Chapter 3

“You’re even shinier today.”

The golden mouse’s eyes narrowed sharply.

It seemed Arin’s eyes were special.

The mouse even wondered if she had been born with divine power like Yeoryeong.

I have to tell the Divine Maiden.

Without even saying goodbye, it jumped out the window.

“Oh! Golden Mouse!”

Arin hurried to the window in surprise, but the mouse had already disappeared.

***

A few days later, a letter arrived from the Village of the Twelve Zodiac Gods.

It announced that the Divine Maiden, Yeoryeong, would be visiting Hongsa Village, the territory ruled by the Hong Snake Family.

The entire Hong Snake Family was thrown into excitement.

It was extremely rare for the Divine Maiden to leave her village.

The Village of the Twelve Zodiac Gods was where she lived.

It was also the place where the heirs of the Twelve Zodiac Families received their education.

Most heirs entered the village around the age of eighteen, after officially being chosen as successors.

Occasionally, children with extraordinary talent were accepted much earlier, which was considered a great honor for their family.

However, once they entered the village, they usually could not leave for three years except under special circumstances.

Either way, it was an honor few families ever experienced.

Hong Yijin and Madam Yeon both looked more excited than usual.

“Do you think she’s coming to take Ahyeon with her?”

“I’m not sure. It does seem a little early, but the Divine Maiden must have her reasons.”

Although Hong Yijin tried to appear calm, he could not hide his expectations.

Hong Ahyeon was fourteen years old.

He was eight years older than Arin and was a talented swordsman.

He had succeeded in Beast Transformation on his first attempt and could already use part of the Zodiac’s power.

Compared to Arin, he was considered an outstanding heir.

“You’re right. If he learns directly under the Divine Maiden at such a young age, it would be an incredible honor.”

“By the way, have you read this?”

Hong Yijin handed the letter to his wife.

The color immediately drained from Madam Yeon’s face.

The letter stated that the Divine Maiden wished to meet all of the direct descendants of the Hong Snake Family.

Normally, she only met the chosen heir, so this request was unusual.

“Do… do we have to show her Arin?”

Madam Yeon asked nervously.

Hong Yijin let out an annoyed cough.

“We can’t deceive the Divine Maiden…”

As she continued worrying, Hong Yijin interrupted firmly.

“On that day, we’ll present Soso instead. Under no circumstances can the Divine Maiden discover Arin. Don’t forget that this concerns the marriage alliance between the Hong Snake Family and the White Dragon Family.”

Ever since Arin failed Beast Transformation, Madam Yeon had avoided her daughter, afraid she herself would be affected.

Faced with Hong Yijin’s stern warning, she lowered her head without saying another word.

“Of course. But… we can’t keep that child locked in the detached building forever…”

She still couldn’t stop thinking about the brief moment she had seen Arin a few days earlier.

It had already been three months since Arin was sent there by Hong Yijin’s orders.

She had ignored her then because she had been so shocked.

Now she knew a decision had to be made.

But when she looked at her husband’s unyielding expression, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Hong Yijin reminded her once more.

“For now, make sure the Divine Maiden never sees her.”

“Don’t worry. That child can’t leave the detached building anyway.”

After finishing the conversation, Madam Yeon left the room.

Just then, Soso arrived, smiling brightly as she looked for Hong Yijin.

“Mother!”

The moment she saw Madam Yeon, Soso beamed.

She moved closer as if to hug her.

But, unlike usual, Madam Yeon took a step back.

“Soso, are you here to see your father?”

Soso noticed the brief hesitation and stiffened.

“Yes. Father promised to take me to see the cherry blossoms nearby. Would you like to come too, Mother?”

Madam Yeon gently shook her head.

“I’m a little tired today.”

Soso’s eyebrows drooped.

“Aw… It would’ve been nice if you came.”

Normally, if Soso acted this way, Madam Yeon would give in.

“Next time. We’ll go another time. We have an important guest coming soon, so I have many things to prepare.”

This time, however, Madam Yeon remained firm.

Soso sensed that something was wrong and casually changed the subject.

“Does this important guest have something to do with the people who came earlier?”

“Yes. Someone came from the Golden Tiger Family.”

“The Golden Tiger Family? The family that protects the Divine Maiden?”

“Our Soso really learns quickly. That’s right. Soon the Golden Tiger Family will escort the Divine Maiden to Hongsa Village.”

“I see…”

Soso dragged out her words while thinking quickly.

Earlier, she had overheard Hong Yijin and Madam Yeon talking about both her and Arin.

Especially when they mentioned that the Divine Maiden wanted to meet all the direct descendants.

That made Soso’s heart sink.

As long as Arin remained alive, Soso’s position could always be threatened.

Judging by Madam Yeon’s attitude, they might even bring Arin out of the detached building.

I have to get rid of her before that.

A cold, vicious light flashed across Soso’s eyes, far too cruel for a child.

***

Three days had passed since the golden mouse stopped visiting.

Without her new friend, Arin felt lonely again.

The golden mouse had been the only one who ever came to see her in the place everyone else ignored.

Then one day, someone came to visit her.

“Hey!”

Startled, Arin looked around.

She couldn’t tell where the voice had come from.

Just as she wondered if she had imagined it, the voice called again.

“Over here!”

Only then did Arin find the speaker.

Peeking over the stone wall was the girl who had been with her mother that day.

Once again, the girl was wearing Arin’s clothes and accessories.

Almost as if she wanted to show them off.

For some reason, Arin felt small and lowered her eyes.

“You’re Hong Arin, right?”

“You know me?”

“Of course. I became this family’s daughter instead of you. Nice to meet you. I’m Hong Soso.”

Her cheerful greeting pierced Arin’s heart like a knife.

She became this family’s daughter… instead of me?

Arin was stunned.

Soso hadn’t simply been adopted.

She had replaced Arin.

That meant her family had truly abandoned her.

Still too shocked and heartbroken to respond, Arin remained silent.

Soso spoke again.

“Why are you still living here?”

“I… I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“You’re really shameless. Haven’t you ever thought about how much trouble you’re causing your family?”

“I’m… causing trouble for my family?”

Arin asked in surprise.

Soso smiled sweetly.

But despite her gentle voice, her words were cruel.

“Of course you are! Can’t you tell? They’re hiding you here because everyone feels uncomfortable around you.”

“I… I didn’t know. I thought I was supposed to stay here quietly.”

“Oh dear. You’re such a selfish child. Haven’t you ever thought about leaving for your family’s sake?”

Soso’s harsh criticism left Arin speechless.

She was only six years old.

She had believed that if she quietly accepted her punishment in the detached building, one day she would be allowed to return.

But now she was being told that she should have left on her own.

“But… I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Arin said tearfully.

Soso let out a deep sigh.

“I wasn’t going to tell you this… but I feel sorry for you. If you stay here, you might be sold very soon.”

“Sold… where?”

“You know the Golden Tiger Family, right? Their son is seriously ill, and they need the Spirit Core of someone from the Twelve Zodiac. Your Spirit Core is still perfectly healthy. You just can’t perform Beast Transformation. They’re coming to buy your Spirit Core! You should run away before they arrive.”

Arin was so shocked that she couldn’t speak.

Taking a Spirit Core from a child of the Twelve Zodiac was no different from killing them.

My family has really given up on me.