Mathien's body slowly sank into a state of peaceful drowsiness. His belly was warm, his body felt light, and the breeze of the afternoon air whispered like a gentle lullaby.
"A perfect day for a nap," he murmured to himself.
His eyelids drooped halfway... then almost completely shut.
But— A voice called out.
"Chirooo!!"
He didn't move.
"Chiro! Where are you?!"
Mathien let out a quiet sigh. He didn't open his eyes, just tilted his head slightly in the direction of the voice.
"She's doing it again."
Hurried footsteps rushed closer. Dry grass rustled, twigs cracked underfoot. Breathless pants, and a tone of worry that couldn't be hidden.
Mathien remained unmoved. He rolled to his other side, turning away from the source of the sound.
"Let her be. I'm full. I'm at peace. The world is fleeting—salmon is eternal."
But a few seconds later...
The voice disappeared.
No more calling. No more footsteps. No more shouting.
Silence.
Mathien opened one eye. His ears twitched.
"...Hana?"
He slowly pushed himself upright, squinting at his surroundings.
"Why is she quiet?"
"Doesn't she usually scream like someone who's lost in the woods?"
The wind stirred the bushes gently. Leaves rustled in the distance. But Hana's voice... vanished completely.
Mathien's heart dropped.
His full stomach felt cold.
He stood tall on all fours, his tail stiff. His breath suddenly heavy.
"Don't tell me... something happened."
And without thinking any further, Mathien bolted. His round body tore through the bushes, leaping nimbly between stones and tree roots.
"Don't tell me that foolish girl got lost..." "Or worse—why do I even care?!"
Yet his legs didn't stop.
Because for the first time that day... His fullness meant nothing at all.
Hana's steps traced the edge of the riverbank, past wild grass and overgrown shrubs. Her breath grew uneven, her face glistened with sweat, and her hand clutched a small pouch where she kept the leftover salmon she failed to give.
"Chiro... where are you?!"
The wind swept softly through the dry leaves. The sky had begun to darken. Hana glanced left and right, but there was no sign of the round-bodied creature emerging from the underbrush.
"Did you get lost?" "Or are you just napping after eating?"
She sighed, then kept walking slowly.
But suddenly— The bushes to her right rustled violently.
Hana froze. Her body tensed.
The leaves shook hard. A low growl rumbled from behind the thick grass. Then, out of the shadows, emerged a large stray dog with matted fur and eyes glowing with rage.
Drool dripped from its mouth. Its legs were firm, claws massive. The growl was deep—and hungry.
Hana stepped back. Her body trembled.
"W-wait..."
"Don't tell me this is..."
The dog didn't stop. It advanced slowly, descending the small slope, closing in. Its tongue lolled out, foam dripping. Heavy breaths. Its eyes locked on one thing:
Hana.
"N-no. Not like this..."
"Don't tell me I'm... dying today?"
Her legs wanted to move. But her body froze. Her mouth opened to scream, but her voice stuck in her throat. Every second stretched longer than usual.
And when the dog was just two steps away—
GRRRRRRHHHHH!!!
It leapt.
Hana shut her eyes.
"Mathien... please..."
Time slowed.
The massive shadow of the dog soared through the air—its jaws wide, claws ready to tear. In that split second of death, there was only Hana's shallow breathing... and her heart pounding in her chest.
And just as the claws nearly touched her face—
BOOM!
A flash of blinding blue light burst from the right, slicing through the air like a bolt of lightning cutting through shadow.
Hana's eyes flew open.
The wind spiraled violently. Dust and dry leaves scattered in every direction. In the swirl of burning magic, the large dog's body was thrown violently to the ground. It writhed, groaned... then slowly backed away. Terrified.
Before Hana stood a young man.
His hair was black, tousled by the wind. His blue eyes blazed—sharp and piercing, like the sky during a storm. A dark blue cloak bearing the royal insignia of Valtherion fluttered gently in the wind, and around his body, magic swirled like soft flames.
He stood firmly, one hand outstretched, his fingers still glowing.
"How dare you lay a paw on my maid."
His voice was deep. Commanding. It shook the earth.
The dog retreated in a panic, then bolted into the forest, its growl turning into a whimper.
Silence hung in the air.
Hana stood frozen. Eyes wide, body stiff. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
She could only stare at the stranger standing before her... who looked like someone out of a fantasy tale... yet with a gaze that—somehow—felt so familiar.
And the man slowly turned to her. His eyes met hers.
His face remained stern. But his gaze... softened a little.
"You're such a fool. Going out alone like this."
Hana blinked. Her lips trembled.
"Chiro...?"
She could hardly believe that word came from her.
The figure sighed, running a hand through his messy hair.
"That's not my name."
He stepped closer, each step sure and soundless, as if untouched by the dust of the earth.
"Listen carefully, Hana."
"My name... is Mathien Caevior Valtherion. Crown Prince of Valtherion. Heir to the empire of magic. And the sole protector... of a reckless girl who brings me salmon but can't even protect herself."
Hana froze.
Then her eyes welled with tears.
"Mathien... the real one..."
Mathien said nothing. He looked at her beneath the golden light of dusk.
And from that moment on, Hana truly believed in magic. And Mathien... for the first time... called this world his home.
The evening breeze stirred the petals of wildflowers growing by the dirt path. The air still held the scent of salmon—and of ancient magic now awakened.
No words were spoken.
Only the sound of rustling leaves remained... and two souls finally standing before each other in their true forms.
No longer just a village girl and a chubby cat.
But an ordinary human... and a prince from another world.
🌸🌸🌸