chapter 23
The matchmaking result was positive.
However, the engagement wasn’t finalized right away. Since both families were prestigious, there were still many matters to discuss—apparently, they’d need to meet once or twice more.
“So, what about this?”
I held up the golden tiger in front of the adults.
Even my uncle, who was rarely flustered, twitched at the sight of the dazzling, resplendent ornament.
“It’s real gold.”
My father—who had a keen eye for such things as the chief of staff—confirmed its authenticity.
What a relief. I had almost left bite marks on this magnificent tiger out of curiosity.
“I think he gave it to me as a token that he wants to meet again. What do you think, Mother?”
“How very much like the Baek family. If they like someone, they immediately shove a gift into their hands.”
Still, wasn’t this a bit too grand?
Let’s see.
Compared to the gold ring I’d held before, this tiger felt at least twenty times heavier. If I converted that into money…
Hiccup.
The staggering amount that flashed in my mind made me hiccup.
“It’s fine. Hohyeok Province has plenty of gold mines. Accepting that much won’t be a problem.”
Hiccup!
Grandmother tried to reassure me, but it didn’t help at all.
I already knew the Baek family owned gold mines—Father had said it was important to learn about the background of the family I was meeting.
Still, a golden tiger weighing twenty taels of gold? That was just… too much.
In my previous life, pork was a sign of fondness, beef meant love—so what did gold mean? A lifelong commitment?!
Unable to let go of the golden tiger, I trembled as Grandmother admired me.
“Materialistic, yet cautious. Whoever’s granddaughter she is, she has a remarkable sense for money.”
“It’s thanks to me and Yeoryeom’s diligent education.”
Father smiled proudly, then suddenly slumped.
Was he that emotional about my matchmaking?
Well, even if prenatal betrothals were common, it must feel strange for a father when his four-year-old daughter has a suitor.
“Let’s set a date for the next meeting, then,” Uncle said, bringing the conversation back to business.
It was getting late, and dinner was approaching, so it made sense to wrap things up. Father nodded in agreement.
“Well, it seems Hyeon likes Sobaeksan too.”
Was it that obvious? I felt a little embarrassed.
But honestly, his looks, personality, and manners—everything about him was flawless.
“What did you think, Yeoryeom?”
Come to think of it, Mother had been quiet.
Normally, she was even more overprotective than Father, but today she simply observed the situation. Her sharp, focused gaze was so intense that even Sobaeksan occasionally glanced her way.
“It’s been a while since I studied someone so closely who wasn’t prey.”
As expected.
Mother had been evaluating him in her own way.
“His tone might be light, but his attitude was respectful. He seems to be taking the marriage talks seriously. Most of all—that young tiger.”
Her eyes—yellow as dandelions that don’t freeze even in winter—flicked toward Father before curving slightly.
“He has your eyes.”
“Ah, so you noticed too?”
Father’s gaze softened at once—like a man reluctantly facing the truth.
Anyway, the adults agreed to arrange the next meeting as soon as possible.
“What about this?” I asked again.
“That’s a token of affection. Our granddaughter should keep it.”
And so, the heavy golden tiger officially became mine.
Heh.
Although both families seemed pleased, the next meeting kept getting postponed.
That was because the month after the matchmaking was New Year’s.
Lunar New Year was busier than Chuseok.
With relatives visiting and endless food to prepare, the adults barely had time to breathe. Plus, my birthday fell during that season—so our house turned into a full-blown festival.
The Baek family was equally busy.
They had many shamans and held certain rituals during the first month of the year, which meant neither the family head nor the heir could leave.
That’s why everyone had been so surprised that the family head and heir both attended the matchmaking at year’s end—it was extremely rare for them to be away at the same time.
As for me, my only job was to eat and sleep well, so the New Year came before I knew it.
“Happy New Year, my baby,” Mother said, kissing my cheek.
“Happy New Year, my daughter,” said Father, kissing the other cheek.
Giggling, I opened my eyes wide and launched myself at them. What began as a playful tangle on the bedding ended only after the three of us shifted into our beast forms.
“Huff, huff.”
That was fun.
Stretching all four limbs and my tail, I yawned and rolled toward Father.
The large, black, elegant dog let out a lazy yawn—then promptly put my whole head in his mouth.
I can’t see!
I yipped indignantly as Father, imitating Mother’s affectionate gestures, released me and licked my nose. Mother then lightly bit Father’s head, as if to say, that’s how it’s done.
Father’s thick, beautiful tail wagged contentedly. A perfect start to the morning.
“Let’s see if the new clothes fit.”
“I made sure to measure generously.”
In front of me—now back in human form—were my new New Year’s clothes and shoes.
Since discovering last October that I only grew after helping catch bad people, my family had done many experiments.
We learned that I didn’t need to personally defeat them to grow—just identifying them was enough.
As long as I pointed them out (“That one’s the bad guy!”), the adults could take care of the rest, and I’d still grow a little.
Sure, the growth wasn’t as dramatic—it was like comparing ginseng to bellflower roots—but still, it worked!
That’s why my daily routine now included patrolling the family estate to “sniff out evil.”
Under the pretense of taking walks, I’d wander around finding people who smelled bad, tell Grandmother, Mother, or Father—and within a week, they’d vanish.
“It fits perfectly!”
Bit by bit, I’d grown until I looked like an average four-year-old.
Now that it was the new year, I was five. Soon, I’d catch up with my peers.
Today’s outfit was a purple jacket embroidered with gold and a teal silk skirt. Once layered with fur-lined winter gear—earmuffs, vest, mittens—it was perfect.
Mother and Father were also dressed in their New Year’s best.
Both wore deep purple silk and black fur outer robes, exuding elegance and gravitas.
Alright—ready! All I had to do was bow to the elders and come back quickly!
But that hope was dashed immediately.
“Hyeon! Come here, let me hold you! My, you’ve grown so much!”
“I heard you caught a cold last time. I was worried!”
My visiting relatives took turns swooping me up into the air.
Holidays were tough—no one ever let me walk on my own.
I have legs, you know. Two as a human, four as a pup!
“By the way, I heard you’ve had a marriage proposal?”
“How was the meeting? If you didn’t like him, you should’ve kicked him to the curb! We’re one of the Five Great Houses too, who cares about theirs?”
“For once, you’re talking sense.”
Even my matchmaking story came up.
I instinctively looked for my aunt and uncle—they had already fled to a safe distance.
They kept fidgeting, clearly wanting to hold me too, but afraid to approach and get caught in the “marriage circle” of gossiping elders.
“You two, come here a moment.”
Uncle dragged them back anyway.
The two of them had only just returned from royal business that dawn, so Uncle probably wanted to brief them on the matchmaking.
Meanwhile, I went around bowing, giving greetings, and collecting New Year’s envelopes.
“Hyeon, how have you been?”
“Did the matchmaking go well?”
Even my older cousins took turns cuddling me.
They said they’d missed me terribly since we hadn’t seen each other in a while.
“If you don’t like the boy, tell us, okay? If you can’t tell the adults, tell me.”
“Yeah, I’ll help too.”
“But he was just… nice, though…”
At that, my cousins’ faces grew serious.
“Hyeon, not everyone who seems nice really is.”
“Right. Sometimes they pretend to be.”
That’s not true, I thought. I trusted my guardian-beast nose.
I had just tipped off Grandmother about a smelly relative earlier that day, in fact.
“Promise us, okay? If anything happens, tell us.”
“Pinky promise?”
“Pinky promise.”
We locked little fingers, sealing the deal.
When passing adults saw us, they smiled so warmly that I felt a bit embarrassed.
When the sun set, the relatives retreated to their rooms.
I returned to the detached house.
Something felt missing. Maybe it was because I was supposed to undergo another “sealing ritual” this New Year, but it got postponed.
Sitting quietly on the veranda, I gazed up at the brilliant full moon.
Mother and Father were still outside, greeting late-arriving relatives who had been delayed by a landslide caused by sudden rain. Judging by the length of their conversation, it’d be a while before they came back.
Whoosh.
Then it happened.
A gentle breeze rose—then suddenly swelled into a gust.
“Shh.”
Silver hair, pale as moonlight, brushed my cheek.
Huh?
Startled, I could only gape as a boy—his nose, cheeks, and ears flushed red from the cold—pressed a finger to his lips.
“Been well?”
White breath clung to his cheek like mist. I stared blankly before blurting out, “…Sobaeksan?”
“You didn’t forget me.”
His blue eyes curved delightfully, and my heart skipped a beat.
Why was this tiger here—when he should’ve been home celebrating the holiday?!
“How did you get here?”
“Rode the wind.”
According to him, the first day of the new year boosted his spiritual power, letting him travel quickly.
But it didn’t seem to protect him from the cold—his face and fingers were chapped and raw.
I fidgeted anxiously, but he only pressed a finger to his lips again, reminding me that he’d snuck out.
“I came to give you this.”
From his sleeve, he pulled out a small pouch. From it, he sprinkled seeds that instantly bloomed into flowers.
Colorful petals filled my vision—pink bellflowers and blue forget-me-nots gathered neatly into a bouquet in his hands.
“I wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
“Uh…”
All I could do was make a dumb sound.
The bouquet was so beautiful.
The sweet scent of flowers blooming in the freezing winter felt unreal—and the thought that he had come all this way, face and hands chapped from the cold, just to see me—was overwhelming.
Oh no—his hands!
I hurriedly grabbed them, rubbing hard to warm them. They were icy cold.
I blew on them and rubbed harder until soft laughter brushed past my ears.
“Last time, I warmed your feet. This time, you’re warming my hands.”
Now that he said it, it was the same.
We both laughed.
“I don’t have much time—I should go.”
“You’re leaving already? You haven’t even warmed up yet.”
“I really did sneak out.”
He averted his gaze.
“But I’m glad… you didn’t forget me.”
His ears turned red again—not from cold this time.
I froze.
“Bye.”
And just like that, Sobaeksan left while I was still stunned.
Left alone, I reacted a beat too late.
“Wow…”
I can say with confidence—
My face right now must be as red as his ears were earlier. ❤️
