The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 53

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

In the Western Lands where forests and fields were abundant, squirrels were commonly seen animals, but this was the first time seeing a squirrel with an entirely black body like Blackie.

 

So from the first meeting, it caught her attention, but it was so wary that it wasn’t easy to get close to it.

 

But when they became friends by sharing berries, how happy she was!

 

‘Blackie also helped find one root of Snow Scale Flower.’

 

Looking back, the good fortune of coming to the Golden Dragon Family was a gift that Blackie had brought.

 

If Blackie hadn’t found the Snow Scale Flower that day, she would still be living a difficult life remaining with the Great Antlered Deer Family until now.

 

‘When I fell from the cliff, I think I saw Blackie too…’

 

It might have been a mistake, but Seo-yu’s eyes definitely saw Blackie.

 

In that moment of trembling with fear, being able to feel somewhat at ease was all thanks to Blackie.

 

‘Blackie has helped me so much.’

 

It would be so nice if she could convey this grateful heart.

 

‘It wasn’t a beast-person.’

 

Even among the same animals, beast-people could distinguish each other, but Blackie didn’t give off the distinctive feeling of Beast Transformation.

 

Would she be able to meet Blackie again someday?

 

She didn’t miss the Western Lands at all, but she wanted to see her smart and kind squirrel friend at least once more.

 

“Seo-yu?”

 

Seo-yu came to her senses at Li-han’s puzzled voice.

 

“Ah, yes! I would like to become friends with Young Master Eun-ho too. So I want to go to the medicinal herb shop together again.”

 

“If it’s you, Seo-yu, you’ll definitely be able to do that. I saw earlier that Eun-ho looked happy too.”

 

Come to think of it, Eun-ho’s words had gradually increased. Perhaps Eun-ho didn’t dislike her but was just shy around strangers.

 

‘He was very kind at the medicinal herb shop.’

 

He bought her two skewers and showed her all the precious medicinal materials that couldn’t be seen outside.

 

Thinking about it that way, she felt sorry for misunderstanding Eun-ho.

 

“Of course, since Eun-ho is two years older than you, Seo-yu, he would be like an older brother.”

 

“Ah, I see! He’s an older brother then.”

 

Seo-yu also memorized Eun-ho’s age in her mind.

 

But Li-han, who had been quietly looking at Seo-yu, casually added a comment.

 

“By the way, I’m four years older.”

 

“I know! Li-han, you’re thirteen years old, right?”

 

“…Yes, that’s right.”

 

Li-han’s face looked strangely dejected as he affirmed it. Seo-yu tilted her head, not understanding why.

 

* * *

 

Scurry scurry scurry scurry!

 

A black squirrel was busily making its way through the mountain path.

 

Its black fur, as if dipped in the night sky, had long been a mess with dirt and grass, but the squirrel ran without rest.

 

However, no matter how fast it ran, there was a limit to the squirrel’s speed.

 

‘At this rate, I won’t even be able to leave the Western Region.’

 

The black squirrel, Blackie, who had stopped in place, let out a sigh.

 

‘If I mimic the dragon I saw back then….’

 

Suddenly, the massive Golden Dragon that had dyed the sky in brilliant gold came to mind.

 

The grateful Golden Dragon who had instantly saved Seo-yu as she fell from the high cliff, and helped the child escape from the bad household that had been tormenting her.

 

Surely if he imitated that form, he could fly in one breath all the way to the Eastern Lands where dragons lived.

 

But.

 

‘No. That would be too conspicuous.’

 

An unforgettable scene surfaced in Blackie’s mind.

 

‘Child, you must never let others discover your ability. You must never carelessly use any power where others can see. You must always remember this mother’s words.’

 

These were the words his dying mother had said every day from her sickbed.

 

Though he couldn’t understand why it had to be so, his mother had looked so desperate when saying this that he had always followed her words.

 

‘Still, this is too slow.’

 

Blackie missed Seo-yu.

 

Though she herself didn’t know it, Seo-yu was Blackie’s benefactor.

 

The kind-hearted Baby Deer who had saved his life when he was young, exhausted, struggling, and dying.

 

‘Huh? What is this child? It’s an animal I’ve never seen before.’

 

Blackie had collapsed from exhaustion while endlessly fleeing from the Northern Lands, and it was Seo-yu who had rescued him then.

 

At that time, Blackie was in the form of a mole, which was an animal that couldn’t be seen in the Western Lands, so he received many strange looks.

 

Even so, Seo-yu didn’t turn away and brought him water and took care of his food.

 

‘If that child hadn’t helped me, I would have dried up and died right there.’

 

From that day on, Blackie stayed in the Western Lands, hovering around Seo-yu.

 

To avoid suspicion from other animals, he even changed his mimicry target to a squirrel, which was common in the area.

 

But the bad deer that had been tormenting Seo-yu eventually pushed her off the cliff, and Blackie had no choice but to use the power he had been hiding.

 

‘It was fortunate that it was the Golden Dragon who was nearby then.’

 

He had learned that dragons were very ferocious beings, but the dragon who saved Seo-yu that day didn’t feel like that at all.

 

Moreover, he liked the fact that even though the dragon must have sensed his power, it didn’t come to capture him.

 

‘Still, I should confirm it with my own eyes.’

 

After pondering for a moment, Blackie saw a rabbit hopping away in the distance.

 

As far as he knew, rabbits were among the fastest animals on this mountain.

 

Having made up his mind, Blackie carefully drew the rabbit’s appearance in his head.

 

Then amazingly, his squirrel form gradually changed, and a black rabbit appeared in its place.

 

Hop hop!

 

Blackie moved his two legs as a test and nodded with satisfaction.

 

And then.

 

Thud-a-thud-a-thud-a-thud!

 

He shot out like lightning and quickly ran down the Mountain Path.

 

* * *

 

The next morning, Ga-ram and Eun-hyang arrived at the Dragon Palace first.

 

“Miss Seo-yu, look at this. The dress is complete!”

 

Seo-yu gasped when she saw the dress that Ga-ram proudly presented.

 

“Wow…”

 

It was a dress made of deep navy blue silk with delicate floral patterns embroidered in gold thread. The sleeve ends and hem were densely embroidered with lighter blue thread, giving it a subtle beauty.

 

Seo-yu blinked at the beautiful dress that looked like something a fairy would wear.

 

“Is this… is this really my dress?”

 

“Of course. It’s our cute young lady’s dress. I put my skills to good use after a long time. Do you like it?”

 

“Like it… that’s not enough to describe it. This dress seems too good for me.”

 

Ga-ram chuckled at the words filled with sincerity and burned with enthusiasm.

 

“You said this is your first time going to a festival. This Ga-ram will dress you up with all her effort.”

 

“Then please take good care of me, Lady Ga-ram. Lady Eun-hyang too!”

 

Seo-yu obediently entrusted herself to the two.

 

After bathing and putting on the beautiful dress, they applied plenty of fragrant oil and carefully combed her hair, making Seo-yu’s golden hair shine.

 

‘I can’t believe this is my hair. It always looked like a broom…’

 

Seo-yu found it amazing that the beautiful girl sitting in the mirror was herself.

 

When the dressing was nearing its end, Eun-hyang handed a hairpin to Ga-ram.

 

“Oh my, what’s this? Eun-hyang, where did you get this?”

 

Ga-ram asked in surprise.

 

It was a beautiful silver hairpin with a dragon carving, and the water-colored blue jade orb held in its mouth was so beautiful it immediately caught the eye.

 

“Young Master Li-han gave it to me to give to the young lady. It’s the blue jade hairpin that Madam used to wear.”

 

Ga-ram was even more surprised by Eun-hyang’s answer.

 

‘It really is Madam’s item! To give that to Miss Seo-yu!’

 

She could truly feel how much the young master had changed just from that.

 

“Ma-Madam’s hairpin? He already gave me a hair ribbon, and now such a precious hairpin too… I feel so sorry, what should I do?”

 

Seo-yu was surprised yet amazed. It was the first time in her life she had seen such a pretty hairpin.

 

She had nothing to give in return, yet kept receiving gifts, making her feel grateful but also sorry and at a loss.

 

As if understanding her feelings, Eun-hyang quietly said.

 

“Just wearing it out on Dragon Moon Night will surely make him happy.”

 

Would that really be enough?

 

Seo-yu couldn’t understand at all, but for now she put on the hairpin with a grateful heart.

 

Just as the dressing was finished, Li-han came to pick her up right on time.

 

Li-han smiled as soon as he saw Seo-yu.

 

“You’re wearing the hairpin. It suits you well, Seo-yu.”

 

“Thank you, Li-han. But may I really accept something so precious?”

 

“If you wear it, Mother will be happy too.”

 

Li-han’s eyes crinkled at her careful question.

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