The Forest King Has Arrived
The late afternoon sun slanted through the high windows of the Emperor’s office, casting long golden stripes across the vast desk. Princess Kailian stood straight-backed, her silver hair tied in a tight warrior’s knot, red eyes burning with the kind of calm resolve that could face down a whole army.
“Grandpa,” she said, voice steady and formal, “I’m taking Blanc out for a day trip.”
She bowed deeply to Emperor Karsion, the same man who had once stared down dragons without flinching.
The Emperor looked up from the mountain of sealed documents, crimson eyes narrowing. The sight of his favorite grandson being gently nudged toward the cold outside world clearly irritated him.
“A day trip?” he rumbled, voice laced with imperial dry wit. “Leaving the royal silk sheets to sleep under the wind? You’ve lost your mind, Kailian.”
Kailian’s lips twitched. She shot Blanc a tiny, warning pinch.
“Blanc is restless, Your Majesty. He’s been cooped up inside all day. A tiger needs to roll in the dirt, breathe fresh air, feel the earth under his paws. That’s what keeps his coat shining and his spirit wild.”
She pinched again, harder this time. Blanc, act pathetic.
I immediately dialed up the most pitiful, tragic little eyes I could manage. The truth was, the palace was warm and soft, but every now and then even the Emperor’s favorite cub needed to see a little more of the world.
I folded my tiny paws together, tilted my head, and let out the most heartbreaking “kyuoot…” in history.
The Emperor’s stern mouth twitched.
“Fine. But only for today.”
“Thank you, Grandpa!”
“Hmph.”
“Only if you promise—”
“—to stay within five minutes of the Imperial Guard’s reach. The back mountain sector, section one. Any farther and I’m sending the palace guard.”
Section one was only a fifteen-minute walk through the forest. To me it was basically the palace backyard, but crossing those towering walls was the real point.
“And you will use this tent.”
The Emperor tossed a heavy leather satchel under the desk. Inside was a masterwork of imperial enchantment—heated floor, windproof and rainproof barriers, the kind of luxury that made even stone feel warm.
His eyes softened the tiniest fraction when he looked at me. Don’t get a stomachache on the cold ground, little one.
We stepped out through the palace gates. The moment we crossed the high stone wall, the ancient forest swallowed us whole. Hundreds of years old, towering oaks and thick underbrush created a living cathedral of green and dappled sunlight. Fallen leaves the color of gold and rust carpeted the ground like a soft, fragrant bed.
“Perfect spot!” Kailian declared, already setting up the tent.
“Kyoot!” I grabbed the poles and helped her hammer them in.
One flick of the Emperor’s tent and the air inside warmed instantly. The floor felt like a heated ondol—cozy, perfect, and far better than cold stone.
I flopped onto the pile of golden leaves, rubbing my cheek against the rough, earthy scent. It woke every instinct.
“Kyuuu…”
Outside the palace, the smooth marble floor had never felt like this—wild, alive, mine.
I scratched my claws down the thick tree trunk, marking my territory, tail held high as I prowled in slow circles.
“Kyuu.”
Sunbeams danced across my silver-white fur, turning it into liquid moonlight.
The afternoon bled into evening. Kailian built a small fire inside the tent, the magical flames crackling softly. The aroma of perfectly grilled ribeye and hand-made sausages filled the forest with joy.
I sat on her knee, chin resting on her leg, drooling openly.
“Here comes some. Be careful, it’s hot.”
“Kyaang… kyuu.”
She blew on a perfect slice and fed it straight to my mouth. The explosion of rich, juicy meat made my brain short-circuit. Outdoor meat, eaten alone with my butler? Why was it so delicious?
Blissful, I started purring the deep, comforting “gol gol” song and wrapped my fluffy tail around her arm.
“Our butler really knows how to grill.”
Scritch.
From the nearby thicket came a heavy, purposeful sound—nothing like rustling leaves.
“Blanc, stay right behind me.”
“Kyuu!”
I was already behind her, you idiot butler!
Kailian’s hand froze mid-air. She reached for the dagger at her hip, tension radiating from every line of her body. The peaceful forest vanished, replaced by razor-sharp alertness.
She’d burn the whole forest down to keep me safe.
The bushes exploded. A small, chubby pink-nosed baby boar tumbled out, looking utterly startled.
“Kyui?”
“Kya?”
The little thing blinked huge, wet eyes at us, snuffling curiously. The dirt clinging to its snout made it look even cuter.
“…Huh?”
“Kyooot?”
Kailian’s eyes widened in total shock. One by one, the hidden creatures of the forest stepped into the clearing.
Cheeky squirrels with puffed-out cheeks, long-eared mountain rabbits, sleek otters with glossy fur, and gentle-eyed deer.
Like they were holding a forest tea party.
They didn’t fear humans—especially not me. Their eyes locked onto my silky white fur instead of the meat on the fire.
They circled us slowly, tails twitching, noses twitching, clearly fascinated.
“What are you staring at, you herbivores? Keep away!”
Kailian lowered her dagger, staring between me and the tiny boar.
Then the signal came. Every animal in the forest suddenly charged.
An otter snatched my tail and gave it a happy shake.
Squirrels climbed onto my back, burrowing into my thick fur.
A deer licked my cheek with a rough, friendly tongue.
“Kyyaaaang!!”
Move it, you idiots!
In seconds I was buried in a warm, ticklish, squishy pile of forest creatures. Their curiosity was pure and harmless—nothing like the hungry stare of a predator.
They had come to see the magical white cub who had appeared in their woods.
I was suddenly the accidental forest idol.
Squirrels’ tiny feet tickled my spine. Rabbit fur tickled my belly. Deer licked my ears.
“Stop it! Stop touching!”
“Puhaha!”
“Kyaaooang!”
Kailian finally laughed out loud, the sound ringing through the quiet forest like bells.
“You all came to see Blanc? Even the forest animals love him?”
She relaxed completely, sharing the remaining meat and bread. The animals’ tails wagged so hard the ground shook.
I couldn’t let them win. I tore off a tiny piece of sausage and held it out to the baby boar.
“Kyuu.”
The little piglet patted my paw with its wet nose, squeaking happily. We sat together around the fire, the most peaceful, harmless party the forest had ever seen.
As night deepened, the full bellies decided to stay. They arranged themselves around the tent like bodyguards.
The deer stood guard at the entrance.
The rabbits formed one giant fluffy ball, sharing warmth.
The squirrels perched on the tent roof, scouting.
Every single creature in the forest had become our bodyguard.
No safer day trip had ever existed. Thousands of bright eyes watched over us from the dark sky.
“It’s so warm…”
“Grrr… kyuu…”
Inside the tent, Kailian pulled me into her arms and tucked me under the blanket.
Outside, the forest insects hummed and the animals breathed in perfect rhythm. It wasn’t as grand as the palace, but it was the warmest, most peaceful night imaginable.
Her gentle hand stroked my back as she whispered.
“I’m glad I brought you today. Both of us… we’re being loved.”
“Kyuuu.”
Even you, my butler, are loved. It’s just hard to believe. I’ll always be right here with you.
I closed my eyes to the sound of her heartbeat, safe in the arms of forest friends.
We slipped into sweet dreams together.
Outside the tent, the quiet breathing of the little guardians lulled me like a lullaby.