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Chapter 45

The emperor's clear voice from the head table rang through the banquet hall.

"I hear that the Crown Prince, who has been unwell for the past few days, is completely recovered today. Despite the minor accidents, it seems the Divine Beast Festival's energy has done him good."

Divine Beast Festival's energy, my foot.

If Je Geon-u had improved, it was surely thanks to Aran's illusion.

That day, the Crown Prince had fallen asleep with a peaceful face, as if in his mother's arms.

Aran looked up and observed the Crown Prince.

His complexion was much better than when he'd been throwing tantrums and crying the day before—making her feelings all the more complicated.

When he'd woken, the Crown Prince must have thought his encounter with his mother was just a dream.

If a single night's dream of his mother could make such a difference…

Perhaps the Crown Prince simply hadn't been receiving the proper help.

The emperor, seemingly unaware of anything, continued with a proud expression.

"Crown Prince, greet the four Great Lords who support the skies of the empire."

The Crown Prince, who was only slightly taller than Aran and had been confined due to illness, greeted them quite regally.

"Greetings to the Great Lords. I am Je Geon-u."

The Great Lords also bowed their heads with smiling faces.

"We greet the Crown Prince."

Then the emperor graciously offered.

"Crown Prince, sit with the heirs of the divine beast families. This is your first opportunity to make friends."

As Je Geon-u approached, Aran couldn't help but glance at Baek Sa-heum.

But Sa-heum, who had been breathing excitedly, suddenly widened his eyes upon seeing Aran.

Huh…? What now…?

Oh no—he said he could see souls.

Surely he hasn't recognized me again?

Even in human form?

Just as Aran flinched and tried to look away, Sa-heum opened his mouth dumbly.

"Oh, Eld…"

Hey—don't call me "Immortal" right now…!

In her urgency, Aran grabbed a plate in front of her and thrust it toward Sa-heum.

"Se—says she wants rice cakes? Go-good idea! This is really delicious!"

As she shook her head vigorously, Sa-heum, stunned, finally answered after a long pause.

"…Yes. Th-thank you."

That's not what I meant!

Frustrated, Aran ground her molars and pressed on.

"Feel free to speak casually. We're all about the same age."

Sa-heum looked utterly unconvinced, but barely nodded.

"Oh, okay… I got it. Th-thanks."

Aran deliberately ignored the Black Tortoise's gaze shooting at her from across the table.

---

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Je Geon-u took his seat at the head of the table, between Taeo and Yeon.

But for some reason, his gaze was strangely fixed on Aran—as if he'd heard her conversation with Sa-heum.

The atmosphere was a bit odd, but Je Geon-u was the Crown Prince.

Everyone greeted him in unison.

"We greet the Crown Prince."

Je Geon-u acknowledged the greetings with a slight bow, but his gaze remained fixed on Aran. He suddenly asked.

"Who are you?"

Aran looked around, hoping the Crown Prince's pointed curiosity wasn't directed at her—but his sun-like golden eyes were clearly fixed on her.

Resigned, she opened her mouth to answer.

"…I am Aran, the youngest of the Blue Dragon clan."

Je Geon-u looked at Aran with innocent eyes.

"But you're not a Blue Dragon."

It was a fact that everyone here knew, but even the clueless and rude Joo Hong-bi hadn't said it outright in front of Aran.

Just as Taeo's eyes flashed sharply, Yeon unexpectedly cut in first.

"Your Highness, I am Cheong Yeon, the fourth of the Blue Dragon clan. Even though Aran isn't a Blue Dragon, she is still our family."

Aran was moved by the timid Yeon's courage to speak up.

Je Geon-u didn't seem surprised or refute Yeon's words. He didn't look displeased either.

He just nodded, as if he'd been genuinely curious.

"I see."

As silence fell again, Min spoke up.

"I am Cheong Min, the third of the Blue Dragon clan."

After Geon-u nodded slightly, Sa-heum, seated beside the Blue Dragons, bowed his head with a trembling voice.

"I am Baek Sa-heum, the only child of the White Tiger clan."

He seemed to be trying hard not to look at the Crown Prince, but to others, it just looked like politeness—fortunately.

After Sa-heum's turn passed safely, the Vermilion Bird cousins introduced themselves, and finally, it was Taeo's turn.

"Hyeon Taeo."

Geon-u looked up at Taeo, who was much larger than him, for a moment before looking away.

Then he looked around and said.

"I'm Je Geon-u. This is my first time meeting peers in the imperial palace. Are you all friends with each other?"

Oddly enough, his question was still directed at Aran.

Aran had no choice but to answer again.

"Most of us met for the first time at this Divine Beast Festival. If you wish, Your Highness could become friends with us as well."

She'd spoken kindly, because the crying figure from the night before had seemed so lonely.

But Je Geon-u picked up his chopsticks with a cool expression.

"Is that so? But aren't you all my subjects?"

Ah…?

She'd spent all night exhausting herself to soothe his tears, and this was his gratitude.

If this body had been so inclined, you'd have met the underworld messengers last night, you know?

Just as Aran was thinking about giving Je Geon-u a good smack on the head, Joo Hong-woo cut in with a fawning reply.

"A most wise observation, Your Highness. All of us divine beast families are your subjects."

Whatever Joo Hong-woo said, Je Geon-u's gaze clung to Aran once again, as if asking:

If that's the case, what about you?

Aran forcibly stretched the corners of her mouth into a bright smile.

"Of course."

Fortunately, no one seemed to notice the trembling of her forced smile.

But don't blame me if your lifeline gets a bit shorter, little one?

---

A kid possessed by an evil spirit, and still so arrogant.

Should I just get rid of him?

The next day, in a clear garden, Aran was thinking about Je Geon-u.

She absentmindedly twirled the Jeolmaeksan bracelet around her wrist, then shook her head.

It's unthinkable…

How could she dispose of a child whose complexion improved just from dreaming of his mother for one night?

A mere five-year-old, left alone and neglected in the Crown Prince's palace—what could he have learned?

If raised well, he might become a good yellow dragon…

But even as she couldn't give up that hope, her thoughts kept circling back.

But when would she have time to raise him?

How was this body supposed to raise all these scattered children alone?

Was there any way to expel the evil spirit attached to him?

Yes—she needed to ask Baek Sa-heum again if the evil spirit looked any different.

"Wow! It folded again!"

Aran watched the children huddled together playing in a corner of the garden.

Min was hopping around in front of a mimosa plant, its pink flowers in bloom.

Not to be outdone, Yeon touched another plant.

"Look here! Here too!"

As small white fingers touched the rows of leaves, they folded up as if shrinking.

Sa-heum, who had come to visit the eastern pavilion on the final day, had taught the twins about the mimosa.

The mimosa mainly grew in the western part of the continent, but it seemed some had sprouted in the imperial palace as well.

Min, who had found and folded even the tiniest mimosa leaves, asked enviously.

"Do you have a lot of these plants in your palace? That must be fun!"

"We have plenty of mimosa at our palace, but…"

Sa-heum, overwhelmed by Min's enthusiasm, took a step back and answered slowly.

"There's not a single friend to play with."

"Oh, dear…"

Yeon quickly empathized with Sa-heum's situation, her eyes glistening.

"Then why don't you come visit our palace sometimes? The Black Tortoise Palace's youngest visits often!"

"Is—is that true?"

Just as Aran chuckled at the children's conversation, a cool presence was suddenly felt behind her.

"I move as I please, but the White Tiger Palace doesn't have that option."

"Th-then, Taeo, could you bring him along too…?"

Yeon thought she'd come up with a good idea, but it was enough to irk Taeo.

"Why would I?"

Aran finally stepped in, blocking Taeo's way.

"The White Tiger Palace is quite far from the Blue Dragon Palace, so it would be hard to see each other often. But you can write letters."

"L-letters…?"

For some reason, Sa-heum looked flustered, and Taeo chuckled.

"I wonder if the Baek clan's baby can even read."

"Taeo."

As Aran scolded Taeo and turned to Sa-heum, his dark face had gone pale.

"You—you all can read…?"

It was a face as shocked as when he'd seen Je Geon-u enter the banquet hall.

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