Miracle Belly
A ray of sunlight slipped between the curtains and tickled my whiskers.
"Umm... kng..."
I burrowed my face deeper into the soft cushion and let out a long, satisfied sigh.
My entire body felt as heavy as a ball of wet cotton. Had I really trained yesterday and eaten an absurd amount of meat?
It wasn't just overeating or muscle soreness making me this sluggish. Something else was off. My stomach wasn't bloated at all—in fact, it felt strangely empty.
Like I hadn't eaten in days. My belly was shriveled.
Why did my body feel so light?
I stretched, groaning as my spine cracked pleasantly.
My front paws automatically moved to my stomach to check the treasure I'd been so proud of.
The pads that normally brushed the air now met firm, toned muscle instead of soft, jelly-like warmth.
"...Kyau?"
I rubbed my eyes with my front paws and tilted my head. My belly looked flatter than ever, all lean muscle now.
"Kyaaa...?"
What the— I ate that much meat yesterday!
Was the entire feast a dream?
"Khrrrr..."
My tail drooped in disappointment when a gentle knock sounded at the door and Kailian stepped inside.
"Up late today, huh? Probably from the training yesterday."
She patted my back and nuzzled my cheek with affection.
"We'll dress you up nicely today. Someone special is coming to visit you."
"Kyuuu...?"
A visitor? One of the maids or kitchen staff?
The door creaked open even more carefully, and a tall, elegant man entered.
"Kyuu?"
Huh? That scent was familiar, but this face was new. Who was he?
He was tall and broad-shouldered with the refined features of a lord's second son. The most striking thing, though, was his hair.
Glossy, flowing black silk cascaded all the way to his shoulders—pure luxury.
Who was he? A noble?
Just as I prepared to sniff him out, he dropped to one knee with a thud.
His voice trembled with overwhelming gratitude.
"Your Highness the Divine Beast... I, Kaiden, will never forget this blessing even in death."
"...Kyuu?"
I blinked slowly. Kaiden? The commander of the Imperial Knight Order?
No way.
The Kaiden I knew was a bald old man who didn't even bother with a helmet.
But this guy had luxurious hair like a forest?
"Kyuuu?"
I circled him, sniffing curiously. The scent was definitely his, but... were you really that sparkly uncle?
I climbed onto his back and poked his hair with my front paw.
Not a wig. A real, strong, natural wave growing straight from his scalp.
This was terrifying.
"Believe it or not, it's true, Your Highness."
Kaiden swept his hand awkwardly through his hair, eyes watering.
"I fell asleep after eating the blessed meat Your Highness gifted me yesterday. When I woke up, my pillow was covered in hair. I thought I'd been cursed until I saw myself in the mirror."
He bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the floor.
"For the rest of my life, I had been chasing a bitter regret. I had abandoned marriage to devote myself entirely to the sword... but Your Highness gave me a spring in my step. I am so grateful and overwhelmed that the moment dawn broke, I raced here to greet you."
Lina, standing gracefully beside me, added in a soft, reverent tone.
"I examined the results. The regenerative power hidden in Your Highness's miracle perfectly revived the dormant follicles. It was a literal miracle—bringing back what had died."
My belly had become a cure for baldness.
How did the law of equivalent exchange even apply? One kilo of belly fat for ten thousand new hairs?
It felt weird, but seeing him this moved made it okay.
"Krrruuuung."
I shook my tail haughtily, letting out a proud puff of air.
My butler, bless him. I had conquered an incurable disease of humanity.
We headed to the dining hall for breakfast.
The hallway looked completely different from usual. An unnatural vitality pulsed through the entire palace.
"Hyaa!"
Even the maids and soldiers looked refreshed—no exhaustion in their eyes.
Their skin glowed, and their eyes sparkled with renewed energy.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
"Your Highness, your fur's shine is something else today!"
People passing by greeted me cheerfully.
Usually Kailian would scold me for it... but now their eyes held something beyond mere respect—fanatical devotion, like they were gazing at a living miracle.
"Grung... kyuu?"
Yeah, whatever. As long as I was happy.
I skipped the greetings and let Kailian carry me.
"They gave everyone extra meat yesterday. Apparently everyone's stamina is about to explode."
Lina added her own analysis.
"The reactions exceeded expectations. The imperial citizens who ate the meat infused with Your Highness's energy now possess temporary physical enhancement. Fatigue recovery speed is tripled, and average strength has increased by 1.5 times."
"Kyuu...?"
Steroids? That sounds terrifying.
Lina stroked my now-flat belly.
"This belly is no different from the goddess's grace."
"Kyuu."
It was even more amazing than I thought.
The head chef came running up the moment we arrived.
"Your Highness! Today's special is tenderloin steak and roasted turkey!"
He was so pumped up he was practically vibrating—clearly the miracle had hit him hard.
"Slurp, slurp, munch... mmm."
I tossed all elegance aside and grabbed the meat with both paws, tearing into it.
Juicy meat exploded across my tongue, tender and rich. This was the taste of life itself.
"Kyuuu..."
While I was lost in bliss, a careful voice spoke up.
"U-um, Your Highness..."
I looked up. It was that handsome knight—Kaiden. But he wasn't alone.
A few other knights stood behind him, helmets pressed low.
"Kyuu?"
"What's up? Interrupting breakfast?"
Kailian frowned, clearly annoyed that my meal was being disturbed.
"Kyuuu..."
"Okay, fine, no anger. Sorry."
I nuzzled her fingers.
Always causing trouble. Butler, at least understand.
"I'm truly sorry, Your Highness the Princess... that blessed meat left over in the warehouse. Could I possibly get a little more?"
I tilted my head. I thought I'd given them a ton yesterday.
Kaiden pointed at his companions with an apologetic look.
"Well... only I saw the full effect at once. The others are... well, their situations are quite dire too."
The oldest knight lifted his helmet slightly with a trembling hand.
Blink!
"Aaah!"
My eyes!
I screamed and covered my eyes with both paws.
This is cheating!
The helmet revealed perfectly smooth scalp—no single hair.
"My daughter is getting married next month... I can't bring a bald father to the reception... Please, Your Highness."
"I was mocked by my fiancé for being 'shiny'... and then rejected."
"I just... I want to try using a comb."
Their eyes were desperate—less hunger, more survival instinct. A cry to reclaim what they'd lost.
I thought for a moment.
My miracle meat. I'd just eat more later anyway. And they were asking so desperately. As a merciful divine beast, refusing them felt wrong.
Besides, I'd eaten this snack plenty of times. Once their hair grew back, my drool would decrease.
"Kyuuu!"
"The Divine Beast has granted permission."
Lina relayed my answer.
"Thank you! Long live the Divine Beast!"
"We will protect Your Highness with our lives!"
"We swear we will never threaten Your Highness until we draw our last breath!"
The knights cheered, tears streaming down their faces.
"Kyuu."
"Good... ugh, you keep doing this and I'll get scolded."
Kailian pinched my cheek playfully.
That same afternoon, the Imperial Training Grounds were unrecognizable.
The empire's strongest knights sat crammed together, chewing smoked meat with solemn, worshipful expressions.
"Chew thoroughly. Not even a drop of juice should escape to the roots."
"Yes, sir!"
A few days later, the Imperial Guard was whispered about across the empire—and even the entire continent—as the "fluffiest-haired" knight unit in history.
The moment they removed their helmets, sweeping their luxurious locks back into place became their trademark. Every time the palace ball rolled around, the young ladies' screams never stopped.
Of course, there were side effects.
"Blanc! You've lost weight again! I can see your ribs! Eat more!"
Kailian would panic and shove meat at me the moment I got even a little skinny.
The knights, feeling guilty, brought me every snack they could.
"Your Highness, try this premium meat jerky. Your fur should glow."
"Your Highness, I brought well-digested ribs. Eat plenty and keep your belly... I mean, keep healthy."
"This wild boar stew was brought from the neighboring country! Please eat and stay blessed!"
I lounged on the terrace and simply let them offer their gifts.
My belly was full, people praised me, and my miracle belly turned into a holy relic that protected the empire's roots.
I patted my now-plump stomach and smiled contentedly.
The miracle belly was no longer just a fat blob.
It had become a true **Holy Relic**—safeguarding the empire's peace and the knights' pride.
"Kyu-uuu~"
The most peaceful afternoon imaginable, complete with a sacred burp.