Chapter 15
Yeo-ryeong acted as if she could see perfectly well.
Curious, Arin asked tentatively.
"Can you see?"
"I do the work of seeing what is invisible and revealing what is hidden."
As Yeo-ryeong met her gaze, Arin saw it clearly.
Yeo-ryeong’s eyes were sparkling like brilliant stars.
Even though they were covered by a cloth, she could feel a warmth radiating from the intense light that would have been blinding otherwise.
"Wow."
As the exclamation escaped her lips, Yeo-ryeong looked at the child steadily.
Unaware of that strange, lingering gaze, Arin spoke up.
"The Divine Priestess's eyes are just like stars."
At those words, Yeo-ryeong’s gaze sharpened.
Even though she couldn't see well, it felt as if Yeo-ryeong were smiling.
Before long, she gently stroked the top of Arin’s head.
"Let us meet again."
Even then, Arin remained transfixed, as if bewitched by Yeo-ryeong’s enchanting eyes.
- Squeak, squeak!(Little one, see you again!)
It was a gaze so captivating that Arin only came to her senses after Geum-geum, who had been sitting on her shoulder, waved to say goodbye.
With Yeo-ryeong having departed into the shrine of the Village of the Twelve Zodiac Deities, Arin was carried straight to the main hall in Do-gyeong’s arms.
"You must have had a hard time, so you should eat something delicious."
When Do-gyeong signaled to a servant, a small table holding a large, ripe persimmon was brought in shortly after.
He split the persimmon in half to make it easier to eat and held it out.
"It’s a fresh one picked last autumn."
"What about you, sir?"
"I eat plenty on a regular basis."
When Do-gyeong urged her again, Arin took the persimmon in her hands and began to eat.
As the sweet, soft fruit touched her tongue, her eyes widened in delight.
Just as she was busy eating, Arin felt a strange gaze from somewhere and looked up.
There stood a boy of about eight, gulping down his saliva as he watched them.
He looked as if he didn't even realize his wooden practice sword had dropped to the floor.
Realizing that his gaze was fixed on the persimmon, Arin stood up with the remaining half in her hand.
"Arin?"
While Do-gyeong looked on in confusion, Arin trotted over and stood in front of the boy. As she approached suddenly, the boy flinched and stepped back.
Arin, watching his wary expression, carefully held out the persimmon.
"Do you want to eat this?"
"……."
It was a precious gift Do-gyeong had given her, but she wanted to share the taste with the boy.
But strangely, the boy’s expression upon seeing the persimmon was intense.
A moment later, the boy furrowed his brows and swatted the persimmon away.
"I don't need it!"
"Ah!"
As the precious persimmon fell to the floor, Arin let out a sigh of regret.
At the same time, the boy seemed startled, his shoulders jumping.
"W-why are you being so... unnecessary...!"
He had only meant to push her away, but his arm had struck out with more force than intended.
To Do-yeong, who had only ever seen girls who were skilled in martial arts, Arin felt as fragile as a paper doll.
While he stood there, wavering over whether to apologize or not, Do-gyeong approached and scolded him.
"Geum Do-yeong. What is the meaning of this?"
As Do-gyeong’s expression turned fierce, Do-yeong felt his energy drain away.
The child looked to be about four or five years old.
That meant he was a child born during the time his mother was suffering from illness.
Now that he looked, Arin’s hair even seemed to have a golden sheen to it.
'It’s only been three years since Mom passed away!'
He hated his father for bringing Arin home as if he had been waiting for the chance.
Moreover, seeing his father take Arin’s side instead of his own made him feel unbearably resentful.
The spark of anger ignited in Do-yeong’s heart, even though he had meant to apologize.
"Father is mean! I hate you!"
When Do-yeong finally shouted and ran off, Do-gyeong wore a look of disbelief.
"Did that boy eat something wrong……!"
It was rare for his second son, who usually couldn't get enough of food, to turn down a persimmon.
While Do-gyeong let out a dry laugh at the uncharacteristic behavior, Arin watched Do-yeong’s retreating figure.
Seeing that his name was Do-yeong, he was clearly Do-gyeong’s son.
'So he was the young master of this house.'
If so, he should be able to eat as many persimmons as he wanted.
Did he think she had shared it because she pitied him?
Arin felt gloomy that Do-yeong had gotten so angry at a simple gesture of wanting to share.
"Did I make a mistake?"
"The mistake was his. I’m sorry. He’s my son, but he’s strange sometimes."
Do-gyeong, who had no idea that Do-yeong was harboring a strange misunderstanding, simply clicked his tongue.
"I want to apologize……."
"Leave him be. He’s the type to forget everything by tomorrow and be all smiles again. More importantly, it’s a shame you dropped the persimmon you were eating."
As Do-gyeong moved to get a new one, Arin stopped him.
"No! I’m full now."
She patted her rounded belly, and Do-gyeong’s expression softened immediately.
"I see. Then it’s time to see the physician."
"The physician?"
"Yes, I want to check your Spirit Core. I won't drain it, so don't worry."
At his teasing tone, Arin puffed out her cheeks.
She felt like she had just been given a lifelong target for teasing, and it was infuriating.
Just then, the sound of heavy, panting breaths came from outside the door.
"Family Head, *huff*, sir. It is Gi Eun-baek."
"Come in."
At Do-gyeong’s permission, Eun-baek caught his breath for a moment before stepping inside.
He had rushed over, thinking Do-gyeong might be hurt since he had called so urgently.
But Do-gyeong was perfectly fine, and there was a little girl sitting on his lap.
Eun-baek asked, catching his breath.
"And this is……?"
"I will explain later, so first, examine the child’s Spirit Core."
Skipping any further explanation, Do-gyeong led Arin to Eun-baek.
"Hello. Please take good care of me."
As Arin greeted him politely, Eun-baek wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
It was fascinating that she was so delicate and cute, yet so well-mannered.
Her attitude was the complete opposite of the sharp Do-hun and the restless Do-yeong.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Arin remained still while the physician checked her pulse.
It was familiar, as it was something she had done every day until last year.
Eun-baek smiled gently at her quiet, un-childlike demeanor.
If it had been Do-yeong, he would have been complaining about when it would be over.
He found Arin’s composure, despite her young age, to be admirable.
"You are doing very well."
As Eun-baek soothed Arin while checking her pulse, he suddenly frowned.
Noticing this, Do-gyeong asked.
"How is her condition?"
"……It has been a long time since I felt such a powerful energy. However, it is a pity that I cannot see the gate."
Eun-baek closed his eyes and checked her pulse once more. Unable to wait, Do-gyeong asked again.
"What do you mean there is no gate?"
"No matter how good the energy is, it is useless if there is no gate to open and close. It seems it will be difficult for the little one to use the powers of the Twelve Zodiacs."
Arin was not shaken, as she had already heard the same thing at the Red Snake family.
Her only concern was Do-gyeong’s reaction.
'So you're saying my daughter is disabled?'
'Rather than disabled, it would be more accurate to see it as a unique constitution…….'
'Quiet! That means the same thing!'
Thinking of her father, whose face had changed color upon hearing of her condition, she felt unnecessarily tense.
Just as she was worrying that she might not be able to stay here either,
"So, you mean there is no danger to her life?"
At Do-gyeong’s follow-up, Arin’s tension vanished.
It was a completely different question from Hong I-jin’s, which made it all the more relieving.
Eun-baek gently let go of Arin’s hand and said.
"Yes. Of course, because she carries such strong energy, Spirit Beasts might be drawn to her……."
"That is something I can handle."
At his indifferent remark, Eun-baek shrugged as if in agreement.
"That is true. There are no Spirit Beasts here that would dare attack the little one while avoiding you, Family Head. If there were, they would clearly be insane, and it would be only right to eliminate them."
At Eun-baek’s confident assurance, Do-gyeong picked Arin up and said.
"Protecting a little thing like this is nothing at all."
When he followed up with a smirk, Arin’s heart fluttered.
She had been shunned even by her own family.
Seeing Do-gyeong remain unchanged even after knowing her condition, Arin opened her arms and hugged him.
At that cute reaction, the corners of Do-gyeong’s mouth rose even higher toward the sky.
'My daughter is the best, indeed. Is this why everyone goes on about their daughters?'
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