Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 40

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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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40.

Seowangmo observed this peculiar meal in quiet contemplation.
First, her youngest son had no interest in anyone else. His gaze was fixed solely upon Ryujiho, the youngest of the Ryu Family.
Indifferent to the eyes of others, he was busy placing side dishes atop Ryujiho’s rice.
Not like a parent, yet his eyes seemed satisfied merely watching Ryujiho eat.
If he continued eating so little, he would surely fall ill. But then again, it was his own doing.
Seowangmo then turned her attention to her eldest daughter. It was a sight that might have caused anyone who witnessed it to faint in shock.
Seated beside her eldest daughter was the Jade Emperor, Hand Ogeong.
Though she had heard whispers last evening, she had never imagined they would all actually appear at this morning meal.
Cheonhaerang being here alongside Ryujiho was one thing. But Cheonuyhua and Hand Ogeong together?
It was an extraordinarily unexpected combination.
Seowangmo herself did not know the details of what had transpired between them. Neither Cheonuyhua nor Hand Ogeong had spoken of it.
Yet she knew it had ended in catastrophe. That the two had become worse than enemies.
As a result, the air flowing between them was not merely cold—it was frozen like thin ice.
If that were the case, why were they dining together? They must have known the other would be here.
Puzzled, Seowangmo soon abandoned her observations and began her own meal.
At this hardly cordial table, the only conversation that passed was between Cheonhaerang and Ryujiho.

“Jiho, how is it? Delicious? Would you like more?”
“I’m fine, so eat your own meal quickly.”

Ryujiho whispered bashfully, glancing about nervously, but his whisper only made his words carry more distinctly.
Whenever Cheonhaerang looked at Ryujiho, he was like a dog wagging its tail without restraint. It was unseemly, yet it stirred something peculiar in one’s heart.
She suspected Yeonhwa harbored similar thoughts.
At least Cheonhaerang would be happy, she imagined.

“Cheonhaerang, get up. Let’s go.”

It was Hand Ogeong’s resolute voice that interrupted the conversation between Cheonhaerang and Ryujiho. For Cheonhaerang, it was rather like having his pleasant moment shattered.
Cheonhaerang asked reluctantly.

“…Already?”
“Yes. I’ve finished eating.”
“I haven’t finished yet.”
“That’s because you’re slow. Queen Mother, then I shall take my leave first.”

Disregarding Cheonhaerang’s wishes entirely, Hand Ogeong bowed toward Seowangmo, and she graciously accepted his greeting.
Cheonhaerang gripped both of my hands tightly as he said goodbye, as though he were facing an eternal parting from me.

“Jiho, I’ll see you later then. I’m going ahead.”
“Mm. Work hard, Cheonhaerang.”
“Jiho….”

He’s really going to cry, Hand Ogeong clicked his tongue sharply and dragged Cheonhaerang away with him.
Silence descended upon the dining table. I exhaled a quiet sigh and observed Seowangmo and Yeonhwa carefully.
Then my eyes met Seowangmo’s. I flinched and hastily lowered my head. I decided not to raise it again from that moment on.

How long had only the clinking of dishes echoed through the silence?
It was Yeonhwa’s voice that broke the quiet.

“Mother. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“There’s been a problem with the seal on the malevolent spirit.”

My resolve not to raise my head crumbled instantly.
I startled and lifted my head without thinking. The princess spoke as though completely unaware of my presence, her gaze fixed solely upon Seowangmo.

“Wait for the time. Until Gihyeongrang becomes a malevolent god.”

Yeonhwa relayed her father’s words exactly as they were. Just as I had, her mother would surely grasp the meaning of those words immediately.
Perhaps this was finally the moment her mother had long desired.
But there was a problem. The method by which Gihyeongrang could break the seal of the malevolent spirit.
To awaken the malevolent spirit, a heart was needed.
The nine hearts of young, vital beings.
Young lives were already dying one by one.

“Mother. Is it truly right to wait for that time?”

I carefully observed Seowangmo and the princess. Seowangmo gazed at Yeonhwa with quiet eyes.
My mind became chaotic with confusion.

‘A malevolent spirit? A seal? What is all this about? Gihyeongrang becomes a malevolent god? When is that supposed to happen? Why is the princess asking such things? What on earth is going on? And why are they discussing this in front of me?’

I couldn’t understand any of it. Questions without answers only piled upon one another endlessly.
All I knew was that Cheonhaerang intended to capture Gihyeongrang to make a deal with my father. So that Yeonhwa could ascend to the throne.
But it seemed like there was more to this. How should I put it? Something enormous appeared to be hidden beneath the surface.
Was it even appropriate for me to hear such things? I felt terribly out of place. So all I could do was quietly eat my meal.
Silence fell over the table once more. Eventually, Seowangmo broke the silence and spoke.

“Is it right to sacrifice the few for the many? Is that what you wish to ask?”
“…Yes.”
“Well, that’s certainly a judgment befitting your father. After all, he can eliminate both the malevolent spirit and Gihyeongrang in one stroke. How could he possibly pass up such an opportunity?”

Seowangmo spoke with utter cynicism. I felt even more out of place.
I considered slipping away from the table, but Seowangmo’s gaze turned toward me, making that impossible.
When our eyes met, I stiffened completely.

“What do you think, Jiho?”
“Y-yes?”
“Is it truly right to sacrifice the few for the many?”
“Ah, well, I, that is….”

My eyes darted about frantically. The sudden question was more than enough to fluster me. My mind went completely blank.
Sacrificing the few for the many—it was a statement I had never deeply contemplated in my life. So naturally, I couldn’t provide an immediate answer.
Moreover, even if I could formulate an answer, it seemed it would require lengthy explanation.
Rather than searching for an answer to her question, I hurriedly racked my brain for a way to escape this situation.
And I offered what I thought was an appropriate response. Whether anyone would be satisfied with it, I had no idea. Honestly, I might even be criticized for it.
No, not might—I definitely would be. I would certainly be criticized.
But I couldn’t think of anyone else to defer to.

“I, I beg your pardon, but since my learning is still shallow, wouldn’t it be better to ask the Jade Emperor? He would surely be able to provide a far better answer than I could.”
“….”

I clenched my hands tightly. I had read the atmosphere well enough. It had turned cold in an instant. Sweat seemed to seep from my clenched fists.
Yet I trusted Seowangmo. I believed she would smooth over this tension. She could interpret my answer as that of an ignorant child.
Seowangmo regarded me with quiet eyes, the same way she had looked at Yeonhwa, then turned her gaze away. Then she looked at Yeonhwa and spoke.

“So that’s how it is.”
“….”

It was an excessively brief answer. As a result, Yeonhwa obtained no real answer at all.
Yeonhwa let out a deep sigh. Then she pressed her forehead and asked.

“Is that also your answer, Mother?”
“Yes. I would prefer that as well.”
“Even though you know everything?”
“I’m not telling you what to do between the two of you. As my subject, the Jade Emperor should give his answer to the Daughter of the Patriarch, don’t you think?”
“What if I despise even looking at him? Will you ask on my behalf instead?”
“You must forget the past and move forward. Unless you wish to become like your father.”
“….”

At those words, Yeonhwa fell silent. Woven through her mother’s words was not only criticism of her father, but also criticism directed at herself.
Her father, who had created this calamity by clinging to a love from the past.
And herself, equally bound by the past and acting this way.
There was no further meaning to continuing this conversation with her mother. Yeonhwa sighed once more and brought the discussion to a close.

“…I should take my leave now, Mother.”
“Very well.”

With the Daughter of the Patriarch gone, only two of us remained at the dining table. It was terribly awkward. I felt as though my stomach might turn.
Yet Seowangmo remained utterly composed.

“Now it’s finally quiet. Eat more.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Thank you.”

I continued eating the remaining rice mechanically. I could not even tell whether the food was entering my mouth or my nose.

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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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