The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 43

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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 43
Half a day later, Hae-na sat in the Back Garden with her knees drawn tightly to her chest.
“Sniff, hiccup….”
Hae-na’s eyes were puffy and swollen as she pouted her lips. Her gentle face was filled with sorrow.
I had failed. Completely.
The moment I sat down at the Dining Table where breakfast was laid out, I opened my mouth to speak, only to be told to finish eating first and then talk.
Following that instruction, I scraped my rice bowl clean and lifted my head, but Seowan simply swept out of the room without a word.
I pursued my sister relentlessly after that.
But the moment Seowan heard my first words, she merely shook her head.
‘Please, just listen to the end!’
In the end, I grabbed the hem of Seowan’s skirt and cried out loudly. Startled by my own voice, my eyes widened in surprise, and Seowan let out a sigh.
‘Very well. Speak.’
My face brightened at this long-awaited opportunity.
I poured out my words while gripping the hem of my skirt tightly.
True to my wishes, Seowan listened to everything I had to say. But that was all.
‘I shall consider it.’
Seowan spoke calmly, her expression unchanged. By any measure, she did not look as though she had taken me seriously.
At the sight of that face, sorrow welled up inside me. With tears trembling on my lashes and my lips quivering, I turned away without another word.
Upon reaching the secluded Back Garden, I burst into tears. I had not wanted to show myself crying like such a small child.
“How could she….”
Once my tears subsided, I murmured softly to myself. Resentment and sorrow clung to the end of my words.
I loved my sister. I loved Chung-yeon, Chung-su, and others too, but Seowan was my favorite.
Yet today, for just a moment—just a very small moment—I hated her.
I knew I was being ungrateful. To be so upset merely because she would not listen to me.
In the Yeon Family, such things happened as naturally as eating rice. Yet when Seowan did it, why did it hurt so much?
“But…I’m still worried.”
I buried my face in my knees once more.
My thoughts returned to my sister. Would she truly marry off just anyone?
Worry and sorrow tangled together. But after crying so much, worry ultimately won out.
‘I need to find another way….’
I heaved a deep sigh and rose to my feet.
That was all the wisdom my mind could produce. But surely others would have more.
I should seek out Chung-su and ask him. He was clever—perhaps he would suggest a good solution.
‘…But not just yet.’
I knew it was childish, but my wounded pride had not fully healed.
I brushed at my wrinkled skirt and looked down at the distinct tear stains on my sleeve with dismay.
If I went like this, everyone would know I had been crying. I was fluttering my arms about, thinking to dry my sleeves.
“Huh?”
From behind the Hall, a small water droplet suddenly bounced out. Rather than being absorbed into the ground, it bounced along toward me.
The water droplet, the size of an adult’s fist, was perfectly round and glistened in the sunlight.
It was like a large crystal. Hae-na crouched down, gazing at it with wonder.
‘Is it you, sister?’
A peculiar water droplet that maintained its spherical shape.
Within the Cheonmang Kingdom, only Seowan could create something like this.
The moment I realized this fact, I felt a petty irritation rise within me.
I extended my index finger and tapped the water droplet lightly.
The spherical droplet rolled in the direction it was struck, then returned to its original position. Then it bounced up with a pop and clung to my sleeve.
The water droplet rolled across my sleeve, settled on my shoulder, then bounced to the opposite shoulder and trickled down along the fabric.
It felt like placing a hand on still water and then withdrawing it. I gazed at my sleeve in amazement.
The sleeve that had been marked with tears and mucus just moments before was now clean. It was the path the water droplet had taken.
I looked down at where the water droplet had fallen. But it had vanished without a trace.
“Miss, are you here?”
Instead, Chung-yeon’s voice reached me, and soon she poked her head around the corner of the Hall like a water droplet.
“What is it, Chung-yeon?”
I hurried toward Chung-yeon. She smiled warmly and adjusted my collar.
“It’s time for your snack, so I came to fetch you. Come along now. Today we have honey cakes.”
Chung-yeon seemed not to have noticed my reddened nose and eyes.
I nodded quickly.
The moment I opened the door to my room in the Main Residence, a sweet fragrance wafted out. Besides the beautifully shaped honey cakes, there were candied nuts, fruit, and sweet rice punch in abundance.
Since I had barely eaten lunch, I was quite hungry.
When I had emptied half my plate, Chung-yeon retrieved something from her bosom and placed it on the table.
“Oh, I nearly forgot to deliver this. A letter has arrived for you, Miss.”
The letter was wrapped in jade-green silk. Hyun-o naturally came to mind, and I furrowed my brow.
“It came from Nok-yo Palace.”
Chung-yeon added, reading my thoughts.
Nok-yo Palace was Hwi-seo’s residence. At the news that my only friend had sent a letter, my expression brightened considerably.
The letter I unfolded inquired about my well-being. It seemed word of the assassins who had infiltrated the Yul Household had reached the Palace.
I hesitated as I began to compose a reply. I recalled Hwi-seo’s words to visit again next time.
It seemed it would not be amiss to visit Nok-yo Palace instead of sending a reply.
I missed Hwi-seo, and since she was worried about me, it would be good to show her that I was safe.
…It was absolutely not an attempt to voice my grievances toward Seowan. Truly.
After finishing my snack with gusto, I headed to Seowan’s Office with Chung-yeon.
For some reason, Seowan’s expression seemed somewhat softened. I approached her cautiously and asked.
“Sister, may I visit the Palace?”
At those words, Seowan’s face turned menacing in an instant.
* * *
This girl was determined to seek him out.
The thought that flashed through my mind the moment I heard Hae-na’s words.
But fortunately, before I could scold Hae-na, Chung-yeon added that she was going to meet the Fourth Prince.
Even so, unable to ease my mind, I said I would accompany her. At that, Hae-na immediately shook her head.
At her firm refusal, Seowan’s face went blank for a moment. But Hae-na simply averted her gaze.
‘…Go with Chung-yeon.’
After a brief silence, Seowan spoke. The moment the words left his lips, Hae-na bowed her head and scurried away to her room.
It felt awkward, as though she were going to speak ill of her sister.
Chung-yeon’s lips twitched oddly as she helped me prepare to leave, but I could only tilt my head in confusion, not understanding why.
Nok-yo Palace, which I was visiting for the third time, had become quite familiar now.
As always, the stern-faced Kwon Court Lady guided me to Hwi-seo’s room.
The door opened, and I saw Hwi-seo sitting in a chair as before. But somehow, the boy’s face looked more gaunt than I remembered.
My eyes widened as I approached Hwi-seo with quick strides.
And before he could say anything, I thrust my face close to his.
“Are you alright? Are you still in pain?”
“…Isn’t that the question I should be asking?”
Hwi-seo answered sullenly. But I examined his face with concern.
He had definitely lost more weight. His ears and cheeks were slightly flushed, as if he had a fever.
I stared intently at Hwi-seo. Something seemed to shimmer in his golden eyes.
“I’m fine. So move away.”
Just as I was trying to look closer, Hwi-seo turned his head and pushed my face away with his palm.
I stumbled backward without resistance.
“Don’t worry about useless things and sit down.”
Hwi-seo waved his hand. Pouting, I brought a chair and sat beside him.
“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Hwi-seo, who had been sitting primly, asked quietly. He pretended otherwise, but he seemed quite worried.
“Yes! I’m fine. I’m not badly hurt anywhere! My sister saved me….”
My bright expression darkened the moment I mentioned Seowan. At that, Hwi-seo’s brow furrowed.
“What. What happened?”
I looked at Hwi-seo while fidgeting with my fingertips.
“Well, you see….”
I wasn’t sure where to begin explaining. After hesitating, I decided to start from the beginning.
“The Second Prince proposed a marriage arrangement to me.”

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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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