The Snow Leopard Couple Finally Melts
Whirling snowflakes danced in the gale, but the tender touch of my pink paw pads remained untouched.
“Krrruuung…”
“Kyuaaaah!!!”
The snow leopard couple bared their sharp fangs and glared at Kailian.
They looked ready to tear open her neck at any second.
“Kya-woo!”
Hey, don’t do that! If you attack my butler, you’re dead!
Kailian had been holding back out of respect for me, but a lone knight squad was nothing more than a monster she could crush with one hand.
Yet these snow leopards were so bold they didn’t even leave bones for a scavenger.
“Kyaaang!”
It’s fine that you’re angry on my behalf, but you’re not bad guys! You’re family.
After my firm mediation, the snow leopard couple’s fur stood on end, but they soon stopped growling.
With my guarantee, they reluctantly relaxed their guard and lay belly-down on the ground, ears flattened.
“I’ve never seen living snow leopards this close. They’re not just any wary beast.”
Kailian laughed softly and slowly extended her hand toward the snow leopard’s forehead so the threat wouldn’t be noticed.
“Swish… swish…”
“Their fur is surprisingly soft. Not as silky as Blanc’s, but still a pleasant feeling.”
“Krrruuung…”
At first tense, the snow leopards soon let their round eyes close under Kailian’s skilled hands and began to purr contentedly.
“Kya-woo.”
My butler’s petting skills are impressive now.
She’s petted me so much she treats even ordinary animals like she’s tamed them in a single stroke.
Seeing the snow leopards accept my hand so readily, Kailian’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
Others who had been watching from the sidelines began to approach one by one.
Their eyes were all fixed on the wriggling cubs at my feet.
There was nothing softer than me, yet those little ones still held irresistible charm.
“Come here, big sisters! Blanc says he wants to get friendly with you!”
Lumia shook her tail like a whip and scooped up the snow leopard cubs into her arms.
“Kyaung.”
They’re stretching out nicely.
“Ppaek! Pyaak!”
“Heh heh, they really are adorable.”
Rosalia pushed up her glasses, knelt to the cubs’ eye level, and gently touched their soft paw pads.
“It’s rude to compare you to my master’s touch, but… this also feels healing.”
“Kyaung.”
Lina, stop staring at my paw pads and reach out with your tail instead.
From earlier, Lina had been glancing sideways at me while ignoring the cubs, tail swaying.
“Hic… may I really touch them?”
When I offered my paw pad, Lina’s voice trembled with emotion.
She’d been rough on me lately because I’d been looking for them, so her feelings were still a little hurt.
“Kyaung.”
Haetae, don’t just watch—touch too!
I called over the dazed Haetae beside me.
“Ah, may I touch as well?”
“Kyaung.”
Of course you can.
“No! Thank you for letting me touch!”
Haetae and Lina both kneeled on either side of me in one smooth motion and began to stroke my front paw carefully.
“Haa… haa… this soft feeling… the jelly that clings to the palm… ahh… this really is my paradise.”
“I agree… if there is a paradise, it would be here…”
Haetae and Lina rubbed my paw with faces full of bliss.
“Kyaung.”
I’m so happy I could die.
I wagged my tail at the two of them lost in my paw, unable to hide my smug pride.
I was honestly a little jealous that the snow leopards had stolen their attention.
I liked being adored by my butlers too.
Pat… pat…
By the time enough time had passed, the exhausted knights had gathered in the courtyard after an unexpected snow-clearing shift.
Every one of them looked worn out, yet their faces held deep relief.
“Kyaung…”
Aw… I’m really sorry.
I felt guilty seeing their tired faces, knowing exactly how much the snow-clearing had hurt them.
I went for a morning walk and ended up working them to the bone for such a huge task. Even as a divine beast I might have gone too far…
I left Haetae and Lina’s side and approached the knights.
“Kyheung… kya-woo.”
I let out a short cough-like sound, and every knight’s eyes snapped to me at once.
I straightened my body and looked down at them, then bowed my head deeply.
“Kya-woong… kyaaang.”
I’m sorry… I sneaked out and made you suffer in this cold weather… I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.
With ears drooping and sorrow pouring from my words, the knights jumped in surprise.
“Hic…! The divine beast… has bowed its head to us…”
“No! It is already an immense honor just to see you safely return!”
“The mere fact that the divine beast is healthy makes all our exhaustion vanish like snow in the sun!”
“Please raise your heads!”
The knights fidgeted, waiting for me to lift my head.
“Kya-woo.”
Got it! I’ll let you pet me one by one later.
With my mature apology the knights regained their energy.
“Our Blanc has grown up. He even knows how to apologize.”
“Kyaung.”
I was always grown up.
While Kailian scratched behind my ear, I rubbed my head against her hand.
“Good. Blanc has returned safely, and Blanc has a new friend. Everyone has worked hard, so from now on we’ll start the barbecue party.”
“Waaaaaaaah!!!”
At Kailian’s declaration the knights roared with cheers.
After all that grueling snow clearing just moments ago, they were already buzzing with energy.
“Fufu, then I’ll help a little too.”
While stroking the snow leopards, Rosalia drew a magic circle on the ground.
Flash!
A vast blue magical barrier rose around the courtyard, blocking the icy mountain wind.
Inside the barrier, warm magic spread and slowly melted frozen bodies.
“Wow… Aunt Glasses is amazing! I’m not cold at all now!”
Lumia shook her tail wildly and bounced in place.
I, too, felt the warmth of my belly and sprawled on the ground.
“Alright, cooking will be handled by me and the chefs. Please wait just a moment.”
Haetae stroked my belly once more, then moved to the chefs and began giving orders.
I watched the cooking process right beside Haetae.
“Sizzle…”
Meat sizzled on the glowing grill, sending the rich aroma of rendered fat into the air.
“Kya-woo…”
I haven’t eaten a single bite yet and I’m already starving.
Despite using miracles while fasting, my belly still felt full.
Yet somehow my waist had not lost much weight.
“Ppaek! Ppaek!”
Before I knew it, the nearby snow leopard cubs had squeezed in beside me, tail wagging as they waited for the meat to cook.
“Kya-woo.”
They’re really something.
I patiently licked each of the waiting cubs once.
“Fuh… what are you doing, treating me like an adult now, Blanc? With so many kids around, you’re all puffed up.”
Kailian sat down beside me and scratched my neck, grinning.
She was teasing, but I let it slide because she was petting so well.
“Blanc. I was too rough earlier. I’m sorry. When I thought you were gone, it hurt too much.”
“Kya-woo.”
Where would I go?
I grabbed Kailian’s anxious face and rubbed my nose against hers.
“Everything’s ready! Everyone, please eat!”
With Haetae’s cry, the barbecue party truly began.
Crack, crack, munch…
I and the snow leopard couple threw away our pride and tore into the massive meat chunks.
Perfectly cooked beef slid down my throat without chewing.
The cubs happily screamed while receiving the meat cut by Haetae and Lumia.
Inside the warm barrier.
While savoring the delicious aromas, the knights’ cheerful laughter, and the cubs’ happy screams, we enjoyed a full belly.
As the party reached its peak.
With my and Lumia’s bellies swollen, we both collapsed onto the ground.
The snow leopard couple also looked sheepish with puffed bellies and checked my reaction.
They had become friendly with the knights to the point of eating meat, so I felt relieved.
“Kya-woong…”
I’m stuffed… you ate a lot too, huh?
The mother snow leopard answered with a satisfied purr.
Lumia jumped up and said, “Hey, big brother. Can we live with you? We could eat so much meat every day and have fun together.”
“Kyaung…”
My ears perked up at Lumia’s words.
Now that I thought about it, it didn’t sound bad at all.
Instead of starving in this cold mountain, it would be far easier to be a friend and eat imperial food every day.
I blinked brightly at the snow leopard couple.
“Kya-woo! Kyaaang!”
Shall we live together? We can eat this delicious food every day!
I wagged my front paws as much as possible to appeal to them.
“Krrruuung…”
But the snow leopard couple glanced toward the white mountain visible beyond the barrier.
The mother slowly shook her head.
Then she gently touched her nose to mine.
“Vibi…”
“Kya-woo?”
You really won’t come? We could be together every day…
The cub also let out a short whine and pointed toward the mountain outside the barrier.
At that gaze, I instinctively understood their hearts.
Even if their stomachs were empty and life was hard, their souls belonged to that free mountain.
Eating the meat handed to them on a leash did not suit them.
“You won’t come with us…? Why? Living together would be great…”
Lumia drooped her ears sadly and hugged the cubs tightly.
I patted Lumia’s shoulder with my paw.
“Kyaung.”
Everyone has different priorities in life. These snow leopards want freedom more than stability.
I understood the hearts of the snow leopards who simply longed for freedom rather than a secure life.
The mother snow leopard lightly licked Lumia’s hand, which had drooped.
“Krrruuung…”
We won’t come with you, but if you return to this mountain, we will definitely come to meet you.