A Peaceful Day
The world was far too quiet in a way that felt almost wrong.
My mind had never known silence since the day I was born. Other people's foul desires, curses laced with screams, and the ear-piercing tinnitus that scraped like metal against my skull had kept my brain in constant chaos for twenty-four hours a day.
I slept and it was nightmares, I woke and it was hell. So I ran wild.
Blood and screams were the only things that could bury the noise for a moment.
But now.
Snore… snore.
The only sound was the steady, regular breathing of this tiny white life curled against my chest, fast asleep.
Warm. Soft. Sweet with the scent of fresh milk.
That was the only thing ruling my senses.
I couldn't even breathe too loudly. Afraid that my rough exhalations would wake this little cotton ball.
I carefully raised my fingers and stroked the back of the creature.
Soft as the finest silk. Or perhaps like touching the clouds of heaven itself.
The sensation of the white fur wrapping around my fingertips was indescribably blissful. The way it slipped between my fingers felt unreal.
Was this peace?
The tranquility I'd searched for my entire life had finally been granted to a mere fist-sized beast.
"Umm..."
At that moment, the thing in my arms wriggled restlessly in its sleep.
Its pink nose twitched as if chasing a dream. Tiny paws waved in the air while it let out a sleepy murmur.
"Kyuuu..."
I was losing my mind.
It felt like my heart had dropped into the depths of my stomach.
The creature stirred, then burrowed right back into my chest like I were its own mother.
Without fear, relying on me and me alone. That instinctive trust of mine that sought my warmth and pressed close—it tightened around my heart.
So adorable.
It was exactly the kind of feeling that made me want to bite and chew it to pieces. It was painfully, painfully cute.
I pressed my nose to its forehead and took a deep breath.
Inhale. Ahhh.
The scent of a beast, addictive enough to pull me under. Dried blanket mixed with sweet milk. The most perfect fragrance in the world. This was my drug, my painkiller.
But peace was interrupted.
"Your Highness! Are you awake?"
A voice from outside the door, unwelcome and obnoxious.
My eyebrows twitched instantly. The owner of that clueless voice that shattered the quiet morning.
Saintess Lina.
"I've brought the morning tribute for the Divine Beast! Please open the door!"
Ah, really.
Should I just kill her?
I seriously considered it. If it weren't for the Saintess—if it weren't in front of my eyes—I would have snapped her neck and turned her into garden fertilizer long ago.
Ever since yesterday she'd been glued to my side like a jealous cat, eyeing my tiger with envy. Who gave her permission to disturb my morning?
"Don't come in. Blanc is still sleeping."
I growled as low as possible, letting the killing intent drip into my voice.
Was deeper faith the same as zero common sense?
BAM.
"Oh! You're still asleep? The Divine Beast of the new nation must rise early!"
The door burst open and Lina charged in carrying a tray, clad in her pure white saintess robes.
On the tray sat a salad vibrating with fresh herbs and some mysterious clear water.
Was this supposed to be food? I keep telling everyone we're carnivores. You go eat grass.
"I told you to leave."
I shot her a glare through narrowed eyes.
But Lina ignored my stare completely and only fixed her gaze on the Blanc curled in my arms. Her eyes transformed into little hearts.
Her face was so dazed she wasn't even drooling. She looked like a complete fanatic.
What kind of Saintess was this? The empire was doomed.
"Ooh… even sleeping, your form is divine..."
She dropped to her knees with a thump and began praying.
That crazy woman. Definitely about to baptize me right here in my bedroom.
The noise woke Blanc up.
The creature rubbed its sleepy eyes, yawned widely.
"Haaah—"
Mouth agape, tiny fangs and a pink tongue appeared. Tears welled up in those eyes.
Then, in a daze, it looked up at me and blinked slowly.
Butler. Feed me.
Those eyes said exactly that.
"Eugh!"
A groan slipped out of me before I could stop it.
It felt like I'd been punched hard in the stomach.
That stupidly innocent expression. The insignificant life that could erase every worry of the world. How could such a thing exist? This was unfair.
"Blanc, you're awake? You can sleep more if you want."
I raised my voice an octave higher, speaking with gentle sweetness.
My voice was so sickeningly sweet that even my usual knights would faint if they heard it. Who cares. As long as it was directed at my kid.
"Kyuuu."
Blanc hugged my neck, rubbing its cheek against mine.
The scratchy tongue licked my jaw. A morning kiss.
Warm. Ticklish. Thrilling.
I basked in victory and glanced at Lina. See? Blanc loves me the most. You don't even have a chance to squeeze in.
Lina bit her lip in envy.
"Divine Beast, have you woken? Here, holy dew gathered from the Temple. Please refresh your throat."
Lina leaned in shamelessly.
Blanc sniffed the air curiously, then whipped its head away and didn't even look back.
It flicked its front paw at my chest like a feather duster.
This isn't it. Something tasty. Like it was saying.
"See? Blanc doesn't eat grass. Get it away."
I laughed and rang the bell.
As if they'd been waiting, the maids brought the highest-grade steak and warm goat milk.
Blanc's eyes sparkled. The creature slipped out of my arms and toddled straight to the table. The way its fluffy rear swayed with every step was lethal. That bouncing belly was too cute—I wanted to bite it.
"Eat a lot, my kid."
I cut the meat myself and fed it piece by piece.
Chomp. Chomp.
Its cheeks puffed out, cheeks stuffed as it chewed vigorously. Juice dripped down its chin and it didn't even notice, eating like it was in a battle. Even midway it would glance up at me and flash a tiny smile.
That sight was maddeningly adorable.
Even just watching it eat made me feel full. I propped my chin on my hand and savored the scene. Better than any painting in the museum.
"Your Highness, eating only meat makes your personality fierce. You should balance it with vegetables..."
"Shut up. When I'm eating, I won't let even a dog near me. What happened to your manners now that you're a Saintess? Want me to starve you too?"
I slammed the plate with my knife.
Lina pouted and backed away. There was a tsst sound, but I ignored it.
After the meal, Blanc, belly full, simply flopped down right there.
Its white stomach lay completely exposed. A pink, tempting belly peeking through.
That was… an invitation.
Touch my belly right now. Immediately. A silent demand.
I reached out, entranced.
Warm, soft, squishy stomach. My fingers sank deep.
Squeeze.
This elasticity. This softness.
Stress melted away like snow in sunlight. It felt like kneading soft mochi or holding a warm water bottle. I couldn't pull my hand away.
"Gnghngh..."
Blanc rumbled contentedly.
That sound was a clear frequency washing away the chaos in my head. No instrument on earth could match its beauty. Imperial orchestra? Forget it. This was the greatest music.
"I… I want to…"
Lina swallowed hard and approached. Her hand was trembling. Her eyes were so empty I could never imagine she was the Saintess.
Where do you think you're going? Trying to spoon over my healing time.
"No. Back off."
"Your Highness! That's too much! That belly is humanity's shared asset!"
"Nonsense. It's my private property. If you're jealous, go catch yourself a tiger."
I pulled Blanc closer and shielded him with my body. Blanc, as if annoyed, closed its eyes and savored my touch.
Yes. You're all mine. From head to toe, every single strand of that tail is mine.
Noon sunlight filtered lazily through the window.
Lina eventually had no choice but to crouch in the corner sketching Blanc.
Occasionally she'd let out an "Ooh… jelly..." groan that grated on my nerves, but I let it slide. Physically kicking her out would cause diplomatic issues.
Blanc was dozing on my lap.
I was reviewing documents, then set the pen down. I stared at the sleeping face for a long time.
Defenseless.
So small. So fragile.
This tiny life that would shatter under the slightest push from me was the one supporting me. The me from before this creature existed didn't exist anymore.
People called me a tyrant.
The Blood Princess. The mad witch.
It didn't matter. Whether they feared me or cursed me, it didn't matter. No one could ease my pain.
I hope you never hate me.
Suddenly fear surged.
One day this child would grow. Become a beast, an adult.
Even then, would it stay by my side? Would it still accept my blood-stained hands?
Would it not wander off in search of light like that chattering Saintess? Would it not declare that I, such darkness, was not worthy of a holy being?
Blanc shifted in its sleep and clutched my finger tightly.
Its tiny claws peeked out, but it didn't hurt. That unyielding power comforted me.
"Kyuuu..."
Even in sleep, it nuzzled my hand.
So warm. That heat never lied.
Then it was fine.
Whether you become a beast or a Divine Beast, or just a chubby tiger—doesn’t matter.
I will protect you.
No one will ever take you from me. I will shatter this empire, this world, if I have to. No temple, no emperor, no one will ever rip you from my arms.
So just.
Stay by my side like this, breathing.
That's all I need. I will bring you the tastiest things myself.
I kissed its forehead, then picked up the documents again.
There was so much work to do.
To pay for this creature's meals, to buy the best toys, to clean up the little rats trying to steal it—there was no time to waste.
"Lina, if you're going to sketch there, do it quietly. Don't make any noise. If you wake Blanc, I know exactly how to shave your hair off."
"…Yes."
The Saintess shrank in fear and shut her mouth.
Satisfied.