Yet, she couldn’t just leave the young master among these monsters, as trouble would surely follow. The goblins roamed the main streets undetected even by her mother. Either her mother’s energy had weakened, or the creatures’ magic was too strong.

            Even if she returned home and explained the situation to her mother, she was certain to be met with indifference. Their family was planning to leave Muritmaegol soon anyway, and to the people who had grown accustomed to her, the mother was someone who would only care about their own safety, whether the village was flooded or an earthquake occurred.

            “How could I turn away those who approached me first?”

            The young master laughed, a gesture that seemed insincere or genuine—she couldn’t tell after such a long time.

            “Or perhaps you see something?”

            “What?”

            “People like diviners judge others by their physiognomy and energy. Are you telling me to stay away because their energy is bad?”

            This was it. Surprisingly, the young master had given her the key. She nodded frantically. The young master, as if acknowledging her words, put on an exaggeratedly surprised face and then scoffed.

            “Then read me too. I, who live with a chronic illness, when will my life end? Will I grow up to accumulate wealth for the family as my father wishes, or will I become a pariah with only money to my name? Tell me, Beodeul.”

            It seemed he had overheard his title when the steward called her. He smirked, seeing her hesitation, and teased her again with ‘Beodeul.’

            “They are among the few friends I have. I was about to introduce them to my father and invite them home.”

            The young master pointed behind her. The impatient goblins, not hiding their sharply filed nails, were approaching in a group.

            The mother’s words, predicting the young master would not survive the year, rang in her ears. There was surely a root where the goblins thrived, and she had to find and eliminate it. Was it in the young master’s mansion? Or an object in his room?

            It was a chilling realisation that she was not capable of confronting these creatures and that she might be the first to fall to their claws.

            “Young Master. I was too harsh last time.”

            She meant it as a plea for friendship. There were no other excuses. She had to separate him from those drooling creatures first, and to do that, she needed to find their root, which meant she had to enter the young master’s residence.

            He brought his hand to his mouth, a veiled smile beneath his hand. His smooth fingers, unknowing of hardship, slowly stroked down his chin, and a smile like a moonflower emerged.

            “Please, do not associate with those creatures again. If they cling to you, shake them off, and if they don’t leave, call on me, will you?”

            “Uh-huh.”

            She intended to return home and gather several of her mother’s talismans. Whether they would work was uncertain, but she needed at least some measure of protection. Looking into the young master’s clear eyes, he didn’t seem to be entirely consumed yet. The malevolence was faint. With time, she could purify it.

            She looked at the young master’s face again subtly. His face was smooth like a polished stone, indicating he had been eating and sleeping well, which gave her a sense of relief.

            The young master, as if reluctantly, glanced down and sighed briefly.

            “My father will return home late the day after tomorrow.”

            “Then I will visit you at that time.”

            It seemed he had noticed she was avoiding him because of his father.

            The young master left without a goodbye, not even glancing at his ‘friends’ following behind. The creatures, which seemed to lack the power to control the young master completely, hesitated and then dispersed like smoke. She had feared their murderous intent might turn towards her, but fortunately, it did not.

            As the tension dissipated, her stiff shoulders relaxed. Her relieved heart swelled and then deflated. She didn’t know what whim had caused the goblins to retreat, but for now, she was relieved.

            ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✦ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

            “Mother, I’m home.”

            That evening was one she had been eagerly waiting for. Having safely finished her day, she returned home and leaned comfortably on her mother’s lap, feeling the soft strokes of her mother’s hand brushing her hair and closed her eyes contentedly.

            “What kind of people are those that goblins prefer to attach themselves to?”

            It was the day, once every twenty days, when she dyed her hair that grew red from the crown to the ends. It was the time when she could talk most with her mother and gaze into her beautiful pomegranate-coloured eyes that looked so much like her own.

            Her mother’s lap felt as warm and cosy as a sunbeam breaking through winter clouds.