The Dragon Family’s Beloved Baby Cat - Chapter 29

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 29

 

“…Are you saying you’ll put Moa on the family register?”

 

“That’s the only way.”

 

“Are you okay with this?”

 

Adopting a child was not something to decide lightly.

 

At Jaseonghwa’s question, Jin Saheon gave a bitter smile.

 

“Honestly, I’m scared. Saving Father is extremely important to me, but….”

 

Jin Saheon’s large hand swept away a thin strand of hair that had fallen across Moa’s cheek.

 

That hand was trembling slightly, uncharacteristically so.

 

“I’m afraid that with this justification, I might be using this child as a tool. What would make me different from that Emperor bastard who exploits innocent children….”

 

The voice of the man called the Greatest Swordsman Under Heaven trembled faintly.

 

It was deep anguish arising between his responsibility as a family head and son, and his ethics as a human being.

 

But Jaseonghwa gently took Jin Saheon’s hand.

 

“No. You’re not such a monster.”

 

“My lady.”

 

“We already love this child. Perhaps this was destined from the moment we gave this child the Youngest Child’s room.”

 

It wasn’t about overlapping Moa with the unborn youngest child.

 

But it felt as if that youngest child’s soul had guided Moa here.

 

In that brief moment, Jaseonghwa had given a corner of her heart to Moa.

 

“It’s not to open the door, but because we love her that we want to become family. The door opening would just be a miracle that follows after.”

 

“Is that so….”

 

“Besides, we haven’t even asked Moa yet. The child might say she doesn’t need parents like us. Though the children would probably welcome Moa.”

 

Jaseonghwa said with a small smile.

 

The two’s conversation was low and warm.

 

But Moa, who was pretending to sleep while listening, interpreted it a bit differently.

 

In Moa’s mind, the word ‘need’ stuck out much larger than ‘love’.

 

‘I’m the key.’

 

They need a child to save Grandfather. So they’re taking me.

 

It was familiar logic.

 

At the orphanage and in foster homes, it was always like this.

 

They liked Moa only when she was a good child, when she was useful.

 

‘This time, opening doors is how I earn my keep.’

 

Moa clenched her small fists tightly.

 

Moa didn’t have to fix everyone in the world’s misfortunes.

 

But still, Moa liked this house.

 

If it was someone the uncle, lady, and brothers loved.

 

Even though she’d never seen Grandfather’s face, she could help him.

 

‘What if I can’t do it?’

 

Should she prepare to be abandoned again?

 

They let her stay as a guest, but they might change their minds if they saw her fail.

 

-We’ll definitely protect Moa from now on.

 

Adults quickly forget their promises and vows.

 

‘I don’t want that….’

 

She didn’t want to leave this house. So she absolutely had to succeed.

 

While Moa was making her resolution, her body shifted, making Jin Saheon think the child had woken up.

 

“Moa, are you awake?”

 

At Jin Saheon’s gentle voice, Moa opened her eyes.

 

He matched Moa’s eye level. His gaze looked more serious and deep than ever.

 

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

 

“…What is it?”

 

“Moa, would you become my real daughter?”

 

Not just someone living together as a dependent, but real family who takes my surname and enters the family genealogy.

 

Jin Saheon asked for the child’s opinion as respectfully as possible.

 

Moa looked into his eyes for a moment, then opened her mouth while recalling the golden rope she’d seen earlier.

 

“Yes, I want to.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

When Jin Saheon’s face brightened.

 

“But, uncle.”

 

Moa grabbed his sleeve and fidgeted as if gauging his reaction.

 

It was different from her usual lively attitude.

 

“If I open the door well.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“After I get Grandfather out safely… can I keep staying here?”

 

At Moa’s words, Jin Saheon’s expression hardened.

 

Jaseonghwa behind them also held her breath.

 

Only then did they realize that Moa’s brazenly lively and bright demeanor was a mask the child wore to protect herself.

 

“You’ll keep giving me food, and won’t separate me from Somi, right? I’ll be good. Even if you tell me to open a hundred doors, I’ll do it.”

 

The child’s eyes shook anxiously.

 

Those weren’t the eyes of a beloved child.

 

They were the eyes of someone weak who wanted to confirm a transaction and secure their own safety.

 

Jin Saheon felt something deep in his chest clench tight.

 

He had asked to become family, but the child was trying to make a contract.

 

“…Moa.”

 

His voice became thick with emotion.

 

Without hesitation, he pulled Moa into his arms.

 

His embrace, solid and massive like Mount Tai, wrapped around Moa’s small body without any gaps.

 

“No. You’re wrong.”

 

“…Huh? I can’t?”

 

Moa’s body stiffened.

 

Did it mean opening the door would be useless?

 

But Jin Saheon’s next words completely missed Moa’s expectations.

 

“You don’t need to open any doors. It doesn’t matter if you can’t save Grandfather.”

 

“…But it’s important to you, uncle.”

 

“You’re not just a key to me. If you decide, you’ll become my daughter now.”

 

Jin Saheon’s rough hand stroked Moa’s back.

 

“Even if you’re completely useless, even if you only cause trouble and waste food every day, it doesn’t matter. Because you’d just be that kind of child who is my daughter.”

 

“….”

 

“A daughter isn’t loved for doing well. Just by existing, you become my whole world.”

 

So don’t be anxious.

 

If anyone tries to chase you away, I’ll cut them all down.

 

That rough yet heavy sincerity struck Moa’s heart with a thump.

 

It’s okay to be useless.

 

It’s okay to just be me.

 

The moment she heard those words, tears that Moa had been holding back gushed from her eyes.

 

“Waaaaah! Daddy…!”

 

For the first time, Moa called him ‘Daddy’ instead of ‘uncle’ as she burrowed into his embrace.

 

Jin Saheon’s throat was too choked up to answer, so instead he hugged the child even tighter.

 

That was the moment.

 

A miraculous scene unfolded before Moa’s tear-filled eyes.

 

In the empty space between her own chest and Jin Saheon’s chest.

 

A dazzling golden beam of light stretched out.

 

‘I have one too, I have a thread too!’

 

Moa stared down in disbelief with vacant eyes, then smiled brightly with tears welling up.

 

Now they were truly family.

 

The uncle who had protected her reliably from the moment they first met.

 

That uncle had now become her father, and the lady she had always wanted to be held by had now become her mother.

 

Her older brothers had also become real brothers.

 

This thick, sturdy golden thread connecting heart to heart was proof of that.

 

‘I won’t be kicked out now, right? Now I can say I have a mom and dad too!’

 

Though she had called them mom and dad, she learned after returning to the orphanage that foster parents were only temporary.

 

That nothing was truly hers anywhere.

 

But seeing them connected by such a sturdy rope, she couldn’t help but believe it.

 

Moa’s excited little heart beat rapidly in Jin Saheon’s arms.

 

She felt like she had everything in the world.

 

“Moa, would you like to try calling me mom?”

 

Sensing the child’s excitement and emotion, Jaseonghwa asked carefully.

 

Moa answered without hesitation, “Mom!”

 

Then a golden thread connected between Moa and Jaseonghwa’s hearts as well.

 

“Wow, wow!”

 

Moa smiled more brightly than ever before with the happiest face.

 

[That’s wonderful, Moa.]

 

All Moa had was her friendship with Somi.

 

Somi knew that relationships between humans were also important for a child to grow up well.

 

Since she had finally met the parents she had always wanted and searched for, it was great happiness for Somi too.

 

After the couple hugged the child tightly and expressed their overwhelming emotion, they carefully spoke up.

 

“Ahem, but Moa. There’s one thing left.”

 

“Something left? What is it?”

 

“We need His Majesty the Emperor’s approval.”

 

Moa tilted her head at Jin Saheon’s words.

 

“Approval?”

 

“Simply put, it’s a stamp. To be adopted into a noble family and registered in the family records, His Majesty the Emperor must give his permission stamp.”

 

Suddenly, Moa’s movement, which had been wrapped in happiness, stopped completely.

 

The Emperor.

 

Moa could sense that the Emperor was somehow a bad person.

 

Piecing together the adults’ words here and there, he must be a villain who used bad threads!

 

To think she had to get permission from a final boss that only appeared in animations.

 

Crash-!

 

A bolt from the blue struck Moa’s mind.

 

“Wh-what if that man says no? What if he says he doesn’t want to?”

 

Then will this lifeline be taken away from me?

 

Tears instantly welled up in Moa’s eyes.

 

“Then I’m not daddy and mommy’s daughter anymore? Giving and taking back is cheating-!”

 

Just as Moa was about to cry out loud with a wail, a large hand gently placed itself on her head.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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