The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 20

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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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“The thing is, while Madam was protecting the Sunrise District, the demonic beast horde suddenly increased dramatically….”

The memory that surfaced like a phantom soon disappeared, but his fist gripping the paper clenched even tighter.

“Uncle wasn’t at the Household then. Eun-hyang knows that well too.”

Countless people were injured in that day’s battle, and Hyeon-ya remained on the battlefield for a long time, tending to patients day and night.

Because of that, there was one less adult who should have looked after the household, but Li-han didn’t resent Hyeon-ya.

Hyeon-ya had simply done what he needed to do in his position as the Golden Dragon Family’s Physician.

The one who failed to fulfill his responsibility wasn’t Hyeon-ya, but his father Hyeon-rang.

“Young Master, the Family Head also regrets what happened at that time.”

Eun-hyang, who had read Li-han’s thoughts, spoke with a pitiful expression. Li-han’s face hardened even more.

“What difference does regretting it now make?”

“Young Master….”

“Father couldn’t protect Mother, nor our Family Clan.”

That day, Mother couldn’t return home. Her condition was too critical, so she was immediately taken to the Dragon Palace, and they couldn’t even visit her.

Li-han was curious. Why Mother had been so severely injured.

When the two strongest people in his world were together, why was it only Mother who suffered such grave injuries that she couldn’t even open her eyes.

“How did Madam get so severely injured?”

“Support requests kept coming in, so it seems the Family Head left to help over there. Madam was commanding the battlefield alone when it happened.”

Upon learning this truth by chance, Li-han felt an enormous sense of betrayal.

Father had failed to protect Mother.

That simple truth clawed mercilessly at young Li-han’s heart.

Still, Li-han tried to understand. He was the Young Family Head, after all. Understanding the Family Head’s heart was also a virtue of a successor.

However, Li-han’s efforts were completely useless.

As grief-stricken Hyeon-rang put aside his duties and spent longer periods at the Dragon Palace, both internal and external forces began to shake the Golden Dragon Family.

“Eun-hyang, I remember clearly what happened then. How the other families treated us, and even what those people did—the ones Mother tried to save by risking her life.”

Seeing weak ones pretend to be good while begging for help and trying to exploit the Family Clan once was enough.

Especially something like hurting the younger siblings—he would never let that happen again.

“I’m different from Father. No matter what happens, I’ll protect our Family Clan.”

Even if that detestable deer acts like an innocent child who knows nothing now, it will eventually reveal its true intentions.

“So don’t think I’ll keep that thing in the household forever, Eun-hyang.”

Thud.

Li-han slammed the paper down hard, as if he no longer wanted to continue the conversation. Eun-hyang had no choice but to quietly leave the room.

* * *

Creak—

The Twins poked their heads out the door and busily surveyed the corridor.

“Not there?”

“Yeah, not there.”

Only after exchanging that incomprehensible conversation did Yi-ryeong turn around.

“Little one, you can come out now. Li-han oppa didn’t come.”

“Yi-ryeong-nim, I’m really fine though….”

Seo-yu trailed off awkwardly, feeling troubled.

Yi-ryeong and Li-gon had suddenly come looking for her this morning, and she wondered what was going on, only to find they wanted to escort her to the Medical Room.

And all because of Li-han, no less!

“No way. What if Li-han hyung comes and says something again? We’ll go with you every day.”

She tried to politely decline, but Li-gon didn’t even pretend to listen.

The twins really did act like bodyguards, standing on either side of Seo-yu and keeping watch of their surroundings as they escorted her to the Medical Room.

“We’ll come pick you up when you’re done! If we finish late, just wait a little bit. Got it?”

Yi-ryeong, who had stood guard so reliably, spoke up. Seeing her eyes shining with firm determination made it even harder to refuse.

‘I’m really grateful that you’re looking out for me like this. But….’

Seo-yu couldn’t easily nod her head.

‘What if the relationship between you two and Li-han-nim gets worse because of me?’

That would be too awful.

Feeling dejected, Seo-yu couldn’t answer and only moved her lips slightly.

The twins, watching their little one who was especially quiet today, silently exchanged a glance.

This time it was Li-gon who spoke up. His face clearly showed hesitation.

“Um, little one.”

“Yes?”

“Li-han hyung isn’t a bad person.”

Even Yi-ryeong, who had never once read the room since they’d met, carefully chimed in.

“That’s right. It’s because we made oppa upset in the past.”

Then she quickly added another comment.

“But Li-han oppa was wrong to you, little one. We’ll tell daddy everything when he comes! That oppa said mean things to Seo-yu!”

“N-no! I’m fine.”

I can’t make you fight with Hyeon-rang-nim too!

When the flustered Seo-yu waved her hands to stop her, Yi-ryeong puffed out her cheeks.

“Little one, you’re too nice. Daddy said when someone does something wrong, they should apologize. Right, Hwang Li-gon?”

“Right. The Azure Dragon kids make a fuss about tattling to their aunt whenever they’re bored. Their mom is the Azure Dragon family head.”

His tone suggested he absolutely couldn’t understand Seo-yu.

Come to think of it, when Nok Su-jeong got angry, the first thing she’d do was look for Madam. When she shouted “Mom!” the maids would immediately call for Madam.

On those days, Seo-yu would invariably get beaten with the birch rod. The reason was that she had upset Nok Su-jeong.

Naturally, since Seo-yu had done nothing wrong, she felt truly wronged every time.

‘But I couldn’t say anything.’

Even if she had spoken up, there was no one who would have listened anyway.

As Seo-yu fidgeted with her hands at the bitter memory, she noticed the twins still standing on either side of her.

Even though they had already arrived at the Medical Room, the two couldn’t bring themselves to leave and kept watching over Seo-yu.

Suddenly, a bright smile bloomed on her face.

“I’m… happy just knowing that you two are taking my side.”

Before, there was no one, but now there are people who worry about her. Not just one person, but two!

“Of course! We’re on our youngest’s side.”

“Seo-yu, always smile. Okay?”

Yi-ryeong and Li-gon hugged Seo-yu as if they had made a promise.

“Hey, Hwang Li-gon. Don’t cling to our youngest. Your arm is touching me. Gross!”

“Then you can move away, Hwang Yi-ryeong!”

“I hugged her first, so you should go!”

Although they quickly started bickering, Seo-yu didn’t dislike that either. It felt like the melancholy that had been saddening her heart was completely blown away.

“Youngest, then just study a little bit! If you study too much, you’ll get a headache!”

“You don’t have to listen to an idiot like Hwang Yi-ryeong. I’ll come back later!”

“Wow, we’re late for training! Hwang Li-gon, run!”

The two ran off, waving their hands enthusiastically. Seo-yu also shyly waved back at them.

“Anyone who sees those kids would think they’re puppies, not dragons.”

“Uwah.”

Startled, Seo-yu turned around to find Hyeon-ya leaning against the doorway, though she hadn’t noticed when he came out.

“Master!”

“What’s with the surprise. Come in.”

Hyeon-ya replied curtly as if it was nothing and tapped the door. Seo-yu quickly followed behind him.

Hyeon-ya took out a wooden box from his robes and held it out.

“I brought what you asked about yesterday.”

“Ah! Thank you, Master.”

To think he would grant her request so quickly.

Seo-yu’s face brightened with gratitude.

“This is…”

However, when Seo-yu looked inside the wooden box, she couldn’t bring herself to continue speaking.

The medicinal herbs inside were blackened and withered to death.

At Seo-yu’s shocked expression, Hyeon-ya gave a bitter smile.

“You might not believe it, but this is that Jeongdam Herb. The only medicinal herb that can detoxify the poison of magical beasts.”

Yesterday afternoon, Seo-yu had asked Hyeon-ya various things about the illness of Cheong Bi-yeon, the mistress of the Golden Dragon Family.

And in that process, she learned several new pieces of information about the Eastern Lands.

First, the Eastern Lands were gradually becoming contaminated by the poison emitted by magical beasts.

The reason Bi-yeon couldn’t return from the Dragon Palace was not only because there was no suitable medicine available, but also because the poison spread throughout the land wouldn’t help her condition.

Looking back, Ga-ram had mentioned it before too. That the fruits from the Eastern Region lacked freshness.

At the time, she didn’t understand what that meant, but after hearing Hyeon-ya’s explanation yesterday, it made sense.

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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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