The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 19
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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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“Well, I’ve heard that… they’re at war with magical beasts.”
Actually, she had heard even worse stories than that.
A dangerous land that one must never visit.
A land of death where terrifying magical beasts devoured beast-people.
But when she actually came to the Eastern Lands, it was completely different from what she had imagined.
The people of the Golden Dragon Family were all warm, and thanks to the lively Yi-ryeong and Li-gon, laughter never ceased.
So she hadn’t thought deeply about that aspect…
“That’s right. We’ve been fighting magical beasts that came up from underground for ten years now. At first, we thought it was nothing serious, but as their numbers gradually increased, it became a full-scale war.”
So there really were magical beasts.
Seeing Hyeon-ya’s serious face, Seo-yu felt her mouth go completely dry.
“Both my older brother and sister-in-law had to go to the battlefield. Fortunately, they were both warriors more outstanding than anyone else, and they had been defeating magical beasts at the front lines every time.”
Hyeon-ya stopped speaking. His expression hardened as if recalling something.
“Then five years ago, that incident happened.”
That day was particularly when many magical beasts had swarmed in.
Injured soldiers were continuously brought to the Medical Corps that Hyeon-ya was in charge of, and messengers requesting support kept rushing in.
That was the reason why Hwang Hyeon-rang and Bi-yeon, who always fought while covering each other at the most dangerous front lines, had no choice but to be separated.
And it was also the beginning of tragedy.
“Sister-in-law sent my brother to another location. As the family head, it was also his duty to protect other regions.”
“…”
“But while my brother went to that place, even more magical beasts swarmed to where sister-in-law was…”
Seo-yu held her breath. She had an ominous feeling.
“In the end, sister-in-law, who was dealing with the magical beasts, suffered a severe injury.”
“Then being at the Dragon Palace is…”
“Among the treasures of the Dragon Palace, there’s a water droplet that puts people to sleep. She’s sleeping there so her condition doesn’t worsen further.”
“Ah…”
Seo-yu couldn’t continue speaking due to her sympathy.
She had been curious about why Madam wasn’t in the Eastern Lands, but she never imagined such a thing had happened.
Thinking of Yi-ryeong and Li-gon, who smiled brighter than usual whenever they talked about the Dragon Palace, made her heart feel like it was being torn apart.
“That kid Li-han thinks it’s because father failed to protect mother while trying to protect others. Li-han was also young at the time, so I couldn’t properly explain what had happened then.”
“I see…”
“After sister-in-law became like that, my brother also couldn’t properly fulfill his role as family head due to guilt and wandered around, making the situation even more serious.”
Seo-yu felt like she could finally understand a little why Li-han had acted so coldly.
Having almost lost his mother, he couldn’t help but be sensitive to the name of family.
‘Even if I were Li-han, I might have disliked it if some strange kid suddenly tried to join the family.’
How shameless must I have appeared to Li-han?
Thinking that way made her feel so embarrassed and her face burned hot.
“It’s my fault. I had such unreasonable expectations…”
Her head dropped down.
Li-han was right. She had become greedy from the kindness she felt for the first time. She truly wanted to become family with the people of the Golden Dragon Family.
Even though she knew it could never happen.
“Seo-yu.”
Hyeon-ya called Seo-yu’s name in an unusually gentle voice.
When Seo-yu barely lifted her head, her eyes were brimming with tears.
If she was sad, it would be better if she just cried out loud, but this small and fragile disciple always quietly swallowed her tears.
Seo-yu probably didn’t know that this made him worry about her even more.
“The ones who asked you to become their youngest sibling were definitely the twins. You truly just wanted to become family with them.”
“But I’m not even a Golden Dragon, yet I dared to dream of such a thing…”
“Family doesn’t necessarily have to be connected by blood.”
Hyeon-ya gently stroked Seo-yu’s head.
“True family is formed by hearts that cherish and love each other.”
“…”
“So don’t be too heartbroken. Li-han will understand your true feelings someday.”
He would understand someday.
It was something she had heard before. Seo-yu found some comfort in those words.
But in one corner of her heart, she was still afraid.
‘Will he really understand?’
Before that, would Li-han even allow her to stay in the Eastern Lands until that day came?
Was it okay to do nothing and just hope for his understanding?
‘No, I have to do something.’
Seo-yu, who had been torn between fear and worry, steeled her resolve.
Gripping the book she had been clutching like a talisman even tighter, she carefully opened her mouth.
“Master Hyeon-ya, may I ask you a few things about the Madam?”
* * *
“Young Master Li-han, I’ve brought the new schedule for tomorrow’s classes.”
“Good work, Eun-hyang.”
Li-han didn’t neglect his studies even on the day he returned home.
In fact, even while staying at the Dragon Palace, Li-han had fulfilled his duties as the Young Family Head.
He had diligently pursued both literary studies and martial arts training, and had even thoroughly reviewed the heir lessons he had received in advance.
He had to do so. To take responsibility for whatever might happen to the Golden Dragon Family in the future, he had to excel at everything.
‘I won’t let those leech-like creatures cling to us anymore.’
Li-han’s face hardened as he thought of a certain shameless deer. Eun-hyang respectfully continued her report.
“Yes. Also, I just received a communication tube, and it seems the Family Head will return tomorrow.”
“Really? That’s good. I happen to have something to discuss with him, so please arrange a meeting as soon as he arrives.”
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
Li-han responded gently while examining the schedule.
He was thinking that since his return home was later than planned, he could probably schedule the classes with tighter intervals than before.
Eun-hyang’s next words interrupted Li-han’s thoughts.
“Miss Seo-yu is not the kind of person you think she is, young master.”
Crumple.
The schedule in Li-han’s hand was wretchedly crumpled up.
“I could understand Ga-ram since she’s always been soft-hearted, but I didn’t expect even Eun-hyang to be like this.”
Originally, Li-han had a very calm personality. He had never once raised his voice even when the working servants made mistakes.
The only reason he could hold back his anger now when his insides were boiling was thanks to that trait.
“She hasn’t even been here long, so I don’t know what schemes that dim-witted deer used to make everyone so eager to take her side.”
However, he couldn’t prevent his voice from lowering.
“She used no schemes at all. And she’s not dim-witted either.”
“Then I suppose she must have been good at acting kind?”
“You know that Master Hyeon-ya is not someone who would be easily fooled.”
Bang.
Li-han struck the desk and rose from his seat.
“What does uncle know anyway.”
This was from five years ago.
The atmosphere was unusually strange that day. The scheduled martial arts lesson was canceled, his teacher was urgently called to the battlefield, and even some of the guard forces protecting the mansion were mobilized.
Young Li-han felt an inexplicable anxiety in the overly quiet household.
‘Nothing will happen. Mother and father will return soon.’
Even so, Li-han comforted himself and waited only for his parents to return.
His parents, the strongest among the dragon beast-people, couldn’t possibly lose to mere demonic beasts, and they would surely protect each other.
However, his parents didn’t return even after the sun set. His heart grew increasingly anxious and he kept looking out the window.
While he was endlessly staring at the moon, the one who returned was Hwan-wol, his father’s aide.
Hwan-wol came with shocking news, his face pale as a sheet.
“…Hwan-wol, what do you mean? Mother has collapsed? And what do you mean she can’t wake up?”
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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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