Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 8

Chapter 8

From the very beginning, a half-wit who could not even perform the Spirit Beast Transformation was useless to the Red Serpent House. Though Sosso's own transformation was still short-lived, she could gradually extend it over time. The gap between being utterly incapable and merely inadequate was vast.

"You will one day become the mistress of the White Dragon House."

Recalling Hong Ijin's habitual words, Sosso felt as though she had already attained everything, and her pride swelled. Just then, her maid spoke.

"Oh my, I haven't seen this ribbon before, have I?"

"Ah, that."

The ribbon the maid mentioned was one Sosso had found in the annex. While searching the room, worried that Arin might be hiding there, she had discovered it. It was far too luxurious to be Arin's, so she had snatched it up.

"Mother gave it to me."

"Wow, I'm so jealous. I've never seen such a clear, vibrant yellow. They must have used a very rare dye."

The maid held the ribbon up to the sunlight, then said,

"This seems to suit today's outfit better. Shall I change it for you?"

"Fine."

"Just a moment."

The maid quickly unbound Sosso's hair and retied it with the yellow ribbon. Looking in the mirror, it indeed suited her far better. A distinguished guest had arrived, and now that Arin was gone, her position as the Red Serpent's daughter was entirely secure. A perfect day, a pretty appearance to match—could there ever be a more flawless occasion?

Just then, a voice called from outside.

"Sosso."

She stepped out and saw Ahyeon.

"Wow, Brother, you look truly handsome today!"

"You look pretty too, Sosso."

At his kind words, Sosso blushed and giggled. That warmth was now entirely hers.

The welcome banquet was attended by the entire Red Serpent household.

"Ah, here they are."

Hong Ijin spotted Ahyeon and Sosso and beckoned them forward.

"These are my children. Come now, greet the Divine Maiden and the head of the Geumho House."

Sosso bowed composedly before Yeoryeong and Geum Dogyeong.

"It is an honor to meet you. I am Hong Sosso, daughter of the Red Serpent House. To greet the Divine Maiden on such a fine day is a glory to our family. May you always walk with the Twelve."

She had taken great care with her etiquette training since coming to this house, and her deportment was flawless. She looked up at Yeoryeong with eager anticipation. The Divine Maiden was none other than the idol of the Twelve—to meet her so closely was overwhelming.

But then, the man beside Yeoryeong, who had been watching Sosso with a curious expression, spoke.

"You have a bad habit of taking things."

At his casual remark, not only Sosso but also Hong Ijin's face contorted.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It seems you need to keep a better eye on your daughter."

"What nonsense—!"

As Hong Ijin protested, Dogyeong pointed to Sosso's head.

"That ribbon. Is it truly yours?"

"Pardon?"

"That yellow ribbon."

His direct accusation made Sosso's heart sink. It was all the more damning because she had taken it from the annex. But she could not tell the truth. Thinking quickly, she said,

"Th-this is a gift from my mother..."

Her voice trembled as she tried to deflect, looking pitifully at Hong Ijin. A child's tears usually worked well in such situations. As expected, Hong Ijin immediately rushed to defend her.

"Are you accusing my daughter of being a thief without even knowing the facts? Apologize to my daughter at once. What is this preposterous slander on such a fine day?"

"Preposterous or not—how would you know?"

"I say, Geum Dogyeong!"

Despite Hong Ijin's outburst, Dogyeong's gaze remained fixed on the ribbon in Sosso's hair. Sensing the ominous turn of events, Sosso could do nothing but watch the adults. A murmur rippled through the crowd as they covered their mouths and whispered.

Then Dogyeong spoke.

"That ribbon was a gift I gave yesterday to a child I met."

"Now you're spouting absurd lies! There is no other girl in the Red Serpent House besides Sosso—!"

Hong Ijin stopped mid-sentence. In that instant, Arin, confined to the annex, had flashed through his mind. Sensing that momentary hesitation, Dogyeong sneered.

"There is one more, isn't there?"

"I say, Geum Dogyeong."

Hong Ijin tried to silence Dogyeong, glancing nervously at Yeoryeong. But Dogyeong, who had been nursing Arin the night before and was already furious, could not be stopped.

"Did you think you could hide the sky with the palm of your hand?"

His sinister tone turned the festive atmosphere into that of a funeral. Everyone present knew that Sosso was not the true daughter; they had kept silent for the family's advantage, and now that it was exposed, they scrambled to save themselves.

Sosso trembled as the situation spiraled out of control.

What do I do? She must have met Arin yesterday!

If she was going to leave, she should have left quietly—not left behind such trouble. That girl was useless to the very end.

This is all for nothing!

Sosso even began to resent the maid who had suggested changing the ribbon. She had only taken it because it was pretty. Having never truly owned anything in her life, Sosso had come to covet every beautiful thing she saw since arriving here. She had thought it would be fine since the owner was gone—but now it had brought such disaster.

Sensing things going badly, Sosso burst into tears.

"Hic—waaah!"

The child's wailing made the onlookers uncomfortable.

"Oh dear, what now."

As the murmuring grew, Sosso wept even more pitifully. At the child's signal, Hong Ijin stepped in.

"Don't cry. Your crying breaks your father's heart."

He tried to smooth things over and let the matter fade. But their affectionate display only backfired. Unable to bear the farce between Hong Ijin and Hong Sosso any longer, Dogyeong said coldly,

"Utterly pathetic."

It was truly a sight hard to stomach. The scum of the earth, who could not care less whether their real daughter lived or died, doted on the fake one—simply because she could perform the transformation. At Dogyeong's cutting remark, Hong Ijin's breath grew ragged.

"Are you still holding a grudge over what happened that day?"

"What do you mean?"

"That day I refused to help you—!"

The moment Hong Ijin mentioned that day, Dogyeong's expression turned savage. His eyes blazing, he warned,

"Say one more word. I'll kill you."

At that instant, the ground shook. In a flash, the banquet tables overturned and chaos erupted. Despite Dogyeong's fierce provocation, Hong Ijin did not back down.

"Do you want to settle this here and now?"

As the lanterns around them burst into flame, the atmosphere turned extremely hostile. The power of the earth and the power of fire were about to collide.

"Both of you, stop."

With a heavy voice, the trembling ground stilled and all the lanterns fell silent at once. Yeoryeong had used her divine power to nullify the forces of the Twelve. Only then did the two men remember they were in the presence of the Divine Maiden, and they clamped their mouths shut.

"Head Hong."

"Yes, Divine Maiden."

Hong Ijin looked at her with a reluctant expression. His hardened face still bore an air of defiance, as if he had done nothing wrong. His intent was clear from the moment he had mentioned that taboo day—to provoke Dogyeong and obscure the real issue. But with Yeoryeong present, it would not be so easily brushed aside.

"Are you still fighting like thunderbolts and fools?"

At her reference to their training days, Hong Ijin reacted immediately.

"But Geum Dogyeong insulted my daughter first. I will not let this pass."

He seemed to assume Yeoryeong would take his side. Yeoryeong's gaze turned to Sosso.

"Come here."

As Sosso hesitated, Hong Ijin nodded for her to go. Relieved, Sosso approached the Divine Maiden, thinking that the greatest elder would handle the matter properly.

But Sosso soon regretted it.

For as she drew near, Yeoryeong deliberately untied the ribbon and let it fall.

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