The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 39

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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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Chapter 39
Arin found her mood lifted by the fact that she was now sharing a secret with her newly acquired eldest brother.
‘Why am I smiling? Does he think I’m going to blackmail him if something goes wrong?’
But suspecting he’d caught onto her weakness, he quickly averted his eyes.
They were just finishing their meal together.
Arin remembered the Invitation Letter she’d received from Se Yeon not long ago and opened her mouth.
“Can I go visit Se Yeon tomorrow?”
“Fine. Since Do Hoon’s here, why don’t you two go together.”
At Do Gyeong’s words, Do Hoon, who’d been sitting quietly, looked up blankly.
“I’m busy.”
“Busier than me?”
“…Do Young will be going.”
Trying to slip out of it by passing it to his brother, Do Young countered without hesitation.
“Brother, I have plans that day anyway.”
“Is that so?”
When Do Gyeong grinned, Do Hoon pressed his lips together.
Then Arin spoke up.
“Come on, let’s go together, brother. We promised to read books in the library that day anyway. Se Yeon says their library has a really impressive collection.”
The moment books were mentioned, Do Hoon fell into thought.
Now that he thought about it, he’d heard that Geum Hee Taek’s library held many rare volumes.
“Very well. Let’s go together.”
When Do Hoon agreed, Arin beamed with delight.
Seeing that innocent smile, Do Hoon felt something stir uncomfortably in his chest.
‘Why does she keep smiling like that?’
It puzzled him—he’d done nothing particularly kind for her, yet she seemed pleased by his every word.
The longer he looked, the more endearing she appeared.
‘You’ll grow fond of Arin too, eventually.’
Suddenly remembering his father’s words, Do Hoon caught himself before his expression softened.
‘She’s from the Hong Family. I cannot afford affection.’
Do Hoon steeled his wavering heart.
* * *
When they arrived at Geum Hee Taek’s Residence, Se Yeon greeted them barefoot.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” Do Hoon said with proper courtesy, offering a gift.
“Arin told me you enjoy books, so I’ve brought a modest present.”

“Oh, thank you.”
Se Yeon accepted Do Hoon’s gift, her cheeks flushing.
What he’d handed her was a Jade-colored Paperweight.
Inside the paperweight lay dried flowers that sparkled beautifully in the light.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
When Do Hoon offered a faint smile, Se Yeon lowered her gaze.
In truth, Se Yeon, who had admired him for a long time, found this closeness strange and unfamiliar.
“By the way, I heard that you also enjoy books. If you don’t mind, I’d be happy to lend you some from our library.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Do Hoon, who’d been curious about Hee Taek’s collection anyway, didn’t decline.
Upon entering the Study Room, Arin let out an exclamation of wonder.
“Wow, there really are so many books.”
“My grandfather collects them as a hobby—he travels far and wide seeking them out.”
Se Yeon pulled out a book as if she’d been waiting for this moment.
“This is the book I mentioned last time.”
“Thanks so much, Se Yeon.”
Just then, Mujae, who’d been tucked inside Arin’s small bag, poked his head out.
“Oh my.”
Se Yeon blinked as she spotted Mujae, and Arin explained.
“He’s my pet lizard. Say hello—his name is Seol-ah.”
Arin lifted Seol-ah’s front legs gently and waved them.
“The lizard is quite lovely. He looks just like a dragon.”
At Se Yeon’s offhand remark, Mujae felt a pang.
In truth, ever since Arin had caught Mujae off guard with a kiss the last time, he’d been keeping his distance from her.
Part of it was caution—he didn’t want to be ambushed again—but mostly it was because his heart wouldn’t stop racing whenever she was near.
He hadn’t meant to follow her today either.
‘Seol-ah, are you hurt? You hardly ever come see me these days……’
But seeing Arin’s dejected expression, he found himself unable to refuse.
Besides, that child he’d encountered in the Slums was weighing on his mind.
And since Do Hoon was coming along, he’d decided to follow and get some answers.
— Have you learned anything?
When Mujae sent out a Telepathic Transmission, Do Hoon answered while pretending to read a book.
— I’m still investigating. The child seems skilled at covering their tracks.
— Be careful. Something about that child feels wrong.
Do Hoon glanced up at Mujae’s warning.
When Mujae spoke like that, you couldn’t dismiss his words lightly.
— The truth is, we’ve been seeing a pattern of suspected Dark Mages kidnapping street children. I suspect this child might be connected to that.
— ……Then all the more reason to be cautious. It would be best to ask the Head of the Geum Ho Family for assistance.
— Father doesn’t know I’ve continued investigating this matter.
— ……So you’re in your rebellious phase, it seems.
Mujae’s remark drew a hollow laugh from Do Hoon. Though honestly, it was rich coming from Do Young, who was going through his rebellious phase with considerably more fervor.
Then Mujae spoke.
— Arin is a good child.
He was voicing disapproval of the distance Do Hoon had been subtly maintaining toward Arin.
The oddly intrusive comment prompted Do Hoon to ask directly.
— I’d like to ask you the same thing. Why are you being so lenient with that child in particular?
It was something Mujae wanted to understand himself. Why did he find himself softening only for her?
And he thought he’d found the answer not long ago.
Recalling the way Arin’s eyes sparkled just like Yeoryeong’s, Mujae opened his mouth.
— I think I’ll know the answer in two days.
— I heard you’re leaving in two days. You’re returning to the White Dragon Palace?
— Perhaps. That will also be decided in two days.
If Mujae won the wager against Yeoryeong, he would be free to enter and leave the Twelve Zodiac Village as he pleased.
Then he would be able to stand before Arin in human form.
‘I wonder what expression she’ll make.’
Perhaps she wouldn’t even realize that Seol-ah and he were the same person unless he told her directly.
He found that he rather enjoyed the fact that Arin called him ‘Seol-ah’ and doted on him affectionately.
— Please don’t tell Arin that Seol-ah is Mujae.
Mujae made the request softly, wanting to savor this feeling a little longer.
Do Hoon momentarily recalled that his father didn’t favor Mujae, but he readily agreed to his whim.
— Of course.
If Arin gets along well with the White Dragon Clan, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Geum Ho Family either.
He had no idea that one day he would come to regret this decision.
* * *
As the appointed day with Yeoryeong drew near, Arin found sleep impossible.
Tomorrow would be the day she had to part with Seol-ah.
“I just want to keep him.”
Arin lay sprawled out, cradling Seol-ah against her chest.
Finding himself suddenly in bed beside her, Mujae went rigid.
“You want to stay with me too, don’t you, Seol-ah?”
At her soft whisper, Mujae stared at her in a daze.
Given Do Gyeong’s warning, he was supposed to stay only on the cushion—this was quite a predicament.
Arin treated him so openly because she thought he was a lizard.
What if she learned the truth—that he was human?
The concern struck him as absurd, and he let out a light, cynical laugh.
What business was it of his, anyway?
Then Arin spoke.
“Let’s sleep together tonight. It’s our last day, after all.”
Who did she think she was keeping awake?
Mujae tried to struggle against her ridiculous demand, but Arin was faster.
She set him down at her pillow and pulled the blanket over him.
“I’ll come visit often. So you have to remember me, okay?”
As if that were necessary.
Since he was confident he would win the wager against Yeoryeong anyway, Arin’s concern felt light to him.
Even if Arin didn’t come to him, he would seek her out first.
Just then, Arin gently traced the corner of Mujae’s eye.
The golden eyes had gleamed with a deep crimson the first time she’d seen them.
Now the red was barely visible anymore.
In truth, when she’d been chasing down the energy in the Slums, Arin had sensed a powerful aura from Mujae, whom she held in her arms.
It was the first time since Geum that she’d felt such strength emanating from a creature.
Arin carefully broached a subject she’d been pondering for days.
“You know, I’m thinking of asking Yeoryeong tomorrow to help me register you as my Spirit Beast.”

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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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