Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Gold Chopsticks
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"Ack!"
Suddenly, two red heads appeared right in front of me, and I froze up without even being able to scream.
"Huh? Little one's ears... no, Seol-i's such a scaredy-cat? Getting startled over something like this."
"Chae-chae, when that happens, you apologize to Seol-i. She's so shocked she's turned to stone now."
Jang-ryu patted my rigidly stiffened shoulder.
What in the world are these twins doing here so late at night?
"Seol-i, were you really startled?"
After getting scolded by Jang-ryu, Chae-chae seemed worried as he lowered himself to my eye level and asked.
Man, with such an innocent expression, how could I possibly get mad?
"I was a little startled, but I'm fine. What brings you two here, though? Your quarters are pretty far from here, brothers."
"We had something we wanted to give you."
"Something to give me?"
In response to my question, Chae-chae handed me the glass jar he had been cradling carefully in his arms.
A bright, pretty light was glowing roundly from inside the jar.
This is...
"Fireflies! Nights are dark, right? I have Jang-ryu with me, but you'll be alone. I thought they'd light up the night if they stayed by your side, so I caught them!"
He's saying he personally caught fireflies because he was worried about me being alone?
His words didn't seem like a lie—their clothes were covered in dirt.
I thought no one in this unfamiliar Demon Cult would worry about me...
That's why life here had felt even lonelier and more isolated.
But now, it doesn't seem so lonely anymore.
Thinking about the twins who must have gone around catching fireflies without caring that their clothes got dirty brought a smile to my face unbidden.
"Thank you. I'll keep it right by my side and sleep."
"I was worried you'd be scared of bugs, but that's a relief!"
As I gladly accepted the jar of fireflies, Jang-ryu and Chae-chae smiled happily.
"We were going to bring it all the way to your room, but were you out for a walk?"
"Yeah, I was thinking of getting some air before heading in. But aren't you two worried about being out of your quarters so late?"
Jang-ryu answered with the most serene expression in the world.
"Of course not! If we get caught, we'll get chewed out till our ears bleed."
"Nah, that's too lenient. If it were Big Bro, he'd make us run laps from the moment we're caught until sunrise. He'd only be satisfied after seeing us crawling on all fours by the end."
Chae-chae chattered on about the severity of Big Bro's punishments as if talking about someone else.
If you get caught in this situation, the ones crawling on all fours will be you two, you know?
What gave these twins the confidence to be so carefree?
I felt uneasy at the thought that they might get punished just for coming to see me.
"If that's true, you two shouldn't be here! Hurry back before you get caught!"
I spoke firmly, but Chae-chae and Jang-ryu didn't look serious at all—in fact, they seemed even happier.
"Don't worry! Big Bro probably went to bed early. As long as we don't get caught, it's fine!"
Chae-chae lowered his voice and grinned mischievously.
"But... Seol-i was just worrying about us, right?"
Jang-ryu, who had been quiet, asked me carefully with a smile.
Chae-chae's eyes, watching me, also sparkled with anticipation.
...Is that why they look so pleased? Can't deal with these kids.
Still, it was my first time getting fireflies as a gift.
Repaying them wouldn't be so bad.
"Yeah, I don't want my brothers getting in trouble because of me."
"Ugh, that's so touching! Having a little sister is this happy!"
As I hugged the firefly jar tight and voiced my worry for the twins, Chae-chae clutched at his heart dramatically.
"I have a little sister, but she's not as cute as Seol-i!"
"What? Are you talking about me? What's that supposed to mean?"
When Chae-chae went even further, Jang-ryu bristled and started making a fuss noisily.
At this rate, the whole Demon Cult will know the twins are here...
"You two, quiet!"
Sensing the crisis, I covered the twins' mouths first.
"I get how you feel, brothers. But you have to leave soon, okay?"
"Sure!"
After securing the twins' promise, I set the firefly jar down on the ground and looked for a suitable spot to sit.
"Seol-i, sit here."
At that moment, Jang-ryu spread his handkerchief over a flat rock.
Oh, Jang-ryu's young but already so mannerly! If he grows up well like this, he'll be the type who gets a free pass for future marriage meetings or something.
"Thank you!"
I looked at him with eyes full of pride, as if I were his mother, then sat down on the handkerchief.
"Tch, I was going to lay my handkerchief out for Seol-i!"
A step too late, Chae-chae pouted while holding a handkerchief with the exact same pattern as Jang-ryu's.
"Whatever, it's fine! I still have something else to give Seol-i!"
But that regret was fleeting—Chae-chae quickly regained his confidence.
The fireflies weren't the end of it?
I hadn't noticed in the dark, but Chae-chae was wearing a backpack on his back.
"Wait a sec, Seol-i!"
"I'm fine, but..."
My words didn't seem to reach the excited Chae-chae as his hands busily unpacked the bag.
And what finally emerged from the backpack was...
"A doll...?"
It was a doll dressed in what looked like extremely expensive silk clothes.
And it kinda looks like Chae-chae.
Especially the part where its clear eyes had a hint of madness...
"Yeah! This is Chacha, my precious attachment doll that I've slept with since I was little. I'll lend it to you, Seol-i!"
But I already have something to hug while sleeping.
My attachment bird, Ppippi, came to mind for a moment.
"You said it's precious to you, Brother Chae-chae. I'm okay."
"Seol-i, do you not like our Chacha?"
For some reason, Chae-chae looked sadder than before as he held up the doll Chacha and gazed at me with drooping eyes.
"Ah, no, I like it. Then I'll use it for a bit and give it back."
"Great!"
Chae-chae stomped his feet excitedly, as if he'd been waiting, and handed Chacha to me.
At the same time, I felt its soft texture, and the gold-embroidered clothes and golden accessories caught my eye.
"Chae-chae, um... are you a gold spoon by any chance?"
"Yeah, my personal set is gold chopsticks. But for some reason, gold chopsticks are banned in the Demon Cult. So I eat with wooden ones..."
I figured the twins wouldn't understand what 'gold spoon' means, so words wouldn't get through...
Rich people using gold chopsticks is the same in this world, huh.
Just as I grew curious about the twins' background,
"I assume the disciples know it's bedtime by now."
A chilling voice came from behind me.
This voice...
"We greet the Young Cult Leader."
Jang-ryu and Chae-chae shot up like arrows and politely bowed to the Young Cult Leader in unison.
I stood up as well, and he gestured for me to come to his side.
Of all people, why the Young Cult Leader? He's not thinking of kicking me out of the Demon Cult again just for hanging out with disciples late at night, is he?
No, knowing the Young Cult Leader I remember, he'd do exactly that.
With a sense of despair, I approached the Young Cult Leader's side.
"Did you not know leaving your quarters during bedtime is forbidden?"
"No, sir, we knew. Young Cult Leader!"
The twins answered without even lifting their heads properly.
"Knowing and still breaking the rule means you're prepared to accept any punishment, right?"
"Yes, any punishment."
The twins didn't even try to make excuses.
Honestly, staying away from disciples would be better for my survival in the Demon Cult. But...
"Young Cult Leader, punish me instead."
I can't just ignore the people who came all this way, risking punishment because they were worried about me.
"Seol-i! Stop."
I heard Chae-chae trying to stop me, but I bowed my head before the Young Cult Leader and continued.
"The two of them came because they were worried I might not be able to sleep well alone in an unfamiliar place. So punish me."
"Have you not been sleeping well until now?"
At the Young Cult Leader's question, I recalled the past nights when I'd drooled in my sleep while hugging my attachment bird, Ppippi.
I slept soundly thanks to Ppippi, but it's true I had some trouble sleeping.
"Yes, it takes time to adjust to the new environment for sleeping."
"...I see."
The Young Cult Leader seemed in an even worse mood than before.
This won't end with all of us getting punished together, will it?
"Jang-ryu, Chae-chae."
"Yes, Young Cult Leader!"
"I'll let this slide, so return to your quarters immediately."
Eh? He's really letting it go?
"If Seol-i gets punished, I'll take it instead."
Chae-chae, thinking I was taking his punishment, didn't budge from the spot.
"I have no intention of punishing Seol-i."
The Young Cult Leader called me Seol-i and gave Chae-chae a cold look.
"Seol-i is my servant. It would be troublesome if she got hurt."
Ah, yes. Of course.
"If you don't return now, I'll take it as defying my orders."
At the Young Cult Leader's stern warning, Jang-ryu and Chae-chae reluctantly headed back to their quarters.
But those twins... were they always that fast?
They're out of sight already?
I was admiring their unexpected talent when, unluckily, my eyes met the Young Cult Leader's.
Suffocating silence.
Just give me the punishment already!
"Um..."
Thinking it's better to get scolded quickly, I was about to ask for my punishment first when the Young Cult Leader spoke.
"Come find me."
"Pardon?"
"When you can't sleep."
Leaving me dumbfounded, he turned his back and spoke, then looked at me again with those indifferent eyes.
"My room is always lit."