The Squishy Bliss of Belly Kisses
"Kyau..."
Just once. I'll lick it just one more time.
I smacked my lips with lingering regret and looked up at the top of Haetae's head.
A luminous blue horn glittered in the moonlight.
That crisp, cooling flavor I'd just tasted still hovered in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more addictive it became.
"Um... Lord Blanc."
Haetae flushed, ducking away from my burning stare, and covered her horn with both hands as she backed up.
"Th-that's... not possible. My horn is the source of my power, and... it's extremely sensitive. If you keep licking it, that would be a problem."
Her voice trembled. Her face had gone so red it looked ready to burst, and she couldn't even meet my eyes. I started to wonder if I'd gone too far.
But it had been so good... Ever since I'd licked that horn, a cool energy had been circulating through my body, and it felt wonderful. Like stepping out of a warm bath and drinking a glass of ice-cold soda. That kind of clean, ringing freshness.
"Kyau."
Fine... Make me galbi-jjim instead.
I clicked my tongue and gave it up.
Yeah, pushing it when she says no is kind of not okay... And if she sulks, who's going to cook the galbi-jjim? I should ask Grandpa Emperor if he has a Haetae horn too.
I yawned wide, already plotting how to sweet-talk the Emperor.
"Kyau."
I'm going to bed, then. Night.
"Yes. Sleep well."
Haetae waved as I turned, tail swaying, and padded off toward Kailian's room.
Softly, softly.
The bedroom was still silent. I climbed onto the bed as quietly as a cat, muffling every footfall.
Kailian and Lumia were sleeping with peaceful faces, with no idea I'd even been gone. Lumia had her belly fully exposed, sprawled out like a starfish.
Sleeping well, huh.
I carefully wriggled in between them. I lifted Kailian's arm and slipped underneath, then pressed my back against Lumia's.
Warm body heat and a soft, yielding touch closed in from both sides. After that little walk, the warmth felt even cozier, even more like home.
"Kyahum..."
I buried my face in Kailian's arms and shut my eyes to drift off again. That refreshing taste of Haetae still lingered in my mouth.
"Blanc..."
The next morning. Before I even opened my eyes, a chilly voice brushed my ear.
That's the voice Butler uses when she's jealous.
The hand shaking me made me sit up, rubbing my eyes with a forepaw.
"Wake up, Blanc. Don't you have something to tell me?"
"Kyau...?"
What? I was sleeping just fine.
Kailian stood over me with her arms crossed, frowning down at me. She was still in her nightclothes, hair a mess, but her expression was as murderous as a wife who'd just caught her husband cheating.
"You. Where did you go last night while I was asleep?"
"Kya, kyau?"
What are you talking about? I slept the whole time.
I yawned, casually looking away. Kailian wasn't buying it. She suddenly slid her hands under both my armpits and hoisted me into the air.
"Don't lie to me. You can't fool your big sister's nose."
Streeetch—
My body elongated. My hindquarters and back legs dangled long, and my spine popped open in a delicious stretch. I hung there at Kailian's eye level, rolling my eyes in panic.
"Sniff sniff."
"Kya, kyaaau..."
Butler... this is a lot.
Kailian jammed her nose into my belly, the nape of my neck, and the corners of my mouth, sniffing.
Has Butler given up on being human now?
"See? You smell like someone else. Cool... and crisp. And there's even a weird sweetness around your mouth."
"......?!"
"That's Haetae's scent, isn't it? You snuck out to see her all night? Hm? What did the two of you do while I was sleeping."
She shook me as she interrogated. I hung there and shook my head for all I was worth.
"Kyaaang!"
No! I just went to get some water! This is unfair! Where's your proof?!
"Hmm... What did you do with her? Did you kiss? Hug? Or... did you lick her?"
Her jealousy exploded. She'd already decided I'd gone off and cheated with Haetae. The fact that I'd slipped out in the night to meet her seemed to have hit her as a massive betrayal.
"Keng.."
Lumia, who'd woken beside us, started sniffing too, then tilted her head at me as if to say I smelled unfamiliar.
This might be the biggest crisis of my entire life.
I swallowed my pride to get out of this. I abandoned my usual dignity and gravitas, wriggled the hind legs that had been hanging limp, and tucked my forepaws together. Then I looked up at her with the most pitiful, adorable face I could manage, eyes shining wet.
"Kyauu..."
Butler, I'm telling the truth... Please believe me just this once...
"Ugh... You, seriously..."
My lethal attack shattered Kailian's frozen expression in an instant. She forgot she was even angry, biting her lip as she wrestled with herself.
Let it go, or press him all the way about whether he'd been with Haetae. The struggle didn't last long.
She heaved a sigh and pulled me tight against her chest.
"Haa... Fine. You're too cute, so I'll let it slide. Just this once... Let's eat first."
She nuzzled her cheek against mine and sighed again.
"Kyau."
Too easy.
I smiled over her shoulder, tail swaying. Cute really is the strongest weapon.
After breakfast, the Emperor and the Eastern envoy entered the grand conference hall for the second round of talks.
Yesterday had been about fostering friendship between me and Haetae. Today was the real political conversation.
I hated boring politics, so I led my butlers out into the Imperial Palace gardens.
"Kyau."
Nice weather.
The sun was warm, the breeze just cool enough — perfect for a stroll. Centered around me came Kailian, Lina, Rosalia, and Haetae, who kept stealing glances at me and trailing along, still guilty about last night.
Lumia had eaten too much at breakfast. The moment we hit the garden lawn, she claimed a spot and flopped down.
"Kuuul..."
She rolled onto her back, all four legs splayed, and started sunbathing her way into a nap.
Lumia's gotten pretty used to life here. Whatever happened to that wary little fox from the beginning? She's basically a house cat now.
Not that I'm going to lose.
I rolled and tumbled across the fluffy lawn. The smell of grass soaking into my fur felt wonderful.
"Kyau!"
Grass smell is healing too, if you only take it in now and then.
Right in the middle of the lawn I stretched my forelegs out, hiked my hips up, then flipped over and showed my belly.
Flump.
I sprawled starfish-style on the grass. Sunlight warming my white belly fur made my whole body go languid on its own. Cool back, warm belly — this was paradise.
"Purrrr..."
A Purr Song rolled out of my throat all by itself. The cozy sunlight brought a drowsy wave with it. My eyelids grew heavy, and a sweet nap came looking for me.
Watching that, Kailian's eyes took on a dangerous gleam.
Pink belly fur glittering in the sun. A torso rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Soft, squishy pink jelly.
This was a temptation no human could be expected to resist.
"...... I can't take it."
Kailian muttered through gritted teeth and crept toward me, muffling her footsteps. Then she buried her face in my completely unguarded belly.
"Snff... haah..."
Sun-warmed belly fur and my own cozy scent rode up into her nose. A mischievous smile on her lips, she drew in a breath and pressed her mouth to my stomach.
Pbbbrrrrrrpt—!
"?!!"
I couldn't even scream. My eyes flew open. The vibration in my belly, the hot breath, and that unholy sound. I jerked up like I'd been electrocuted.
"Kyaaaaang!"
Have you lost your mind?! Did you just give me a belly raspberry?!
I leapt to my feet in horror.
This insane butler dared to blow a raspberry on my belly! This is sacrilege!
I swung a forepaw, trying to grab Kailian's cheek.
"Ahahaha! Sorry, sorry! You just looked so cute sleeping, I couldn't help it."
Kailian laughed and still wouldn't let me go. She snatched me up in a crushing hug as I tried to escape.
"Just one more time. Please? That sound was so juicy. This is your fault, Blanc."
"Kyau!"
No! Get away! You pervert! I'm not playing with you!
I shoved her cheek with my paws, putting everything I had into keeping her lips off my belly.
"I... I'd like to try as well..."
"If it wouldn't be too much of an imposition, I also... just once..."
"Lord Blanc... your belly... I, too..."
Lina, Rosalia, and even Haetae reached for me with shining eyes.
This isn't affection, this is animal abuse, you lunatic butlers!!
Irritation surged up in a flash.
It's not enough that you bother me while I'm sleeping — you blow raspberries on my belly?
"Kyauuuu!!"
I couldn't take it anymore. I screamed and blasted cold from my mouth.
KWAAAAAANG—
White frost exploded out from my body like a storm. A fierce chill froze the surroundings in an instant, and the butlers went stiff.
"Uh...?"
"Ah, that's cold!"
"...Hngh. Lord Divine Beast's... grace?"
Kailian, who'd been holding me, and the butlers who'd been charging in, shrieked and fell back. White frost-flowers bloomed across their hair and eyebrows in a heartbeat, and the lawn turned into a snowfield.
"What is this...?"
While they shivered and flailed in confusion, I seized the opening, wriggled out of Kailian's arms, and shot up the big tree in the middle of the garden.
I claimed the highest branch, looked down, and huffed.
"Kyau! Kyaang!"
Don't you dare touch me today! I'm not playing with you anymore!
I brandished a forepaw, threatening the butlers below. Up in the tree I lashed my tail, unsheathed my claws, and scratched the bark in a fit of nerves.
I was sleeping so well, too.