The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 46

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

Chapter 46
Do Gyeong received reports each evening of everything his children did and said.
Since Jin Gyeong’s death, his attachment to the family that remained was stronger than anyone’s.
Of them all, Do Hun was the most troubling finger. He pretended to be fine, but come Jin Gyeong’s memorial day, he’d come unhinged as if a screw had loosened inside him.
“According to Cho Ryeong, the two of them held hands yesterday and played together so happily. You’re in real trouble now. Do Hun won’t be thinking of you anymore, I’d wager.”
Do Gyeong murmured the words playfully, leaning his back against the tomb.
“Still, don’t worry. I think of you plenty.”
With those words, Do Gyeong closed his eyes.
He remained there until the morning sun rose and So Cheon came to find him.
* * *
A few days later, an esteemed guest arrived at Geum Ho House.
Baek Ga Ram, Do Hun’s master and chancellor of Baek Yong House, had come to stay in the capacity of Baek Yong House’s guardian.
Mu Je, who had arrived early at the appointed time and climbed into the carriage, released his Hwan Soo.
Ga Ram studied his complexion quietly and asked.
“Has anything troubled you? Your color seems to have improved considerably.”
“Yes.”
Mu Je answered tersely and adjusted his clothes.
During his stay at Geum Ho House with Baek Ga Ram, Mu Je had agreed to pose as his nephew.
If word spread that the heir of Baek Yong House was lodging here, it might invite unwanted rumor.
Ga Ram stroked his long beard thoughtfully.
“In any case, it’s fortunate that the Goddess has found a way forward. Remaining in a state of Hwan Soo must be quite arduous for her.”
Things would be somewhat easier once she came of age, but for now she had no choice but to rely on the Goddess.
“Has she perhaps mentioned what this method is beforehand?”
At the probing question, Mu Je’s face remained blank as he deflected.
“I’m unaware.”
That A Rin was the successor to the Yeo Ryeong was a secret no one else must learn.
Especially if Baek Yong House discovered that A Rin was vital to his survival, there was no limit to what they would do.
Mu Je wiped his clammy palms on his clothes.
It would have been easier being near A Rin when he was still Mu Je.
The thought of standing before A Rin as Baek Mu Je made his pulse quicken with tension.
“Is something troubling you?”
“I’m simply not feeling well.”
“Hmm, nothing serious, I trust?”
When Ga Ram pressed further, Mu Je nodded as if to assure him all was well.
“His Majesty worries greatly. He frets over sending his young son to a distant place.”
“But this is Yeon Ha Kingdom as well, is it not?”
“How can you be so indifferent? Not a single letter from you—and without a reply, you should see how anxious he becomes.”
“That is precisely why I summoned the chancellor. So he might observe directly how well I am doing while he stays here.”
“Your words ring hollow. The way you speak makes this all seem rather suspicious.”
“There is nothing suspicious about it.”
“Well, I suppose all will be revealed in time.”
As Ga Ram’s slow smile played across his face, the carriage came to a stop.
As Ga Ram made to descend first, Mu Je stopped him.
“Your nephew shall exit first.”
“But the direct line of Geum Ho House will surely recognize me.”
“There may be eyes watching. I ask that you treat me with ease as well, Chancellor.”
Since he insisted on playing the role of nephew, Ga Ram had no choice but to accept such courtesy.
Mu Je descended first and held open the door for Ga Ram, who stepped out.
Do Hun and A Rin came to greet them.
“Welcome, Master.”
“It’s been a while.”
While Ga Ram exchanged greetings with Do Hun, A Rin fixed him with bright, eager eyes.
To extract Mu Je from him, she needed to grow close to him by any means.
“Hello?”
Mu Je gazed quietly at the hand she extended first.
Knowing of Mu Je’s cleanliness obsession, Ga Ram worried he might commit a rudeness and began to reach out his own hand instead.
But Mu Je was faster.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Lady A Rin.”
As he took her hand naturally and returned the greeting, Ga Ram’s eyes narrowed in astonishment at this curious sight.
Meanwhile, A Rin was delighted that he had received her invitation so warmly.
“You received my letter! I thought you weren’t coming because you never wrote back.”
“Ah, I apologize. I forgot that I was supposed to reply. Have you been waiting long?”
“Not too long.”
“Next time, I’ll be sure to write back. Will you forgive my rudeness?”
“Hehe, yes! I forgive you!”
The more Mu Je spoke, the more bewildered Baek Ga Ram became.
Here was a man who’d never managed more than three words with another person, now flowing like an eloquent stream.
‘Just moments ago, he made no mention of replying to His Majesty…….’
Baek Ga Ram found this new version of Mu Je simply remarkable.
It was entirely different from the cold indifference he’d once shown to peers who’d tried to befriend him.
Of course, he was grateful that Mu Je treated the Geum Ho House daughter well.
For Baek Ga Ram, who’d long worried he might grow old and die alone without a single friend, it was a deeply moving sight.
‘I should thank the Goddess.’
Baek Ga Ram attributed Mu Je’s transformation to the stability he’d found in the Twelve Zodiac Village.
It was then that A Rin spoke hesitantly.
“Um, my hand…….”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Mu Je, who’d been holding A Rin’s hand all along, suddenly jerked away in embarrassment.
It was a slip born from the familiarity of her embrace when he’d been Seol-i.
‘Now I can’t even hold her hand as I please.’
Mu Je found himself staring at his own hand with an inexplicable sense of loss.
Meanwhile, A Rin studied Mu Je quietly.
His silvery hair, though slightly coarse, looked soft as silk threads.
Every time sunlight caught it, it shimmered, and even to the naked eye the fine quality of his hair was apparent.
What drew A Rin’s gaze most were his golden eyes, gleaming like topaz.
‘They’re like Seol-i’s.’
Eyes tinged with red possessed an atmosphere wholly different from the other Zodiac signs.
A Rin believed it was a mark of the Baek Yong House.
The two children were gazing intently at each other when Baek Ga Ram broached the subject.
“Now that I think of it, I heard that Lady A Rin and Young Master Mu Je are the same age.”
“Really?”
At the news that they were the same age, A Rin’s eyes sparkled.
It was the expression she always wore when something brought her joy and excitement.
As Mu Je gazed at her with quiet pleasure, Baek Ga Ram continued.
“Yes. Meeting like this must be fate—would you keep Young Master Mu Je company while he stays? He tends to be quite reserved with strangers.”
“Of course! I’ll take good care of him, so don’t worry, Baek Ga Ram!”
A Rin accepted eagerly, as if she’d been waiting for just this, and Baek Ga Ram broke into a broad smile.
‘What an endearing young lady.’
All the more so, standing as she was among the tigers of the Geum Ho House.
Besides, her expressions were so vivid that being near her naturally lifted one’s spirits.
For the taciturn Mu Je, she’d make a perfect companion.
This seemed a natural opportunity for them to grow close.
“A Rin will have much to manage alone, so I too shall look after things.”
Do Hun subtly shifted his body, blocking Mu Je’s line of sight, and Baek Ga Ram chuckled.
He recalled that until just before parting ways, Do Hun had resented his newly arrived sister.
Yet in just a few days his feelings had changed, and his gaze toward A Rin had grown quite warm.
It seemed he worried lest anyone trouble his younger sister.
Baek Ga Ram feigned ignorance of Do Hun’s true intent.
“Well then. Shouldn’t you be looking after your master instead?”
“I won’t neglect you, sir.”
“Your master simply wishes to spend more time with you. Besides, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“Discuss?”
“Yes. Well—while I’m occupied, would you mind showing Young Master Mu Je around the residence, Lady A Rin?”
“Yes! Take your time!”
A Rin answered readily, and Do Hun had no choice but to leave with Baek Ga Ram.
Left alone together, A Rin asked.
“Shall we start by seeing where you’ll be staying?”
A Rin guided Mu Je to the guest quarters, and he followed quietly behind her.
Now that he faced her in his true form rather than as Seol-i, he found himself at a loss for words.
Above all, he regretted most that he could no longer touch her as freely as before.
Without thinking, I opened and closed my fists, and by the time we arrived at the lodging.
“Here it is!”
At A Rin’s cry, Mu Je looked around.
It was a separate wing prepared for distinguished guests, but there was a problem.
Mu Je muttered as if displeased.
“This place is next to the Plum Blossom Hall.”

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