Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 9

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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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9.

“I see. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ryujiho, Jiho’s older sister.”

Cheonhaerang stared at Yerim’s extended hand, offered in greeting. To take that hand, I would have to release mine.
It was my hand that Jiho had offered first. It felt like such a waste, but in this situation, I needed to deceive Yerim skillfully.
From the look in Yerim’s eyes, it was clear her suspicions hadn’t entirely faded.
I needed to appear as nothing more than an ordinary, diligent student.
Cheonhaerang reluctantly released my hand and took Yerim’s instead.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sister.”
“Good. Well then, come inside. Thank you for bringing Jiho home.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Jiho, let’s go inside.”

As if signaling there was nothing more to discuss, Yerim offered a polite farewell and pulled me along. I stumbled after her in bewilderment.
Jiho and Yerim quickly disappeared into the apartment, leaving Cheonhaerang standing alone without a word from me.
Yet Cheonhaerang was delighted. He lifted his own hand and gazed at it quietly. It was the hand Jiho had offered first.

‘I never expected things to unfold like this.’

Though it had been to escape the situation, it was an unprecedented opportunity for him. Now he could openly be in a relationship with me.
To avoid Yerim’s suspicions, I would have no choice but to cooperate with him.

‘But does Jiho really intend to convince me?’

In truth, Cheonhaerang hadn’t believed I would accept his words so easily.
Moreover, though he pretended not to notice, throughout today Jiho had seemed lost in thought at times. It appeared I was deliberating whether to report finding him to the Heavenly Realm immediately.
So when I met Yerim, he thought I might reveal my true identity. He never imagined I would introduce him as a friend first.
Of course, I could have told Yerim the truth once we got home.
But a belief had taken root that I wouldn’t do so.
Cheonhaerang’s lips curved upward naturally. Humming a cheerful tune, he walked forward.

* * *

I stole glances at Yerim, gauging her mood. She hadn’t spoken a single word since we entered the house.
The heavy, suffocating atmosphere made it difficult to breathe. I wondered if I should confess the truth right now.
The fact that I had deceived Yerim pricked at my conscience relentlessly.
Why had I done that? No matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn’t understand my own actions from moments ago.
If things continued like this, I truly would have to remain in the Human Realm until I persuaded Cheonhaerang.
I had no idea when that man might appear again.

‘…Alright. I’ll tell her now.’

I could say that I had misspoken because I was too shocked and flustered. I opened my mouth to call out to Yerim.
But Yerim spoke first.
She turned to look at me and asked.

“Is he really your boyfriend?”
“U-uh…”

I wanted to bite my own tongue. “Uh”? I should have said no, that Cheonhaerang was Princess Yeonhwa.
But contrary to my thoughts, my mouth continued to spout nonsense.

“You saw him too, didn’t you? With a face like that, and he even confessed first—how could I not fall for him?”
“….”

Yerim gazed at me silently.
The argument that one couldn’t help but fall for someone with such a face who confessed first was quite reasonable.
The claim that Cheonhaerang had fallen at first sight was also plausible. Though not as beautiful as Yerim, I did have a fairly pretty face.
But.

“He had the exact same face as Princess Yeonhwa. You would know if you’d seen the photo.”

The moment had come. I quickly scrambled for an explanation.

“…A d-doppelgänger. There are people in the world who look exactly alike! Maybe Cheonhaerang is one of those cases?”
“Really? A doppelgänger?”
“Yes.”

Hmm. Yerim made a sound of disapproval. Honestly, she couldn’t believe my explanation.
A doppelgänger? That was a concept that existed among humans. How could it possibly apply to a princess of the Heavenly Realm?

‘…But Cheonhaerang is male.’

No matter how I examined it from every angle, Cheonhaerang was unmistakably male.
Even if she were a princess, she couldn’t have disguised herself so meticulously as to deceive my eyes.
My eyes had never once….

“Ah, damn. I’ve been caught again.”

…Hell. A memory suddenly flashed through my mind, and I cursed under my breath. It was a memory I had buried.
I tried to suppress the surfacing recollection.

‘There are still suspicious parts, but let’s move past this for now.’

Whether Cheonhaerang was truly Princess Yeonhwa or merely someone who resembled her, I still had plenty of time to confirm it.

“Right, I understand for now. You must be tired since it’s your first day. Go wash up quickly. I’ll make you something delicious.”
“Okay!”

Jiho answered with renewed brightness and scurried into her room. Watching her go, I let out a soft laugh.
Seeing her like this, she’s still just a child. Her emotions are written all over her face.

“If that’s the case, then will you trust me?”

“…Today’s fortune really is terrible.”

Just when I was trying to forget, his voice echoed again, and I muttered something between a sigh and a whisper.
I genuinely wished I could develop amnesia—the kind that would erase only his memories from my mind.

‘I should pray to the Queen Mother….’

Please, let me forget him.

* * *

Jiho entered her room and carefully set her bag on the floor before throwing herself onto her bed. Then, with an angry motion, she struck her pillow.
Thump, thump.
Dust scattered into the air with each blow of her hand against the pillow.

“Ryujiho. You idiot, you fool!”

Why? Why! A boyfriend? Why such nonsense!
I should have said Princess Yeonhwa!
To miss an opportunity to return to the Heavenly Realm like this!

‘Should I be honest now? Should I? Yes, let’s do that.’

From Yerim’s expression, she was clearly still suspicious.
So if I confess honestly, she won’t punish me for my lie.
I jolted upright from the bed. Sitting on the mattress, I took a deep breath and steeled myself once more.
And just as I was about to take a step forward.

“Jiho.”
“I missed you.”
“Thank goodness, Jiho. Really….”

“….”

I collapsed weakly back onto the bed.
That plaintive voice echoed in my ears, and the bright smile filled my mind completely.
My heart felt as though it were being squeezed once more.

“Jiho.”

Just like when I was young, calling me tenderly and smiling—nothing had changed.
I knew what that tenderness meant.
Could I ever return to the time when I didn’t know?

“…What a subject.”

I collapsed onto the bed as though I were falling.
It was a sad affair. It seemed I would have to continue attending school for a while longer.

* * *

After evening self-study ended and all the students had gone home, the school was quiet and dark.
Yeonhwa gazed quietly at the school building, where not a single light remained.
As her irises began to glow golden, the school building shimmered with white light. White lines spread out in all directions beneath her feet.

‘Something’s strange.’

Yeonhwa lowered her head, gazing down at her own hands. She clenched and unclenched them slowly. A tingling sensation coursed through them.
He had set a trap, so the barrier was definitely broken. Yet I couldn’t find a single trace of him tampering with it.
Had I grown weak? Or had he become stronger?
Could he hide under their protection?

‘No, that can’t be.’

They couldn’t possibly surpass the bloodline of the Supreme Deity.

‘Then does he possess something else? Perhaps….’

Tap.
At the unfamiliar sound, Yeonhwa swiftly withdrew her power. The school was instantly swallowed by darkness.
Yeonhwa turned around, her vigilance undiminished.
Meow.

“…A cat?”

Crying out, the cat approached her with light, delicate steps.
Yet the cat could not reach her.
White threads suddenly extended from her hand, coiling around the feline.
Meoooow.
The cat wailed as if deeply wronged, but Yeonhwa remained unmoved.
She spoke with a chilling tone.

“Byeong. How dare you insult me in such a manner.”

[Insult? How could such a creature possibly insult the princess?]

What came from the cat’s mouth was no longer a cry. It was clear language and a voice.
However, it was different from Byeong’s voice as Yeonhwa knew it.
In an instant, her skin crawled with dread.

‘Could it be…!’

Slash. The white threads cut through the cat. But there was nothing in that place.
As if the cat had never existed from the start.

“Gihyeongrang!”

That creature—the very one she and Cheonhaerang had failed to even catch a glimpse of.
A low, mocking laugh echoed through the empty air.

[What a passionate welcome, Princess.]

“Show yourself! Stop hiding and reveal your form!”

Yeonhwa’s voice thundered across the space. Her hair and eyes had already shifted in color.
Her power radiated outward in all directions, yet she could not detect a trace of Gihyeongrang.

‘Where? Where in the world?!’

[You must have been bored, Princess. Allow me to entertain you now.]

Gihyeongrang’s voice pierced through her ears once more.

[Then I wish you a peaceful night.]

Whoosh—!
A violent gust of wind swept forth with his parting words. Yeonhwa’s eyes closed involuntarily as the tempest rushed toward her.
When she finally opened them again, the night remained unchanged.

“Damn it!”

Yeonhwa cursed under her breath, overwhelmed by a sense of futility.
It was a night that could never bring her peace.

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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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