Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 89

Chapter 89

At the rebuke, Geumgeum quickly tucked his tail.

I'm sorry... I was just so worried about you.

As he hung his head, Yeoryeong scooped him up and gently stroked his chin. Leaving the village together, she asked,

"By the way, did you see Muje?"

"Ah, yes."

At the mention of Muje, Arin puffed out her cheeks, her expression sour.

"Did you know he's decided to stay outside the Geumho House?"

"I didn't know. Though I do remember he was agonizing over your birthday gift."

"...Really?"

Her expression softened. Then Yeoryeong said with emotion,

"I still can't believe you're already an adult."

"Thank you for everything, Divine Maiden. If not for you, I'd still think of myself as a worthless child."

Her sincere words made Yeoryeong smile faintly. Today, she was to personally bless Arin for her twentieth birthday—a long-standing tradition between the Divine Maiden and the Geumho House.

"It would be best to reveal your identity at the Yeonhaje Festival."

"Yes. I'm ready."

"But you've been managing well without me."

"Hehe—it's all thanks to my excellent teacher."

As they left the village, they ran into Dogyeong.

"I was coming to escort you. But you've already come."

"Hehe, just a little extra."

"The main character shouldn't be away for too long."

He grinned playfully and reached to ruffle her hair—then stopped. She was beautifully styled, and he knew he'd be in trouble if he messed it up. She laughed at his hesitation.

Watching her, he said nostalgically, "I can't believe how much you've grown. When I brought you, you were so small."

"I wasn't that small."

"You were—you checked your height every morning."

"That's because my brothers kept growing so fast."

"It's not too late—you're still at that age. Don't be too disheartened."

"I wasn't disheartened!"

At his teasing, Arin huffed. Watching the warm father-daughter scene, Yeoryeong said,

"We'll be late."

"Let's go."

Dogyeong offered his arm, and Yeoryeong linked hers. Arin followed them to the banquet hall.

---

As Arin entered the hall, all eyes turned to her. She was now used to receiving so much attention. Dohun and Doyoung rose as soon as she entered.

"Happy birthday, Arin."

Dohun handed her flowers, and Doyoung leaned in.

"Hey, little one! You're the main character—how could you be this late?"

His immediate scolding made her glare.

"The main character is supposed to be late."

"Even so! I came all the way out here just for you—didn't you miss me?"

"Of course I did!"

She smiled, and Doyoung puffed up. Then he narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm. By the way, our youngest seems to have grown a little."

"Ahem—I wore platform shoes."

She lifted her long skirt slightly, and Doyoung burst out laughing.

"Haha! That explains it. Already wearing platforms now that you're an adult?"

"Of course."

"Seems like I prepared the right gift."

"Huh?"

"I got you platform shoes."

"Really?"

"Try them on later—they're trumpet-flower shoes, just like you like!"

"Hehe, thanks, Brother."

Her excited expression made Doyoung rub his nose shyly. Compared to the rice-cake hairpin he'd given her as a child, he'd come a long way.

With all the Geumho direct line together, the atmosphere was warm. The blessing ceremony and congratulatory parade followed. Arin kept glancing toward the doorway, searching for someone. The banquet was nearly over, and Muje still hadn't appeared.

He said he'd come today.

Not knowing she was waiting, Doyoung said, "Muje's late even today, and he already requested leave."

"Did he mention where he was going?"

"Not really. He looked busy, though."

"I see."

"Don't worry—he knows his way around the Geumho House. He'll show up."

She nodded, trying not to look disappointed.

---

The banquet ended, and Muje never came. Arriving at Maehwadang, feeling deflated, Arin sighed.

Tap, tap.

A knock at the window—outside, she saw Muje in his transformed form.

"Muje?"

She opened the window in surprise, but he didn't enter. He sent a telepathic message.

There you are. I was waiting.

"Waiting?"

Confused, she had no memory of any plan with him.

We always celebrated under the chestnut tree.

"Ah."

She realized belatedly. Every year, after the birthday banquet, they'd meet separately under the tree—except for the past two years. She had forgotten.

"So you were waiting there all this time?"

At her startled question, Muje answered calmly.

Yes. The banquet hall was too crowded—we wouldn't have been able to talk properly.

Today, for her twentieth birthday, there were even more people. And he hated crowds. Feeling guilty for forgetting their private tradition, she gestured inside.

"Come in."

But he shook his head, still outside the window.

I can't just enter a lady's room.

"Muje, that sounds strange coming from you—you practically lived here before."

...Anyway, let's go.

"Now?"

She asked in surprise, and he nodded and disappeared below. He hadn't forgotten me—we just missed each other. She had been mentally scolding him, but now that he'd come, her mood lifted. She headed to the chestnut tree.

He was waiting there. The lanterns from the banquet kept the area from being too dark. He'd even laid out a handkerchief for her.

"Come here."

"Have you been waiting long?"

"A little?"

"Sorry—I thought you'd come straight to the banquet hall."

"I thought you'd come here."

His casual reply left a silence between them. She tapped the ground with her shoe and murmured,

"Is it uncomfortable staying outside?"

"It's just for a short while."

"Still..."

"Did you eat well? It looked like a lot of people came."

"It is my twentieth birthday."

She rested her chin on her knees and looked at him.

"I was disappointed—I thought you weren't coming."

"Ah, well..."

He hesitated, fidgeting with his pocket.

"Happy birthday, Arin."

"Just words?"

At her playful question, he paused. He wanted to give her something special. He had ordered silk dyed with rare White Dragon flowers, but the merchant carrying it had been attacked by monsters, delaying the delivery.

Back   Next