The Morning Star Baby Wants a Family - Chapter 73

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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 73
Hae-na froze mid-spoonful.
Clink.
The beef bulgogi that had been resting atop the fluffy white rice tumbled onto the dining table. Without a word of reproach, Seowan cut another piece and placed it back on her rice.
“What’s wrong with you? You couldn’t even get up properly this morning.”
Seowan gazed at the child’s face with concern, her voice tinged with worry.
Snapping back to attention with a start, Hae-na quickly brought the spoon to her lips.
“I’m fine! I suppose I haven’t fully woken up yet.”
Last night, when I returned to my room, I collapsed onto the bedchamber, utterly exhausted.
The strain of maintaining such intense focus while channeling my power had left me thoroughly drained.
Though I fell asleep immediately, the fatigue clung to me stubbornly.
‘But not now.’
Seowan’s words had banished sleep entirely. I looked up at my elder sister.
“Then why is Pagun Seongggun going all the way to the Capital?”
“Who knows. That’s his concern to manage.”
Seowan answered with casual indifference.
She seemed more curious about why I would ask such a thing than about Yeon-ri’s return, her gaze fixed intently upon me.
Unable to confess what I had done last night, I ate in silence.
‘There should still be considerable time before the moon begins to wane.’
Last night, as I turned to leave my room, I paused and glanced outside.
The moon hung brilliantly in the sky, swollen nearly to fullness.
It would take at least four more days for the moon to reach its peak and then begin its descent.
‘Will she remain alone until then?’
The image of Yeon-ri’s suffering from yesterday kept flickering before my eyes.
My eating slowed.
Looking up from my half-empty bowl, I spoke.
“Sister, might I visit Pagun Seongggun for a while?”
Seowan’s brow furrowed. I quickly added to my request.
“I’m worried about her. When I saw her yesterday, she seemed to be in poor health.”
Since I had seen Yeon-ri with Seowan during the day, my words held truth.
Seowan fell silent as if considering, but soon nodded her assent.
“Very well. But come with me.”
My face brightened.
Seowan smiled softly and added a side dish to my bowl.
After the meal, we made our way to the room where Yeon-ri was staying.
“Ah, Tamlang Seongggun. And… Hae-na, was it?”
As it happened, Yeon-ri was in the midst of eating.
A pale rice gruel sat in a brass bowl.
Beside it, a smaller bowl held a modest portion of the same gruel.
My gaze naturally drifted toward it. Noticing my attention, Yeon-ri smiled.
“It belongs to the Servant Girl who brought the rice gruel.”
Hae-na still didn’t understand and tilted her head in confusion.
Yeon-ri added an explanation.
“Shouldn’t we verify whether what she brought is actually safe to eat?”
Hae-na, slowly comprehending the veiled meaning, opened her mouth slightly.
Yeon-ri, who had smiled with widened eyes, set down her spoon.
“I’m terribly sorry to receive you in such a manner. What brings you here?”
Seowan shook his head in response. A look of discomfort crossed his features.
“Forgive our sudden intrusion. The child wished to meet with Pagun Seongggun.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Yeon-ri regarded Hae-na with an intrigued gaze.
Hae-na observed Yeon-ri carefully. She sat with apparent composure, yet her complexion remained ashen.
‘She doesn’t seem to be eating properly either….’
Merely a small portion of rice gruel.
And even that, she consumed while suspecting it might be laced with poison.
“Child?”
Yeon-ri’s voice called out.
Hae-na, who had been staring at Yeon-ri without realizing it, quickly lowered her head in alarm.
“I apologize. It’s nothing serious—I was merely wondering if you were feeling somewhat better….”
At Hae-na’s faltering excuse, Yeon-ri laughed softly.
“So you came searching for me this morning out of concern for my health? How considerate of you.”
Her words were gentle, yet they carried a subtle boundary.
Yeon-ri picked up her spoon again.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry yourself.”
It was a tactful dismissal.
The moment Hae-na noticed the thin tremor in her gaunt hand, she bowed her head deeply.
“Yes, I apologize for the intrusion!”
Hae-na hastily completed her farewell and grasped Seowan’s hand, hurrying from the room.
Seowan watched the child intently.
Hae-na, oblivious to his scrutiny, rushed back to her own quarters.
Click.
It was just as Hae-na closed the sliding door and exhaled a small sigh.
“What happened between you and her?”
Seowan’s suspicious voice reached her ears.
“Your condition has been poor since this morning….”
Seowan examined Hae-na with a face mingling concern and doubt.
Hae-na blinked as though she understood nothing, yet Seowan’s expression only grew colder.
“Tell me. I will resolve this matter.”
Seowan’s face bore the unmistakable conviction that Yeon-ri had already threatened Hae-na.
“No! Nothing happened at all!”
Hae-na startled, shaking her head vigorously.
But Seowan’s expression remained stern.
“Then why did you insist on meeting her this morning?”
Hae-na’s round eyes darted about nervously.
She had been genuinely worried, but there was no point in telling him the truth—he wouldn’t believe it anyway.
“B-because she’s so beautiful.”
In the end, I squeezed my eyes shut and spoke.
“…What?”
Seowan asked, a beat too late.
“She’s truly a beautiful person. And I thought if not today, I wouldn’t be able to see her for a long time.”
Hae-na tumbled out her words in rapid succession, her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.
“Haven’t you seen her face before? You’ve never said such things about Hwa Yeon-bi…”
“It’s different.”
Hae-na denied it firmly.
“Back then, she always had such a frightening expression. She only spoke harsh words. But now she smiles warmly and her tone is so gentle, and besides…”
From the child’s lips poured forth all the reasons why Hwa-yeon-ri was more beautiful.
It wasn’t a lie.
Compared to Yeon-bi’s sharp features, adorned as garishly as a peacock, Yeon-ri was far more beautiful—dressed in pure white silk, smiling with such grace.
‘…But not to this extent!’
Hae-na bit her lower lip hard, her face burning crimson.
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, she looked exactly like a child caught admiring someone.
“I see, so that’s it.”
Seowan answered reluctantly.
“No wonder you keep staring at her so intently—so that’s why…”
At his gentle, understanding tone, I clenched my eyes shut.
But there was nothing I could do. It was the only excuse that came to mind.
“Don’t be too sad about it. Even after we return to the Capital, there will be chances to meet again.”
Hearing my sister’s soft voice consoling me, my conscience pricked sharply.
But what was done was done—Hae-na lifted her head, her fists clenched tight.
“Sister, would it be possible to stay in Gaeyang a little longer? Just three or four more days?”
Just moments ago, when I glimpsed Yeon-ri’s body, spiritual energy was still roiling within her.
When night fell and the moon rose, her condition would worsen further.
I didn’t think I could do anything particularly remarkable.
If I carelessly used my power like I had with Seowan, and Yeon-ri discovered it, that would be catastrophic.
All I could do was refill an empty kettle or draw the curtains at the window.
‘But still…’
The image of Yeon-ri, groaning in pain and curling up, came to mind.
When the body ached, the saddest thing was knowing no one was watching over you.
Hae-na looked up at her sister, seeking permission.
Seowan let out a hollow laugh.
“Did you find Pagun Seongggun so appealing?”
“He didn’t seem like a bad person….”
At her hesitant response, Seowan laughed as though the wind had been knocked out of him. She nodded.
“Very well then. However, Pagun Seongggun is currently recovering, so you won’t be able to see him often. Is that alright?”
“Yes!”
Hae-na answered with spirited enthusiasm.
Seowan recalled the notable sights of Gaeyang suitable for a child to see, and gently stroked Hae-na’s hair.
That day, instead of departing for the Capital, Seowan took Hae-na to see the sights of Gaeyang.
Having played to her heart’s content throughout the day, Hae-na fell asleep on the journey back to Gaeyang Palace.
And in the dead of night, the child who had been sleeping soundly suddenly opened her eyes wide.

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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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