The Baby Cub's Sudden Human Form – Moonlit Surprise in the Palace Garden
The soft, fluffy sounds of a contented sigh echoed through the quiet of the bedroom.
“Kyahuuung…”
Man, I was just finally dropping off to sleep.
The buzzing of the pesky mosquitoes by my ears forced me to wake up despite myself.
“Kyauuuuarm…”
I stretched my jaw wide open in a massive yawn and arched my back, then took a quick glance around.
The night was still young.
A gentle full moon hung in the sky, and the cool night air drifted softly through the room.
I quietly lifted my front paw and gave the cheek of the sleeping Kylian a firm little press.
“Mmm… puhfuh…”
Startled awake by my paw on her cheek, Kylian squirmed in her sleep and rubbed her cheek against my front paw with a silly laugh.
Always calling me an idiot. Look at you right now – you’re the biggest idiot here.
I clicked my tongue and slid out of Kylian’s arms, leaping down from the bed.
Tap.
Um…? What’s this? It feels kinda… off?
My body felt strangely unfamiliar.
The usual light, agile sensation wasn’t there. My vision seemed a little higher than usual…?
What is it? Am I just imagining things? No way I actually gained weight…?
Creak-.
I quietly opened the closed door and stepped out into the hallway.
Normally I’d have to jump and grab the doorknob to open it, but tonight the knob was perfectly at my height, so I could just reach up and open it easily.
Did I suddenly grow taller overnight?
Yeah, I had been eating a lot of snacks lately. Kids grow fast anyway.
“…?!”
“Hah…!”
“What? Why so startled?”
The moment I opened the door and stepped out, the two palace guards standing in front widened their eyes.
Why are they so shocked? Did I catch Kylian cheating on me?
Seeing their awkward faces, I tilted my head in confusion.
Right after spotting me, they stood there with mouths hanging open, bodies trembling like leaves in the wind.
“Kyau?”
Why? Is this your first day on the job?
I didn’t understand their reaction, so I stared for a moment, then turned and walked away.
I didn’t need to know why they were acting like that.
Instead of waving, I lightly wagged my tail and slowly walked down the hallway, leaving them behind.
Strangely, every guard on duty as I passed stared straight at me with wide eyes.
Did they all drink together?
Was there a secret drinking party while I was asleep?
Maybe they drank so I’d miss it and feel bad? If that’s the case, I can just close my eyes.
Underlings should really get along better so they can handle it.
I didn’t bother talking to them and simply wagged my tail while walking out of the hallway.
The moonlight poured over the garden, showing off its nighttime beauty.
I strolled peacefully through the soft earth of the garden, enjoying the night air.
In the distance, on the training ground, knights swung their swords nonstop into the late night, sweating.
I’m sure they’re making sure to get their protein in.
Working out without protein is just a waste of time.
Since I eat protein eleven times a day, I had nothing to worry about.
As I walked listening to their battle cries, I suddenly found myself right in front of the huge fountain in the garden.
“Kyau.”
Refreshing. Nice.
I flopped down in a spot with no mud in front of the fountain.
The cool night breeze and the clear sound of running water tickled my ears.
I stared at the fountain’s sparkling water under the moonlight for a moment, then gently closed my eyes.
The soothing sound of the water and the cool air made my heart feel warm and emotional.
“Oh my! Heavens, where did this child even come from?”
I opened my eyes slightly, disturbed by the voice, and saw several young maids surrounding me, staring down with wide eyes.
“How strange. Why is a child alone out here at night? Judging by the clothes you’re wearing, you don’t look like an ordinary kid……”
“Perhaps you’re the eldest daughter of some visiting noble family? You must have gotten lost.”
I furrowed my brow at their conversation.
Can they not even recognize a divine beast anymore?
Even newbies have to be handed over properly.
I’ll have to give them a stern talking-to later.
“You don’t know who I am?”
The maids looked startled but didn’t leave my side.
“No matter who you are, walking around alone at night without any adults is dangerous.”
“Don’t. Stop being annoying. I’m just enjoying the night breeze here.”
I fidgeted nervously, dodging their hands.
“No, it’s too cold at night and you’ll catch a cold. Get up right now.”
The maids stubbornly grabbed my arms and tried to pull me upright.
“What is the meaning of this?”
A familiar voice rang out from the garden, and the maids’ hands froze.
“……!!”
The maids jumped in surprise and turned around.
Standing there was the horned female divine beast, Haetae, gazing at the maids with a confused expression.
“L-Lady Haetae…”
The maids hurriedly bowed their heads in greeting.
Haetae didn’t even glance at the maids, but fixed her intense gaze only on me as she slowly walked closer.
“What is the meaning of this? Why are you forcibly taking the first sight of an unfamiliar child?”
“Ah, it’s… this child is the first one we’ve seen, and since he’s wandering alone at night, we thought it best to protect him…”
At the maids’ excuse, Haetae looked me up and down with intense scrutiny.
Don’t tell me you forgot about me?
You came all this way for a marriage proposal. How could you forget?
At that moment, Haetae’s eyes grew wide.
“…Impossible.”
Haetae stared at me in shock for a moment, then composed herself and turned to the maids.
“You’ve done well. There’s no need to worry.”
“Y-yes…?”
“I know this child. I will take him with me, so please return to your duties.”
At Haetae’s words, the maids had no choice but to bow their heads.
“Ah… yes, understood! Thank you very much.”
The maids hurriedly bowed deeply and quickly retreated.
I should have at least learned their names.
How could they not even know who they serve?
In front of the fountain, only Haetae and I remained.
I looked at the maids’ retreating backs and puffed out my cheeks in displeasure.
“I should tell Kylian to educate them again. Hmph.”
While I grumbled, Haetae stepped in front of me.
Slither.
Haetae knelt gracefully in front of me without caring that her beautiful hanbok brushed the ground.
Looking at me with disbelief, she spoke.
“……It’s truly you, Lord Blanc.”
Why are you acting like that? I am Blanc, who else could it be?
At my words, Haetae silently scanned my face and body.
Then she let out a small sigh and pulled a small mirror from her bosom.
“You still don’t seem to know what you look like.”
Haetae held the little hand mirror out to me.
“Look for yourself.”
“Why, I washed up properly before going to sleep.”
I frowned in annoyance and peered into the mirror she offered.
“……?!”
A sound like air escaping came from my mouth as I stared into the mirror.
In the reflection was not the fluffy baby white tiger cub I knew.
Silvery-white hair shining like moonlight.
Eyes sharp and piercing like a beast.
Still above my head were the same white, upright tiger ears, and behind my rear swayed a thick tail.
“This… what is this…?”
I was so shocked I flopped onto the ground.
Without realizing it, I reached up and touched my face.
Instead of the soft, fluffy fur, I felt smooth, slightly taut human skin.
Most shocking of all was my front paw.
In place of my soft, jelly-filled paw pads, I had five human fingers wiggling in the air.
“What is this…?”
So that’s why everyone reacted like that… Sorry.
They were all working hard… I must have caused them a lot of worry.
Haetae carefully observed my state, then spoke to me calmly.
“You mustn’t be surprised, Lord Blanc.”
“You’re not surprised at all?”
Haetae put the mirror back in her bosom and explained gently.
“It’s a common symptom during the growth phase of divine beasts. Their bodies can’t keep up with the sacred energy they’re growing, so they briefly lose control of their form.”
“That’s it…?”
“Yes. It’s perfectly normal during growth. You don’t need to worry.”
“So it’ll go back to normal?”
I curled and uncurled my human fingers and murmured in a daze.
“Yes. Once the energy in your body stabilizes, you should naturally return to your original form soon. Don’t be concerned.”
At Haetae’s words, I sat quietly in place and slowly examined my human body for the first time in a long while.
I even pulled my cheeks and grabbed my tail with both hands.
Since it hurt, it had to be real.
“Ah, should I show Kylian?”
She’d probably like it.
Or not…?
At least I shouldn’t show Lina yet.
She’s been behaving lately… I guess showing her now would be wrong.