The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 62
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 62
Do Hoon spoke kindly as he watched Arin, too frightened to eat easily.
“That scoundrel is eighty percent lies. A new tooth is sturdy—it won’t come out so easily.”
“Really?”
“Hey, brother! I was having fun teasing her. Why’d you have to ruin it?”
“Would you like an even better story? Like the time Do Yeong’s tooth first started to wiggle…….”
As Do Hoon began to add something mischievous, Do Yeong thrust a dumpling toward him.
“Brother! Isn’t this really delicious?”
It was a clear signal to stop, so Do Hoon accepted the dumpling silently and exchanged a knowing glance with Arin.
“Hehe.”
Now that she felt relieved, Arin chewed her small mouthfuls of finely cut food with satisfaction.
As soon as Arin’s plate emptied, Do Gyeong didn’t forget to bring her more food.
Just then, Arin gazed out the window and murmured softly.
“The young lord of Muje is late. The food will get cold.”
Seeing the worry on her face, Do Gyeong placed meat on her plate and answered.
“We can order fresh food, so don’t worry and eat.”
“Hehe, yes.”
After eating their fill and waiting for dessert, it happened.
“That’s enough! Get the owner out here!”
An irritable voice pierced Arin’s ears.
At the painfully familiar tone, Arin’s head turned toward the direction of the sound.
‘That voice…….’
* * *
The Hong Sa Family also arrived in the Capital to coincide with the Yeoning Festival.
So So, who had unpacked their belongings at the lodgings arranged in the Separate Palace, urged Lady Yeon.
“Mother! I’ve never been to the Capital before! Can’t we eat out?”
At the whining voice, Lady Yeon smiled warmly.
“Well, let me ask the Family Head first.”
It was a somewhat cold response, as expected.
Ever since Arin left the Hong Sa Family, Lady Yeon had always been this way.
Whenever she dealt with So So, memories of her would surface, and she would never grant her requests outright.
So So hated that. So even knowing it troubled Lady Yeon, she raised her voice.
“We’re all traveling together for once—can’t we eat out, please?”
She was on the verge of clinging to Lady Yeon’s embrace and whining.
“I’ll take So So out with me.”
Ah Hyeon, who had been unpacking, spoke up. Only then did Lady Yeon relax.
“Would you? I’m actually a bit tired from the journey.”
“Ugh. I wanted us all to go together…….”
As So So puffed out her cheeks in a pout, Ah Hyeon spoke.
“So So, we’re not here on vacation. Remember, we came to show what kind of clan the Sipiji Clan is.”
He even let out a quiet sigh, as if irritated.
At Ah Hyeon’s attitude, So So felt wounded.
“That’s not fair, brother. I just wanted to spend time with my family…….”
“We just arrived today—you can’t bother our parents.”
Ah Hyeon was unexpectedly stubborn.
In truth, his mind was set on recovering lost points if he could meet the Priestess at this Yeoning Festival.
So So’s childishness seemed somewhat foolish to him.
As Ah Hyeon looked at So So with disdain, her voice turned small.
“Hmph, I just wanted to be together because it’s my first time. I’m sorry…….”
“Right, so let’s just the two of us go out.”
“Fine. But I get to choose what we eat!”
“Suit yourself.”
When Ah Hyeon chuckled, So So finally felt reassured.
Venturing into the city with Ah Hyeon alone, So So headed for the restaurant said to be most famous in Baek Yeon.
It was an expensive establishment she couldn’t have afforded before.
Just as she was about to order, So So froze in shock.
Arin was sitting not far away.
‘What is she doing here?’
Her heart began to race at the unexpected encounter.
Fortunately, Ah Hyeon was seated on the opposite side and appeared not to have noticed Arin.
So So glanced at Arin under the pretense of ordering food.
Just then, the Gold Tiger Clan’s Family Head was placing finely sliced meat onto Arin’s plate.
It was such a tender gesture that it was hard to believe this was the same person who had picked a quarrel over the Danggae last time.
Arin wasn’t being looked after by him alone.
Two boys who appeared to be Ah Hyeon’s age were taking turns attending to her.
When food smudged Arin’s mouth, they were even ready with a Handkerchief to wipe it clean.
Watching Arin accept all of this as perfectly natural, So So felt an unexpected sting in her chest.
‘Here I am, eating leftovers and scraps because of her. And she’s living beautifully, as if she hasn’t a care in the world?’
At a glance, it was clear that Arin was cherished by the Gold Tiger Clan.
Her clothes, her hair ornaments—everything looked expensive.
It was hard to imagine this was the same child who had been confined to the Separate Palace like an unwanted burden.
‘I should have driven her out sooner!’
Even the Gold Tiger Clan made no sense to So So. What was so beautiful about that fool that they clung to her like this?
So So couldn’t tear her eyes away from Arin until the food arrived.
Noticing her strange stare, Ah Hyeon finally spoke.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
As Ah Hyeon turned around, So So quickly answered.
“Oh, I’m starving and the food is taking forever! Goodness, why is it so slow?”
“There are a lot of people in the restaurant, so it probably can’t be helped.”
Fortunately, Ah Hyeon didn’t find So So’s behavior suspicious.
“You’re right. I didn’t expect so many people.”
So So answered carelessly and released a breath of relief.
She didn’t want Ah Hyeon and Arin to cross paths.
She was afraid that he might become strange too, just like Yeon had.
“Brother, why don’t we go somewhere else?”
“We’ve already taken a seat. That wouldn’t be proper.”
When Ah Hyeon spoke flatly like that, So So couldn’t press further.
She could only hope they would leave first, but before long a server came with the food.
This was her chance—So So buried her face in her plate and ate hurriedly.
If they didn’t leave, she wanted to finish quickly and slip away herself. But then—
“Ah, what?”
Ah Hyeon, who had been eating quietly, let out an irritated sound and threw down his chopsticks roughly.
After waiting so long for the food, his mood was already sour, and now there was a hair on his plate.
He immediately signaled a server and pointed at the hair.
“Do you see this?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry! I’ll bring you a new plate right away.”
As the server stammered out an apology, Ah Hyeon raised his eyebrows and spoke.
“You want me to wait another hour? Forget it. Get the manager!”
As his voice rose, several other diners glanced over.
So So was anxious that Arin might notice, but Ah Hyeon’s mouth showed no signs of stopping.
“I came here because it’s supposed to be a famous place. How exactly did you manage your hygiene that hair ends up in the food?”
Ah Hyeon, his anger still unabated, clicked his tongue.
The manager appeared and bowed deeply.
“I apologize sincerely for the inconvenience during your meal, sir. As a token of our apology, there will be no charge for what you’ve eaten today.”
“Of course not. You’re trying to charge money for garbage like this?”
“Oh, brother. Let’s just go…….”
As all eyes turned toward them, So So, growing uneasy, tried to pull him away, but Ah Hyeon wouldn’t listen.
“Just go where? These things need to be settled fairly and properly.”
Ah Hyeon shook off So So’s hand with a scowl.
By the recoil, So So tumbled forward onto the floor.
“Ow!”
As So So pushed herself up on her hands with a gasp of pain, she raised her upper body.
It was then that her eyes met Arin’s, whose face showed shock, and So So’s cheeks burned with shame.
She had never expected to meet her again like this.
Mortified, So So pretended not to see her and scrambled to her feet, dragging Ah Hyeon along.
“Let’s just go, brother!”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————