The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 61

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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 61
“Seol Yi, tell me again, would you?”
Despite Arin’s urging, Seol Yi merely yawned and gave a drowsy nod.
“If that creature could speak, he’d have talked your ear off long ago.”
At Do Gyeong’s teasing, Mu Je’s body trembled.
It was tempting to tease him further at the sight, but Do Gyeong had other matters to discuss with Arin.
“Seol Yi, go back to your master now.”
“Why?”
“Your father and I have something urgent to discuss.”
At Do Gyeong’s measured tone, Seol Yi nodded and vanished.
Arin watched until the figure disappeared from sight.
“We’ll be heading to the Capital City in two days.”
“Is it because of the Yeonha Festival?”
“You’ve already heard, then. We’re planning to go while escorting the Priestess.”
“Then Prince Mu Je will be going with us as well?”
“He’ll probably ride in the carriage with you.”
In truth, Do Gyeong would have preferred to keep him in the carriage with the Priestess and himself.
But the Priestess’s condition was far from ideal, and it was better for Mu Je to be with Arin.
Then Do Gyeong’s expression grew serious as he began.
“Arin. Will you be all right?”
“All right about what?”
“When we reach the Capital City, you’ll encounter the Twelve Zodiac Houses gathered for the Yeonha Festival. ……Hong Sa House will likely come as well.”
At the mention of Hong Sa House, Arin flinched.
Hearing the name of that clan after so long, her body reacted before her mind could.
“I see.”
Her effort to appear unmoved only made it more pitiful.
Do Gyeong shifted the mood as though clearing the air.
“Actually, this is good fortune! Isn’t it time to show them how cherished you are here?”
“Father?”
“Don’t lose heart. The Golden Tiger commands respect. Keep your shoulders back!”
Do Gyeong grasped Arin’s shoulders and pulled them firmly back.
When Arin looked up at him with wide eyes, he continued.
“Do you wish to return to that clan?”
“No!”
“Then carry yourself with confidence. This is a clan you’ll inevitably cross paths with again and again, not just today.”
Do Gyeong was right.
As the youngest daughter of the Gold Tiger Clan, there was no escaping points of contact with Hong Sa House.
“I’ll be fine, truly. I have you, and I have my brothers.”
At her spirited declaration, Do Gyeong felt some of his concern lift.
“But don’t overexert yourself. If you really can’t bear to face them, you need only attend the official ceremonies.”
“Yes. Thank you, Father.”
“And if that wretched girl bothers you again, you’re welcome to use the method Do Young taught you. Do you remember it?”
Arin’s expression grew uncertain and vague.
“……Seonbang Pilseung?”
“Yes, that one.”
“But So So is the daughter of Hong Sa House…….”
“So what? You are the precious jade daughter of the Gold Tiger Clan. You think your father cannot match Hong Sa House?”
As Do Gyeong declared this with pride, Arin mumbled in response.
“The Priestess will scold you more than anything.”
“……Ahem. Why would I be scolded?”
“The Priestess said so. That when you were young, you were a troublemaker and she disciplined you often.”
“The woman tells the child all manner of stories.”
Do Gyeong answered with some embarrassment, scratching his cheek.
“Hehe. Anyway, I won’t just take it anymore! Don’t worry, Father!”
When she had been confined to the Separate Residence, fear of abandonment had silenced her, and she could offer no resistance.
‘But now Father and my brothers are by my side.’
With a dependable family around her, Arin was no longer afraid of being cast aside, nor did So So frighten her anymore.
“Father, would it be all right if we slept together tonight? Seol Yi has gone, and I’m lonely.”
“There’s no reason it wouldn’t be.”
Do Gyeong stretched out on the bed as though he had been waiting for exactly this.
When Do Gyeong tapped the empty spot, Arin promptly climbed in.
“Hehe.”
The girl’s movements were uninhibited as she tugged his arm to settle herself.
She seemed far more at ease than before, when she’d been wary of him—and that openness was utterly endearing.
Do Gyeong closed Arin’s eyes and murmured softly.
“Sleep well.”
He drew the blanket up to her chin with such tenderness that her lips curved upward.
“You too, Papa.”
* * *
In Baek Yeon, the Capital City of Yeonha, carriages bearing the seals of the Twelve Zodiac Houses arrived one after another.
For the Yeonha Festival, one of the nation’s most significant ceremonies, representatives of each Zodiac House had gathered from across the realm.
With the Houses assembled in one place for the first time in years, the capital buzzed with energy.
During the festival, the Twelve Zodiac Houses would lodge at the Secondary Palace, and the White Dragon Palace gleamed entirely in pristine platinum and marble.
“Everything’s so white.”
Arin spun about in wonder, her eyes wide.
Seeing the palace with her own eyes, which she’d only heard of through Mu Je’s descriptions, amazed her all the more.
“Where does Prince Mu Je stay?”
“The Main Palace, though I intend to spend considerable time at the Secondary Palace during the festival.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I promised to give you a proper tour of the palace.”
Mu Je smiled faintly, as though her question were obvious.
“Aren’t you curious about the peacocks?”
“I am!”
Arin bounced eagerly, as if she’d been waiting for exactly this.
Her newly grown front teeth showed with each word she spoke, which made her all the more charming.
Since Arin seemed ready to dash off at once, Do Gyeong held her back.
“We have time. Let’s eat first.”
“All right.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Do Gyeong hoisted Arin onto his hip to bid farewell, and Mu Je fell into step right behind him.
“I’m hungry as well.”
At such brazenness, Do Gyeong’s brow twitched.
“Surely you’re not planning to join us? Your father must be waiting.”
“We always eat separately.”
“You mean you’ve been eating alone all this time?”
At Arin’s shocked question, Mu Je’s eyes grew downcast with a sorrowful expression.
“Yes, Father has been quite occupied…….”
His helpless tone made Arin’s face crumple, and she urged Do Gyeong forward.
“Papa, can’t Prince Mu Je eat with us? Food tastes awful when you eat alone.”
Those glistening eyes were impossible to refuse.
‘That scheming little reptile.’
His skill at manipulating his innocent daughter grew sharper by the day.
Anyone watching would think he spent his time eagerly dining with the Emperor.
Do Gyeong, who knew that Mu Je preferred solitude, saw through the act perfectly.
Part of him wanted to shut it down, but it wouldn’t look right for an adult to openly clash with a child.
Do Gyeong nodded in resignation.
“As they say, even a dead man’s ghost looks handsome on a full stomach—let’s go together.”
“Thank you.”
Despite the curt reply, Mu Je responded without a trace of shame and planted himself firmly at Arin’s side.
Just then, Yeo Ryeong emerged from unpacking her things.
“Before you go to eat, shouldn’t you pay your respects to His Majesty first? And there are matters the three of you ought to discuss.”
“Is that so?”
Do Gyeong chuckled, and Mu Je’s expression shifted.
Disappointment was written plain across his face, so Arin grasped his hand and smiled brightly.
“I’ll have food sent ahead, so don’t worry!”
“I’ll just pay my respects and return.”
Only then did Mu Je’s face brighten as he and Yeo Ryeong disappeared.
Arin then set out into the city with her family.
Do Young’s voice rang out eagerly.
“Father! We’re going to that chicken place from last time, right?”
When Arin mentioned the restaurant where Do Gyeong had been singing the entire way there, he answered with barely concealed interest.
“Right. I’ve already told So Cheon to go ahead and hold us a table.”
“Yes! Kid, that place is genuinely fantastic! They don’t take reservations, so you have to line up to eat there.”
“How do you know all the best restaurants across the country?”
“I know good food when I taste it!”
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
“Ahem! And they have a special menu they only give to their regular customers too…….”
Listening to Do Young’s lecture on fine dining, they arrived at the restaurant in no time.
The four of them were seated on the second floor by a staff member and ordered lavishly.
Dishes arrived in such abundance that the table seemed ready to collapse beneath them.
Do Gyeong deftly cut the food into small pieces and placed them before Arin.
It was a kindness born of consideration—her front tooth was missing, making it difficult for her to chew.
“Chew carefully. If you can’t chew properly and just swallow, you’ll get indigestion.”
“Yes!”
“That’s right, little one. If you eat wrong, will your new front tooth fall out too?”
At Do Young’s threat, Arin jumped in alarm and clamped her mouth shut.

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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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