Chapter 8.2

Chapter 8.2

Ara resumed her cheerful demeanor, a sunny smile lighting up her face. It was the kind of positive outlook that she had honed from a less-than-ideal upbringing. People are naturally drawn to the light, especially when surrounded by darkness.

At that moment, the clamor of footsteps and lively chatter approached from the entrance.

“Oh, right,” Ara said, quickly wiping her hands on her apron.

“Where’s the dog food? I need to make sure Baekseol—no, Baekseol-nim—gets fed too. But I didn’t see any in the kitchen.”

Seok-kyung couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at Ara’s earnest question.

He was indeed a handsome man, and his rare smiles were truly something to behold. It was almost a shame he didn’t smile more often.

“Why are you laughing?” Ara asked, puzzled by his reaction.

Ara was once again momentarily distracted by Seok-kyung’s striking appearance, which made her protest a beat too late.

“Well, our Baekseol is quite the princess with a long memory.”

“What?”

“If he gets upset, it’ll last for a week. And if he finds out we ate without him? I’d say this week might be a bit rough.”

Seok-kyung shrugged with a chuckle. Ara, recalling the previous scene, shuddered at the memory of Baekseol’s fierce anger.

“Hey! Nam Seol-do!” Baekseol had bellowed, his voice echoing through the house as he pounced on Seol-do, fists flying. His rage was as intense as a hunting dog chasing a wild boar. Surely, such fury wouldn’t be easily forgotten?

“So tell me quickly! Where’s the dog food?”

As Ara stomped her feet in frustration, Baekseol and Seol-do’s presence drew closer.

“There isn’t any. No dog food.”

Seok-kyung now watched Ara with the amused detachment of someone enjoying a comedic performance, arms crossed.

It was clear that he wasn’t going to make things easy. It was foolish of Ara to expect any help.

With no other choice, Ara resumed her search through the kitchen. She had barely reopened a drawer she had already checked when Seol-do and Baekseol burst into the dining area.

“Food! It smells delicious!”

Baekseol bounded into the room, tail wagging like a propeller. Her pink nose twitched as he sniffed the air eagerly.

“I’ll eat well.”

Seol-do plopped down next to Seok-kyung’s seat and greeted Ara with a casual nod. Her usual indifferent expression remained, but her eyes sparkled as they surveyed the table.

Seok-kyung, unable to withstand Seol-do’s unspoken demand to start eating, picked up his chopsticks. He hastily grabbed a nearby dish, prompting Seol-do to begin his meal in earnest.

“I’ll eat well too!” Baekseol exclaimed, settling down at her spot.

Baekseol leaped onto the chair opposite Seok-kyung, which was where Ara had been sitting earlier, and immediately aimed for a bowl of rice. His long snout was stopped short by a pair of chopsticks.

“Baekseol, that’s not your food.” The chopsticks belonged to Ara.

“Can’t you see? There are spoons and chopsticks laid out. That’s for him.”

Seok-kyung pointed to the pair of utensils next to the bowl of rice. As he said, Ara had set out a spoon and chopsticks for herself.

Baekseol froze, looking as if struck by lightning. Her disbelief turned slowly towards Ara.

“What about my food?”

“Oh, sorry. I couldn’t find the dog food, no matter how much I searched the kitchen. If you can tell me where it is…”

“Dog food?”

Baekseol interrupted Ara sharply. Her ears perked up, and her slightly parted lips revealed sharp teeth.

“Are you telling me to eat dog food?”

“Uh, well, then what…”

“Food! Of course, I eat human food! Do you think I’m some common stray lying around on the streets? Haven’t you heard my introduction earlier? I’m a guardian spirit! I live longer than you and am a great spirit managing the Maze Garden!”

Baekseol glared at Ara as if ready to pounce. A growling sound, similar to an angry fighting dog, rumbled from her.

Ara remembered Seok-kyung’s voice. ‘There’s no dog food.’ Understanding Seok-kyung’s words for the first time, Ara felt an intense wave of frustration.

‘Why didn’t he just say so earlier! Ara silently cursed Seok-kyung, who was watching the scene with interest. Then, she quickly grabbed Baekseol’s fluffy front paws.

“I’m sorry, Baekseol. It’s my first time here, so I didn’t know. I’ll make sure to prepare food for you from now on. More of it, packed tight.”

Ara’s small hands clutched Baekseol’s tiny front paws with earnest sincerity. “Can you please just let it go this once?”

Baekseol, taken aback by Ara’s sudden plea and submissive posture, slowly retracted her sharp teeth, revealing a more puzzled look.

“Cute and lovable Baekseol will forgive you this once.”

Baekseol blinked her gem-like eyes and wagged his tail slightly, almost as if asking for more. “Hmph. I’ll let it slide this time. But if it happens again, I won’t be so lenient.”

“Thanks, Baekseol.” Ara couldn’t believe she was groveling to a talking dog. If someone had told her yesterday she’d be begging for a dog’s forgiveness, she’d have laughed in their face.

What had her life become?