Back to the Imperial Palace
We lingered in the Snowy Mountain a few extra days beyond the original schedule, spending precious time with the Snow Leopard family.
We hunted together during the day and slept together at night, so several days slipped by in the blink of an eye.
By now the Snowy Mountain schedule was complete, and it was time to head back to the Imperial Palace.
The enormous carriage we would ride in had finished its final preparations.
“Kyaoong.”
It’s finally time to go.
Before climbing into the carriage, I stopped and turned back.
The Snow Leopard family had followed us all the way to the front of the carriage and now sat in a neat row, staring at me fixedly.
Their round eyes overflowed with deep regret.
Anyone watching would think we were marching off to war.
We’re just going home.
The youngest one who used to play with my white tail like a fluffy yarn was sniffling, eyes brimming with tears as if he might burst into sobs any second.
I trod lightly across the soft snow, stopping in front of the mother Snow Leopard.
“Kyaoo. Kyaang.”
Eat plenty of meals. Take good care of the little ones. I’ll come back again.
After I gave them a short, sorrowful farewell, the mother Snow Leopard lowered her head.
*Tap.*
Her massive forehead met mine.
A rough puff of her breath brushed my face.
She extended her raspy tongue and carefully licked my forehead and cheeks.
*Swish, swish.*
“Kyaoong…”
I’m drooling. Still, it doesn’t feel bad at all.
Of course, my own mom’s licking is the best.
I couldn’t hold back either and stretched out my tongue to lick the mother Snow Leopard’s jaw.
There must always be a coming and a going.
The rest of the family quietly approached me, pressing their soft bodies against mine without the slightest intention of letting go.
“Waaah… I’m sad leaving my brother behind… I just wanted to play with him…”
Lumia hugged the little Snow Leopard tightly, tears streaming down her face.
In a way, this was Lumia’s very first farewell since meeting me, and her heart looked troubled.
“Whenever there is a meeting between Lumia-nim and someone, there is inevitably a farewell… the goddess has spoken those words. You shall have another good meeting soon.”
Lina comforted her with a saintess-like tone completely out of character, stroking Lumia’s hair with gentle affection.
Twice in a row for a broken clock, indeed.
The palace guards who had been watching stepped forward.
They knelt before me and slammed their chests in solemn oath.
“Great Divine Beast! Return safely! We shall guard this area in your stead.”
“We shall protect the Snow Leopard family, your close companions.”
The guards’ resounding shout echoed across the Snowy Mountain.
I nodded in satisfaction.
I must have some subordinates.
“Kyaoong! Kyaoo!”
Yes, I trust you all! If you let them starve, I’ll bring that angry Kailian!
I raised my front paw in greeting and received their salute.
“Kyaoo.”
I’ve been saluted, so it’s my turn.
After giving the Snow Leopard family one final farewell, I slipped into the carriage.
“Depart.”
Following Kailian’s command, the carriage began to carve a path through the deep snow.
The landscape receded through the window.
As the carriage carried us away from the family, we kept exchanging glances until they were no longer visible.
A short but quite enjoyable connection.
*Clank, clank.*
Thanks to Rosalia’s warming magic, the inside of the carriage felt as cozy as a spring day.
“Haa… we’re finally going home. It was nice there, but it was so cold.”
Kailian leaned back against the seat with a sigh.
“Kyaoo.”
You’re tired, aren’t you? Go to sleep.
“Yeah… I’m sleepy.”
Lumia was pressed right against my side, wrapped in a blanket and nodding off.
Lina was still smiling while staring at me, and Rosalia had already closed her eyes, clearly exhausted.
A peaceful, drowsy silence filled the carriage.
Kailian, who had been staring out the window, suddenly spoke to the Haetae sitting across from us.
“But Haetae.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“That marriage proposal we made about me and Blanc… the deadline’s almost up, isn’t it? What are you going to do? Are you planning to come back?”
The blunt question made the air in the carriage strangely thick.
Lumia’s ears perked up from dozing in my arms, and Rosalia opened her sleepy eyes.
I looked at Haetae as well.
“Kyaoo.”
Come to think of it, Haetae was just here for a short visit in the first place.
Haetae was the sole Divine Beast of the East.
It would be difficult for someone like her to stay in the Western Empire forever under the pretense of a marriage proposal.
Right now she was simply extending the deadline in the name of the proposal.
We couldn’t keep stretching the time indefinitely.
“…”
Haetae had lost her usual gentle smile and remained silent.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
This was the first time I had ever seen Haetae so visibly shaken.
She fidgeted with her hanbok and lowered her head deeply.
“Your Highness.”
“Go on, speak.”
“The message from the East was genuine. The appointed deadline has passed, so they requested my return.”
Kailian let out a soft laugh.
“Then you’ll have to pack your bags. You’ve grown quite attached to Blanc, but there’s nothing for it.”
When I asked a question so direct it felt like I was peeking into her heart, Haetae slowly lifted her bowed head.
“No. I will not return.”
“What? You’re not coming back?”
Kailian asked in surprise.
“Haetae-nim… but I believe the Eastern Empire is under your blessing… is it really all right to be away for so long?”
Lina’s words made Haetae bite her lip tightly.
Her clear eyes shifted toward me. Countless complicated emotions swirled within them.
But couldn’t I just go over there and visit for a while?
I’d stay a few more days anyway.
I could go there to visit too.
I wanted to blurt it out right then, but something about the conversation felt important, so I stayed quiet.
“…To be precise, it is fine. The blessing is no more than a minor one—such as clean water and no natural disasters like earthquakes.”
“It’s not minor at all… now it really feels like a Divine Beast.”
Kailian gave me a sly look and her eyes widened.
“Wait, so what kind of blessing can Blanc bestow?”
“Kyaoo?”
I’ll make food for you. Almost curative meat too.
Isn’t that a blessing?
“Blanc is a White Tiger, so I don’t know the details. He was a White Tiger from the very first moment I met him.”
“Kyaoong.”
I didn’t even know I was a Divine Beast myself.
Haetae sighed again and gripped her clothes tightly, looking irritated.
I really charmed another butler.
Feeling guilty, I leaped onto Haetae’s lap.
“Blanc-nim…?”
Haetae looked startled and didn’t know what to do.
I spun once on her lap, then plopped down as if it were my own seat and sprawled out.
I began kneading her soft thighs with my front paws in turn.
I’m giving you special kneading because you deserve it.
“Kyaoo. Kyaang.”
You decide, but it’s better to do everything properly.
I looked up at her and growled firmly.
“Kyaoo, Kyaang! Stay here or go back—decide properly. If you make the wrong choice, you’ll regret it later.”
It seemed like overdoing it for just a quick trip home, but her face looked so serious.
“Blanc-nim…”
Haetae’s clear eyes trembled, and a single tear welled up.
My small, warm paws melted her heart.
“Yes… I understand. I will decide properly.”
A relieved smile spread across Haetae’s lips.
“I shall return from the East… and I will bring back many things you like.”
Haetae hugged my small head tightly and then stealthily pressed her lips to my hair.
*Smack.*
The moment our lips parted, a chill that even magic couldn’t ward off spread through the carriage.
“Hey.”
Kailian’s killing intent filled her words, and my fur stood on end.
“Why did you let her go when she looked like trouble? If you hadn’t been here, it would have been hilarious.”
“Kyaoo…”
Hey, butlers, your emotions got the better of you, huh…
“Blanc, be quiet.”
“Kyaoo.”
Yes.
The killing intent was so thick it reminded me of the first time I met Kailian. I tucked my tail and carefully returned to Lumia’s side.
“Huhuhu… Haetae-nim. That was a little too much just now.”
Lina smiled sweetly, but a vein bulged on her forearm.
When Rosalia gave Haetae a cold glare as well, I slid my head under Lumia’s blanket and gently kneaded her ears with my front paws.
“Kyaoo…”
I won’t look.
“Kyaoong…? Brother… I’m sleepy too…”
“Kyaoo.”
Haha, time to sleep.
While listening to the butlers’ killing intent in one ear, I hugged Lumia tightly.
“Hehe, Brother’s belly feels so soft.”
Lumia wrapped her tail around me and kissed my cheek.
“Kyaoo.”
You too? Give me a kiss?
“The sisters did it to Brother earlier, didn’t they? Isn’t that how you make friends?”
“Kyaoo.”
Roughly right.
“Hehe, then do it to me too.”
With a giggle, Lumia stretched out her cheeks. I rested my front paw on them.
This is where the blood dries, right?
“Hmph… I gave it to Brother.”
Her expectant eyes filled with disappointment as her tail drooped. I sighed.
This is why I tell the kids not to show weird things during training.
“Kyaoo.”
I poked Lumia’s forehead with my front paw.
“Kyaoo.”
Forgive me, Lumia. Next time.
“Eh…? What are you forgiving me for?”
As Lumia tilted her head in confusion, I closed my eyes and wagged my tail.
“Kyaoo.”
I really wanted to try that. Lucky me.