Home/The very suspicious chick of the Blue Dragon clan/ch 20

Chapter 20

"So you punished her?"

This time, Taeo hesitated for a moment.

He had brushed the maid away because her touch was unpleasant, but he hadn't intended to punish her deliberately.

Still, he felt no need to lie or make excuses for his actions.

"A direct-line member of the Black Tortoise Palace shouldn't personally punish a lowly maid, should they?"

Na-gyeong's voice continued.

"Punishment of maids should be left to the head maid."

"That's not it—I was interrupted during ability training and…"

Taeo tried to explain belatedly, but Na-gyeong cut him off instead.

"If it wasn't intentional but an accident, your fault is even greater. It won't do for you, young as you are, to show your inferiors that you can't control your ability."

Taeo clamped his mouth shut, and Na-gyeong swallowed a small sigh.

"That maid's name is Yu-wol. Out of concern that you might have been hurt, her veins froze and her blood vessels constricted—she's now hovering between life and death."

"Yu-wol?"

Taeo was growing at an unbelievable rate and possessed astonishing abilities, but above all, he was a child of such endearing appearance.

The child puffed out his plump, white cheeks like a rice cake and tilted his head to one side.

"Do I need to know her name?"

Na-gyeong blinked slowly as she looked at Taeo.

Last year, she had often forgotten the cruelty of her son's words because of his cute face and pretty eyes.

She had even hoped, without any basis, that it was because he was young and that he would improve.

But she could no longer do that.

Her greatest fear these days was dying before she could properly teach this child.

Lately, the Great Lord and his wife had been realizing anew the very natural truth that one should not simply rejoice when a child who has learned nothing gains an ability first.

"If you don't even know the name of a child who nearly died because of you, Taeo-ya."

Na-gyeong quietly met her son's still-unwavering gaze.

"Can you truly say that child belongs to you?"

When Taeo fell silent, Na-gyeong began to clear away the broken cup with her bare hands.

She deliberately nicked her fingertip on the sharp edge, but Taeo didn't even blink.

"Pray that Yu-wol doesn't die."

Na-gyeong gathered the porcelain shards and rose from her seat.

"I mean to hope that she doesn't become your first mistake—and that your brothers don't rejoice over it."

With both his mother and the maid gone, and even the water cup for ability practice vanished, Taeo sat still and gazed at the eastern sky.

Each day was unbearably tedious.

---

The first birthday had finally arrived.

Aran was still in the form of a small bird, waiting anxiously for So-rim since early morning.

But unexpectedly, Hwi came first.

"Hello, Aran. Happy birthday."

"Pik??"

(Older brother? Thank you. But where's the Training Master?)

"Yeah, the Training Master probably went to the main palace to see Father."

So she'd been summoned by the master early in the morning!

Aran couldn't help but feel a little down.

She could vividly picture So-rim bustling about, ordering a celebratory robe and choosing items for the first-grab ceremony…

She must have gotten scolded after all.

Probably because I didn't obtain human form in time.

In fact, the day before, Aran had been flying around the garden to relieve her frustration when she accidentally overheard Huirim's voice.

"The youngest… it seems it won't be possible by tomorrow…"

It was fragmented because of the distance, but it was definitely about her.

And how her heart had clenched at Cheongun's following voice.

"Indeed… how disappointing…"

Cheongun—the one who had seemed able to endure everything—had directly said he was disappointed.

Aran was even more shocked at herself for being disappointed by that fact.

No matter how kind-hearted Cheongun was, how could he have no expectations?

Besides, Cheongun was the Lord of the Eastern Quarter and the head of the Blue Dragon clan.

In a position where he had to prove himself with every word, to lose his vassals' trust because of an adopted child…

Setting aside her own feelings, Aran couldn't bear that.

"Peep? Peep!"

(Older brother, this Aran really is a Vermilion Bird! I can't explain why, but I can feel it for sure!)

Hwi, blissfully unaware of others' desperate feelings, just snickered.

"I know, Aran. There's no need to be anxious."

But even a great Vermilion Bird couldn't remain calm in this situation!

The wish the entire Blue Dragon Palace had held together for nearly a year had been shattered!

Aran resented her own slow body and the heavens that seemed to be repeating misfortune.

Hwi lightly lifted Aran and left the temporary quarters in the medicine wing.

"Pik?"

(Huh? Where are we going?)

"We should go to the main palace too."

Aran recalled Cheongun's face from a distance the day before and swallowed a sigh.

Perhaps he was waiting for her with his last hope? Would he finally show a disappointed expression today?

If she wanted to keep living here, should she show that she was sorry too?

Lost in thought, they arrived at the main palace.

But Hwi didn't knock on the master's chamber door—instead, he knocked on the door across from it.

She'd never seen Cheongun stay in this room…

As Aran wondered, Hwi announced loudly.

"I've brought Aran, Father."

---

The moment the door opened, Aran lowered her head.

She suddenly felt ashamed of her own body. She felt pathetic, just like in her childhood when she was scolded for having no markings.

But then—

Bang!

Suddenly, a sound like fireworks—the kind she'd heard at the festival—exploded.

Startled, she looked up to see a shower of colorful spring flowers raining down over her head.

The sweet floral scent mingled with the savory aroma of food, tickling her nose.

Amidst the cheerful clamor, the twins shouted in unison.

"Happy birthday, Arani!"

Huirim, So-rim, and the familiar maids also offered their smiling greetings.

"Happy birthday, young miss!"

"Is this really only your first birthday? Congratulations, Peep-peep."

After Su-ryeon, who smiled a little teasingly, came Cheongun last.

"Congratulations, Aran. This room was prepared as your birthday gift—how do you like it?"

Birthday gift…?

Aran lifted her bewildered gaze and looked around the room.

Walls painted in the Blue Dragon clan's signature wave-blue, and thin silk curtains by the windows. A beautiful vanity sparkled with jade and mother-of-pearl.

A desk neatly arranged with writing implements she couldn't even hold yet. Round cushions neatly laid out on a silk mat.

On the low bed inside, pink bedding was neatly arranged, and even a small brass brazier was burning nearby.

By the window, a wind chime similar to the twins' necklaces tinkled prettily.

In her hundred years of life, Aran had never had a room as picturesque as this.

Her childhood had been utterly destitute, and even after growing up, she'd lived far from wealth and glory.

They were giving her this room…?

She hadn't lived up to their expectations and had only caused trouble…

"Pii…"

(Um, well, I…)

Before Hwi could interpret Aran's words, Cheongun continued.

"Mother—no, Father is sorry for making our daughter struggle because of my own greed. But Aran, before anything else, you are already our family. Please remember that."

Aran felt infinitely sorry and ashamed. It was as if all her scheming to avoid being kicked out had been exposed.

She clamped her beak shut in embarrassment, then resolutely opened it again.

"Pip. Peep."

(You speak foolishly, Great Lord. You boasted that this body was a Vermilion Bird, so I should have lived up to your expectations in time—I'm only sorry that I couldn't. But if you wait a little longer…)

Just then, Hwi vigorously rubbed his ear.

"What did you say, Aran?"

He must have thought he'd misheard again.

In the end, Aran corrected herself.

"Peep…"

(That's not it, what I mean is… I'm sorry for disappointing Father and the family…)

"Ah…"

Hwi hesitated again, then suddenly turned to the family and said.

"She says she can't explain why, but she feels sure she's a Vermilion Bird, so please wait a little longer."

As everyone burst into laughter, only Aran looked up at Hwi with incredulous eyes.

"Peep?"

(When did I say that?)

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