The Blue Dragon Clan’s Very Suspicious Little Chick - Chapter 20

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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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Episode 20

“So you did that to punish her?”
This time it was Tae-o who hesitated.
He had recoiled from the maid’s touch because it was unpleasant, but he hadn’t intended to punish her deliberately.
Yet he felt no need to lie or make excuses for his actions.
“A direct descendant of Hyeonmugung can’t punish a common maid on their own, can they?”
Na-gyeong’s voice continued.
“A maid’s punishment falls to the head housekeeper.”
“That’s not it—I was disrupted during my Ability training…….”
Tae-o tried to explain belatedly, but Na-gyeong cut him off.
“If it was a mistake and not intentional, then your fault is even greater. We can’t have those below you witnessing your inability to control your Ability just because you’re young.”
As Tae-o’s lips pressed shut, Na-gyeong swallowed a small sigh.
“That maid’s name is Yuwol. She’s been caught between life and death, her meridians frozen and blood vessels constricted, all because she was worried you might be hurt.”
“Yuwol?”
Tae-o was growing at an impossible rate and possessed abilities that were nothing short of miraculous, but before that he was simply an adorable child.
The boy’s cheeks swelled like soft rice cakes, plump and pale, and he tilted his head to one side.
“Do I need to know that child’s name?”
Na-gyeong looked at Tae-o and blinked slowly.
Last year, she had often forgotten the cruelty of his words because of his angelic face and beautiful eyes.
She had even harbored baseless hopes that it was just because he was young, that he would improve.
But that was no longer possible.
If there was one fear that had recently taken root in her heart, it was the thought of leaving this world before she could fully teach him.
The Eastern District Lord and his wife had only recently come to understand the stark truth: a child who had learned nothing must not be carelessly rejoiced over simply because he had gained an Ability.
“If you don’t even know the name of the child who nearly died because of you, Tae-o,”
Na-gyeong held her son’s steady gaze unflinchingly.
“Can that child truly be said to belong to you?”
As Tae-o fell silent, Na-gyeong began gathering the broken pieces of the cup with her bare hands.
She deliberately let her fingertips graze a sharp edge, drawing a thin line of blood, but Tae-o didn’t even blink.
“Pray that Yuwol doesn’t die.”
Na-gyeong gathered the shards of pottery and rose from her seat.
“Wish that this doesn’t become your first mistake, and that your siblings won’t take joy in it.”
After the mother and maid left, and the water cup for practicing his Ability disappeared,
Tae-o sat quietly, gazing toward the eastern sky.
Every single day was unbearably dull.

***

Her first birthday had finally arrived.
Aran remained in the form of a small bird, waiting anxiously for Sorim since early morning.
But unexpectedly, Huirim arrived first.
“Hello, Aran. Happy birthday.”
“Chirp??”
(Brother? Thank you. But where’s Father?)
“Right, Father had to go to Bonggung to see the Clan Head.”
So he’d been summoned by the Clan Head since morning!
Aran couldn’t help but feel a little despondent.
She could still see Sorim bustling about, ordering a first-birthday robe and carefully selecting items to place on the milestone table…….
It seemed he had ended up being scolded instead.
Likely because she hadn’t gained her human form on time.
In fact, the day before, Aran had been flying anxiously through the Garden when she happened to overhear Huirim’s voice.

“The youngest……, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be possible by tomorrow…….”

Though the distance made the words come in fragments, she knew it was about her.
And how her heart had wrung tight at the sound of Cheongun’s voice that followed.

“Is that so……, how disappointing…….”

Cheongun, who seemed capable of enduring all things, had spoken his disappointment directly.
Aran was startled by her own disappointment at that fact.
No matter how good-natured Cheongun was, how could he harbor no hidden agenda, no expectation?
And Cheongun was the Eastern District Lord and Clan Head of the Azure Dragon Clan.
In a position where every word had to prove himself, he’d lost the trust of his retainers because of this wretch—
Setting aside her own feelings, Aran could not forgive that much.
“Chirp? Chirp!”
(Brother, I really am the Vermillion Bird, aren’t I? I can’t explain why, but I can feel it!)
Huirim, oblivious to the anguish of others and serene about everything, simply laughed softly.
“I know, Aran. You needn’t worry.”
But how could even the mightiest Vermillion Bird remain composed at a time like this?
The entire Cheongryong Palace had yearned for this together for nearly a year—and it had shattered!
Aran resented her own sluggish body, resented the heavens that seemed determined to repeat misfortune.
Huirim lifted Aran gently and left the temporary quarters at Yakbangchae.
“Chirp?”
(Mm? Where are we going?)
“We should go to Bonggung too.”
Aran swallowed hard, recalling Cheongun’s face from the night before, seen from a distance.
Was he waiting for her now, clinging to one last hope? Would today be when he finally showed his disappointment?
To keep living here, must she too show contrition?
Before she could think further, they reached Bonggung.
But Huirim didn’t knock on the Clan Head’s quarters—instead, he knocked on the door across from it.
Aran had never seen Cheongun stay in this room before—
As confusion flickered across her face, Huirim announced loudly:
“I’ve brought Aran, Father.”

***

The moment the door opened, Aran lowered her head.
Suddenly, her small body filled her with shame. She felt as pathetic as she had in childhood, when she was scorned for lacking a marking.
And then—
Bang!
A burst of fireworks echoed through the air, the sort heard at festivals.
She lifted her head in surprise, and spring flowers of all colors rained down onto her.
Sweet floral fragrance mingled with the savory aroma of food, tickling her nose.
A joyful cheer erupted just as the twins cried out in unison:
“Happy birthday, Aran!”
Huirim and Sorim, the sisters Aran saw often, and the maidservants she knew well also offered their smiling congratulations.
“Happy birthday, young lady!”
“So this is your very first birthday? Congratulations, little chirp.”
Suryeon laughed with playful mischief, and finally came Cheongun’s voice.
“Happy birthday, Aran. This room—I prepared it as your birthday gift. What do you think?”
A birthday gift…?
Aran belatedly surveyed the room with bewildered eyes.
Walls adorned with the pale blue silk befitting the Azure Dragon Clan, and by the window, thin silk drapery. A gorgeous dresser gleaming with jade and mother-of-pearl.
The Four Treasures of the Study, still too small for her to hold, arranged neatly on the desk. Round floor cushions laid softly on silk matting.
On the low bed inside the room lay pink bedding, neatly folded, and nearby a small brass brazier burned brightly.
By the window hung a Wind Chime like the necklace the twins had received, swaying and singing out in a clear, beautiful voice.
In her past life of a hundred years, Aran had never owned a room as picture-perfect as this.
Her childhood had been desperately unfortunate, and even after growing, her life had remained far from fortune and grandeur.
He was giving this room to her as a gift…?
When she had fallen short of expectation and caused nothing but trouble—
“Chi…”
(Um, that is, I…)
Before Huirim could interpret Aran’s words, Cheongun continued:
“Mother, no—Father is sorry for driving our daughter to such hardship with his own premature eagerness. But Aran, you are already part of our family before you are anything else. Please remember that, always.”
Aran felt boundless shame and contrition. It felt as though every scheme of survival, every calculation to avoid being cast out, had been laid bare.
She bit down hard on her beak in embarrassment, then opened it again with determination.
“Chi. Chirp.”
(Forgive me for speaking foolishly, Eastern District Lord. You declared me the Vermillion Bird, and I should have lived up to your expectations by now. I can only apologize for my failure. But if you would grant me a little more time…….)
Then Hui rubbed her ear vigorously.
“What was that, Aran?”
She’d clearly misheard again.
In the end, Aran corrected herself.
“Chirp…….”
(That’s not what I meant. I’m saying…. I’m sorry for disappointing Father and everyone…….)
“Ah…….”
Hui hesitated again for a moment, then suddenly turned to address the family.
“She says she can’t explain why, but she has a feeling she’s definitely the Vermillion Bird, so she’s asking for a bit more time.”
Everyone burst into laughter, while only Aran stared up at Hui with an expression of pure disbelief.
“Chirp?”
(When did I ever say that?)
The Azure Dragon Clan’s Suspiciously Unusual Chirp — Episode 20
E-book Publication Date | August 5, 2026

Author | Ravioli
Published by | Odd Eye
Submissions/Inquiries | [email protected]

UCI | G720:N+A101-20260722065.0020
List Price | 100 won

ⓒ Ravioli 2026

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This e-book is published under contract with the author, and unauthorized republication, reproduction, distribution, or sharing without written consent from both parties is prohibited.

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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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