The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 21

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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 21
Though he appeared to be a man of leisure, he was the Kingdom’s Prime Minister and the head of the Yeo Family.
He could not have visited the Yul Family Residence merely to catch a glimpse of Hae-na’s face.
At Seowan’s blunt question, Cheon-eul laughed softly.
“The Fourth Prince seeks the child.”
Hae-na, who had been blinking, let out a small sound of recognition. The Fourth Prince was Hwi-seo.
“Why would the Fourth Prince want her?”
“I couldn’t say. I merely delivered the message.”
Just before Seowan’s brow could furrow, a small hand tapped gently against her sleeve.
Hae-na looked up at Seowan with wide, round eyes.
The child asked carefully, her gaze eager as a hopeful puppy’s.
“Can I go?”
Hope lingered in her words. Seowan found herself unable to speak.
Separate from the debt owed to the Fourth Prince, she did not wish for Hae-na to become deeply entangled with him.
Though young and lacking in power, the Fourth Prince was not mentioned as Crown Prince material, yet he was the full brother of the First Prince.
Because the First Prince, Tae Un-heon, showed particular affection for him, building a relationship with the Fourth Prince would be tantamount to supporting the First Prince’s faction.
Look at this very moment—had not Yeo Cheon-eul, the Queen’s cousin, come to deliver his intentions?
The First Prince, born of the Queen, and the Second Prince, born of the First Consort.
Which would become Crown Prince remained uncertain. The Second Prince’s ties to the allied Oseo Kingdom only complicated the game further.
To step into this carelessly was to risk losing everything. Seowan wished to belong to neither faction.
And yet….
….
At Hae-na’s earnest gaze, Seowan exhaled softly.
‘I cannot refuse a royal command without justification.’
Had Yeo Cheon-eul not come in person, she would have feigned illness, but he had forced his way in and confirmed the child’s condition himself.
“I should prepare to enter the Palace. I’ll go with her.”
The warm sea-blue eyes that had held such tenderness turned toward Cheon-eul and grew instantly cold.
“I must inform the Fourth Prince that there will be two guests.”
It was a clear dismissal—leave at once and trouble me no further. Yet Cheon-eul did not so much as blink, smiling beautifully instead.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Seowan. The news I’ve brought is not merely one matter.”
Seowan regarded Cheon-eul with a frigid stare.
Her eyes demanded to know what else he dared reveal.
But at his next words, Seowan’s brow furrowed sharply.
“His Majesty the King summons you.”
* * *
The King’s command was absolute, so ultimately Seowan could not accompany Hae-na.
Cheon-eul, as though he had been waiting for this, offered to take the child himself.
At this, Seowan fixed him with a piercing gaze.
Just as she could not trust the Palace attendants, Cheon-eul was hardly a trustworthy figure.
Yet entrusting Hae-na to the attendants would have been worse, so Seowan reluctantly nodded her assent.
And so, Cheon-eul and Hae-na now walked side by side toward Nok-yo Palace.
The western quarter of the Palace, where the residences of the Royal Family clustered together, was adorned with halls crowned in azure tiles and dense groves of bamboo.
Passing between the towering bamboo stalks felt like stepping into another world entirely.
A gentle breeze swept through with a soft whisper, rustling the hem of Hae-na’s yellow skirt.
Unlike her previous visit, when anxiety had blinded her to the surroundings, the journey to Nok-yo Palace seemed to pass in mere moments as she took in the scenery.
Palace attendants who recognized Cheon-eul’s face stepped aside to let them pass.
Before long, the two stood before a massive sliding door.
Kwon Court Lady, who had been standing sentinel at the entrance, announced their arrival.
“Your Highness. Geomun Seongggun and the child of the Yul Family have arrived.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, revealing a boy seated in a chair.
Unlike before, when he had worn pristine white robes, Hwi-seo was dressed in casual attire.
His long, lustrous black hair was half-pinned up and secured with a jade ornament.
His face looked considerably better than when I had last seen him.
Hae-na started to rush toward the boy with delight.
“Ahem.”
Kwon Court Lady, standing behind Hwi-seo, let out a soft, deliberate cough.
Hae-na stopped abruptly, her face bewildered as she looked at Kwon Court Lady.
Unlike Hae-na, Cheon-eul immediately grasped her intent—she was signaling them to offer proper greetings according to Palace protocol.
“We pay our respects to the Fourth Prince.”
Cheon-eul approached the boy and bowed with proper courtesy.
Only then did Hae-na understand, hurrying to follow his lead.
“F-Fourth Prince, we pay our respects to you.”
After straightening from a deep bow, Hae-na looked at Hwi-seo’s face and tilted her head in confusion.
The boy’s delicate features were drawn into a slight frown—an expression of clear displeasure.
“It has been some time, Your Highness,” Cheon-eul said with playful ease.
Yet Hwi-seo replied without softening his expression.
“Thank you, Uncle. You must be busy—please, do not let us detain you.”
His manner was unmistakably dismissive toward Cheon-eul.
Cheon-eul’s eyes narrowed slowly.
He was not naturally given to affection, but today his nephew’s attitude was decidedly impudent.
As Cheon-eul considered how to tease the boy, he noticed that Hwi-seo’s gaze remained fixed entirely on Hae-na.
The perceptive Cheon-eul immediately understood his nephew’s heart. A knowing smile crossed his face as he bowed lightly.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
With an amused lilt in his voice, Cheon-eul departed the room.
Only Hae-na, Hwi-seo, and Kwon Court Lady remained.
Hae-na clasped her hands tightly together, her eyes darting about. Truthfully, she felt awkward.
Last time, she had been too overjoyed at learning Hwi-seo was alive to notice anything else, but now was different.
The royal insignia carved into Hwi-seo’s ornament and the ominous gaze of Kwon Court Lady were both painfully clear.
“Your Highness. Are you… in good health?”
Still wanting to ask how he was doing, Hae-na fumbled through her words carefully.
At that, Hwi-seo’s delicate features crumpled in displeasure.
“Why are you speaking so formally?”
“Pardon?”
“Just talk to me the way you always do. It’s fine.”
“Your Highness!”
At Hwi-seo’s words, Kwon Court Lady cried out as though it were absurd.
Hwi-seo, glaring at the protesting Kwon Court Lady, spoke.
“I’m here, Kwon Court Lady.”
“But Your Highness…!”
“That’s an order. Clear all the palace attendants ten paces beyond this room.”
Kwon Court Lady exhaled a deep sigh with the look of someone watching a disobedient child, but ultimately left the room as Hwi-seo commanded.
The sound of the attendants’ retreating footsteps echoed. Hwi-seo asked with evident displeasure.
“Is that better?”
Hae-na’s eyes merely rolled about. Though no one was watching, Hwi-seo was still the Fourth Prince.
“But you are still His Highness the Prince…”
“It’s fine, I said.”
But Kwon Court Lady, who had just received that command, did not seem to think so.
The moment Hae-na recalled Kwon Court Lady’s warning gaze, Hwi-seo pressed her.
“I outrank Kwon Court Lady, so why do you defer to her?”
“Well… this is the Palace, and the Palace’s etiquette is strict, and it seemed Kwon Court Lady was trying to uphold that etiquette…”
Even cowed, Hae-na spoke her mind fully. Hwi-seo’s mouth fell open slightly as though bewildered.
“Shouldn’t we not break the rules carelessly…?”
A hollow breath escaped Hwi-seo’s lips.
“It’s fine with me.”
“Truly?”
“I’m telling you. Nok-yo Palace is my palace. At least within these walls, my word is supreme.”
“That’s something that applies even to His Majesty the King…”
“By the name of Fourth Prince Hwi-seo, I command you to treat me comfortably! Is that enough?”
Finally, Hwi-seo grew exasperated. Only then did Hae-na break into a bright smile.
“Don’t be angry. I was just worried.”
In truth, Hae-na found informal speech more comfortable too.
Seeing him pout like this reminded me of the Hwi-seo I had known.
Hae-na, who had been standing at a distance, hurried toward where Hwi-seo sat.
At her intense gaze that swept from his head to his feet, Hwi-seo faltered.
“What, what?”
“Have you been well? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Hae-na’s amber eyes drew close. Within them shone pure concern and joy.
“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. And ask one thing at a time, you fool.”
Hwi-seo pushed Hae-na’s forehead with his finger. At this, Hae-na, who had squeezed her eyes shut, laughed softly.
“I worried so much. I’m glad you’re all right.”
At that harmless smile, Hwi-seo’s expression softened as well. Though he hated to admit it, he found Hae-na’s smiling face endearing.
Hwi-seo asked, a hint of bashfulness coloring his features.
“What about you? Have you been well?”

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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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