Chapter 16
Eun-baek, who had never seen Do-gyeong’s guard-down smile before, was utterly astonished.
He had been intensely curious about Arin’s identity since earlier.
Eun-baek asked cautiously.
“But, if I may ask, whose child is this young lady…?”
Judging by her overflowing energy and golden eyes, it was clear she was a child of the Twelve Zodiacs.
Do-gyeong glanced at Arin with a tender look before replying lightly.
“She was cute, so I picked her up.”
“……Pardon?”
“I’m going to raise her here from now on.”
The explanation, missing both beginning and end, made Eun-baek blink in confusion.
A moment later, Eun-baek expressed his bewilderment and asked again.
“D-did you, by any chance, kidnap her?”
He knew Do-gyeong liked children, but he never imagined he would go so far as to kidnap someone else’s precious child.
Unfazed by Eun-baek’s worry, Do-gyeong retorted playfully.
“She followed me of her own free will, didn’t she?”
“H-h-heaven help us! Family Head!”
Eun-baek gasped, not knowing where to begin correcting him.
He had to find out exactly which Twelve Zodiac child this was and resolve the situation immediately.
Just then, Arin, who had been watching the situation, stepped forward.
“That’s right. I followed the mister here! Don’t say anything to him!”
She then stepped in front of Do-gyeong and spread her arms wide to protect him.
At that brave reaction, the corners of Do-gyeong’s mouth twitched.
It was amusing to see such a tiny thing stepping up to protect him.
Meanwhile, Arin’s answer took the wind out of Eun-baek’s sails. He didn’t know about her parents’ permission, but at least it seemed the child herself had agreed.
“Is that truly the case?”
“Yes. So please, let me stay here. If you just let me eat and sleep, I’ll work really hard! I’m good at laundry and cleaning, too!”
She had meant it as a way to persuade them.
But at Arin’s bright declaration, the expressions of both Do-gyeong and Eun-baek darkened instantly.
Unable to listen any longer, Do-gyeong pinched Arin’s cheek and scolded her.
“I’d rather feed you another piece of Yakgwa than wait for work done by those fern-like hands.”
“Ueng. That hurts.”
“It should hurt, since you’re saying such naughty things. Do you think I’d ever let a single drop of water touch your hands?”
“Uu.”
Arin rubbed her pinched cheek and looked like she was about to cry.
In truth, all the way here, Arin had been thinking about how to repay Do-gyeong’s kindness.
The conclusion she reached was to become a servant.
“I’m good at working!”
“The Golden Tiger Family is not so heartless as to make a child work.”
“Then… I’ll just eat a little bit…”
“Tsk!”
Do-gyeong, having scolded Arin for her stubbornness, grabbed her shoulders and met her gaze.
“Listen well. The only things you need to do here are eat well, sleep well, relieve yourself well, and smile well. A child should be cared for by adults, as a child should.”
It was frustrating to see such a small thing constantly trying to act like an adult.
At that moment, Eun-baek chimed in.
“That is correct. I have no intention of making Lady Arin work. This is all because the Family Head lacks the proper way with words.”
‘Then what am I supposed to do?’
She had followed the Golden Tiger Family in the first place to repay Do-gyeong’s kindness.
‘Can I really stay here without doing anything?’
No matter how good a person Do-gyeong was, having one more mouth to feed would eventually become a burden.
She had been abandoned by her own blood for being useless; wouldn’t Do-gyeong, a complete stranger, feel the same way?
If she were abandoned a second time, Arin wouldn’t be able to bear it.
The adults, unaware of Arin’s inner turmoil, finished their conversation among themselves.
“Your words have a sting to them, Eun-baek.”
“Since you say there was consent from the young lady, I will let it pass. I trust you will explain in detail later, Family Head.”
Despite the seemingly disrespectful attitude, Do-gyeong showed no sign of displeasure.
Even if he appeared fierce on the outside, he seemed infinitely generous to his own people.
It was something unimaginable if it had been Hong I-jin.
Do-gyeong waved his hand as if bothered and gave an order.
“Enough. Go and prepare a medicinal decoction to nourish the child’s body. She’s so thin and frail from not eating properly that it’s a pitiful sight.”
“Yes. I will prepare a tonic suited to her constitution.”
After Eun-baek left, Do-gyeong called for a servant.
“Escort Arin to the Plum Blossom Hall and have Cho-ryeong attend to her.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
At this, Arin grabbed Do-gyeong’s sleeve.
“Mister, where are you going?”
She looked anxious, as he was the only person she knew in this strange place.
He lightly ruffled Arin’s hair and said with a playful expression.
“I shall return shortly, so go and explore your room to your heart’s content.”
* * *
After Do-gyeong left, Arin followed the servant toward the Plum Blossom Hall.
In the garden, plum blossoms were in full bloom.
Beside it, a family of ducks was playing in the water of the pond.
It was a beautifully maintained space, like a place where a princess might live.
“Did we come to the wrong place?”
“This is indeed the Plum Blossom Hall, my lady.”
“But he said he was taking me to where I would be staying.”
“Yes, you will be staying here from now on.”
“Are you really saying I’m staying here?”
Arin was startled and looked around the room.
It was a more luxurious space than the room she had stayed in at the Red Snake Village.
Every single decoration on the pillars was delicate and ornate.
This was too good a room for Arin to stay in.
Arin’s expression darkened as she momentarily recalled having her room taken away by So-so.
“Is it possible that there was a child who lived here?”
Since there was no way such a room could be unoccupied, she worried that she might be taking someone else’s room.
“No. This room has been without an owner for a long time.”
Cho-ryeong, who appeared just in time, answered for her.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Arin. My name is Cho-ryeong, and I will be serving you from now on. Please tell me if you need anything at all.”
Cho-ryeong, who had many younger siblings, immediately sensed why Arin had asked such a question.
Children who had often had to walk on eggshells were usually that wary.
Do-gyeong, knowing that Cho-ryeong was good at taking care of young children, had assigned her to Arin.
“Hello. I’m Arin.”
When Arin bowed politely, Cho-ryeong trembled.
‘So cute!’
The only children in the Golden Tiger Family were Young Master Do-hun and Young Master Do-yeong.
Both were born with the energy of the Golden Tiger and were larger than their peers.
Arin, being small, precious, and cute, made her heart clench just by existing.
Especially since she was a child specifically requested by Geum Do-gyeong.
Cho-ryeong met Arin’s eyes and said.
“How old are you, Lady Arin?”
“I am six years old.”
“Oh my.”
Cho-ryeong blinked in surprise. By her estimation, the child looked at most four or five years old.
Because she hadn’t been able to eat well for a long time, Arin was much smaller than her peers.
Arin, guessing the reason for her surprise, fidgeted with her hands.
“I’ll grow soon. Really.”
Having been lectured by Do-gyeong all the way here, her response was a bit sulky.
Her plump cheeks, looking slightly pouty, twitched.
Seeing this, Cho-ryeong stifled a scream inside.
‘What do I do! She’s too cute!’
Having been among boisterous younger siblings, Cho-ryeong couldn’t help but have her heart stolen at once by a child like this.
* * *
Meanwhile, the place Do-gyeong headed to was the shrine where Yeo-ryeong stayed.
It was because there were still many things he wanted to ask her regarding Arin.
Yeo-ryeong, who had told him to take Arin as his daughter, had traveled separately from Arin throughout the journey.
It seemed clear that Geum-geum, who had been on a secret mission, had given her some hint.
Moreover, judging by Yeo-ryeong’s usual personality, it was unlikely she had suggested taking the child as a daughter simply to help an abused child.
‘What on earth is she thinking?’
Since she wouldn’t tell him, Do-gyeong had no choice but to seek her out.
He was especially curious about what she was trying to verify, even going so far as to wear the Cloak of Hidden Aura (a fabric that conceals divine power).
The area around the shrine was filled with a more mysterious energy than usual.
Because there was a distinguished guest staying there in secret.
It was Yeo-ryeong’s Taoist art to conceal them.
It was a divine power so profound that even Do-gyeong, who already knew who the guest was, found it difficult to read their presence.
At that moment, Yeo-ryeong, who had noticed Do-gyeong’s visit first, opened the door and said.
“You are still as impatient as ever, Do-gyeong.”
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