Chapter 53 …
The Abandoned Crow Chick Is Actually a Loved Daughter
“Hawn… let’s go back now. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”
“Alright, let’s go back together.”
“Ugh.”
I didn’t want to stay among these people and get hurt anymore. Of course, today had been fun and enjoyable.
But the way people’s gazes changed in an instant hurt me twice as much. It was just that a wig had fallen off while fighting. Yet those pointing fingers made me feel like they were saying this is just how reality is. It was sad.
Shihyun told me to be more confident, but I guess I’m still lacking.
I promised Elder Grandfather that I’d become strong enough not to dislike crows—can I keep that promise?
“Playing with Suyeon feels like it was just a dream.”
Burying my face in a solid chest, the comforting pats on my back soothed me all the way to my heart.
“Get ready. We’re returning to the Onmyo Hall.”
“Yes, Lord Hawn.”
Suyeon replied obediently, and just as we were about to leave, the boy blocked our way from behind.
“Wait! My bodyguard disappeared—how am I supposed to go?”
What? I was so stunned I even jerked my head up. Hawn, unusually, frowned at the brazen words.
“That’s your own concern. What can we do about it?”
“Isn’t it your fault my bodyguard disappeared? So you should guard me!”
Huh…
I, Suyeon, and Hawn were all dumbfounded.
Where does that confidence come from, thinking someone will obviously guard him?
“How impressive must his family be? Well, is he even a prince?”
Nah, he’s probably not a prince. Otherwise, the people here would be far too pitiful. The country’s future can’t be that grim.
“I saved you from the snake lurking around, and you still demand a bodyguard?”
“No matter what, I cannot return without a bodyguard! Guard me. I’ll pay handsomely.”
At this point… he’s bold, isn’t he? It’s not easy to be that shameless.
“Was he spoiled growing up like that, or is every kid his age like this?”
Hmm… I don’t know. I’ve never thought of asking for more than what I was given—I just accepted everything with gratitude.
Then it happened.
“What shall we do, Dohee? Want to escort him?”
Hawn left the choice to me.
“Eh? Why ask me?”
“Since I came out to meet you, I’ll follow your wishes.”
“Eh…”
Oh, Hawn probably doesn’t even want to answer.
Still, the choice was mine, so I pretended to think seriously, resting my chin on my hand. Eyes full of anticipation watched me from beside me, but I ignored them.
After two firm shakes of my head:
“No. I’ll just go.”
“Alright. Then that’s what we’ll do.”
“W-wait! You’re really leaving like this?”
Hawn actually turned his back on the bewildered boy. Then he instructed Suyeon:
“Dohee was probably very startled, so I’ll go first. You follow slowly.”
“Yes, Lord Hawn.”
“Wait, Suyeon isn’t coming along?”
Before the thought fully formed, we were already at the entrance of the Onmyo Hall after just a few steps.
“Whoa. Already?”
So this must be what he meant by “shukchi” (instant travel).
I rubbed my eyes repeatedly, amazed, and something even more incredible happened. The Hawn who had been with me now stepped out of the Onmyo Hall.
“Huh?”
“Good job.”
The Hawn inside lifted me up. The Hawn outside disappeared, leaving only a single strand of hair fluttering down.
“H-huh… Hawn disappeared…?”
“Haha, I’m still here, aren’t I?”
I blinked, alternating between the two, and the lightly smiling Hawn explained:
“This is called a clone technique.”
“Waa…”
“How was it? Useful, right?”
“Yes, I really thought it was the real Hawn!”
Wait, his clone was that strong? It almost matched the snake in combat. He was even about to win.
“If that’s just a clone, how strong is the real Hawn?”
No wonder he said I don’t need to worry about him. My knowledge of Hawn just updated.
Hawn is a very, very strong Taoist. He might even be as strong as Shihyun.
“Luckily, the snake doesn’t seem to have noticed. I was worried it might realize it was a clone.”
Even though the encounter with the snake was with his clone, it seems their memories were shared.
“That’s so convenient. I wish I had something like that.”
I only have Jinmyung; I really can’t do anything. Sigh.
Just then, a warm voice melted away my tension.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Yes, no matter how fun the market was, I like it here. The east wing with Hawn is cozy, comfortable, and always a place to rest.
Today’s outing taught me that the outside world is dangerous.
“Hawn, Hawn.”
“What is it, Dohee?”
“Still, today was fun. So don’t scold Suyeon-noona.”
“You were worried about that first, huh?”
He nodded. I hoped Suyeon wouldn’t regret or feel sorry for bringing me out. Despite the unforeseen incident, Suyeon did her best for me.
“Besides, even in front of the snake, Suyeon tried her hardest to protect me.”
I placed my hand over my chest, touched by it, and nodded.
“Yeah. Dohee went along because she wanted to, so it would be sad if she got scolded.”
“Understood. If it’s your request, I won’t refuse. I’ll say nothing.”
He smelled faintly of plum blossoms from earlier in the wind. My heavy eyelids gradually fell.
“Hawn… can I sleep just a little?”
“As much as you want.”
“Thank you.”
With permission, I closed my heavy eyelids. Today was too exhausting to stay awake as a child.
Meanwhile, the crown prince, Yeowoon, returned to the palace, stomping his little fists on the wall in frustration.
“That wicked brat!”
His small fists barely made a sound, but he hit repeatedly to vent his anger.
The earlier incident still made him furious.
A child smaller than his head had snatched the item he wanted, humiliated him, and his bodyguard turned into a monster.
He was too shocked to assess the situation, but surely some trick had been played. How could the bodyguard his mother personally chose be a snake?
“And then to call my bodyguard a malevolent being… outrageous.”
Next time, he would hold someone accountable for his vanished bodyguard.
He tried to recall what the bodyguard said earlier, but couldn’t quite remember.
“Was it Ji… or Ju? I think it was one of them… ah, what was it?”
More than that, he remembered the black hair spilling like silk and the red eyes.
Clear, tearful eyes that seemed on the verge of crying—but the crow child had held back tears until the end. That image kept replaying in his mind.
“Well, maybe it was cute….”
Despite the poor clothes, it was a face that drew attention. Though the child had a surprisingly stubborn personality, evident from desperately trying to grab the bag earlier.
Thinking about it made Yeowoon shake his head in disgust.
“Enough. Such lowly beings… I probably won’t see them again, so what does it matter.”
Trying to dismiss it, he still remembered the harsh words he had muttered in anger:
“Who cares, you ugly thing! Do I need to know who you are?”
“I take back calling it cute. Hmph. How dare something so wretched speak nonsense about ugliness!”
Even thinking about it made him fume.
A crow child barely three or four years old dared speak like that to the crown prince himself.
If the noble-looking man from before hadn’t been there, Yeowoon would have dragged the child to the palace to punish them.
“Dohee, right? I remember your name. If I see you again, I won’t let it slide.”
Even if he forgot other details, the name “Dohee” from the fight stuck in his memory.
Just then, an eunuch called to him.
“Your Highness, the Empress requests your presence.”
“The Empress?”
Gone was the anger he had been carrying; Yeowoon obediently stood before the mirror.
Despite the chaos, his appearance was flawless.
“Hm, very well. Escort me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Why would his mother want to see him now? She was always busy with state affairs, often leaving her children to others.
“Could it be that she wants to see me?”
Filled with subtle anticipation, Yeowoon hurried to the door.
