The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 64

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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 64
Hong I Jin’s gaze naturally drifted toward Geum Do Gyeong.
Geum Do Gyeong reclined lazily against the backrest, chewing on what looked like grass, his sharp eyes fixed on Hong I Jin like a hunter sizing up prey.
The brightness in those eyes—as if he were already plotting how to strike.
When their eyes met, a low growl escaped him, as though asking what the hell he was looking at. It boded ill.
Hong I Jin turned away sharply, making it clear he wanted nothing to do with this.
“How would I know what a tiger’s thinking?”
“Still, you two used to be inseparable. Close enough to read each other’s eyes alone.”
“I don’t know what ancient history you’re referring to.”
Hong I Jin sidestepped the uncomfortable subject by exchanging greetings with others.
Even so, he felt the weight of a stare boring into the back of his skull—unbearable.
‘What’s his problem now?’
There had been a time when, just as Cheong Hae Ju said, Hong I Jin could read Geum Do Gyeong’s every thought from a glance. He’d known exactly what that look meant.
They were inseparable then. And it was Hong I Jin who had brought Do Gyeong and Jin Gyeong together.
Once the meeting began, Do Gyeong did exactly as expected—he objected to every proposal Hong I Jin raised.
“I’m against it.”
“What’s your reason?”
“Your face.”
“…Geum clan head. Is this meeting a joke to you?”
“…Only joking. But that proposal just screams Fire Power posturing. In a gathering meant to foster harmony, you’re trying too hard to stand out, aren’t you?”
A vein throbbed visibly in Hong I Jin’s temple.
It was a deliberate provocation—Do Gyeong knew perfectly well why Hong I Jin wanted to align himself so badly with the White Dragon Clan.
After sending Arin away, the Hongsagas Clan had confessed to the White Dragon Palace that Soso was their illegitimate ward.
The White Dragon Palace had yet to give a formal answer.
Anxious that the marriage might fall through, he’d wanted to emphasize harmony between the two clans during this event.
“Trying to stand out? This is about the White Dragon Clan’s Water Power and the Hongsagas Clan’s Fire Power coming together in balance…”
Hong I Jin tried to articulate a reasonable justification, but Do Gyeong cut him off mid-sentence.
“Exactly. Why does the White Dragon Clan need to harmonize only with your family? The Twelve Zodiac Signs are strongest when they all come together as one.”
Seeing right through Do Gyeong’s obvious wish to drag the marriage into the discussion, Hong I Jin switched tactics to fight fire with fire.
“If you hate me, just say it plainly. Don’t hide behind weak excuses.”
At that provocation, Do Gyeong opened his mouth without the slightest hesitation.
“Yeah, I do hate you.”
The way he drawled it out word by word in a teasing tone, that grin on his face—it was deeply irritating.
“Hah.”
It was Hong I Jin’s temper that flared at such casual impudence.
His childish response sent the conference room into uproar.
“Kheck.”
“Phew. Pffft, haha—you two never change.”
“The Geum clan head must still be in his prime. How does he manage to look so young?”
Everyone was too busy laughing at Do Gyeong’s quip to notice anything else.
It was always like this.
Whatever that bastard said, people loved him anyway.
And to Hong I Jin, their laughter felt like mockery directed at him alone.
‘That insufferable bastard.’
Meanwhile, as Hong I Jin clenched his fist in silence, Baek Hyeon Je—the head of the White Dragon Clan and king of the Yeonha Kingdom—spoke up, having watched the exchange intently.
“You two still bristle the moment you meet, I see.”
“My apologies. My tongue got away from me today, I’m afraid.”
“Geum clan head, perhaps that’s quite enough. With three children of your own, you could stand to show a bit more maturity.”
As Do Gyeong shrugged, Cheong Hae Ju, who had been listening quietly, suddenly raised her hand.
“My goodness, three children? I thought the Geum clan head only had two sons?”
Turning her gaze toward Do Gyeong, Cheong Hae Ju purred suggestively.
“Don’t tell me you’ve taken a new wife? After you were so devoted to the last one, was it only a three-year affair?”
At the mention of a new wife, Do Gyeong’s brow furrowed.
“Do I look like you, taking multiple spouses?”
“Oh, I just love so much, you see? How could anyone love only one man? I’m far too pretty for that, aren’t I?”
As Cheong Hae Ju cooed with exaggerated charm, Do Gyeong made a face of disgust.
Her reputation for simultaneous affairs was well-known, and he had no desire to dwell on the subject.
“I adopted a daughter.”
“Oh my, is she…”
“She’s a child I took in with all my heart. She’s so precious I couldn’t bear to harm her, so wipe that filthy look off your face.”
Do Gyeong cut off Cheong Hae Ju’s words with a low growl.
“Tigers have their temperaments, but that’s what makes her such a darling daughter, doesn’t it?”
Cheong Hae Ju winked and pulled something from her bag.
“A gift to celebrate having a daughter.”
“What’s that fluffy thing?”
Do Gyeong regarded Cheong Hae Ju’s hand with reluctance. Resting in her palm was an ornament resembling a tuft of dog grass.
“It’s a Rabbit Fur Ornament — all the rage among young girls these days. The Cheongmyogas Clan makes them specially. Hang one on a hat or bag and it looks lovely.”
“You’re selling it even here?”
“Hmph. Keep it if you like, or don’t.”
When Cheong Hae Ju reached to take it back, Do Gyeong opened his palm.
“Give it here. I’ll give it to our daughter.”
“Well, well. Wonders never cease.”
Cheong Hae Ju chuckled and tossed the ornament, which Do Gyeong caught deftly and tucked into his pocket.
Hong I Jin, meanwhile, watched Do Gyeong with peculiar fascination.
The man who’d scorned even the thought of exchanging words with Cheong Hae Ju — here he was, opening his hands for Arin.
‘Does he truly cherish that child so?’
After the meeting ended,
Hong I Jin, who had followed Do Gyeong as he left early, came to an abrupt halt.
Far down the corridor, he glimpsed Arin walking toward them alongside Do Hoon.
The moment Arin spotted Do Gyeong, her face lit up.
“Papa!”
Arin called to him in a bright, ringing voice and hurried forward on her small legs.
The instant Do Gyeong saw her, his face broke into a radiant smile. He crouched where he stood and opened his arms wide.
Arin, as if it were the most natural thing, nestled into his embrace without hesitation.
“Did you come to see Papa?”
“Hehe! Yes! Do Hoon said you’d be done about now, so he brought me!”
“What a thoughtful girl you are.”
Do Gyeong pressed his cheek against Arin’s, and the child burst into delighted laughter.
To any eye, they were a picture of domestic harmony.
That he should cherish a child with not a drop of blood shared between them.
When Hong I Jin had first come here, he’d believed Do Gyeong had taken Arin in merely to torment him.
To prick his conscience by keeping her at his side.
But Do Gyeong’s affection for Arin seemed entirely genuine, proving that grim suspicion baseless.
And Arin, sensing it, showed no hesitation in drawing close to him.
The sight stirred something — a memory, unbidden and sharp.
‘Papa, let me rub your shoulders for you!’
‘Papa, Papa! Look over there — see how the flowers have already bloomed so prettily! I’ll dry the most beautiful one and give it to you as a gift!’
Arin had always been curious and affectionate from her earliest years.
Wherever she went, laughter bloomed in her wake, and Hong I Jin had treasured her above all things.
Until her Beast Transformation failed.
Yes. It was after that day her laughter vanished.
Hearing Arin’s laughter again after so long, Hong I Jin found his mind churning.
Strangely, his mood had soured. When he’d sent her away, there had been nothing like this.
But witnessing them together now — the ease between them — left him raw.
‘She calls him “Papa” so freely. As though she’s forgotten all I gave her — my very life and care.’
A bitter taste coating his tongue, Hong I Jin turned from the two of them and hurried away.
Even as he did, the echo of the child’s laughter and Do Gyeong’s playful voice pierced his ears without mercy.
* * *
Arin, having arrived at the Main Palace at Mu Je’s invitation, glanced about the reception chamber.
Unlike Byeolgung Palace, which bustled with the Twelve Zodiac Signs come for the Yeonha Festival, the Crown Prince’s Palace was remarkably quiet.
On her way here, she’d encountered but three servants in the halls.
‘Were they all sent to the palace?’
In truth, only those few who knew of Mu Je’s illness remained in the Crown Prince’s Palace — though Arin could not have known this.
Meanwhile, Gon, Mu Je’s personal attendant, sneaked a glance at the charming little guest.
‘His Highness has invited a friend to call. And a girl friend, no less.’

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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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