The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 47

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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 47
The only outsider Seowan had encountered recently was Cheon-eul.
For reasons I couldn’t quite understand, it seemed I would be going to Gaeyang with Cheon-eul.
“Oh, big brother!”
Hae-na called out to Seowan urgently. His deep blue eyes turned toward the child immediately.
“Could you take me along too?”
It was a perfect opportunity.
A chance to understand what Seowan truly thought of Cheon-eul, and an opportunity for the two of them to grow closer.
‘What if he says no?’
Nervous, Hae-na swallowed hard. But Seowan nodded immediately.
“Of course.”
His permission came so lightly that Hae-na, despite receiving the answer she wanted, could only blink blankly.
Contrary to Hae-na’s expectations, Seowan had always intended to bring the child along.
I couldn’t leave Hae-na alone at the Residence for months on end.
Assassins had infiltrated even when I was present—what would happen if the Residence stood empty?
‘I should show her Gaeyang while I’m at it.’
Seowan recalled the vast, sprawling plains of Gaeyang. He thought Hae-na would enjoy it.
As reality dawned on Hae-na’s face, a brilliant smile bloomed across it. She suddenly threw her arms around Seowan.
“Thank you! I promise I’ll be good and cause no trouble!”
Caught off guard, Seowan’s body went rigid as he received the child. After a moment, he awkwardly patted Hae-na’s back.
“…You’re already the one who causes no trouble.”
* * *
Preparations finished quickly.
Gaeyang lay half a day’s hard ride from the Capital, Cheon-gyeong.
Even accounting for Hae-na’s youth and slowing the pace, a single day would suffice.
All that was needed were clothes and some provisions, and the capable Servant Girls of the Yul Household finished the preparations in a heartbeat.
“Safe travels, young mistress.”
Chung-yeon, who had tied a pouch of coins around Hae-na’s wrist, embraced the child tightly.
By now, having ridden with Seowan on numerous occasions, Hae-na mounted the horse with practiced ease.
“Hold tight.”
Seowan, pulling the child close against him, spoke the words.
Hae-na nodded and grasped his collar firmly.
Soon the horse began to move at a gentle pace. Fresh summer wind swept through Seowan’s hair.
From his embrace, Hae-na peeked her head out slightly.
Children gathered in small groups at play and women with rolled-up sleeves doing laundry flashed past them rapidly.
Beyond the Marketplace and village, a massive City Wall came into view.
The tightly sealed City Wall opened, and the horse bearing Seowan and Hae-na began to gallop swiftly.
The surrounding landscape shifted endlessly—fields and rice paddies, then empty plains, then villages once more.
As they entered a dense forest where sunlight barely penetrated, Seowan slowed his pace.
Between the dimming light and the gentle swaying of the horse, Hae-na began to nod off drowsily.
Before long, the child had drifted into a deep sleep. I held Hae-na firmly against me with one arm, shielding her from the sunlight with my own clothes so the boy wouldn’t wake.
How long had we slept? Hae-na’s eyes fluttered open at the gentle touch of a hand on her shoulder.
“Wake up now. We’ve arrived.”
Seowan’s voice came from above her head.
After stirring for a moment, Hae-na carefully poked her head up and looked around.
“Wow…!”
Hae-na let out a small gasp of wonder. On both sides stretched rice fields so vast that their far edges disappeared beyond sight.
The verdant stalks of grain swayed gently in the breeze.
The sunset, beginning its descent, painted the fields in beautiful hues.
Hae-na gazed at the paddies, entranced.
Farmers returning home after finishing their work spotted the child and waved their hands in greeting.
Hae-na, beaming with a bright smile, waved back. Seowan smiled faintly and tightened his arm around the child.
“Be careful now. You might fall.”
“Yes!”
Hae-na’s spirited voice was brimming with excitement.
Because of that, the landscape of Gaeyang, which I had seen countless times before, felt somehow special to me as well.
I paused briefly before the grand gate set into the towering city wall and showed my credentials to the Government Military guards stationed there.
The massive gate slowly swung open, revealing the vista of the city within to Hae-na’s eyes.
“Mackerel from Yoguang Mountain—five coins a hand!”
“Oh my, sister. If you price it like that, how are we supposed to make a living!”
The Marketplace was packed with all manner of goods and people. The cacophony of countless voices crashed down like a tempest.
A broad street ran straight down the center of the thoroughfare. At the end of that path stood a magnificently constructed grand Palace.
“That is Gaeyang Palace. It will be where we stay during our time in Gaeyang.”
Seowan pointed toward it with his fingertip as he spoke. Hae-na nodded with an eager expression.
Though the sun was setting, the air in Gaeyang felt somewhat humid compared to the cool Capital. The people’s accents were different, and the way the houses were built was fascinating.
Since it happened to be a place crowded with people, I guided the horse forward slowly.
Only after Hae-na had her fill of sightseeing did we finally arrive at Gaeyang Palace.
Seowan dismounted first, then helped Hae-na down from the horse.
From the long ride, even after her feet touched the ground, her body still seemed to sway.
As Hae-na reached out an arm to steady herself, someone emerged from the Hall and approached the two of them.
“I pay my respects to Tamlang Seongggun.”
The man standing before Seowan and Hae-na bowed respectfully. It was Yu Gyeom, the Inspector of Gaeyang.
He was a provincial official appointed by the King to oversee and administer Gaeyang.
Seowan offered a light nod in return.
“It has been a while, Inspector Yu.”
Yu Gyeom’s gaze shifted to Hae-na as he smiled in response.
“And this child is…?”
It seemed the rumors that had stirred the Capital had not yet reached Gaeyang.
Just as Seowan was about to explain, Hae-na stepped forward.
“It is an honor to meet you, Inspector. I am Hae-na of the Yul Household. Tamlang Seongggun is like an older brother to me.”
Hae-na bowed her head lightly and spoke each word with deliberate precision—the very phrases she had memorized carefully while riding, before sleep claimed her.
Chung-su had grasped the child preparing to depart and repeated the words to her countless times.
Holding both of Hae-na’s hands firmly, Chung-su spoke with resolute eyes.
‘Do not falter. You are a member of the Yul Family, no matter what anyone says. You must shatter their spirit first and foremost!’
Though I harbored no intention of crushing anyone’s spirit, I wished to offer a proper greeting to someone I was meeting for the first time.
With the greeting completed successfully, the corners of Hae-na’s lips lifted with satisfaction.
Yu Gyeom, who had been gazing down at the child with startled eyes, looked toward Seowan.
Seowan nodded quietly.
Yu Gyeom was a wise man. Just as he had not scorned Seowan when he suddenly arrived claiming to be Tamlang Seongggun, so too would he treat Hae-na with the same courtesy.
“What an honor to receive such a distinguished guest. I am delighted to make your acquaintance, young lady.”
True to expectation, Yu Gyeom soon smiled warmly.
“I am merely a humble official overseeing a small rural post. You honor me with such courtesy. Please, simply call me Yu Gyeom.”
Hae-na blinked her bright, clear eyes and nodded. At this, Yu Gyeom turned lightly on his heel.
“You must be weary from your journey here. I fear I have kept you far too long. Allow me to escort you to your quarters.”
Hae-na and Seowan followed in his footsteps. After passing several small buildings, a tranquil Hall came into view.
“This is your residence. Should you require anything, please inform the servant girls. Though we cannot match the Capital’s provisions, we shall prepare everything with utmost sincerity.”
Yu Gyeom, having spoken with courtesy, withdrew.
It was as Seowan, having handed the luggage to the servant girls present, led Hae-na up the Hall’s steps.
Tap, tap.
Someone walked toward the Hall. Upon recognizing his face, the servant girls quickly bowed their heads and retreated.
Seowan proceeded indifferently to enter the Hall, but Hae-na, clutching her sister’s sleeve, turned to look back.
A face that had grown familiar appeared. The jade-green eyes that met Hae-na’s gaze smiled gently.
“It has been a while, Hae-na.”

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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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