The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 11

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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 11
“Of course. The master never married, so with such a cute younger sister around… oof!”
At that moment, Chung-yeon, who had been standing quietly beside Hae-na, silently moved forward and covered Young-seo’s mouth.
“Oof! Ouch, why, sister!”
“Stop spouting nonsense and finish organizing.”
“How is that nonsense? Everyone in the household is already… oh, I understand!”
Young-seo, who had been continuing her protest as if wronged, flinched under Chung-yeon’s cold gaze.
After Young-seo, casting a reluctant glance behind her, picked up her belongings and left the room, Chung-yeon turned back to Hae-na.
“Don’t take it to heart, Miss. The servants speak without thinking.”
Hae-na nodded. Yet the child’s mind was already swirling with the words Young-seo had spoken.
‘Is she planning to bring me into the family?’
It was overwhelming enough to remain as a guest, but to be registered into the household—it seemed impossible.
Yet even as I thought this, my heart raced with anticipation.
I clenched my trembling hands into tight fists.
The Yul Family’s wealth and power meant nothing to me. They were truly beyond my station.
But if I were to be registered into the Yul Family, I would share the same surname as Seowan.
I had been an orphan without a family name.
Once, Seo Chief Steward had promised to adopt me as his daughter if he could not find my family, but he had not kept that promise.
Yet now I had discovered a sister I never knew existed, and perhaps I could bear her surname.
My heart swelled with joy. I lifted my head slightly, fidgeting with my fingertips.
“Um, Chung-yeon. Do you happen to know where my sister is right now?”
Chung-yeon, who had been organizing the belongings, turned to look at Hae-na. After a moment of consideration, she spoke.
“Well, she’s probably in the office by now.”
At that, Hae-na’s face darkened.
What if visiting her would only be a bother?
Her transparent, expressive face was endearing. Chung-yeon, who had secretly smiled, spoke as if it were nothing.
“Oh, come to think of it, the master seemed to be looking for you earlier….”
“Really?”
At the casually spoken words, Hae-na’s eyes widened.
Chung-yeon suppressed her laughter and spoke.
“I forgot to mention it. Would you like to go?”
“Yes!”
Hae-na answered immediately and dashed out of the room.
A small laugh echoed from behind her, but Hae-na did not notice.
I wanted to see my sister right away. There were mountains of things I wanted to ask.
Today is such a beautiful day. Have you noticed how bright the sun is through the windows?
Did you sleep well last night? And this morning, did you wake up safely?
I missed you so much, sister. Did you miss me even a little? Just a tiny bit?
And perhaps….
‘Do you think of me as family too, sister?’
My steps felt light as a dance, and by the time I reached the Main Residence, I found myself standing before Seowan’s Office.
“…Here is the information on the families you mentioned.”
The Unknown Steward’s voice drifted through. I had been about to announce my arrival, but I closed my mouth instead.
‘She must be busy.’
I didn’t want to intrude. I stepped aside, deciding to wait until Seowan finished her business.
“I followed your orders, but why do you concern yourself with that girl to such an extent?”
The steward’s words continued. With only a sheet of paper-thin door between us, his voice carried clearly.
“Rumors about that girl are spreading through the Marketplace. You’ve treated her like precious jade and gold. A guest room in the Separate Quarters, silk garments, jewelry…”
Eavesdropping was wrong, but I found my ears perking up despite myself.
‘Is he talking about me?’
The steward’s tone was full of disapproval, yet I felt nothing but joy.
The fact that Seowan had shown me such care made me happy. I was covering my mouth with both hands to keep from laughing aloud when—
“Still, it’s fortunate that you’ll be sending her away from the Residence soon enough, though it’s a pity.”
My heart, which had been soaring high in the sky, crashed to the ground with a terrible thud.
I swallowed hard.
My heart pounded. I tried desperately to calm myself.
Seowan hadn’t said anything yet. She would surely deny it.
Because she had said so before.
When I had asked to stay here, even if it meant being a servant, Seowan had…
“That’s how it should be.”
A familiar, low voice reached me. Then I recalled what Seowan had said.
‘I will provide your dwelling, as is proper.’
I had understood that to mean I could stay at the Yul Family Residence.
But what if that wasn’t what she meant?
“Silence the household staff. Hae-na will never be registered as a member of the Yul Clan.”
Her voice was cold.
Sharp and cutting as a honed blade, it pierced straight through my chest.
I bit down hard on my lower lip, but my eyes soon grew red with tears.
It seemed she had called me here to tell me this.
In truth, it was only natural. Living in this Residence for this long had already felt like a dream.
But still…
A tear fell from the downcast girl’s eyes. And at that same moment, the door slid open with the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Hic!”
Startled by the sudden opening, I trembled.
When I lifted my head, I saw the steward standing before me—the one who had been speaking with Seowan.
“How long have you been—”
The steward’s cold expression twisted. But what frightened me more was Seowan, visible over his shoulder.
Surprise flickered across Seowan’s face. She rose from her seat and tried to approach me.
I took a step back. I was afraid of her coming closer.
I thought she would repeat those words I had just heard.
You are not my family, so leave this house.
Though it was something I would eventually need to hear, I could not bear to listen now.
I feared I would break down and weep like a fool.
In the end, Hae-na simply turned her back and fled.
* * *
The child retreated from me with a terrified expression.
The rosy cheeks that were always flushed had turned deathly pale.
Seowan, who had been moving toward Hae-na, froze at the sight of her face.
It was a familiar expression. Hae-na had worn that very look when she first met Seowan.
Yet now, seeing fear etched upon the child’s features felt strangely unfamiliar.
As the child continued to retreat, she finally turned and ran.
Seowan stood motionless, watching until Hae-na’s small figure disappeared completely.
“Is that the child?”
Chung-su, the steward of the Yul Family, approached and asked. Only then did Seowan slowly nod her head.
It was something that needed to be said. Though I had not intended for it to be revealed this way.
‘The child was always meant to be sent away.’
I had thought so from the moment I first brought her here, and that conviction only solidified when I brought her out of Nok-yo Palace.
I had taken Hae-na in and allowed her to stay at the Yul Family Residence to protect the child, who had been branded a traitor.
I had sought to atone for the mistakes I made in my helpless past.
Yet even that, Hae-na had resolved through the warmth she possessed.
She was a good child. And precisely because of that, I could not become her family.
I did not know how to be a proper guardian.
I did not know how to be a steadfast pillar, nor how to pour out love without reservation.
Hae-na needed a true family. People who possessed the things I had never received and could never give.
My task was to find such people, send Hae-na to them, and then ensure the child grew up safely.
The paper I held was filled with the names of noble houses. Among them were several promising candidates.
They would not dare refuse a request from Tamlang Seongggun, so the matter would proceed smoothly.
Yet Hae-na’s face kept flickering before my eyes.
Her large, round eyes were brimming with tears. Her small nose was red as though she had been crying.
‘How foolish.’
Why had the older sister who abandoned me invested so much care in the child?
Seowan’s gaze darkened. Her eyes lingered for a long time on the open doorway.

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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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