The Market Is a Candy Kingdom
The inner office of the Princess's Palace was thick with the damp smell of ink and the faint dust of old documents.
Princess Kailian was buried beneath a towering pile of signed forms, her face showing the expression of a soul that had wandered off.
Poor butler.
"Why does this budget plan always not add up every year? I should just reject everything."
She hurled the pen in irritation. It rolled across the floor with a clatter.
I was just as bored, idly flipping a slice of bread on the sofa.
It was the perfect time for a nap on this warm afternoon in early February.
But the tiny scent drifting past my nose kept me awake.
The various street-food aromas clinging to the maids who had returned from their errand.
I trotted over and gently tapped her knee with a front paw.
Butler. Let's go out.
I'm bored, you're bored, and my nose is screaming for a feast.
"Blanc?"
Princess Kailian looked down at me. Her red eyes sparkled, as if she had understood every word.
"You... you're restless too?"
No, I'm hungry.
"Yeah. Think about it. You used to roam vast grasslands as a wild beast, locked in this tiny room. How could your paws not itch?"
Technically it was the snowy mountain, but she was taking it as pure longing for freedom. It worked out the same in the end.
"Alright. I'm decided."
Princess Kailian shot to her feet. Action was her top imperial trait.
"Today's work is on strike. Let's go out, Blanc."
Yay!
That's my butler. I wagged my tail wildly. But there was one realistic problem.
"We can't just leave. You're the empire's biggest talking point right now."
Princess Kailian propped her chin on her fist, face grave.
"One single strand of fur from you and crowds would flood in like clouds. Remember the nobles at the last ball?"
That was true. Ever since the incident at the imperial ball, Saintess Lina had been reaching out to the nobility, creating some suspiciously organized gatherings.
"Ho ho. Don't worry. I have a brilliant idea."
Princess Kailian grinned and snapped her fingers.
Whoosh!
Blue mana bloomed at her fingertips and wrapped around my body.
"This is high-tier illusion magic. It will make everyone see you not as your true self, but as the most familiar and ordinary beast they can imagine."
Whoa? My butler really is talented. The empire's magic genius. So what will the world see when the spell lifts?
A majestic black panther? Or a sleek wolf?
I peeked into the full-length mirror, tail wagging with anticipation.
The mirror still showed me as a handsome white tiger.
"It'll look exactly like this to you," she said, laughing and pointing at my reflection. "But to everyone else..."
"A giant, white, chubby... big fluffy dog."
......What?
A dog? That kind of dog?
I stared, mouth hanging open.
Kyaa!
Laughing? You don't even knead my paws today.
"More precisely, like the northern sled dogs. Big and bouncy, with the softest fur."
Princess Kailian scratched under my chin and chuckled.
"So outside, be careful not to bark. No 'roar,' just 'woof.' Got it?"
Humiliating.
Being treated like a dog by the greatest beast in the world. But it's for treats. I'll endure it.
We slipped out the back entrance of the palace, avoiding the head maid and guards.
Princess Kailian had changed into plain robes, posing as an ordinary woman, while I... well, pretended to be a "big dog" and followed close behind.
"Halt!"
A back-gate guard blocked our path with his spear.
The moment of truth.
Would the illusion hold?
"Show me your credentials. And... uh..."
The guard's eyes landed on me.
The instant he saw me, his face split into a stupid grin.
"By the gods, what a fine dog! Look at that perfectly groomed coat!"
"Y-yes... um, our family's young master. Just big and not very fierce."
Princess Kailian answered with perfect composure.
The guard reached out to pat my head.
Don't you dare!
No treats? No pawing?
I let out a low growl.
"Grraaa..."
"Oh? You're a little shy, aren't you? That bark carries a lot of power. Like a real beast."
...Exactly.
The magic had worked wonders. He thought I was just a big barking dog, completely oblivious to the white tiger inside. We passed without a hitch.
The bustling streets of Arpen, the imperial capital, thrummed with life.
Haggling cries, sizzling street-food smells, crowds of people hurrying past. A vibrant energy nothing like the polished calm of the palace.
"Wow..."
Princess Kailian peered out from under her hood, eyes shining. To her, every sight felt like a thrilling spectacle.
"Blanc, look at all these people!"
"What's that over there? Looks like a gemstone."
She tugged on the ribbon I wore like a leash and waded into the throng. I sniffed deeply.
The view didn't matter. It was the scent.
My nose had perfectly tuned into the feast.
Three o'clock direction: skewered chicken.
Nine o'clock: whole-pig barbecue.
Twelve o'clock: fresh-fried croquettes.
"Master! Over here first!"
I barked. Crap, it slipped out on its own. The spell had hypnotized my vocal cords too?
Princess Kailian giggled and led me to the chicken stall.
"Uncle, please give me one spicy and one plain."
"Yes, miss! Oh, what a handsome dog. Can I give you a little piece?"
The vendor tossed a chunk of meat into the air while flipping the skewers.
I snatched it mid-flight.
Mmm.
Delicious! Charred smoke and salty kick! This was the street food I remembered!
I wagged my tail so hard it nearly blurred.
"Whoa, you eat well. Here's a service."
The vendor beamed, impressed by my appetite, and handed over a whole skewer.
Being treated like a dog still stung my pride, but it was nothing compared to being called a dog back in the palace.
I gripped the skewer between my paws and tore into it with fierce focus.
"Look at that dog using its paws like a human!"
"Does it think there's a person inside?"
Passersby whispered among themselves.
I ignored them. Food was food.
We found a bench and devoured chicken skewers, fruit juice, and stew.
Princess Kailian's lips were smeared with sauce, and my belly was round and tight as a balloon.
"Haa... I'm full."
Princess Kailian patted her stomach in satisfaction.
"Palace food is good, but nothing beats eating outside. Right?"
"Woof!"
The moment I said it, there were still countless stalls left unvisited.
She laughed, looking at me with eyes that no longer held the thorns of a princess.
No more sharp rose; just a soft, ordinary smile like any girl her age.
She rested her chin on my head and watched the crowds.
No one knew she was the princess, and no one knew I was a divine beast.
The anonymity felt strangely sweet, especially without the Saintess around to spoil the peace.
Lately someone had been secretly gathering my shed fur to make dolls. I should ask about that someday.
A welcome intruder shattered the calm.
"Hey, miss. You're alone?"
Three burly men smelling of alcohol blocked Princess Kailian's path.
Typical alley thugs. Princess Kailian's eyes turned ice-cold in an instant.
A chill rippled from her fingertips.
No! If I kill them, I won't be able to leave afterward!
I quickly wrapped my tail around her hand.
Magic here would expose the illusion. The Ice Witch's power was known empire-wide.
I'll handle it.
"What the... this little dog?"
What a pathetic sight. You're the one I'm saving right now.
The man sneered at me and kicked my head with his boot.
"Get out of the way. We have business with the lady. You'd better not get stepped on."
Touch my head?
My head is allowed to be touched by the Emperor himself.
I slowly rose, towering over him.
"Today is your funeral."
With the illusion in place I looked like a fluffy big dog, but inside I was a pure white tiger.
The man reached for his foot again.
Crack!
"Aaaah!!"
A scream echoed through the square.
I had clamped down on his calf.
Not a nip. I bit with every ounce of strength, the way you tear meat from a bone. His bone was probably pierced by now.
"You crazy dog!"
A comrade swung a fist.
I sidestepped lightly and sank my teeth into his thigh.
Crunch!
"Graaa..."
I growled low.
The thugs felt primal terror.
It wasn't the white dog in front of them. It was the overwhelming killing intent radiating from the woman behind that froze them solid.
Like a massive demon saying "Touch my dog and die" and they actually felt the glare.
"Hyik! It's a monster!"
"Run!"
They fled dragging their legs. I let out a fart and plopped back onto the bench.
Heh. They finally sensed the majesty of the white tiger.
......Blanc.
Princess Kailian stared at me blankly.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Exactly... you really are the best. So cute."
She pulled me into a tight hug.
Cute? I had chased them off perfectly.
As night deepened we returned to the palace through the back gate undetected... or so I thought.
"Was it fun?"
The moment we stepped inside the Princess's Palace, a cool voice stopped us cold.
The lights were on. Two men sat on the sofa.
Emperor Karsion with his arms crossed. Crown Prince Demian beside him, clearing his throat.
"Ah, Father? Brother?"
Princess Kailian's face drained of color.
I ducked behind her in panic.
Kyaa...
Butler, you think I'm the good white tiger who got dragged along?
"The princess walking the city alone, without guards? And even using illusion magic on a divine beast?"
Demian smiled down at my tail.
"A dog that looks... sturdy. The way you eat chicken is impressive."
Caught. Of course. You can't ignore the empire's intelligence network.
"S-Sorry. I just got so bored..."
"I was worried."
The Emperor rose and approached Princess Kailian.
Instead of anger, he brushed dust from her shoulder.
"How much you scared me, disappearing like that."
"N-No...?"
Relief colored the Emperor's voice. Princess Kailian snapped her head up in surprise.
"I was afraid you'd get hurt."
Her calm words still carried heavy emotion. All the thoughts she had kept buried shattered.
Princess Kailian lowered her head like any ordinary daughter apologizing.
"I'm sorry. I just... wanted to play normally with Blanc..."
"Next time let us know. I'll have a guard in civilian clothes if you want."
The Emperor sighed and looked at me.
Why did I have to be dragged? Seriously.
"And you. A divine beast pretending to be a dog. What shame."
"Only cute though."
Demian stepped forward and poked my cheek.
"Sauce on your mouth. You ate everything delicious by yourself?"
He prodded my belly. Round as a drum. His expression was pure betrayal.
"I like chicken skewers too. I know how to drink juice."
The Emperor cleared his throat.
"Hrm. This 'spicy skewer' of yours is intriguing."
The lecture dissolved into late-night snack time.
Princess Kailian pulled a half-eaten skewer from her pocket. The Emperor, Crown Prince, and princess gathered around to share.
"It's spicy! But it keeps pulling at me."
"I like this juice, Your Majesty."
"Blanc likes eating chicken skewers and drinking juice."
I released the illusion and returned to my true form, lying down between them.
It had been a long day. But a pretty good adventure. If you didn't count the dog treatment.
Next time I should steal the Emperor's wallet. More money means more food.
The palace night deepened, carrying the scent of chicken skewers all the way.