The Warmth of Family Bonds
Emperor Karsion nodded with a satisfied smile. “Report. Were there any unusual occurrences last night?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Master Blanc drank one bowl of milk, slept soundly, and his bowel movements were perfectly healthy.”
“...Splendid.”
Emperor Karsion nodded, his expression one of genuine contentment.
Anyone watching might have mistaken the scene for a discussion of the empire’s most critical state affairs. Yet this was merely a routine check on the condition of a certain baby tiger cub.
Ever since the incident in the Audience Chamber, my days had undergone a complete 180-degree transformation.
Every morning I was carried by Princess Kailian to the Sun Palace, where I would “punch in” for my imperial inspection.
The official title sounded majestic—monitoring and reforming the wild instincts of a dangerous magical beast—but in reality it was simply the emperor’s private healing time.
“Come here.”
The emperor closed the documents on his desk and extended his hand.
Kailian handed me over with a tragic expression, as if I were being taken from the empire itself.
“Be careful—hold me too tight and I might burst.”
“Do not try to teach His Majesty. I already mastered every lesson from the books.”
The emperor accepted me without hesitation. The stiffness of my posture had softened considerably over the past few days.
He settled me on his broad lap and began rummaging through the desk drawer.
Flash.
My eyes sparkled.
It was a golden mouse doll crafted entirely of pure gold. Its eyes were set with real diamonds, and its tail was made of the finest silk.
...Is this for me to play with?
I clicked my tongue inwardly. It was certainly a toy befitting the emperor’s dignity, but what if I accidentally knocked out a tooth? Would there be an accident report to file?
I had to earn my keep.
When the emperor shook the golden mouse doll, I swung my little arm like a rubber mallet and snatched it in one swift motion.
“Heh heh heh.”
A deep, resonant chuckle escaped the emperor’s lips.
He tried to maintain a stern face, then cleared his throat.
“Your reflexes are remarkably fast. The qualities of a magical beast are indeed present in you. This toy is said to be excellent for developing hand-eye coordination.”
“That’s right! Our Blanc is a genius, after all. Yesterday he even learned how to open the door.”
Kailian chimed in eagerly from the side, clapping.
Normally, the two of them would have been glaring daggers at each other like rivals. But under the shared topic of praising me, an odd camaraderie had formed.
The emperor stroked my head and casually tossed something onto the desk.
“This evening.”
“Huh?”
“I will hold a family dinner for the imperial family.”
The moment the words left his mouth, a heavy silence fell over the Sun Palace.
Kailian’s eyes widened in shock.
An imperial family dinner.
In this empire, that was an event nearly impossible to imagine.
The emperor and his children who supposedly hated each other sitting together eating a meal?
Comparing it to their supposed last meal—where the table had supposedly been split in half—felt almost peaceful.
“Why... suddenly...”
“Because of this guy.”
The emperor tickled my chin as he spoke.
“Since this little guy arrived, the palace atmosphere has changed a little. And...”
The emperor paused, then averted his gaze with visible embarrassment.
“This little guy should learn the empire’s dining etiquette as well. As an imperial citizen, he must. Education is required even for dining with others.”
...He just wants to eat with me.
What a grand excuse. Etiquette? I don’t even use my hands—I just eat with my mouth.
“Tell the Crown Prince too. If he refuses, I will issue a ban on approaching Blanc.”
At those words, Kailian immediately nodded in agreement.
That evening, the Grand Banquet Hall of the Imperial Palace was filled with a historic tension.
Across the wide table, there was nothing but stifling silence.
At the head sat Emperor Karsion.
To his right, Crown Prince Demian.
To his left, Third Princess Kailian.
And in the very center...
Perched on a specially crafted baby chair made of five stacked silk cushions—carefully adjusted for my height—I sat at the table’s very center. A tearful labor of love.
Ugh, I’m so stuffed already.
I sat with my front paws neatly folded and kept a watchful eye on the adults.
All three of their faces were rigidly stiff. Not a single clink of cutlery echoed through the hall. The attendants stood frozen against the walls, barely breathing. It was as if a storm was about to break.
...
Crown Prince Demian lifted his glass, then glanced at me.
Kailian sliced a steak and glanced at me.
The emperor unfolded his napkin and glanced at me.
The only person whose gaze connected with all three was me.
This dinner would not have been held at all if it weren’t for me being there. Without me, it would have collapsed immediately.
I’m hungry... you’re not giving me any food?
To hide my rumbling stomach, I thumped my tail on the floor.
The sound drew the attention of all three.
“You seem hungry.”
The emperor broke the silence first. At his gesture, an attendant approached with a silver tray.
When the lid opened, fragrant steam rose from a luxurious course.
Finely chopped premium tenderloin steak, silky salmon puree, and warm goat’s milk.
My personal menu. It looked more expensive than human food.
“Eat up.”
As soon as the emperor gave permission, I buried my nose in the bowl like I had been waiting all day.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
Chew, chew, chew.
Within the silence, only the crisp, rhythmic sounds of my eating filled the air.
Those steady, satisfying chewing noises gradually thawed the three people’s frozen expressions.
“You eat well.”
Crown Prince Demian muttered absentmindedly. His eyes softened.
“It’s good that we sent a chef from the Crown Prince’s Palace. You must have enjoyed it.”
“What? Did you send it, brother?”
Kailian pouted.
“Blanc actually prefers the salmon I prepared. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“No, I’m looking at you eating meat right now. As a carnivore, of course I prefer meat. Are your eyes just for decoration?”
“Don’t joke around. Couldn’t you see me shaking my tail when I was drinking milk earlier?”
A childish argument erupted.
Normally, deadly curses like “die” or “disappear” would have flown between them, but the topic now was which of me Blanc preferred.
“Everyone, be quiet.”
The emperor intervened sternly.
“If you’re making so much noise, the little guy won’t be able to eat. And if he gets full, who’s going to take responsibility?”
The emperor sliced a piece of the premium turkey from his own plate, then—without using a fork—picked it up with his bare hand and brought it to my mouth.
“Here, open wide~.”
......!
Both Demian and Kailian’s mouths fell open in unison.
The famous emperor, known for his strictness, was feeding a beast with his bare hands.
I was shocked too, but I had to accept the gift. It was a royal present.
I snatched the meat from the emperor’s fingers and, as a service, lightly licked the tip of his finger.
“Heh heh.”
Color flooded the emperor’s face.
“See? The little guy eats my food the best. He knows my hand’s taste.”
The emperor looked proudly at his children. His expression was no longer that of an empire’s ruler, but that of a proud grandfather showing off his grandchild’s tricks.
“That’s not fair, Father! I can offer mine too!”
Kailian, unable to lose, sliced her steak and pushed it toward me. Demian quietly broke off a piece of bread and offered it.
“Blanc, try this. It’s incredibly soft.”
“Eat this too. It’s bread freshly baked by the imperial palace’s top baker.”
A buffet suddenly appeared.
Three hands were extended toward me.
This was a choice. Whoever’s food I ate first would decide the imperial power structure... no, more importantly, it would decide how comfortably I slept that night.
Ha, life. Well, actually, a full life.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to go fair.
First, Kailian’s steak.
Then Demian’s bread.
Finally, I licked the emperor’s finger one more time.
“Ooh...”
At the same moment, three simultaneous sighs of relief escaped.
It had been a satisfying meal.
They had been watching me eat, so their own meals had come second. Yet an odd sense of fullness settled on their faces.
“It’s not bad, after all...”
The emperor swirled his wine glass and spoke softly.
“We can eat together like this.”
At those words, both Kailian and Demian’s gazes wavered.
They had spent years cursing, ignoring, and hating each other.
Because of blood, power, misunderstandings.
But because of this tiny, fluffy little guy, they were finally sharing a table and smiling together for the first time.
“Thanks to Blanc.”
Demian cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed.
“This little guy... is surprisingly reliable.”
“Of course. You’re my family.”
Kailian ruffled my fur and declared proudly.
The emperor watched the scene for a moment, then smiled faintly. It was only a split second, but it was unmistakably a father’s smile.
As the meal drew to a close, attendants brought dessert.
When the sweet puddings and cakes were placed before us, the emperor suddenly raised his hand to stop them.
“Wait a moment.”
From his pocket, the emperor produced three small velvet boxes.
Kailian and Demian’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“These are gifts for Blanc.”
The emperor opened the first box.
Inside lay a luxurious red-gemmed leather necklace—the very one I had seen that morning.
“If this little guy is going to wander around the palace, he needs identification. It’s to prevent him from getting lost.”
The emperor personally fastened the necklace around my neck. A clear tinkling sound rang out.
Oh, it’s quite stylish, isn’t it? I puffed out my chest proudly.
“And...”
The emperor slid the remaining two boxes toward Kailian and Demian with a casual flick of his wrist, as if they were nothing special.
“These are just leftover gems. The same raw material as your necklace.”
Kailian and Demian carefully opened their boxes.
Kailian’s contained a brooch with a red gem, while Demian’s held a matching cuff button.
They were not simple accessories. They formed a set with the necklace around my neck—a family look of sorts.
“Aba... Papa, this...”
Demian was at a loss for words.
The emperor cleared his throat and looked away.
Our tsundere arm-wrestling couple.
“If you have the same wavelength magical stones, it will be easier to monitor this little guy. That’s all. Do with them as you wish—throw them away or keep them.”
It was obviously a lie.
With that level of craftsmanship, it had taken at least a month to make. He had probably prepared them long before I was found, wanting to give them to his children.
He kept them because there was no excuse to give them away, and now he was using me as an excuse.
Why can’t these imperial humans be more honest?
“...Thank you.”
Kailian clutched the brooch tightly. Her voice trembled slightly.
She had always believed her father thought of her as a monster. But this brooch was the red color she loved. Her father had remembered her favorite.
“I will cherish it.”
Demian fidgeted with the cuff button. A faint blush rose on his cheeks.
Silence.
But it was no longer the stifling kind.
A warm, tingly silence like spring wind drifted across the table.
“Why are you all making such a fuss? The desserts will melt.”
The emperor grumbled, picking up his fork, but his ears were as red as a perfectly cooked apple.
I smiled and walked over to him. Then I lightly pressed my wet nose against his burning ear.
Que!
He’s so shy. How adorable, our grandpa tiger.
“Y-you little—how dare you tease the emperor!”
The emperor shouted, but his hands pushing me away lacked any strength.
Kailian and Demian burst into laughter at the sight.
It was the first laugh to echo in the ice-cold imperial palace table.
That night, on the way back to the Princess’s Palace, Kailian kept stroking her brooch and humming softly.
Her steps seemed lighter than ever.
“Blanc, do you know?”
“Mm?”
“Father’s gift for my birthday was... the first in ten years.”
She lifted me and met my eyes. Under the moonlight, her red irises sparkled like stars.
“Thank you, Blanc. You’ve brought our family closer together.”
She kissed my forehead deeply.
I silently wrapped my tail around her wrist.
It wasn’t that I had tied a knot—I had simply loosened the tangle that had been there since before.
This powdered-bean family... isn’t as unsalvageable as I thought.
With a little more rolling around, we might become a proper family.
I settled into her arms and fell asleep.