Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 9

Chapter 9

"Ah!"

Sosso clutched her loosened hair, her face stricken. Yeoryeong examined the embroidery on the ribbon and sighed.

"Dogyeong is right. This was originally mine."

"Pardon?"

"It means this is the very ribbon Dogyeong said he gave as a gift to the child he met yesterday."

At this final confirmation, Sosso collapsed to the floor. She had never dreamed the ribbon belonged to the Divine Maiden. What possible reason could Arin have had to meet her?

"Divine Maiden!"

It could not be. This was clearly an attempt to shield Geum Dogyeong—she always favored that man.

"See for yourself."

Yeoryeong handed the ribbon to Hong Ijin, who was about to protest. Still breathing heavily, Hong Ijin examined the embroidery and his mouth fell open. A golden lotus, symbol of the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts, was stitched into it. This was indeed the mark Yeoryeong placed on her own belongings. No ordinary person could possess such an item, and Hong Ijin could no longer deny it.

"How could this..."

Hong Ijin looked from the ribbon to Sosso in disbelief.

"Did you truly steal it?"

At his hollow question, Sosso could say nothing. If she admitted she had taken it from the annex, she would be exposed as having met Arin. If she confessed to stealing, she would be punished for taking the Divine Maiden's property. In the end, Sosso had no words left.

---

The welcome banquet ended in shambles due to the clash between Geum Dogyeong and Hong Ijin. While Yeoryeong and Hong Ijin went to discuss Arin's matter, Dogyeong returned to his room. Arin was still asleep. He approached and touched her forehead.

"Thankfully, the fever has gone down."

He had been deeply anxious, as the fever had not subsided easily even after medicine. Dogyeong had stayed by the child's side all night, wiping her cold sweat again and again. At dawn, when he rose briefly to fetch water, a small, frail hand grasped him.

"Father, I did wrong... Please don't go, I beg you..."

In her delirium, she must have mistaken him for Hong Ijin. Her hoarse voice begged for forgiveness over and over—he could barely breathe. He sat back down and patted her gently.

"You've done nothing wrong."

Only then did she relax her expression and fall back asleep. But her anxiety had not fully subsided; her tiny hand still clutched his index finger tightly.

It was then that he remembered his late wife's wish for a daughter. Perhaps Jinkyeong, from above, had sent this child to him. That day, Dogyeong made his decision: he would raise this child.

As soon as morning broke, he sought out Yeoryeong and declared, "I will take the child."

"Good. You've made the right choice."

Yeoryeong, as if she had expected it, began planning the next steps. Originally, they had intended to wait until Arin woke, but seeing Sosso proudly wearing the ribbon he had given to Arin, Dogyeong could not contain himself. A long tail will eventually be caught—and thanks to Sosso, Hong Ijin could no longer deny Arin's existence. With the Divine Maiden herself intervening, the transfer of Arin to the Geumho House would be swiftly handled.

Grumble—

Just then, a thunderous rumble came from the sleeping Arin's belly. Dogyeong looked at her hollow stomach and gritted his teeth.

"They didn't even feed her..."

He stepped out to get some food.

"Mmm."

With a soft groan, Arin's tightly shut eyelids slowly opened.

Where am I?

Ever since living in the annex, she had endured cold and darkness every night. Waking up in a warm, bright place was disorienting. Then she remembered seeing the golden mouse just before she collapsed, and she sat up with a start. A wet cloth fell from her forehead. Now that she thought of it, the headache that had plagued her since morning was completely gone. Outside the window, the moon hung bright and full. She had met the golden mouse at dusk, so not much time had passed—or so she thought, unaware that she had been unconscious for over a day.

"Golden mouse?"

She called softly, but there was no response. Resigned, Arin began folding the bedding, preparing to leave. Just then, Dogyeong entered carrying chicken porridge—made by adding rice to the ginseng chicken soup from the banquet.

He tilted his head at Arin, who was tidying the bedding.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?"

Startled, Arin turned around. Recognizing the kind man who had given her sweet rice cakes, she bowed politely.

"Hello, sir. Was it you who helped me?"

"Sir..."

Dogyeong looked taken aback at her address. It was accurate enough, but hearing it was unfamiliar—he was always called 'Master' by those around him. Still, her voice was bright, so she seemed to have recovered. He set down the porridge and asked again,

"So what were you doing?"

"I was folding the bedding. You've helped me twice now—I'm truly grateful."

Her formal politeness left Dogyeong dumbfounded. It was absurd enough that she had folded a thick blanket with those tiny hands. His voice grew sharp.

"Who told you to fold the bedding?"

"I just thought I shouldn't leave without tidying..."

"Leave? Surely you don't mean to go back to that annex?"

"Huh? Well..."

Arin waved her hands and stammered. She truly did not know where to go. She had resolved to leave the annex, but outside it was too dark. Going back to the annex, she was not even sure she could find her way. Bowing her head shamelessly, she said,

"Um... if it's not too much trouble, could I stay just for tonight?"

"..."

"I'll be quiet and sleep in a corner."

Every word from Arin's mouth made Dogyeong speechless. Perhaps because she had been without adult care for so long, she tried to do everything alone—even though she was still in need of protection.

"Do as you like."

He moved the bedding to a corner and sat her down at the table. Arin, suddenly before the porridge, stared at him. Even as her nostrils flared at the aroma, she held back admirably.

"Eat."

"Huh? Are you sure I may?"

"I made it for you, so eat without fuss. Go slowly and chew well, or you'll upset your stomach."

He even put the spoon in her hand to prevent her refusal. Arin gazed at the steaming porridge for a moment, then carefully lifted the spoon. Her eyes sparkled at the first bite. The savory glutinous rice melting in her mouth, the chewy texture of the chicken—it was wonderful. It had been so long since she had eaten meat that her mouth kept watering. She dug in as if she had never hesitated.

Seeing her eat ravenously, Dogyeong pushed over some radish water kimchi broth.

"You'll choke."

"Th-thank you."

Arin slurped the broth and shivered with delight.

"It's so delicious!"

The savory chicken porridge paired with the sweet-sour kimchi broth—what a combination. As Arin's face lit up with excitement, a smile spread across Dogyeong's face.

"If you want more, just say so."

"Are you sure?"

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

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