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Chapter 90

The silk itself was undamaged, but making the garment had taken time—so Muje had come empty-handed, feeling troubled. He had even stayed outside the Geumho House to keep the gift a secret, and now it had fallen through.

"Sorry. I had a gift prepared, but something came up."

He pulled a receipt from his pocket and handed it to her.

"What's this?"

"I wanted to deliver it myself."

What he handed her was the order form for the dress. Unable to meet her eyes, he continued apologetically,

"I thought you'd need a nice outfit when you officially present yourself as the next Divine Maiden. Silk dyed with Yeonhwa flowers has the effect of warding off evil energy."

"Did you commission it yourself?"

"Yes. But it's all gone wrong."

Knowing he rarely set foot in places like tailor shops, she could imagine how much effort he'd put into this gift. She rested her chin on her knees and smiled.

"Thank you."

"I hope you like it."

"Of course I will—it's silk dyed with Yeonhwa flowers."

Yeonhwa silk wasn't something you could just buy. Production was limited each year, and the White Dragon Palace only sold it to authorized buyers.

"It feels too precious."

"Don't worry about it—it's silk I get allocated every year."

"Still..."

"Then..."

He leaned closer to her face. Startled, she stiffened. He whispered in her ear,

"Show it to me first—before anyone else."

"...Did you have to whisper that?"

She touched her ear, ticklish. He glanced around and whispered again,

"Just in case someone might hear."

"There's no one else here."

She blushed, and he smiled.

"Happy birthday again, Arin."

"Thank you. Having you wish me last makes it even better—it feels like old times."

"Does it?"

"Yeah. So tonight, you have to stay up with me."

Her playful demand made him smile. He leaned toward her and said softly,

"Alright. I'll stay with you until your birthday is over."

---

While Arin was with Muje under the chestnut tree, Woo-hyun sneaked into Maehwadang and left her gift. He had planned to hand it over in person and scold her for leaving him behind—but seeing her brighten at the sight of Muje soured his mood.

Muje had taken her to the tree late at night and looked determined to keep her until the birthday ended. Remembering how he'd flaunted his closeness and whispered in her ear, Woo-hyun clenched his fist.

"That bastard did it on purpose."

It had made him furious. But as her guard, he had to keep his distance—he couldn't interfere. So he'd left.

Back at his quarters, he looked at the moon and murmured,

"Happy birthday."

Though the day had already passed. At least the final birthday wish had been his. Telling himself he hadn't lost to that bastard, Woo-hyun tossed and turned all night.

---

Talking with Muje after so long, Arin lost track of time and didn't return to Maehwadang until past midnight. After washing up, she noticed something new—a pink ribbon, with a pattern she liked, as if bought from a market.

"Who left this?"

She looked around but sensed no presence.

"Did Choryeong leave it?"

Shrugging it off, she held it up.

"It's pretty."

---

A few days later, an unusual tension gripped the Geumho House. The Divine Maiden had fallen asleep and hadn't woken. She was urgently moved to the main hall, where Eunbaek examined her under solemn guard. He frowned.

"Her pulse is slow and irregular—it appears she's been poisoned by something."

"Poisoned? By what?"

"That's..."

When Eunbaek hesitated, Dohun spoke.

"Has she been sleeping more lately?"

"Yes. She kept dozing off."

When Geumgeum confirmed it, Dohun's expression darkened.

"Her symptoms resemble Mother's. She also slept more and more until she spent half the day in bed."

"..."

Dogyeong's face grew serious at the similarity to Jinkyeong's illness. Why had the disease that eluded them for years suddenly appeared in Yeoryeong?

"Is it truly that poison?"

Eunbaek hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. It appears to be."

"What?!"

Having failed to save Jinkyeong, Dogyeong felt helpless. Physical enemies he could fight—but illness was beyond his protection.

"But Jinkyeong contracted it after contact with Hyeokgwang, didn't she?"

They had suspected the Black Demon clan. "The Divine Maiden hasn't faced them in years."

She had also stepped back from frontline duties to train Arin.

"Was our assumption wrong?"

As Dogyeong groaned, Dohun, deep in thought, asked,

"When did her irregular sleep begin?"

"Hmm."

Geumgeum couldn't recall.

"Has she done anything unusual?"

"...Now that I think about it, she collapsed on Arin's birthday."

"What?! Why didn't you say so?"

At Dogyeong's growl, Geumgeum flinched.

"She was walking fine when Arin came—I thought she was okay!"

"Some spirit beast you are."

"Are you blaming me?"

Geumgeum bristled, fur raised.

Just as the tension mounted—

"Mmm."

Yeoryeong stirred, blinking at the ceiling.

"Why am I here?"

"Divine Maiden!"

Geumgeum's voice trembled.

"You've been lying here for a day and a half! I thought you were gone!"

"Did I sleep that long?"

She muttered, sitting up.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Though my body feels heavy."

She had sensed her condition worsening lately but had dismissed it as aging. Hearing their conversation made her accept the truth.

"It seems I was targeted."

"Have you any idea what happened?"

"That tree in the forest—the Black Demon clan must have tampered with it."

"The tree..."

"The one you found in the forest. I don't know why I didn't remember sooner, but that day, the branch blackened and entered my body."

She winced at the headache. Once she acknowledged the tree's existence, she felt connected to it.

"I need to go to that tree."

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