Chapter 6
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Geum Do-gyeong, who had been busy pinching the child’s cheeks to his heart’s content, noticed that she was sitting there quietly with a *yakgwa* in her mouth, all because of him.
They say you shouldn't even bother a dog while it’s eating, but this little girl’s cheeks were so irresistible that he couldn't bring himself to let go.
"Ahem!"
Geum Do-gyeong pulled back so the child could eat her *yakgwa* comfortably.
Just as he was watching her with eyes full of lingering affection, the color of her eyes caught his attention.
Now that he looked closely, her eyes were golden.
'Could she be one of the Twelve Zodiacs?'
Children of the Twelve Zodiac families were born with golden eyes. It was proof that they possessed a Spirit Core.
'That’s strange. I was told the Family Head of the Red Snake Family only had one daughter.'
Besides, it made no sense for the child in front of him to be the daughter of the Red Snake Family. At a single glance, it was clear she had barely been touched by human care.
"Are you a child of this house?"
Arin flinched at the question. She couldn't say yes, and she couldn't say no.
Noticing the child’s distress, Geum Do-gyeong changed his question.
"Why were you alone earlier? If you’re lost, I can take you back."
But that, too, was a question Arin couldn't answer. She had been locked in the Annex alone for quite some time, and it felt as though she no longer had a place to return to.
'Can I really go back to the Annex?'
Now that the Golden Tiger Family had arrived, she knew she should leave. If she stayed like this, she might have her Spirit Core ripped out while she was still alive.
Arin carefully set down the *yakgwa* she was holding and stood up.
"Why? Are you not going to eat more?"
"I, I’m going to go now."
"Do you dislike me taking you back that much?"
"……."
"Then take that with you. I brought plenty anyway."
Geum Do-gyeong packed the box of *yakgwa* Arin had been eating and placed it in her arms.
"Thank you."
After a moment of hesitation, Arin bowed deeply and then fled the room as if running away.
"Hmm. Does she have some sort of secret she can't talk about?"
He felt uneasy, as if his unnecessary questions had driven the child away.
Just as the child’s presence began to fade from his mind, Yeo-ryeong returned after finishing tea with the Red Snake Family head and his wife.
Seeing her belongings rummaged through, Yeo-ryeong asked calmly.
"Did a thief break in?"
Recalling only then that he had taken a *dangi* from Yeo-ryeong’s luggage, Geum Do-gyeong made an excuse.
"Ah, I needed something, so I borrowed it. I’ll buy you a new one."
"There shouldn't have been anything in there for you to use, should there?"
That bundle contained only a woman’s accessories and clothing. It meant there was nothing he could have used.
Geum Do-gyeong scratched his cheek.
"I didn't use it; I gave it to a little girl."
"A little girl?"
At Yeo-ryeong’s question, Geum-geum, who had been hiding in a vest pocket, stepped forward.
- *Which little girl? Could it be the one with hair as pretty as a trumpet creeper, a soft pinkish-red?*
Of course, to Geum Do-gyeong, who could not understand Geum-geum, the words only sounded like the squeaking of a mouse.
"What is it saying? It seems to be talking to me."
"It’s asking if the girl you’re talking about had pinkish-red hair."
"Oh. How did you know? Are you using mind-reading now?"
As Geum Do-gyeong expressed his surprise, Geum-geum and Yeo-ryeong locked eyes.
They had thought their trip to the Annex was a waste because it was empty. But to think she had been with Geum Do-gyeong.
Yeo-ryeong asked seriously.
"So, where did that child go?"
"She said she was going back, so I let her go."
"When?"
"About a *sik-gyeong* ago."
At Geum Do-gyeong’s words, Yeo-ryeong signaled to Geum-geum.
- *I’ll be right back!*
Geum-geum landed on the floor like an arrow and vanished.
Watching Geum-geum dash away, Geum Do-gyeong tilted his head.
"Is it going to the latrine or something?"
"The truth is, the reason I came here is because of that child."
"Pardon?"
"The Red Snake Family is trying to hide their real daughter and send a fake one to the White Dragon Family in her stead."
As Yeo-ryeong lowered her voice, Geum Do-gyeong’s face stiffened.
"Could it be that the Red Snake Family has figured something out?"
Currently, the only son of the White Dragon Family was staying temporarily in the Village of the Twelve Zodiac Deities due to issues with his Spirit Core. This was something only the Golden Tiger Family and the White Dragon Family knew. Was the Red Snake Family trying to avoid sending their daughter after obtaining this information?
However, he heard an unexpected answer from Yeo-ryeong.
"I thought that might be the case at first, but listening to Geum-geum, it seems there is another reason."
"Another reason?"
"The child cannot perform the Phantom Beast Transformation. I heard she was being kept in isolation in the Annex, so I hurried here."
"What? They’re casting their daughter aside for something like that?"
At those words, Geum Do-gyeong reflected on the child’s appearance. Her clothes, washed and worn many times, were tattered, and her frail body looked as if she hadn't been able to eat or sleep properly. It was clear she hadn't received any adult care.
Regretting that he hadn't stopped the child from leaving, Geum Do-gyeong said firmly.
"This is abuse. Where in this world is there anyone who treats a young child like that? And to think they’d try to deceive the White Dragon Family. This must be reported immediately and punished severely."
"With the White Dragon Family also having their own flaws, we cannot blame the Red Snake Family alone."
"But isn't it too dangerous to leave things as they are? ……She is still just a young child."
Yeo-ryeong gazed steadily at Geum Do-gyeong as he spoke with stubborn persistence.
"It seems you think I intend to turn a blind eye to the child."
At Yeo-ryeong’s remark, Geum Do-gyeong closed his mouth.
Do-gyeong had always been weak toward things that were small and harmless. If he had seen Arin in person, it was only natural that she would weigh on his heart. Yeo-ryeong had brought him along precisely because she knew his nature. So that he could help register Arin into the Golden Tiger Family.
"If you find it so pitiful, you can be the one to take her."
"Pardon?"
"I have no intention of leaving the child in the Annex. However, since she is a child of the Red Snake Family, we will need Hong I-jin’s permission."
Yeo-ryeong’s voice was as natural as flowing water, as if she had already grasped and decided everything. Do-gyeong could not immediately discern her intentions. As he just stared at her blankly, she drove the point home in a low voice.
"Didn't I tell you? That I would make you a daughter."
* * *
As soon as Arin arrived at the Annex, she began to pack her things.
In her bundle, there was only one change of clothes and a wooden squirrel doll she used to play with when she was little. She couldn't bring herself to leave, so she spent time unfolding and refolding the bundle two or three times, and before she knew it, the sky was dimming.
'I have to leave before the sun sets.'
Now that she had finally decided to leave home, she felt strange.
'Do you have no shame?'
It was just as So-so had said. It seemed she had been staying here without reading the room.
Arin didn't want to be a burden to her family anymore, nor did she want to have her Spirit Core stolen by the Golden Tiger Family.
Arin hugged the box of *yakgwa* the man she met in the afternoon had given her. The kindness she had felt for the first time in a long while gave her a little strength to leave.
Just as she tied her bundle and slipped her feet into her shoes, it happened.
- *Squeak! (Hey, are you there?!)*
Arin’s footsteps stopped at the loud cry.
Arin naturally turned her gaze toward the sound, and her eyes sparkled.
"The Golden Mouse!"
The Golden Mouse, which hadn't come for several days, was right there.
The Golden Mouse leaped onto Arin’s lap in one bound. Arin opened her arms and hugged the Golden Mouse. She was so happy that the Golden Mouse, whom she thought had left her for good, had come back.
"I thought you weren't coming back ever again."
- *Squeak. (Phew, we didn't miss each other this time!)*
Geum-geum was panting as it held onto Arin tightly. Judging by her appearance, she looked like she was about to go somewhere; it had almost missed her again.
As it caught its breath, Geum-geum realized belatedly that Arin’s body was excessively hot and shouted.
- *Squeak. (What’s wrong with you?)*
Up close, Arin’s cheeks were far too red.
Geum-geum hopped onto her shoulder and touched the back of her ear.
- *Squeak, squeak! (You’re burning up with fever!)*
"Uh, uh."
Arin swayed as Geum-geum suddenly clung to her.
Was it because she hadn't been feeling well since the morning?
Feeling her head spin, Arin collapsed onto the floor.
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