The Blue Dragon Clan’s Very Suspicious Little Chick - Chapter 58

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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 58

She’d been gasping for air just moments before, but the sight of him sent a laugh spilling out instead.
“Ow, ow, oh oh oh…….”
(Ouch, couldn’t help herself.)
Aran giggled and murmured something, but the bubbles scattered before her voice could form proper sounds.
Two arms wrapped in black cloth stretched toward her with desperate urgency.
Then came a strength that seemed impossible from such a small frame, yanking her close with sudden force.
Aran spread her arms wide and surrendered herself to Hyeon Tae-o’s embrace.
“Ia-aah…….”
In his trembling hold, Aran understood his meaning at once.
I’m sorry.
He must be regretting not boarding the boat with her.
The young vermilion bird broke the surface of the water.
“Hey, did you forget this body is a Vermilion Bird?”
At Aran’s soft whisper, Hyeon Tae-o shook his head.
Even knowing she was a Vermilion Bird, even if she could swim better than anyone, even if she could transform and escape in moments—
none of it mattered. Hyeon Tae-o still blamed himself.
“I’m sorry.”
Hearing his apology repeated, Aran buried her face against his wet chest.
Hyeon Tae-o, did heaven send me to protect you?
How did everything end up backwards?
The great Vermilion Bird, utterly humiliated.

***

Once they reached shore, it seemed Aran’s ploy of pretending to drown had achieved its purpose—at least for now.
The shock had knocked the prince senseless; it would be quite some time before he thought to ask about her true form again.
As the palace attendants, half-panicked, wrapped Aran and Hyeon Tae-o in towels, Hyeon Tae-o made a declaration.
“From now on, you stay right beside me whenever we’re near water.”
Clearly he said this knowing full well she could swim.
The twins, understanding nothing, suddenly found themselves agreeing with Hyeon Tae-o for once.
“That’s right, that would be best!”
“It could’ve been a real disaster if you hadn’t been there! I was so scared.”
Wait—do they think I’m a land bird?
She couldn’t possibly tell the twins, their eyes reddened with concern, that she’d actually known how to swim all along but had pretended to drown to escape the awkward situation.
Hyeon Tae-o soon discarded his towel, claiming he didn’t feel the cold, but Aran was different—with each gust of autumn wind, her face grew steadily more pallid.
The flustered attendants practically ran to bring her to the Northern Hall.
It was autumn, so the heated floor was not yet in use; the attendants scrambled to build a fire.
Hong Bi, who had returned with them, went into the room to rummage through her belongings, then went to the heated floor and hurled a Cheehwa Talisman into it.
Instantly, a massive flame roared to life in the previously empty hearth.
“Wow, is that a divine treasure from Vermilion Bird Palace?”
Hong Bi preened before the marveling attendants.
“Well, it’s common enough in our Vermilion Bird Palace.”
Though Aran rather doubted that.
Creating a Cheehwa Talisman that conjures fire without any conditions required a Supernatural Ability tied to flame.
But the current head of household, Ju Sang-ryun, was elderly and his Supernatural Ability had waned, and the eldest son Ju Yeom-gang’s Supernatural Ability was never particularly formidable to begin with.
Which meant such divine treasures, born of fire-based Supernatural Ability, would naturally be rare.
Yet here was Hong Bi—neither the heir nor even one who had awakened her Supernatural Ability—being gifted such a precious treasure?
Would Ju Sang-ryun truly be so generous?
More likely Hong Bi had carelessly wasted something she’d managed to obtain.

***

After drying off and eating dinner, night fell swiftly.
Before sleeping, Aran pretended not to notice when Hong Bi crept over to the heated floor and began rummaging with something.
She seemed either to regret using such a precious Cheehwa Talisman or, more likely, to be fascinated by using it for the first time.
Aran lay on the bed pretending to sleep, but when Hong Bi returned to the room and tossed and turned for quite some time, she eventually opened her eyes again.
She seemed to sleep well enough yesterday, so why is she acting like this today? Is she upset about wasting the talisman?
Aran finally sighed and asked.
“Why would you use something so precious? Fire comes in time anyway.”
“What?”
Hong Bi countered from the darkness, then bristled at once.
“It’s my choice! The Vermilion Bird Palace is full of them anyway!”
Well, do as you please.
Aran shook her head in the darkness.
“Fine, lucky you. Even if your palace is full of them, there was only one here today. Thank you for using it for me.”
The thanks seemed to catch Hong Bi off guard, and she fell silent for a long while.
Just as Aran was beginning to think she’d finally fallen asleep and was drifting off herself—
a small voice emerged.
“…How can you be so confident? Why are you loved so much when you’re not even direct bloodline?”
It sounded like criticism on the surface, but Aran understood what Hong Bi truly meant.
Hong Bi was genuinely curious.
Unlike herself—lacking a Supernatural Ability and scorned by her cousin—Aran, who had nothing at all, was still loved. Why?
Perhaps she was amazed that the youngest of the renowned Xuanwu House had rushed in without hesitation to save Aran.
After all, Aran was neither brother nor sister to him.
“Just because I’m not direct bloodline doesn’t mean I have no reason to be confident.”
Aran answered slowly.
“The family that abandoned me should be ashamed, but what fault is it of mine that I don’t even know their faces?”
Perhaps this was something Aran wanted to tell her younger self.
Hong Bi was quiet again for a long time before she whispered her agreement.
“…You’re right. Your words make sense.”
What was Hong Bi thinking in the quiet darkness now?
That not having a Supernatural Ability wasn’t her fault either?
That perhaps she too should learn to be more confident?
When Aran first entered this room, Hong Bi had certainly been someone to punish.
The one responsible for Ok Dan’s death in her past life.
In this life, she hadn’t committed that act yet, but Aran still hated her for it.
Not worth investing time in deliberately, but if she happened to come across her, avenging her past life’s enmity would be satisfying.
Yet why did she keep seeing her younger self in this beloved second uncle’s daughter?
She was just a foolish young lady, after all.

***

“Ahh, so warm and lovely!”
The next evening, Aran was sitting in the Imperial Family Exclusive Hot Spring.
Je Geon-u had invited her as an apology, saying the previous day’s incident fell under Imperial Responsibility.
Hong Bi, who had been invited along to keep Aran from being lonely, curled her lip from outside the water.
“Why do you talk like an old woman when you’re just a child?”
“What’s wrong with a hundred-year-old enjoying hot springs?”
The century-old spirit flinched, but Aran quickly brushed it off and swam lightly, cutting through the water with both arms.
“You ungrateful thing! They say the Vermilion Bird Territory has so many precious hot springs, and you don’t even appreciate it!”
Aran was different.
The only place in the empire with natural hot springs was the Vermilion Bird Territory.
Even this one had been gifted by the Vermilion Bird House lord generations ago, and in other regions, hot springs were something people had never even seen.
Of course, one had to exclude the secret hot spring in Xuanwu Palace, which was forbidden even to direct bloodline Beastfolk.
So in her past life, whenever Aran had a chance, she’d long for the hot springs of the Vermilion Bird Territory.
That’s why she’d come here willingly when Je Geon-u said she could use the spring.
Hong Bi, meanwhile, had hesitated and received a rebuke from Hong Woo.

“Hong Bi, why aren’t you following and thanking His Highness properly instead of standing around uselessly?”

That was then, but staying outside the water even after reaching the spring seemed odd.
Aran glanced at Hong Bi.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
“Me? I…”
Hong Bi fumbled for words, then suddenly straightened her shoulders.
“Well, since the Vermilion Bird Palace has hot springs everywhere, there’s no reason for me to use this one!”
You came all this way just for that flimsy reason, and now you’re standing there like a fool?
What is it—are you embarrassed?
The Suspicious Chick of the Azure Dragon Household | Episode 58
E-book Publication Date | August 5, 2026

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

UCI | G720:N+A101-20260722065.0058
List Price | 100 Won

© Ravioli 2026

This e-book is a copyrighted work protected under copyright law.
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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