Chapter 7
Fortunately, Seowon understood Haena’s words immediately.
Without hesitation, she accepted the request and turned a cold gaze toward Cheongyeon, who had been teasing the young mistress.
Cheongyeon, still unable to hide her amusement, wiped Haena’s tears and then left the room, saying she would go bring food.
No sooner had the door closed than a splash of water rang out—splash!—followed by a faint scream from Cheongyeon.
Startled, Haena tried to run out, but Seowon stopped her, telling her not to worry.
A short while later, Cheongyeon returned—somehow with changed clothes—along with attendants carrying food.
Neatly arranged dishes were placed out: clear soup, steamed fish, a bowl of white rice, and small side dishes.
Seeing it all, Haena quietly held her spoon and stole glances at Seowon, gauging her reaction.
She thought she was being subtle, but Seowon saw everything clearly.
In truth, Seowon had known about Haena’s plan for a long time.
The child had been scurrying around the estate all week—it would have been stranger not to notice.
It was only a single meal, so Seowon had even considered bringing it up first, but at Cheongyeon’s insistence not to take away the young lady’s joy, she had quietly waited.
And finally, today had come.
Seowon pretended not to notice the child’s gaze and took a bite of rice. Then she spoke to the tense Haena.
“It’s delicious.”
A bright smile blossomed across Haena’s face. Only then did she begin to eat in earnest.
Just as Seowon confirmed the child was eating well and reached for her chopsticks, commotion erupted outside the door.
“…My lord! Please, not like this…!”
“You must first ask the mistress of the house…!”
The panicked voices of servants mixed with heavy footsteps.
Haena, who had been eating contentedly, froze mid-motion with wide eyes. Seeing this, Seowon clicked her tongue.
An unwelcome guest who had been here since morning.
She had assumed ignoring her would make her leave, but it seemed she had caused trouble anyway.
Of all times, during a meal.
Seowon set down her utensils and rose.
She was about to tell the child to continue eating when—
Riiiip—bang!
The sliding door was flung open with a loud crash.
Standing in the doorway was a woman with crimson hair.
Her robes embroidered with peonies and the numerous ornaments adorning her hair were all lavish and ornate.
But what stood out most was her eyes.
Her shimmering golden-red irises looked like burning flames.
Haena found herself staring without realizing it.
Then, the woman’s gaze snapped toward her.
Meeting those sharp, hostile eyes, Haena flinched.
Those beautiful eyes were filled with unmistakable animosity.
It was obvious at a glance that the woman hated her.
The woman strode forward.
But before she could reach Haena, a tall figure stepped in front of her.
“What brings you here, Paguenseong?”
At Seowon’s voice, Haena’s eyes widened.
Paguenseong.
The seventh of the Seven Stars, and a heavenly being of the Hua Clan who governed fire.
“Forgive my rudeness, Tamrang. I came personally after hearing an unbelievable rumor.”
Her voice was beautiful, but laced with sharp thorns.
Worried for her older sister, Haena cautiously peeked out.
The hostile gaze that had been fixed on Seowon dropped downward in an instant.
Paguenseong, Yeonbi, smiled coldly.
“I thought it might be nonsense, but it seems it’s true. The family of a traitor still lives.”
When Seowon noticed Haena, she frowned and quickly pulled the child behind her.
“Or should I say… not family, but bloodline?”
“This child is my younger sister.”
“Who knows? That vulgar mother might have—”
“Cheongyeon!”
Seowon’s sharp call cut her off. Cheongyeon, who had been anxiously waiting at the door, hurried over.
“Take the child out.”
Cheongyeon bowed respectfully and reached for Haena’s shoulders.
But at that moment, Haena shook her off and stepped beside Seowon.
“No… I don’t want to.”
It was the first time the child had refused.
Seowon and Cheongyeon both froze in surprise.
Seowon clicked her tongue and glanced at Yeonbi.
Tamrang and Paguenseong, by nature of their opposing powers, had long been at odds.
This generation’s Paguenseong, Yeonbi, particularly despised Seowon.
Not only because Seowon had risen from a lowly wandering mercenary background, but also because of the way she wielded her energy.
Tamrang traditionally used water in battle, often unleashing massive floods of power.
But Seowon preferred to strip all moisture away before igniting flames—something that disgusted Yeonbi, who governed fire herself.
Since Seowon became Tamrang, Yeonbi had been waiting for an opportunity to bring her down.
And now, with Seowon bringing in a child like Haena, she had found her chance.
“No. Go out with Cheongyeon.”
Seowon’s voice was firm.
Normally, she would have indulged the child’s stubbornness—but not today.
However, Haena tightened her grip on Seowon’s clothing.
Her face had gone pale.
“Please… let me stay here.”
Haena begged again.
Noticing something was off, Seowon frowned slightly.
“I’ll be quiet. I won’t cause trouble. C-can I stay with you… sister?”
Yeonbi’s hostility was directed not only at Haena, but at Seowon as well.
Paguenseong was also one of the Seven Stars of the Heavenly Net Kingdom.
If she attacked Seowon in earnest, no one could predict the outcome.
Haena. Go outside. Now.
It was a family she had only just gained.
She could not lose it again so easily.
Haena clenched her small fists tightly. Seeing her resolve, Seowon silently looked down at her.
Then she turned to Cheongyeon.
“Stay by her side. If anything is said she should not hear, cover her ears.”
Cheongyeon sighed and nodded.
Seowon glanced at Haena once more before looking at Yeonbi.
“Do you care so much for a child who may be the daughter of Yeongimun’s lineage?”
At that, Yeonbi sneered.
“…He’s not my father,” Haena said hesitantly.
All eyes turned to her again.
Two filled with reprimand, one with ridicule.
“How would you know that?”
“Cheongyeon.”
At Yeonbi’s question, Seowon called Cheongyeon—but Haena spoke faster.
“Because… the master lady, Yeongimun… is ugly.”
The room fell silent.
Even Yeonbi blinked in disbelief.
“Beauty isn’t about appearance, but the heart. I… I’m not pretty either, but… that person is the ugliest in the world.”
Yeongimun was known as a man of exceptional beauty.
He was considered the most handsome man in the Heavenly Net Kingdom, to the point that rumors claimed he ran his merchant guild using only his face.
“Blood relatives tend to resemble each other in appearance. So…”
No one in the entire Heavenly Net Kingdom had ever said Yeongimun was ugly.
“Hah.”
It was Yeonbi who broke the silence.
Shaking her head in disbelief, she said,
“Even if your faces differ, he must have sown quite a few seeds. It’s a pity he died in prison—we’ll never know the truth.”
This time, Cheongyeon quickly covered Haena’s ears.
Thanks to that, Haena only heard fragments about appearance.
“Tamrang. You would do well not to grow attached. You’ll have to send her away soon anyway.”
Yeonbi’s cold voice continued.
Seowon, confirming Cheongyeon was covering Haena’s ears, listened in silence.
“A physician confirmed it. The Fourth Prince has long been consuming Wolseok.”
Seowon’s expression stiffened.
Haena could not hear Yeonbi’s words, but she sensed the seriousness from Seowon’s face.
The moon was the only celestial body that had never chosen human blood—no heavenly beings were born from it.
Yet it was the brightest star in the night sky, possessing immense power. Wolseok, stones infused with lunar energy, emitted light even at night and were highly valuable.
The Yeon family had grown wealthy by refining and selling Wolseok.
And with that abundance, they attempted to create heavenly beings with lunar power.
No expense was spared in their experiments. Underground chambers built entirely from processed Wolseok were proof of that.
Even the Seven Stars could not locate those facilities, and the children were constantly exposed to lunar energy.
Just as Tamrang’s water and Paguenseong’s fire were opposites, the moon was incompatible with the sun’s power possessed by royalty.
If the Fourth Prince had suffered the same exposure, his condition—poisoned repeatedly by opposing forces—would surely be critical.
“I heard that child worked in the underground chamber as a servant. Then she must know exactly what the prince consumed.”
If the prince never woke, Haena would be accused of regicide. If he woke and named her the culprit, the result would be the same.
“Would you really bear charges of treason for a child like that?”
Yeonbi smiled.
There was no way that cold-hearted woman would go that far.
But even a momentary sheltering of a royal suspect would weaken Seowon’s position.
However, contrary to Yeonbi’s expectations, Seowon replied without wavering.
“If necessary… then I will.”
