had no strength to comfort her. Left alone, Sosso sniffled—and Lady Yeon, arriving belatedly, rushed over in surprise.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Mother!"

Sosso burst into tears in Lady Yeon's arms.

Why does everyone blame me?!

It wasn't fair—she hadn't been told it was a secret, yet she was the only one punished.

"What is it, dear?"

"Waaah!"

Sosso just sobbed, refusing to explain. What would happen if Lady Yeon found out Arin was here? The thought terrified her.

"Hush, my dear. What's made you so sad?"

"I had a nightmare."

"Did you?"

Lady Yeon, knowing nothing, patted her back gently—but it brought no comfort. Sosso burrowed deeper into her arms.

They're my family. I'm never leaving!

---

The rumor that Arin was a daughter of the Red Serpent House spread like wildfire in a matter of days. The tigers who heard it were in an uproar. While Arin was out with Muje, an emergency family meeting was called.

Doyoung slammed his fist and snarled, "Are they insane? What gives the Red Serpent House the right to spread that around?"

It was already common knowledge among the Twelve Houses that Arin had been cast out of the Red Serpent House and adopted by the Geumho House. Some houses were even trying to interpret the Geumho House's hidden motives. Given the bad blood between the two houses, unfavorable speculation was piling up.

"At least they haven't found out she can't transform," Dohun said, his voice calm but his eyes sharp.

"So what! Just knowing she was cast out makes people treat her like a problem child!"

As Doyoung said, the prevailing sentiment was that Arin had been kicked out for some flaw. The rumors favored the Red Serpent House. Dogyeong already knew the source through Socheon.

It started at a gathering of the Twelve Houses' children. The Red Serpent's adopted daughter confirmed it herself, spreading it fast.

That fake daughter again.

He had never liked her from the start—the girl who had tricked Arin and stolen the ribbon. He had shown mercy considering her age, but she showed no sign of remorse. Even Hong Ijin, for the sake of his house, was playing ignorant, and it made his blood boil.

If this continued, Arin would be labeled a flawed child.

How can a biological father be so heartless?

It wasn't the accusation that the Geumho House had stolen a Red Serpent daughter, nor the stigma of taking in a flawed child, that angered him—it was that Arin, whom he cherished so dearly, was caught up in this filthy rumor. Dogyeong's only concern was Arin.

Dohun asked, "What will you do? Will you just let this slide?"

"We can't just let it slide! Our little one has nothing to be ashamed of—the Red Serpent House abused her!"

Doyoung, who knew her whole story, was ready to kick the Red Serpent House's rear end. Dogyeong felt the same. But this couldn't be resolved by mere explanation—to reveal the abuse, he would have to expose that Arin couldn't transform. He couldn't willingly expose her weakness. Hong Ijin knew that, which was why he stayed silent, confident Dogyeong wouldn't speak for Arin's sake.

Swallowing his rage, Dogyeong said, "For now, let's make sure Arin doesn't hear these rumors until the festival ends."

"That's obvious. But are you really going to let the Red Serpent House get away with this? I can't stand the injustice!"

"These rumors will die down with time."

When Dogyeong took a defensive stance, Dohun narrowed his eyes.

"That's not like you at all."

Even Dohun, usually the one to hold his father back, was confrontational—he had already beaten the Red Serpent son to a pulp. He must have been furious.

"Father, you're right! Sitting back isn't a tiger's way—if they start a fight, you should bite back!"

With Doyoung chiming in, Dogyeong's head throbbed.

"This is all to protect Arin."

When Dogyeong took a firm stance, Dohun pressed, "Is there another reason we don't know about? If so, tell us."

"...There isn't."

"Nothing?"

"Yes, no..."

As Dogyeong tried to bluff, Dohun began rattling off the evidence he had gathered.

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