The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 32
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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 32
Conflicting emotions crossed Hae-na’s face—joy that he had listened to her, and worry that her sister was in danger.
Her large, round eyes brightened, then quickly dimmed. The way her thoughts played across her features was rather endearing.
Chung-su suppressed the smile threatening to curve his lips and maintained his composure.
“The master is human, after all. No matter how formidable his power, he remains vulnerable to an attack in an unguarded moment.”
That was a lie.
Seowan was the kind of man who could flick away a blade mid-sleep with a mere gesture of his finger.
And then go back to sleep.
“As you mentioned, it would be ideal to have a guard, but finding the right person is proving difficult….”
Chung-su spoke with a furrowed brow, as though troubled.
“As I explained, I cannot simply hire a Warrior from outside. Beyond the risk of it appearing treasonous, I cannot entrust the master’s life so easily to someone brought in from abroad.”
“….”
“That leaves me to choose from among those already in the Residence, but everyone is so occupied that I cannot select someone hastily.”
As he spoke, he glanced subtly at Hae-na.
Hae-na’s bright face remained filled with concern.
“Someone who adores the master greatly, has no pressing duties, and whom the master would not find displeasing even if they remained at his side all day long….”
He had described Hae-na without uttering her name.
Yet Hae-na remained lost in serious contemplation.
“What if you were to do it, Miss?”
Only after Chung-su spelled it out directly did Hae-na’s eyes widen.
“It is not a difficult task. You need only continue to stay by the master’s side.”
Chung-su had expected the child to nod eagerly with a bright smile.
But Hae-na asked with a darkened expression.
“Would it not be wrong for me to do it?”
“Why would you say that? You fit perfectly the conditions I described.”
Yet Hae-na still did not agree. Instead, as though she did not quite understand, she spoke.
“I’m too young.”
And small, she added quietly.
Of course she was. That was precisely why he intended to keep her at the side of Seowan, the strongest in this Residence.
“No one would find a little girl like me threatening. It would only be a burden to my sister.”
Chung-su clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had expected her to accept eagerly, given how much she adored Seowan, but this little one was unnecessarily perceptive.
Fortunately, however, Hae-na was only eight years old.
Chung-su, shrewd at twenty-one and sharp beyond his years, shook his head without hesitation.
“On the contrary, you would be the most threatening presence to them, Miss.”
“Why?”
“Did I not tell you? Many suspect you to be the master’s daughter.”
Hae-na nodded, her expression uncertain as she struggled to connect the pieces.
“And the power of the Celestial passes to the next generation when the previous one dies.”
Only then did Hae-na’s eyes gradually widen.
Chung-su concluded his words cleanly.
“There is a successor standing beside him who will soon inherit his power. Assassinating the master in front of Miss would be no different than becoming the sworn enemy of the new Tamlang Seongggun.”
“….”
“Among the nobility of Cheonmang Kingdom, there may be those who wish to annihilate the Yul Family, but none wish to become their enemy.”
Hae-na was completely convinced by his words. Watching her eyes sparkle with hope, Chung-su smiled faintly.
No matter how strong a warrior one might find, none could match Seowan. So why not simply keep Seowan by Hae-na’s side?
“I see…!”
Hae-na, completely unaware of Chung-su’s dark intentions, marveled at the idea.
Chung-su continued with composure.
“Yes. Your responsibility is grave, Miss. You must remain by the master’s side all day long. Can you do this?”
“Yes, of course!”
Hae-na answered spiritedly. Chung-su nodded as if approving of her response.
“Then I shall ask this of you starting today. As it happens… my sister seems to have come to fetch you.”
A shadow fell across the doorway.
Hae-na bowed respectfully and dashed toward the door, pulling it open.
“Miss. It is time for lunch….”
“Chung-yeon, where is my sister? I wish to see her right away.”
Hae-na cut off Chung-yeon’s words and asked urgently. At this, Chung-su could not help but let out a small laugh.
* * *
From that day forward, Hae-na began faithfully carrying out her duty.
“Sister, did you sleep well?”
“Um, would it be alright if I stayed here while you work?”
“Are you going to train? May I follow along? I’ll stay in the corner so I won’t be in the way.”
“I finished dinner… but could we go later? After you fall asleep?”
As if that were not enough, Hae-na even made the unprecedented request to move her quarters to the Main Residence.
The household members, including Seowan and Chung-yeon, were bewildered by Hae-na’s sudden change in behavior.
Though she had always been devoted to her sister, she had never clung to her so relentlessly, unwilling to be parted for even a moment.
Seowan easily recalled that the child’s strange behavior had begun the day she met Chung-su. He promptly seized Chung-su and dragged him away.
‘Hack! Cough! Why, why are you doing this!’
‘That’s my question. What did you say to Hae-na.’
Ropes of water coiled around Chung-su’s body, threatening to crush him.
Chung-su confessed immediately. He had never intended to hide it in the first place.
After hearing the full explanation, Seowan appeared somewhat exasperated, but he dissolved the water ropes that had been tightly binding Chung-su’s body.
Chung-su was one who considered a hundred possibilities for every single matter. He compulsively had to identify and eliminate every potential danger.
This was why he had vehemently opposed bringing Hae-na into the household.
Yet now, this very man was considering every possible scenario for Hae-na’s safety.
It was absurd, but Seowan understood. A bright and virtuous child was a being difficult to hate.
With his doubts resolved, Seowan did not actively discourage Hae-na from following him around.
Hae-na found it odd that Seowan’s attitude had changed—he used to subtly push her away, suggesting she go play elsewhere—but she did not dwell on it.
What mattered most was diligently following her sister. If she carelessly asked why her sister’s attitude had changed, it would be disastrous.
Hae-na’s duties as Seowan’s bodyguard had proceeded smoothly. Yet there was one problem, and only one.
‘I’m so sleepy….’
Seowan’s days began far earlier than Hae-na’s and stretched far into the night.
With her sleeping hours diminished and her nerves perpetually taut—constantly vigilant lest someone attempt an attack on Seowan—exhaustion accumulated relentlessly.
Hae-na endured with fierce determination. But her eight-year-old frame, delicate as it was, could not easily keep pace.
By the evening of the ninth day, Hae-na’s head began to nod as she sat at dinner, her eyelids growing heavy.
“You must finish your meal before resting, Miss. Miss?”
Chung-yeon gently shook Hae-na’s shoulder. Her sunset-hued eyes, glazed with sleep, fluttered open sluggishly.
“Mmm….”
Hae-na responded slowly, reaching for her spoon to scoop more rice.
But her eyes closed again, and the spoon, suspended in midair, clattered to the floor.
Clang!
Though the sound was quite loud, the child merely flinched and did not wake.
Her head bobbed forward repeatedly, making her look like a tiny chick pecking at grain.
Chung-yeon chuckled softly and tilted Hae-na’s body to rest against the chair’s backrest.
Seowan, who had been eating across from them, set down his utensils as well.
“She seems quite drowsy.”
“Is she unwell?”
Seowan approached Hae-na and placed his hand against her flushed cheek.
At that, Hae-na buried her face against his hand.
Seowan froze. Seeing this, Chung-yeon laughed softly and spoke.
“It seems the master will need to carry the young lady to her room.”
As if in agreement, Hae-na’s head tilted toward where Seowan’s hand touched her.
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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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