Sequence Alignment and a Bit of Nostalgia
The first official ceremony of goodwill between the two nations had officially concluded.
The tedious, rigid formalities had come to an end.
With a single wave of Emperor Karsion’s hand, the dozens of officials lined up along the central aisle stepped aside in perfect unison, clearing a path wide enough for a single, fluffy cub to pass through.
At the far end of that aisle, Haetae and I finally faced each other.
I was nestled securely in Kailian’s arms, yawning with theatrical flair and licking my lips as if I’d just finished a feast.
Kailian adjusted her hold on me, leaning in to whisper against my ear in that signature imperious tone reserved for me alone.
“Come now, Blanc. Time to go greet her properly.”
The tiniest spark of power entered her arms as she held me, and her crimson eyes flashed with unmistakable warning. Touch my baby, and I’ll wipe you off the face of the empire. The message was loud and clear.
“Caw!”
Mmm… tone it down a bit, will you?
I burrowed deeper into her embrace, turned my head, and let out a dramatic sniff toward Haetae.
Still empty-handed.
No matter how fast they rushed here, this envoy of goodwill had shown up with nothing but a polite bow and a blank expression. Did the Eastern realm not have any sense of sincerity?
Not even a single strip of dried meat or a whiff of braised ribs. Disappointing.
My expectations had been high, and the letdown was even higher.
I clicked my tongue and let out a long, theatrical sigh.
“Phew…”
Even though this divine beast had come all this way, being scolded right away felt a little unfair.
Still, I had to play nice for now.
Kailian walked with elegant, measured steps and came to a stop directly in front of Haetae.
Haetae’s red eyes locked onto me, boring into my face without blinking. Up close, I could see the subtle tremor in them — nerves, probably, or the pressure of meeting a legendary cub.
“Caw.”
Hello. Here to propose a marriage, yet you arrive empty-handed. Doesn’t that make it a little awkward?
I had never once felt awkward about arriving empty-handed. My bones — well, my paw pads — delivered a perfectly timed salute, and Haetae’s shoulders twitched.
She had clearly read the disappointment in my eyes.
She went completely still, then suddenly her eyes widened.
“Ah…!”
Haetae’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had struck.
Her mind went blank.
She had meticulously checked the imperial gift list for the Emperor, yet she had forgotten the most important guest of all — the White Tiger who would be receiving her gift.
She must have assumed I was just another beast, so she hadn’t prepared anything special.
“If this continues, I’ll be remembered as the worst host from the very first meeting… I have to earn my score!”
Sweat broke out across her forehead as she spun around frantically and waved urgently toward her personal maid.
“That! My snack box! Hurry! Right now!”
The swift-minded maid caught the signal immediately and dashed out of the audience chamber without a word.
A moment later, rough breathing announced her return, and in her hands she held a small, beautifully lacquered box.
Haetae snatched it without hesitation and carefully lifted the lid.
Clink.
The moment the lid opened, the entire hall seemed to change. A delicate, savory aroma — sweet enough to clear the mind — filled the air.
“……Caw?”
What is this scent…? I’ve never smelled anything like it before.
My ears perked up, and my nose instinctively sniffed into the box.
This wasn’t the butter or heavy cream I remembered from my old life. This was deep, rich grain sweetness mixed with bright, fresh fruit. It was… intoxicating.
“Caw!”
What is that?!
I stretched my neck as far as I could and peered inside the box.
Inside were dazzling Eastern desserts that looked like they had been carved from starlight.
Transparent red fruit slices, white powder drifting like fresh snow on cotton candy, and pastries glistening with honey and oil.
The flavors I had only imagined back home in my previous life now appeared right before my eyes — Korean delicacies I had never expected to taste again.
My mouth flooded with saliva.
Even if it wasn’t braised ribs, this… this was already winning me over.
“Caw…”
Whoa…
“This is… a treasured Eastern confection I cherish dearly, but I’m not certain it will suit your taste. Please, at least try a small bite…”
Haetae offered the box with trembling hands. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment — she had been planning to eat this herself — but to me it looked more precious than any national treasure.
“Caw!”
If you’d brought this earlier, I would have saved you! You’re the best! I love you!
I opened my mouth wide and leaned forward toward the box.
Seeing the foods of my old homeland after so long blurred my common sense.
Kailian let out a deep sigh from behind me.
“Haa… Blanc, when food is right in front of you, you really can’t be stopped.”
She stroked my head helplessly and set me down on the floor.
The instant my paws touched the ground, I bolted straight for the box.
Haetae dropped to one knee to bring the box level with my face. Her eyes were filled with sincere hope, but I had other priorities.
I snatched the reddest-looking fruit slice and swallowed it in one go.
Chomp, chomp… mrrgh.
“……Caw!”
Explosive! It’s explosive!
In my mouth it felt like fireworks were detonating.
The bright, tart scent of sour plums filled my tongue, and the soft fruit slices melted like silk.
This was nothing like the desserts I usually had. The silky smoothness of red bean paste paired with the deep sweetness of honey. Sophisticated… elegantly delicious!
“Cawuu…”
So good…
I closed my eyes in pure bliss.
With this level of flavor, I could forgive the empty hands. No, I should even give her points for it.
I reached for the next bite — the crispy-looking pastry.
Crack… crunch.
Each bite released the faint, sticky sweetness of jocheong sauce clinging to my teeth. Perfect.
For a split second, memories of Korea flooded back.
Something… warm. Grateful.
I licked the powder from my lips, lifted my head, and looked at Haetae. She was watching me eat with quiet reverence.
Happy memories from Korea resurfaced.
I padded over and gently bumped my head against her shin.
Thud.
“Caw.”
Thank you.
“Ah…”
Haetae’s red eyes grew wide, sparkling with sudden understanding.
This was my own special way of thanking her for reopening those long-forgotten memories.
Still riding the wave of affection, I brushed my tail along her ankle in a gentle wag.
At that moment, Haetae’s perfectly composed face shattered completely. The corners of her mouth curved into a soft, genuine smile, and light bloomed across her entire expression.
“How fortunate… your taste matches perfectly.”
She laughed brightly, and the Eastern envoys standing guard around her all sucked in sharp breaths, hands flying to cover their mouths.
They had served her for years yet had never once seen her smile like this. One tiny action from a mere cub and she could light up like a festival lantern?
Haetae looked down at me, her voice thick with emotion.
[Lord Blanc… your taste is truly marvelous. I was so anxious you might not like it…]
I blinked in surprise at the direct telepathic voice echoing inside my mind, then looked up at her.
“Caw.”
Amazing… but is there anything else? Meat, soup, anything?
Sweet things are nice, but I really want Korean-style meat.
[Of course! The Eastern realm’s cuisine is endless. Galbi-jjim, bulgogi, tteokgwa, sunnyeul—anything you desire, I will prepare!]
At her reply, my tail began spinning like a propeller.
Galbi-jjim! Tteokgwa! It really is in the East!
Pass, you’re free to sit down with me! From today onward, I’ll share my food line… no, I’ll make you my friend first.
“Caw.”
But you came alone? No other divine beasts? Azure Dragon or Hyunmu? Any friends?
I asked, suddenly curious.
Haetae’s eyes dimmed slightly. The smile on her face grew a little sadder.
[No… at the moment, I am the only divine beast incarnated in the Eastern realm. The others… they have all withdrawn at some point.]
Deep loneliness colored her voice. She had been alone in such a vast land.
I felt a strange sense of kinship. If I hadn’t met Kailian right after arriving in Korea, I might have been lonely too.
Lumia was basically a divine beast too, yet she had been left behind without her parents… why?
[That is why I am so happy now. Simply knowing there is someone like me…]
Her voice caught, and her eyes glistened.
Poor thing.
I rubbed my head against her leg again as a gesture of comfort.
Haetae’s eyes suddenly blazed with renewed intensity.
She’s so cute… that fluffy fur, that soft belly… I just want to hug her once… squeeze her tight…
She dropped to her knees and opened her arms wide in a bold, desperate embrace — the exact posture her personal butlers had used when they first hugged me.
[Lord Blanc… if it’s not too forward, could I… just once… hold you?]
She extended her arms as if to cover me completely.
Whoosh.
But I twisted sideways with impossible agility and slipped away.
p>Do you think I’m a pig? Don’t underestimate a tiger’s reflexes.
Haetae’s arms halted in the air where I had been.
“Ah…”
She stared at me blankly.
I backed up several steps, tail wagging, and watched her.
Customer service with hugs starts with galbi-jjim.
Why eat me raw?
We’re not that close yet! No hugs until then.
“Caw caw!”
If you bring more delicious things — galbi-jjim or meat — then I’ll let you hug me.
Haetae blinked, clearly processing my intent, then her eyes sparkled with renewed determination.
She hadn’t been rejected — she was even more fired up.
“Ah… delicious things… galbi-jjim!”
She nodded vigorously, expression serious.
[Understood! I will prepare it immediately. Galbi-jjim… no, all the finest delicacies of the Eastern realm!]
When that happens, you must hug me. Bury your face in my belly. Touch my paw pads too.
I chuckled and nodded.
“Caw!”
Of course! I’m looking forward to it.
Haetae nodded so hard her head bobbed.
“You said to talk, yet I’ve already finished introducing myself. Blanc is truly impressive. Such a remarkable… pig. No, tiger.”
I turned toward Kailian, who had spoken, and gave her a warning glare.
“Krrroong…”
Tiger, you’re a fool.