Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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109

Cheonhwigyeom stumbled forward and gripped the table’s edge, burying his face in one hand.
He had steeled himself for this moment. Yet the raw sincerity of his child’s words—sharp as a dagger driven through his heart—demanded time to truly accept.
A coward. That is what Baek Jayoon had called him. What Cheonhaerang had called him. And likely, what his daughter standing before him would call him as well.

“You look exhausted, Father. Please, sit down.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”

Cheonhwigyeom barely managed the words as he lowered himself into a chair. After a long, weary sigh, he lifted his gaze to meet Yeonhwa’s.
The memory felt impossibly distant now—when Yeonhwa had regarded him with affection in her eyes.
At some point, she had begun to crave that affection.
Then, gradually, resignation seemed to settle over her, and her eyes grew hollow of all emotion.
This too was his sin. He had made her this way.
Cheonhwigyeom’s lips parted, then closed again. But an apology now would be meaningless.
His words of remorse would be nothing but self-indulgence.
He understood this truth: Yeonhwa would never forgive him.
Yeonhwa’s expression remained impassive as she spoke.

“The Way of Heaven shows no partiality and is always with the virtuous. Heaven’s path harbors no private affections, no favoritism—it walks eternally beside those of virtue.”
“….”
“Father. Have you ever crossed swords with Gihyeongrang?”
“…Yes.”
“….”
“Many times. I was teaching him the blade.”

Cheonhwigyeom spoke the unvarnished truth.
Yeonhwa did not falter. The last vestiges of affection that had lingered within her seemed to dissolve entirely, leaving only cold indifference in their wake.
She despised the blood of her father that flowed through her veins—blood that proved she was his daughter, cursed to inherit his nature.
In the end, she would walk the same path he had walked.
Yeonhwa did not wish to become like her father.

“Because of the one you call Gihyeongrang, countless humans, the Heavenly Realm itself, and my oldest friend have perished. In the end, even Yerim the Celestial Maiden fell.”
“….”
“I believe the time has come for you to pay the price of your sins, Father. It is time you relinquished that position.”

Cheonhwigyeom exhaled a bitter laugh. Even without Yeonhwa’s words, he had harbored this intention since Gihyeongrang’s death.
Now I must relinquish everything and return to that place.

“…Very well. I intend to abdicate in your favor regardless.”
“No. I will not accept it.”
“What?”

The unexpected response forced Cheonhwigyeom to press further. This was the daughter who had yearned so desperately to succeed him. Then why? Had she now grown to despise even that? Could she truly abandon the very position she had coveted with such fervor? Cheonhwigyeom could not comprehend it.

“What do you mean, you will not accept it?”
“Your blood flows through my veins more intensely than anyone else’s. That is precisely why I refuse. I am….”

Yeonhwa’s eyes transformed into molten gold, and her hair shifted to pristine white. The bearer of those luminous golden eyes finally spoke the words she had harbored in her heart for so long.

“I do not wish to become like you, Father.”
“….”
“There was a time when I dreamed. Since I resembled you most closely, it seemed only fitting that I succeed you. And I believed I could become a Heavenly Emperor different from you.”
“….”
“But I was mistaken. I should never sit upon that throne. In the end, I would become just like you.”

Cheonhwigyeom found himself unable to speak. He understood then—only he would be condemned to live eternally trapped within regret.

“Then I shall take my leave now. Farewell, Father.”

It was a farewell that felt as though they would never meet again.
As Cheonhwigyeom watched Yeonhwa’s retreating figure, he hastily opened his mouth.

“Then tell me—what will you do now?”

Yeonhwa’s footsteps halted. Without turning to face him, she spoke.

“Whatever I wish to do.”
“….”
“For so long, my eyes were clouded. There are far too many things left undone.”

Yeonhwa resumed her steps.
Soon after, the door closed with a soft click.
Cheonhwigyeom stared at the shut door. It seemed as though it would never open again—not for eternity.

* * *

“Cheonhaerang!”

Cheonhaerang rushed toward me, and I found myself embracing the figure that threw themselves into my arms. An intense fragrance of roses tickled my nose.

“Sister, I’m going to suffocate like this.”

Cheonhaerang spoke with a laugh in his voice. At that, Suho pulled away from his embrace and glared at him.
Her eyes glistened with tears.

“You, you bastard! Do you have any idea how much I’ve worried? At least you were with your sister—thank goodness for that!”

Suho’s voice was thick with moisture, as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

“I’m sorry, sister. Have you been well?”
“Well? How could I be well? Sending my precious little brother to that treacherous Human Realm, and you ask? Do you think this sister could eat a single bite?”
“Speaking of which, sister’s cheeks seem to have—”

Cheonhaerang’s words were cut short by a sharp, resounding smack.
The sudden blow nearly knocked a cry from him. Suho’s strike was truly painful.
The sting was so intense it felt as though my skin might tear. Her hand had grown even more formidable in the time we’d been apart.

“You bastard! Is this really the time to tease your sister? Huh?”

If I teased her any further, another blow would surely come. Cheonhaerang hastily apologized.

“I understand, I’m sorry. I really am sorry, sister. You’ve been so worried, haven’t you?”

At my gentle question, Suho’s tears, which she had been holding back, finally burst forth.

“How much have I, how much have I, Cheonhaerang you damn brother…”

What on earth had happened for my younger sister’s language to become so crude?
In any case, it was my fault for leaving with nothing but a single letter. I wiped away the tears streaming down Suho’s cheeks.

“I’m sorry. This won’t happen again.”
“If you do this again, I swear I’ll break your legs and keep you locked up.”
“….”

At her rather passionate display of affection, Cheonhaerang simply closed his mouth and quietly wiped away his tears.

How much time had passed like this? Just as Suho seemed to be stopping her sobs, she burst into tears once more.
Her gaze was fixed on Cheonhaerang’s back. Then Suho ran forward.

“Wahhh! Sister!”

Yeonhwa embraced Suho with a helpless smile, gently stroking her sister’s hair.

“Have you been well, Suho?”
“No. I couldn’t sleep a wink worrying about you, Sister.”

Yeonhwa swallowed the words that rose to her lips—*though your skin looks positively radiant*—and comforted her sister instead.

“That shouldn’t be. I’m so sorry, Suho.”
“Sister….”

Overcome with emotion, Suho leaned into her sister’s warmth. Sometimes, Sister felt more like a mother to her.
Perhaps it was because of the considerable age difference between them.
Of course, occasionally—very occasionally—when Sister grew angry, she was terrifyingly fierce. But still.
With such a perfect sister, what in the world made that bastard think he was so special?
The slick face of a certain man drifted into Suho’s mind.
As she mentally tore that face to shreds, something suddenly occurred to her, and she lifted her head from Yeonhwa’s embrace.

“Sister, what did Father say?”

Yeonhwa gazed at Suho’s golden eyes and pristine white hair.
She had long grown accustomed to concealing these features, but Suho had not.
Yeonhwa called to her sister softly.

“Suho.”
“Yes?”
“Father will be abdicating soon.”
“What?”

Suho’s eyes widened at this startling revelation. Her gaze shifted toward Cheonhaerang before settling once more on Yeonhwa.
Suho’s mind grew turbulent. The Patriarch—Cheonhaerang’s father—had even concealed his gender to protect his son’s position as Prince.
His resolve to pass the throne to Cheonhaerang was that unwavering.
Yet it was not Cheonhaerang who desired the Patriarch’s seat. Suho knew all too well how desperately her beloved sister yearned for that position.
Thus she could not take sides or offer her support to either. The topic that had just been broached left her somewhat flustered.
Suho opened and closed her lips, uncertain what to ask. Watching her struggle, Yeonhwa smiled.
It was a smile tinged with a strange sense of relief.

“Neither I nor Cheonhaerang will inherit that seat.”
“…What? What?”

Suho stood bewildered by these words, and Yeonhwa spoke to her with unwavering certainty.

“Suho. The next Supreme Deity will be you.”
“Wh-what?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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