Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 78

Chapter 78

Arin had visited the Crown Prince's residence since morning, worried about Muje. He was still being examined by a physician, but he tried to get up when he saw her. She hurried over and stopped him.

"Just stay lying down."

"Sorry—I caused you trouble yesterday, didn't I?"

Having heard the full story from Jicheon, Muje felt guilty. His impulsive action had exposed his secret to his father. Arin held his hand firmly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Thanks to you."

"Good."

She smiled in relief. In truth, Muje couldn't remember what happened last night or when he had been exposed to the spell.

"What did His Majesty say?"

"He's thinking of sealing my power for now."

Having nearly been controlled by the incomplete Yeouiju, he judged it too dangerous.

"I'll just have to train harder in swordsmanship."

He tried to sound brave to ease her worry—but Arin's expression only grew darker.

"If I had trained harder, you wouldn't have suffered like that."

"What are you saying? I've received so much help from you lately—yesterday included."

Muje denied it strongly, but Arin shook her head.

"When I get back, I'll train even harder. So I can protect the people I care about."

"...Do you care about me?"

Muje touched his warm ear and asked softly.

"Of course. You're a very precious friend to me, Muje."

Her matter-of-fact reply made him cover his lips to hide his smile. Almost being controlled by the Black Demon clan was terrifying, but being cared for by Arin felt good.

Just then, Baek Hyeonje and Geum Dogyeong entered.

"You two seem very close."

Hyeonje's smile was unrestrained—Dogyeong's expression was stiff.

"Arin is always kind to everyone."

As if to prove his words, Arin ran to her father as soon as she saw him and hugged him. Dogyeong held her protectively and said,

"His Highness must have been quite shaken—we'll leave as soon as he recovers."

"You could stay a little longer."

For whose benefit?

When Dogyeong glared, Hyeonje let out a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha."

Arin studied Hyeonje. The White Dragon King looked friendlier than she had imagined—Muje had made him sound terrifying.

Feeling her gaze, Hyeonje met her eyes and smiled.

"Nice to meet you—you must be Arin."

"Hello, Your Majesty. Did you come to see Muje?"

"Yes. He's always been frail, you see. I heard we owe you a great deal. Thank you."

"Not at all—Muje is my friend."

"Such a polite child."

Hyeonje's amiable smile made Dogyeong's face sour. Knowing his true nature, he saw it as pure pretense.

"As you can see, my son will take time to recover."

"It's okay! We agreed to leave once Muje is better."

Arin looked at Dogyeong, who reluctantly nodded. Seeing him wrapped around his daughter's finger, Hyeonje smiled slyly.

"I hope we'll see each other often."

"Then we'll take our leave first."

After Dogyeong hurriedly left with Arin, Hyeonje glanced at Muje.

"How long are you going to play sick? The physician said you're fine."

"I really am sick."

Despite his denial, Muje got out of bed without trouble. He had lost his memory, but he wasn't in bad shape.

"Actually, Father seemed more eager to drag things out. Since when were you so concerned about my health?"

"You heartless brat."

Hyeonje tossed him something. Muje caught it reflexively—a beaded bracelet.

"What's this?"

"Wear it at all times. It's infused with my energy to ward off sinister spells."

Hyeonje excelled at the White Dragon's "purification" power. A charm made from it would be a great help. Normally, Muje wouldn't need it, but until he recovered the Yeouiju, it would be useful.

"Be careful. Keep in touch."

Hyeonje felt bad for sending his son away.

Reading his heart, Muje said calmly, "Don't worry too much."

"Worry..."

Hyeonje glanced out the window, catching sight of Dogyeong and Arin passing by.

"The betrothal with the Red Serpent House has been annulled."

"Naturally, after they learned of my condition."

"Yes. And yet, I feel oddly regretful."

He turned to face Muje.

"It would have been better if that child had stayed with the Red Serpent House."

"Don't even think about using Arin."

Hyeonje looked at him as if to ask why.

"Didn't you treat her well because of her power in the first place?"

Muje didn't deny it—at first, he had stayed by her side for that reason. But now...

"She's the kind of child who would help anytime, even without marriage."

"Can you really be satisfied with that?"

At his probing words, Muje bit the inside of his lip. Hyeonje, catching his hesitation, gripped his shoulder.

"Even if it seems fine now, you'll regret it later."

"What do you mean?"

"You've never let anyone close—except her. And she doesn't seem to dislike you either."

"Arin is kind to everyone. That's just basic courtesy between friends."

His stubborn insistence on "friendship" made Hyeonje laugh.

"Originally, you and that child were meant to be husband and wife. Ending it as just friends is a shame."

At the mention of that bond, Muje felt strange. He couldn't explain it, but he understood what his father meant. His gaze drifted out the window.

"I'm working on it."

His eyes, following Arin's vanishing figure, were soft—and his smile rose naturally. Seeing that, Hyeonje said nothing more. He knew his son's heart just from that.

What worried him was that if Muje hadn't been using her, then he was genuinely attached—and if he didn't win her heart, he would be miserable. White Dragons were possessive by nature. Could Muje, with his incomplete Yeouiju, handle those feelings?

"If you need my help, just say so."

Muje declined flatly.

"I'll be fine."

As if he could do it without his father's help. Hyeonje found it hard to believe, but there was nothing he could do but trust him.

---

A few days later, Arin returned to Geumho Village and visited the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts for the first time since Woo-hyun's rampage. She hadn't seen him during the journey back either, so she looked around. Yeoryeong said,

"Woo-hyun is no longer here."

"Where is he?"

"I found him a new place to stay."

"He left?"

Arin was taken aback to hear he had left without saying goodbye. She had thought they were close—finding out he had gone without a farewell made her look downcast.

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