The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 40

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

Chapter 40
The Second Prince who appeared beyond the open Main Gate was quite a spectacle.
Not content with his sudden visit, he had brought the Royal Guards with him.
Six Royal Guards in black martial robes and two Court Ladies followed him into the Yul Family Residence.
As the Second Prince dismounted, his crimson robes fluttered in the wind.
Seowan remained standing on the Main Hall Veranda, regarding Hyun-o with cold eyes.
Hyun-o gestured to the Royal Guards and the horses. His manner was brazenly presumptuous, as though he owned the place.
He twitched one eye in displeasure at Seowan standing on the Main Hall Veranda, but soon broke into a benevolent smile.
“Forgive my unannounced visit. I was simply eager to receive your answer without delay.”
Having spoken thus, Hyun-o gestured to the Court Ladies standing behind him.
One of the Court Ladies stepped forward, carrying something wrapped in cloth.
“These are peonies I cultivated myself. I hope this humble offering will please Tamlang Seongggun’s heart.”
The Court Lady carefully placed them before the Main Hall Veranda, bowed respectfully, and returned to her position.
It was a transparent farce.
Seowan merely gazed at Hyun-o with an icy expression, saying nothing.
Chung-su, standing behind her, grew visibly anxious. He nudged Seowan’s back repeatedly.
“Your Highness is here. You must receive him properly—quickly now!”
Chung-su spoke in a voice only Seowan could hear, his tone desperate. At his urgency, Seowan exhaled slowly.
Though she longed to throw him out immediately, she could not treat the Second Prince as though he were a street beggar.
“Please come inside, Your Highness.”
With those words, Seowan turned sharply and entered the Main Residence.
Left alone, Chung-su guided Hyun-o inside, perspiration beading his brow.
After bringing Hyun-o to Seowan’s Office, Chung-su hastily disappeared, instructing a servant to bring tea.
Hyun-o and Seowan sat facing each other across a table. As Seowan remained silent, Hyun-o suddenly spoke.
“Where is that child? Your younger sister, I mean.”
At the mention of Hae-na, Seowan’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Why do you ask about her?”
“Bring her to me.”
A cold question met with a blade-sharp command.
Seowan answered calmly, not blinking once.
“Hae-na is unwell at present and cannot join us, I’m afraid.”
At this, Hyun-o’s lips curved upward.
“That cannot be. I distinctly heard the child’s laughter.”
Today, Hae-na had been quiet all day. She had laughed softly, but not with the loud, unrestrained laughter he described.
Hyun-o’s words were fabricated. Yet they were also a threat.
“I simply wish to see the child myself. Had I intended harm, would I not have sent the Royal Guard to drag her here long ago?”
“….”
“Surely you did not mean to insult the Royal Family. It seems Tamlang Seongggun has misunderstood.”
As Hyun-o spoke, his dark eyes gleamed with menace.
“Bring her. Now.”
Seowan closed and opened his eyes slowly. Her pupils flickered like pale blue flames.
He had no desire to let Hae-na meet such a despicable man. Yet the Second Prince was impulsive and brutally cruel.
He was oppressively domineering, and the moment he sensed someone disrespecting his authority, he erupted into fury.
Hyun-o’s patience was notoriously short. If he refused to the end, there was no telling what Hyun-o might do to Hae-na.
“Bring Hae-na here.”
Seowan commanded, spitting out the words. Shortly after, Hae-na arrived with Chung-yeon and stepped into the room with long strides.
The child’s eyes darted urgently toward her sister. Only after confirming Seowan was unharmed did Hae-na exhale slowly.
‘Thank goodness.’
Hae-na had been fidgeting restlessly in the Separate Quarters the entire time. She had been consumed with worry that Hyun-o might have hurt Seowan.
Her sister was undoubtedly strong, but Hyun-o was vile and wicked. She couldn’t help but fear he might harm Seowan as he had done to Hwi-seo and her.
Then word came that Seowan was looking for her. Hae-na nearly bolted out barefoot.
The moment Seowan heard the Second Prince had arrived, she had sent Hae-na to the Separate Quarters through Chung-yeon.
It made her uneasy that her sister would suddenly summon her now. Hae-na quickened her pace.
Fortunately, Seowan’s face was merely rigid; not a single hair on her was out of place.
A Servant Girl placed a chair beside Seowan for Hae-na to sit, then withdrew.
Hae-na quickly took her seat and grasped her sister’s hand tightly beneath the table.
When Seowan’s expression softened slightly, an unwelcome voice cut through.
“Looking at her now, she bears a striking resemblance to you. So the rumors about her being your sister are true, it seems.”
Both sisters’ faces hardened simultaneously. Hyun-o continued speaking with casual amusement.
“Those who share blood naturally resemble one another, do they not? Or am I mistaken?”
Hyun-o could not possibly be ignorant of the rumors surrounding Hae-na and Seowan’s relationship.
It was a question laden with subtle implication. When no one answered, Hyun-o tilted his head mockingly.
“Your Highness speaks truly.”
Just as his lips were about to open, Seowan answered.
Hyun-o’s brow furrowed as if displeased, but he let it pass without pressing further.
“Then, what is your answer regarding the marriage proposal?”
It was not a question expecting deliberation, as Hyun-o continued immediately.
“It is a fortunate matter, is it not? The Yul Family would become the royal in-laws. I am not so cruel to those who belong to me.”
His tone was patronizing. Seowan answered flatly.
“The child is only eight years old.”
“Nobles frequently hold marriage ceremonies at tender ages. Do not worry. Since Father remains vigorous, I have no intention of fathering children prematurely.”
Seowan’s eyes grew dark with malice. She wanted to tear apart that filthy mouth spewing such obscenities on the spot.
Perhaps she would have acted on it before. But with Hae-na present, Seowan could not.
If she did, the Yul Family would face severe punishment for regicide, and Hae-na would be included among those condemned.
“Hae-na’s marriage shall be left to her own will once she comes of age.”
Seowan spoke, forcibly suppressing her rage. Hyun-o then laughed as if he had heard something absurd.
“No, no. The child’s will is irrelevant in this matter.”
“….”
“Only your will and mine matter.”
As he spoke, Hyun-o’s gaze fixed solely upon Seowan.
When Hae-na entered the room, Hyun-o glanced at the child—and that was all.
His gaze and tone were as though he were inspecting merchandise.
Seowan, who had been watching him with cold eyes, sneered.
“Do you desire the position of Crown Prince so desperately?”
Hae-na, who had been listening quietly, swallowed hard. It was an extraordinarily blunt question.
But Hyun-o was not startled. He merely laughed with ease and shook his head.
“Desire? No.”
….
“That seat is mine.”
A deep, visceral hunger clung to his words. Hyun-o’s black eyes rippled with obsession.
It was identical to the look in Yeon Ki-mun’s eyes as he extracted exhausted children from the Underground Facility and replaced them with new ones.
A chill ran down Hae-na’s spine. She forced her expression to relax.
“I know you are not foolish. That is why you registered the child as your sister.”
Hyun-o continued at a leisurely pace.
“And today I see you care for the child quite dearly. This too is good. You have gained something precious, have you not?”
Hyun-o’s gaze swept slowly across the two sisters. His eyes curved with what appeared to be genuine delight.
“Should this marriage come to pass, that child will become my principal wife and enjoy all manner of wealth and honor. I promise you, no one will dare lay a hand upon her.”
His voice was coaxing, tender—speaking like a benevolent god. Yet Hyun-o’s eyes turned cold in an instant.
“But should you refuse….”

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