chapter 31
Having made up my mind, the only thing left now was the gold talisman.
Fortunately, I didn’t turn into a teddy bear again. That was thanks to the years I had spent diligently collecting the shed hair in a wooden box every time I brushed.
When I opened the wooden box my grandmother had brought, several round little balls of fur popped out.
“You collected all of this so carefully in that tiny body,” Baeksan said, picking up one of the fur balls in admiration.
“What about Sobeksan’s hair?” I asked.
“Ah, mine isn’t hair—it’s a beard.”
Beard?
Sobeksan took out a small palm-sized box from his chest and showed it to me. Inside were a few white strands of beard, neatly rolled up.
He added that tiger whiskers were not only a symbol of luck but also excellent materials for magical rituals.
“Then, let’s begin.”
Baeksan used a ritual, exchanging one of my fur balls and a few of Sobeksan’s whiskers as the offering.
For a moment, a white and blue aura seemed to envelop us.
“Done.”
It was over in an instant.
Every time I cast a gold talisman, I was struck by how absurdly simple the process was compared to the long preparation period.
“One more to go.”
But upon hearing my grandmother’s words, Baeksan’s expression turned reluctant.
Tonight, he had to cast two gold talismans: one to protect Sobeksan’s and my secret, and another to prevent my family from discovering that I was actually a Haetae.
“You’re the first to make me work this hard since the emperor,” he muttered, but his expression didn’t change as he cast the second talisman.
It was a moment that truly showcased his prowess as a shaman.
After finishing everything, I nodded off immediately.
There had been so much going on.
As soon as we arrived at Homeokdo, I rode the Taegama, learned Sobeksan’s truth, and cast two gold talismans. Even for a sturdy Haetae like me, it was an exhausting schedule.
“Hyeon, see you tomorrow,” someone called. Already half-conscious, I barely twitched. Yet the refreshing scent of grass made me think I had smiled.
How long had I slept?
“Our little one, wake up now,” my mother said, gently shaking me. I rolled over on the bed, tightly closing my eyes, and transformed into a puppy.
Being mid-mountain, the morning air coming through the open window was quite chilly.
“Grrr.”
Fluffy puppy, the best.
Just as I was about to fall asleep again, my father picked me up and gently bounced me awake.
“Our daughter, let’s eat and take a walk. It’s going to be a busy day.”
I wanted to cover my ears with my paws. After yesterday’s busy day, surely I could rest today.
I was just relaxing into my dad’s bounce with my pink tongue sticking out when…
“You can’t be late for your engagement ceremony,” his words pierced my ears, snapping me fully awake.
Today was June 1st—the day Sobeksan and I were to be engaged.
Seeing me tuck my tongue back in as if I hadn’t been whining, my father asked in disbelief,
“You really like Sobeksan that much…?”
“Of course!”
My firm answer froze my father in place.
“You better get your head straight,” my mother scolded, taking me out of my father’s arms. Meanwhile, the door slid open, and the Myo clan attendant, Seonmun Yangsik, who had guided us yesterday, brought in breakfast.
“Good morning. Please have your breakfast.”
The aroma hit my nose—what a surprise!
Breakfast was none other than samgyetang, and each person had their own whole chicken!
“On days of celebration, you must fill your stomach properly,” Yangsik said warmly, then stepped aside.
I, back in human form, got down from my mother’s arms and sat at the table as if in a trance.
Food gives strength!
“Thank you for the meal!”
I bravely dug into the hot samgyetang.
With my belly full, I went for a walk to burn off the food, and then someone came to the inn.
“My name is Seonmun Yangsun.”
Yangsik’s younger sister, a beautiful Myo with golden hair, was sent by the Baek family to help with my preparations.
“Hold your breath.”
“Grrr!”
Yangsun’s skills were truly remarkable.
In an instant, she bathed me in my puppy form.
“Now I’ll dry you.”
“Grrr!”
And just like that, she dried me in an instant.
No magic—just her two hands and two towels.
“Impressive,” I said.
“How did you do it?” my mom and Grandma Baek asked, astonished.
Yangsun calmly explained,
“Myo babies hate baths so much that their tails puff up at the slightest hint of water. So, I just got fast at bathing them.”
Her voice tinged with exasperation, she said that she had become a master at baby baths while washing her nieces and nephews.
“Anyway, let’s move on to the next preparation. We’re running out of time.”
Just then, Yangsik brought the clothes and accessories that had been sent from the Hyenga to the Baek family in advance. Inside the luxurious box were formal clothes, danghye, and ornaments neatly arranged.
“Our little one, hands up.”
“Yes!”
The clothing was intricate and layered.
First, I wore a flesh-toned undershirt and skirt, then a bright red banbi (half-sleeve jacket). The front and back panels of the banbi had square emblems embroidered with a black dog and a white tiger, symbolizing the union of two families.
A black silk belt with a subtle purple hue was tied at the waist, and a samjak norigae decorated with amber, coral, and agate completed the outfit.
“Done.”
Clothes were on.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes!”
“It’s summer, and Hyeon is young, so Grandma Baek simplified things as much as possible,” she said.
I realized with horror that even this simplified version was quite elaborate. How glamorous would it be when I grew older?
Yangsun appeared with a mirror and tail comb.
“Sit facing this way.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her hands moved like beams of light, styling my thick, easily tangled hair into neat round curls.
“Like peonies, right?”
“Amazing!”
She held a small mirror to the back of my head so I could see my hair. It truly looked like black peonies had bloomed on my head.
A delicate golden butterfly hairpin was added, prompting applause.
“Wonderful, Yangsun!”
“Hmm-hmm,” she said, slightly blushing as everyone clapped.
The engagement ceremony was held in Baeksan’s study.
Once I was ready, the adults changed and headed to the ceremony location. I noticed Sobeksan lingering and called out to him.
“Sobeksan!”
Seeing him up close made my jaw drop.
He was handsome to begin with, but in his deep blue ceremonial robe adorned with silver patterns, he was dazzling.
“Hyeon, you look beautiful,” Sobeksan said, his eyes wide.
I wanted to say the same thing, but I noticed he looked different from yesterday.
“You tied your hair up?” I asked.
“Yes,” Sobeksan said, fidgeting with the top of his high ponytail.
“Now I have an owner too,” he said, clenching his fist. Who’s ever seen a tiger look so handsome?
“It’s not an engagement—it’s a wedding in spirit,” I thought.
Grandma Baek looked bewildered, but I was serious. Look at him, Grandma. His face is shining!
Just then, Baeksan appeared lazily.
“What are you all waiting for? Move quickly.”
Even though it was his son’s engagement day, he remained nonchalant. We, accustomed to his demeanor, quickly entered the study.
The ceremony was simple.
First, both families sat in the designated seats.
Then, Sobeksan and I held hands, bowed to both families, and stamped the two pre-prepared engagement documents.
“Don’t forget to stamp in your beast form too,” said Baeksan.
I stamped once in human form, then transformed into a puppy to press my paw print. Beside me, Sobeksan transformed into a tiger and pressed his thick paw firmly.
The scrolls were then placed in storage and sealed with a spell.
“Finished.”
“Indeed,” said the two family heads. The engagement ceremony was officially over.
The sound of wind filled the room—sighs of relief from the adults after the event.
Lunch passed quickly. Everyone was exhausted and focused solely on eating. Once the meal was done, it was time to leave.
“Hyeon, go play with Sobeksan for a bit.”
“Really?”
“Packing is an adult’s task.”
I changed into comfortable clothes and saw Sobeksan waiting just outside. It was clear this had been decided by the adults.
“The adults will return in half an hour,” he said, his face brightening even more.
He offered to show me around his residence, which was not far away.
We didn’t have to walk long before reaching Sobeksan’s private quarters.
“You use the entire pavilion alone?” I asked.
“I’m the heir,” he said.
Apparently, in the Baek family, being a child of the family head didn’t automatically make you the heir. The most outstanding child of the generation was chosen based on magic skills, strength, intelligence, and personality.
“Personality?” I asked, recalling Baeksan—great but arrogant, balancing poise and rudeness. Sobeksan also made a vague expression, thinking of his father.
“The head of the generation must be the most skilled in magic,” he said. Personality scores made up for what skills lacked.
I understood that Sobeksan had become the heir by skill—and unlike Baeksan, his personality score must have been generous too.
“This is my room,” Sobeksan said as we reached the innermost part of the pavilion.
“Sniff.”
“…?”
“Nothing. Just a nice smell,” he said.
I tried to maintain my composure despite being enveloped in Sobeksan’s scent.
“By the way, Sobeksan,” I said suddenly, recalling a question I had wanted to ask.
“During my birthday, thank you for coming, but… why did you come then?”
“Why do you mean?”
“It was just after we met once.”
I liked Sobeksan’s kindness, but it sometimes felt sudden, like he had skipped a few steps in developing his feelings.
So I said bluntly,
“I think you like me too much.”
My voice rang clearly in the neat room.
Soon after, Sobeksan, who had been staring wide-eyed, burst into laughter and fell back.
