Let's Head to the Imperial Palace to Run the Household!
"Kyawoong…"
The world is a wreck.
I sprawled on the sofa in the princess's palace, all four paws stretched wide and limp as a ragdoll.
Warm sunlight spilled through the windows and hugged my back, but it brought zero comfort right now.
Princess Kailian had banned snacks for the entire day, and that one small cruelty had crushed my will to live.
"Oh my, heavens… why is our divine beast looking so utterly deflated?"
"Yeah… it's been ages since he's been running around. Should we call a vet?"
"Those eyes are so sad… It's like the expression of a country that's lost everything."
The maids who had been dusting the room stood frozen, holding their dusters, eyes wide with worry as they stared at the sprawled Blanc on the sofa.
I heard their concerned whispers, but I didn't have the strength to answer. I just let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Kyawo…"
You two should try going without snacks too… Laughing? Come on.
Just then, Kailian, who had been reviewing papers, set her pen down with a loud thunk and called out to me in disbelief.
"Hey, Blanc. You're seriously sulking."
"Kyaung."
Don't tell me what to do. I'm sulking, okay?
I snorted and whipped my head away, and Kailian crossed her arms with a smirk.
"If anyone saw me, they'd think I banned snacks for life. Just one day, and I'm already done for."
"Kyaang!"
Three meals a day and five snacks—it's basic common sense! You're stealing my fun!
I thumped the sofa with my front paws to complain, but Kailian didn't even pretend to listen. She just went back to her papers.
That, that devious butler…
Overwhelmed by the injustice, I buried my face in the sofa cushion.
"Hehe, oppa's tail is so soft and nice."
Lumia didn't notice my mood as she lifted my tail and played with it.
Thud.
When Lumia let go, my tail flopped weakly onto the sofa.
"Hehehe, fun! Do it again!"
"Kyawo."
Hey, oppa had snacks taken away and you're laughing? Don't let go of the tail!
Too drained to react to Lumia's games, I just offered my tail with a resigned expression.
Yeah, you have to laugh for luck to come… I'll get my revenge later. Revenge is also luck.
"…Poor little Blanc."
I smelled Lina approaching even before I heard her.
She glanced around cautiously, then secretly pulled out a neatly wrapped piece of jerky from her robes.
"Here, are you hungry? Open your mouth quietly and I'll put it in… just let me touch your paw once later."
"Kyawoong."
You're the best!
I joyfully opened my mouth wide, ready to chomp down on the jerky—
Thud.
A snow-white hand shot out and grabbed Lina's wrist.
"Oh dear…"
"No matter how pitiful you look, you can't have it."
Haetae looked down at both of us without a sound, as if she had always been there.
"Haetae-nim… aren't you being way too strict?! Look at those pitiful eyes! She's about to cry any second!"
Lina protested, looking wronged, but Haetae shook her head firmly.
"If you truly care about Blanc, sometimes bitter medicine is necessary!"
"Blanc-nim eats bitter medicine just fine!"
"Kyawoong!"
That's right!
Even with our protests, Haetae silently snatched the jerky and tucked it into her own robes.
The paradise in my eyes slammed shut.
"Kyaang… Too harsh. You stupid fox, you dummy…"
I plopped down on the sofa with a heavy thud and slumped completely.
Lina's betrayal stung even more, leaving my empty stomach feeling like a knife.
Finally, I decided to use my last resort.
Swish.
I pulled out the Earth Dragon's bone I kept beside the cat tower.
Recently my teeth had grown extra strong from teething and absorbing mana, so this had become my secret favorite snack.
"Kyawoong."
Yeah. You're the only one left. Bone, you bone.
I gripped the massive bone with both front paws and gently crunched the tip with my molars.
Crack, crunch.
"Kyaah…"
This is it—the deep, rich flavor of marrow and the heavy earth mana.
The savory taste of the Earth Dragon bone spread in my mouth, and my sagging tail started wagging happily.
Crack! Crunch!
I closed my eyes and joyfully gnawed the bone, finally shaking off my snack cravings.
But.
Crack—! Snap—!
"……?!"
The crisp crunching suddenly turned into a dull, ominous cracking.
I jerked in shock and dropped the bone onto the floor.
"K-Kyawo?!"
Eh… my bone…?
My precious Ancestral Earth Dragon bone.
The center of that once-solid bone had shattered completely under my jaw's power.
"Kyaaaaaang!"
No way! That's my favorite snack…!
Unlucky strikes in a row—snacks gone, then my bone taken too.
I hugged the broken pieces with both front paws and let out a heartbroken wail.
I thought I'd be able to chew it for ages…! Why did I have to get this stupidly strong?!
Staring at the ruined bone with a lost look, Kailian muttered casually.
"What? It finally broke. Why are you so surprised, Blanc?"
"Kyawo?!"
Doesn't it look like something should break?!
"You got this the other day. You've been chewing it every single day while saying it was fine. Even dragon bones break when gnawed on constantly."
Her perfectly logical words made me glance between the broken bone and Kailian.
"Kyawo…"
Thinking about it, she's right.
Yeah, I've been overdoing it with this bone.
A little of the sadness lifted from my chest.
Anyway, I'm going to enjoy a proper bite of the broken one.
I stuffed one of the cracked pieces into my mouth.
Crunch! Snap!
"Kyawo."
Oh, it's broken—tastes like a biscuit, super savory and delicious.
I neatly swallowed the remaining floor scraps.
"Kyawoaam…"
After crunching every last crystal of the Earth Dragon bone shards,
my belly full, I wagged my tail and left Kailian's room.
With proud steps, I headed for the imperial palace's office where Grandfather Karsion was.
Bam!
I swung the door open with my front paw. Grandfather Karsion looked up from the mountain of documents with a satisfied smile.
"Blanc, what is it? Did you come because you missed me?"
Demian didn't react at all—he looked completely drained.
I dashed over and leaped onto Grandfather Karsion's lap.
"Kyawo! Kyaang!"
Grandpa, I ate all the Earth Dragon bone you gave me!
I gestured wildly, begging for praise while puffing out my chest.
"Oh ho… so you really ate the entire Earth Dragon bone?"
"Kyawo!"
That's right!
Our grandpa is learning the art of reading minds now? Amazing.
Grandfather Karsion patted my head and chin with his huge, rough hand, clearly pleased.
"Yes, well done. Excellent. The gift was worth it."
While I purred contentedly from Grandfather's vigorous petting,
the office door opened and Kailian, who had come looking for me, stepped in.
"Your Highness. If you keep spoiling Blanc like this, he'll get spoiled rotten."
Kailian sighed as she approached, and Grandfather patted my head again.
"Blanc ate all my gift, right? You should praise him. A child grows properly when you praise good behavior."
"You never did that to me."
"Hmph… sorry."
"Kyawo…"
Even grandpa can't beat Kailian now?
Grandfather Karsion seemed especially guilty toward Kailian lately. He had been losing a lot of arguments.
He swept me up in one arm and quickly changed the subject.
"Well, since you ate the bone, you need a new one. Let's go to the Imperial Treasury together."
"Eh? Your Highness… the treasury?"
Kailian's eyes nearly popped out at Grandfather's words.
"Your Highness… is it really okay to use the treasury like that?"
"What, the point of treasure is to spend it. It's no good if you just hoard it."
"Haa… I understand."
"You come too."
My ears shot up at the conversation.
Our grandpa! He's the absolute best! He's giving more gifts!
I started furiously rubbing my face against the arm holding me.
Rub, rub.
"Kyawooouu! Kyaang!"
Grandpa is the best! I'm so happy! Grandpa is the best!
I wagged my tail wildly and let out an ear-splitting purr that shook my soul.
Grandfather Karsion laughed heartily, delighted.
"Hahaha! You little rascal… do you like it that much? I'm happier every day because of you… I'll give you whatever you want!"
Kailian shook her head in disbelief, watching.
"Wow… that little rascal Blanc… he's so fox-like… he's getting spoiled just from receiving gifts."
"Fox? You called, unnie?"
"Ah… no, not you…"
Lumia, who had followed us in, saw me playing with Grandfather and took my tail in her mouth, staring up at him with huge, innocent eyes—like she was asking, "What about me?"
"Yes, Lumia, you come too."
Grandfather stretched out his free arm and lifted the sitting Lumia in one swift motion.
In an instant, his arms were full of fluffy white fur.
"The treasury really has a lot… let's reduce it to two for now."
"Waaah! Grandpa is the best!"
"Kyawoong!"
Grandpa is the best!!