The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 147

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Li-han, who had been looking up at the sky from the hill above the mansion, approached Seo-yu.

“Yeah, Seo-yu. I do have some acquaintance with them. Even so, I didn’t particularly want to attend.”

Li-han muttered coolly.

When he heard the news that the head of the Great Antlered Deer Family had died, his first thought was none other than ‘The one who deserved to go is gone.’

He didn’t feel even a bit of regret.

After learning about the incident that occurred at the Medical Academy, he clearly realized why the past Seo-yu had always been so intimidated.

After confirming everything with Cho-ok, the maid who knew about Seo-yu’s childhood, Li-han reached the point where just hearing the name ‘Great Antlered Deer Family’ made his teeth grind.

There was only one reason he deliberately came to this land where he didn’t even want to set foot.

“Still, I didn’t want to send Seo-yu alone.”

He was worried that his beloved younger sister might recall bad memories and suffer here.

Although he couldn’t be there for her during her painful childhood, now that he was by her side, Li-han had flown through the western sky with the sole desire to be a source of strength for her.

“Thank you, Young Master Li-han.”

Seo-yu smiled gently.

She had been curious about why Li-han came to an occasion he didn’t necessarily need to attend, but it was all for her sake.

‘He was worried about me.’

Even though being loved by family was no longer unfamiliar, whenever she felt such overflowing love, Seo-yu would become very happy.

Li-han took Seo-yu’s hand and said to Bi-yeon and Hwang Hyeon-rang.

“Let’s head down now. The mourners are entering.”

“Let’s do that.”

The Golden Dragon family descended the hill.

When she turned her gaze down the hill, Seo-yu’s eyes captured the numerous carriages lined up in front of the mansion.

The familiar scene reminded her of Sa-ryeong-ryeong’s inauguration celebration held last year.

That day, Seo-yu had been looking down at the mansion from the mountain slope just like today.

However, Seo-yu was alone that day.

She could neither be a member of the Great Antlered Deer Family busily welcoming guests, nor a guest entering with an invitation, so she just watched alone from outside.

But today was different.

Reliable parents were walking ahead, and a kind elder brother she could depend on was holding her hand tightly.

Thanks to this, even though Seo-yu had returned to the Great Antlered Deer Family filled with painful memories, she wasn’t as nervous as she had expected.

The Golden Dragon family soon reached the main gate.

“The Golden Dragon Family…! Please wait just a moment!”

The household member who had been letting mourners in rushed inside as soon as he spotted them, and shortly after, Nok Su-gyu came out to greet them personally.

Nok Su-gyu, dressed in mourning clothes, greeted Hwang Hyeon-rang.

“Family Head, you’ve come. I can only be grateful that you’ve taken the trouble to visit.”

Hwang Hyeon-rang replied in a cold voice.

“When there were still so many stories to share, he truly left in such haste.”

It was sarcasm asking if he had run away to the path to the afterlife when he had committed so many sins.

Hwang Hyeon-rang didn’t even pray for his soul’s peace. Nok Sa-pyeong was a person who didn’t deserve such consideration.

‘A carriage accident at such a time… Was it really an accident?’

To find out who had stolen away Seo-yu, who had Qilin blood, Nok Sa-pyeong’s testimony about receiving and raising the newborn baby was essential.

But just when they were beginning to uncover the secrets, Nok Sa-pyeong suddenly died. It was far too coincidental.

Perhaps even this might be something orchestrated by an unknown mastermind behind the scenes.

“Seo-yu!”

Nok Su-gyu lifted his head with a grave expression, his gaze reaching Seo-yu who was standing behind.

Seo-yu flinched in surprise at the call that felt almost intimate. Regardless of her reaction, Nok Su-gyu approached her.

“How rude. Stay away from my younger sister.”

However, Li-han blocked his path.

When his cool blue pupils narrowed like those of a predator, Nok Su-gyu instinctively stepped back, feeling primal fear.

Two Golden Dragons and one Azure Dragon.

The distinctive aura of three dragon beastkin in total was not something he, a deer, could handle.

‘These ignorant beasts who only know brute force!’

Nok Su-gyu cursed the Dragon Clan inwardly, then forced his hardened expression to soften as he spoke.

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I simply wanted to exchange greetings out of joy at seeing her.”

“Joy?”

Li-han didn’t hide his sneer.

Though Nok Su-gyu’s lips trembled slightly at the cold aura, he soon regained his composure.

“Yes. Since one more person who remembers my late father has come to visit, what greater comfort could there be for a chief mourner?”

Nok Su-gyu turned his gaze to Seo-yu.

“Thank you so much for coming, Seo-yu.”

“…I was shocked by the sudden news. I pray for his soul’s peace.”

When Seo-yu answered politely, Nok Su-gyu smiled.

“Since you’ve come, Father will surely be pleased as well.”

Then he lowered his voice and asked Seo-yu privately.

“I have something urgent I’d like to discuss with you… Could you spare me some time, even if it’s brief?”

“I…”

Seo-yu hesitated.

Nok Su-gyu hadn’t openly tormented her as much as Su-jeong had. He had never laid hands on her like Su-jeong did.

But Seo-yu had always felt uncomfortable around Su-gyu.

‘Miss Su-jeong’s behavior changed depending on Young Master Su-gyu’s mood.’

On days when Su-jeong was in a bad mood, Seo-yu invariably bore the brunt of her anger. Sometimes she went hungry, and on some days she was beaten. That made life very difficult for Seo-yu.

But on days when she unintentionally got on Su-gyu’s nerves, life became even more arduous.

Even when she had done nothing wrong, Madam would suddenly call for her and raise a rod, or Su-jeong would inexplicably become irritable and take out her frustrations on her for no reason.

Looking back, even the errand to gather Snow Scale Flowers had been Su-gyu’s order.

Just then, Li-han tightened his grip on her hand.

It felt exactly like he was telling her ‘You can do whatever you want, Seo-yu,’ so she gathered courage and faced Su-gyu directly.

“I have nothing to discuss privately with you, Young Master. So if you have something to say, please say it here.”

Nok Su-gyu’s eyebrows twitched at the unexpected rejection.

He wanted to glare at the impudent Seo-yu, but Li-han standing guard like a mountain before him prevented that.

Nok Su-gyu composed himself and pretended to be nonchalant.

“…However, guests from the Imperial Palace will be arriving soon. The adults will need to gather separately, so won’t you spare me just a moment during that time? Even with Prince Li-han present would be fine. It’s about the past, you see.”

The past.

Seo-yu had absolutely no desire to have a private conversation with Nok Su-gyu, but she couldn’t just let that word pass by.

‘Maybe I could learn something about my birth parents.’

After learning about parental love thanks to Bi-yeon and Hyeon-rang, Seo-yu had come to think that she wanted to offer her gratitude to her birth parents as well.

Though they couldn’t raise her, she could still live so joyfully and happily because those two had brought her into this world.

Seo-yu briefly made eye contact with Bi-yeon. Bi-yeon was also nodding as if respecting Seo-yu’s decision.

“If it’s alright for my elder brother to be present, then I’ll do that.”

“Of course. Please come to the sarangchae. I’ll be waiting there.”

At the answer he’d been waiting for, Nok Su-gyu’s lips curved upward.

* * *

The funeral was proceeding as scheduled.

Regardless of their feelings about not mourning Nok Sa-pyeong, Hyeon-rang and Bi-yeon had to fulfill their duties as guests.

“If they make you even slightly uncomfortable, you can just get up and leave right away. That wouldn’t be rude at all, so leave the aftermath to Mother. Understood?”

“Yes, Mother. I won’t hold back if I get angry either.”

“That’s right! Those people need to know by now that our Seo-yu isn’t a child who can be looked down upon anywhere.”

At Bi-yeon’s emphatic words, Seo-yu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

She liked how Bi-yeon, who always taught the twins about the importance of manners, emphasized to her alone not to endure it.

‘It’s like she’s telling me she’s on my side.’

Li-han also stepped forward to ease Bi-yeon’s worries.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be watching over her.”

“Have a safe trip.”

With Hyeon-rang’s farewell, Seo-yu headed to the sarangchae with Li-han. A household member who had been waiting guided them to an inner room.

Shortly after, Nok Su-gyu entered.

Instead of taking a seat, he bowed deeply to Seo-yu.

“Y-Young Master, why are you doing this?”

Startled by his sudden action, Seo-yu jumped to her feet, and Li-han frowned.

“I’ve wanted to apologize to you, Seo-yu, for a long time. You’ve had many hardships since you were young. Mother didn’t think favorably of you, and Su-jeong envied you in various ways.”

Nok Su-gyu continued speaking with his head bowed.

“As the eldest, I should have been a source of strength for you, but I was powerless and couldn’t do so. After you disappeared like that, I truly came to regret it.”

His faintly trembling voice sounded like that of someone who was truly repentant.

“Please don’t do that and raise your head, Young Master.”

Seo-yu found this situation extremely bewildering and burdensome.

In truth, Seo-yu didn’t want to receive an apology. Not just from Su-gyu, but from anyone in the Great Antlered Deer Family.

Weren’t they the ones who had tormented her and stood by even when she was close to death?

She had come here to bid farewell to the past one last time, definitely not to hear this kind of one-sided apology.

‘This is burdensome.’

With the Young Family Head of a clan in the midst of a funeral bowing his head to her, there was no way she could feel comfortable.

“No. I’m just sorry that my apology is so late.”

Fortunately, Nok Su-gyu raised his head as if giving in. It was the moment Seo-yu let out a sigh of relief.

“Moreover, actually… I’ve heard something about your parents that I couldn’t tell you before.”

“My parents…?”

“Yes. I mean the ones who gave birth to you. Before Father became like that, I came across news about them.”

Seo-yu’s eyes trembled. Nok Su-gyu didn’t miss this and spoke to Li-han.

“Could you step aside for a moment? This is a secret matter of our family, so even though you’re from the Golden Dragon Family, I cannot carelessly share it with you.”

“….”

Li-han, who had been watching Seo-yu the whole time, fell silent. He had noticed Seo-yu’s agitation.

‘She must be curious about what kind of people her birth parents were.’

Being curious about one’s roots was human nature. Li-han now understood Seo-yu well enough.

“I have no intention of going far away.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. I’ll provide you with the adjacent room.”

Nok Su-gyu kindly raised his hand and pointed to the side.

Li-han frowned as he stood up from his seat and spoke gently to Seo-yu.

“Seo-yu, if anything happens, just scream. I’ll come running right away. Got it?”

“I’ll just listen quickly and leave, Elder Brother.”

When Seo-yu nodded with an apologetic expression, Li-han left the room.

Nok Su-gyu glanced at him and as soon as the door closed, gestured toward the adjacent room and said.

“I heard that the Dragon Clan has excellent hearing.”

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