The Little Baby Snake of the Vermilion Bird Family - Chapter 33

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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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“As long as it pleases you, Family Head, I am happy with anything.”
Baeksa spoke in a very quiet but clear voice.
When she had first arrived here, the little baby snake could not even utter a single proper word.
The fact that she had adapted so much before he knew it and was now comforting him felt both unfamiliar and welcome.
He slowly opened his mouth.
“Child.”
Ju Jeokseo gently stroked Baeksa’s lovely, round back of her head.
“You are part of my family too. After this Divine Beast Festival is over, you will be officially adopted.”
He spoke with determination.
“So, there is no need for you to think of yourself as a mere guest here. You are undeniably a member of this Vermilion Bird Family.”
Ju Jeokseo’s meaning was clear.
Even if Ahee made unreasonable demands or said harsh words to her, she did not have to endure it.
If she told him, he would tell her that whatever was wrong was wrong.
Since she was a legitimate member of this Vermilion Bird Family, she had the right to do so…
Did Baeksa understand what he meant?
“Thank you, Family Head.”
Though it was uncertain if she grasped the exact meaning, their hearts seemed to connect as the child offered a soft, gentle smile.
And before long, perhaps because she was tired, she leaned gently against Ju Jeokseo’s arm and began to doze off, breathing softly.
Ju Jeokseo watched the sight quietly, then carefully lifted the child in his arms and laid her down in the bedroom.
The Bead that Baeksa always carried with her was placed preciously by her bedside.
Next to it lay a single red Feather, and Ju Jeokseo recognized whose feather it was at a single glance.
‘It belongs to Hwaryeong.’
Ju Jeokseo gently placed the Feather beside Baeksa’s Bead.
The Bead and the Feather were nestled closely and affectionately together, just like a pair of loving siblings.
***
Time flew by, and the day of the Divine Beast Festival approached.
During that time, Hwaryeong and Doeui were so busy preparing for the festival that they could not meet Baeksa often.
Fortunately, whether Ju Jeokseo had helped or not, there was no occasion to run into Ahee afterward either.
“Look here, Lady!”
Sirang, who had woken Baeksa at dawn, washed her clean, and changed her into beautiful clothes, spoke as she affixed an ornament to her hair.
When Baeksa lifted her eyes to look at Sirang, Sirang beamed with a proud face.
“All done! Here, take a look in the mirror.”
“Wow…”
“You are truly adorable, aren’t you? Out of all the Beast-kin here, you must be the most beautiful and lovely, Lady.”
Sirang spoke with a proud voice.
Baeksa did not entirely agree with Sirang’s words, but she did agree that her appearance in the mirror looked good.
‘It looks nice.’
Before this, she had never once considered herself precious or good.
But after coming here, because the people of the Vermilion Bird Family kept calling her cute and pretty…
Because they treated her as someone precious and good, her own face reflected in the mirror looked nice as well.
In fact, since coming to the Vermilion Bird Family Estate, she had gained weight and regained her color, so her face truly did look better than before.
“Thank you for dressing me up so prettily, Sirang.”
In truth, dressing up usually required several servant girls.
However, because Baeksa was still unfamiliar with the other servant girls, Sirang took charge of dressing Baeksa entirely on her own.
It must have been exhausting, but Sirang never showed a single hint of hardship, just as she had on the very first day.
“It’s nothing, Lady, it’s only natural! And since the Divine Beast Festival is held at Jeokryusan, we will be going by carriage. You will probably ride in the same Carriage as the Family Head.”
“Um, then… what about Lady Ahee…”
“Lady Ahee will be riding in the same Carriage as Young Master Hwaryeong and Master Doeui.”
She spoke tenderly, as if to reassure Baeksa. Baeksa nodded her head with her hands resting on her lap.
Separate from not holding any malice toward Ahee, meeting the girl remained awkward and uncomfortable.
She had thought she was as numb as one could be when dealing with people who harbored hostility toward her.
‘Is it because I’ve been staying here and receiving such good treatment?’
Ahee’s sharp hostility was difficult to bear. It was a separate issue from Baeksa understanding the girl.
“The Divine Beast Festival is a place where all the Beast-kin of Namto gather, so you must absolutely never wander around alone. Understood?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Oh my, how can our lady be so gentle and lovely? Come now, Lady. Let us go quickly. The Family Head must be waiting.”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Baeksa packed her Bead and the red Feather into her Silk Pouch.
That Feather was one that Hwaryeong had left behind back when he came to visit Baeksa in his bird form.
Originally, she had kept it under her pillow so it wouldn’t be discovered, but she figured the pillow must have shifted while she slept, pushing it out.
Of course, given Sirang’s meticulous personality in cleaning thoroughly every day, there was no way she would leave the underside of the pillow alone.
Nevertheless, the reason the Feather remained in the exact same spot every time was that Sirang put it back in the same place every time.
Having no way of knowing this fact, Baeksa carefully tucked the Feather away and fastened the Silk Pouch to her waist.
“Shall we go now, Lady? Today is finally the day you receive your name.”
“By any chance, did Sirang… submit a name too?”
“Of course, I submitted one as well. The Physician did too, and Master Jo Yeong did as well. You will end up choosing one from among them.”
At Sirang’s words, Baeksa smiled softly with a face full of anticipation.
Watching that sight intently, Sirang spoke kindly.
“No matter which name you choose, it’s fine, Lady. Every name put in there was made while wishing for your happiness and well-being.”
“As for me…”
Baeksa answered hesitantly.
“Since it’s my first time having a name… I think I will truly like any name.”
***
When Baeksa finished dressing and went outside, Ju Jeokseo, Hwaryeong, and Doeui, who had finished preparing first, were waiting for her.
Beside Hwaryeong stood Ahee, looking up at him with a gentle and good-natured face quite unlike before.
Whether that was the case or not, Hwaryeong, who had been conversing with Doeui, discovered Baeksa and his eyes sparkled.
“Hey, kiddo!”
Running over in a single bound, Hwaryeong poked Baeksa’s soft cheeks.
“You’re dressed so cutely! This is your first time stepping outside the estate, right?”
“Yes, it’s my first time.”
Baeksa nodded with a slightly excited face. Then, she caught sight of Ahee staring at her from over there and froze.
Ahee was glaring at her.
Baeksa swallowed hard and avoided Ahee’s gaze.
‘As expected, she really doesn’t like me.’
Not wanting to feel Ahee’s gaze any longer, Baeksa hurriedly moved away.
“Master Hwaryeong, I will see you when we arrive at the mountain.”
“Sure, kiddo. Travel safely with Father!”
After Hwaryeong finished his greeting, Doeui stepped closer and handed something to Baeksa.
When Baeksa received it, she saw it was a Talisman written with red pigment on yellow paper.
“Evil things might swarm outside the estate, so keep this on your person at all times.”
Doeui rolled up the Talisman and inserted it directly into Baeksa’s Silk Pouch.
“It’s not as precious as what you gave me, but I worked hard to make it.”
As he spoke, the Scale Baeksa had given him was tucked inside Doeui’s inner pocket.
With the Bead, the Feather, and now the Talisman inside, Baeksa’s Silk Pouch became so plump it looked ready to burst.
Only then did Baeksa remember something and hurriedly fumbled through her clothes.
“I, I have something to give you too!”
The young girl pulled out a tiny white Scale from her bosom.
As if it had been refined with great effort over a long period, the white Scale gleamed with iridescent colors beneath the sunlight.
Baeksa offered it gently to Doeui.
“I worked harder on this one than the last. But since my Supernatural Ability can absorb other things, you should be careful…”
A Talisman and a Scale.
Having exchanged precious things with one another, Baeksa and Doeui looked at each other and smiled softly.
Baeksa spoke first.
“Thank you, Master Doeui. I will never let it leave my side.”
“Tell me if it tears. I can make you a new one whenever you need.”
And he added.
“Thanks for the Scale too. I’ll treasure it like my own life.”
Speaking in a whisper, Doeui returned to his carriage.
As Doeui and Hwaryeong climbed into the Carriage first, Ahee followed behind and boarded the carriage the two had taken.
While she was staring blankly at that sight, Ju Jeokseo strode over and swept Baeksa up into his arms.
“Why are you standing there so dazed? You are coming with me.”
“Ah, I was just thinking about something else for a moment.”
“About what?”
“Just… since it’s my first time going outside… I’m a bit nervous.”
Baeksa giggled.
Ju Jeokseo boarded the Carriage while holding the child.
Then, after settling the child down comfortably, he signaled for them to set off.
At his word, the Carriage Ju Jeokseo rode in departed slowly, and the escort warriors led by Jo Yeong moved into formation on either side.
“There is no need to be nervous. What is there to worry about when I am here?”
He spoke, pointing toward the escorts beyond the carriage window.
“If anything happens, they will protect you. So do not worry too much.”
That voice was as warm as a great, mighty tree, and just as dependable.

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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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