DRP 21

chapter 21

Ah, my fur.

Why is it so unruly today? I can barely see through my own fur—it’s in my eyes, nose, and mouth.

While I humbly abandoned all sense of dignity after showing such a disgraceful appearance to a stranger, the boy—frozen stiff—hurriedly picked me up.

“Your paws are cold!”

Isn’t everyone’s feet cold in winter?

Being suddenly scooped up, I forgot to pull my pink tongue back in and just stared blankly at the boy. But he was too busy wrapping me in the scarf he’d just taken off himself.

“Hold on. I’ll go find some adults for you.”

“Kyung?”

“Are you really cold? Should I warm your paws first?”

The boy, flustered and anxious, began rubbing my paw pads with his bare hands.
At first, I was confused—but it was warm, so I let him continue.

Besides, he was handsome.

Grandma, I think character really does follow the face.

You were right—your standard of “a good husband must be beautiful” wasn’t wrong after all. Such wisdom… wait.

Hold on.

Weren’t we supposed to have only one guest visiting our house today?

I quickly lifted my head to look closely at the boy.

His silver hair stayed perfectly still even in the raging wind, and his blue eyes looked like something carved out of deep ice.

The more I examined him, the clearer it became—his looks were so refined that even the portrait of our dashing ancestor would pale in comparison.

And beauty like this? Absolutely one of a kind.

No way.

A dreadful thought flashed through my mind, and I desperately tried to chase it away.

It couldn’t be. No—it mustn’t be!

“Sweetie!”

That was my father’s voice.

I guess he came looking for me since I hadn’t returned inside yet.

“Hyeon! My dear daughter!”

He called my name cheerfully, but at that moment, I wanted to pretend I didn’t exist.

Slowly, the boy’s gaze shifted from me to my father.

“Is this… child Hyeon?”

“…Sobeksan?”

“Yes.”

The boy—still holding me snugly in his scarf—calmly nodded.

“I am Baek Hwiruk, heir of the Baek family.”

At that name, I squeezed my eyes shut.

The blind date was supposed to be this afternoon.

I cursed myself for trusting that detail completely—taking a stroll in rags that morning—only to run into my arranged fiancé like this.

“I’m Hyeon Doi, the external general of the Hyeon family. The father of the child you’re holding.”

“An honor to meet you, General.”

My father greeted him belatedly, and the boy returned the greeting with a deep bow.

But Sobeksan still wouldn’t put me down.

Father, puzzled, reached out his hand—clearly asking for me—but the boy only hugged me tighter.

“She’s cold, sir. Forgive me, but might we move inside where it’s warm?”

His tone was refined and graceful.

Father’s expression turned complicated. Mine probably did too.

I wasn’t even cold.

Everyone in the Hyeon family has a double coat of fur. If you let out fluffy dogs like us in winter, what happens? We run around joyfully, of course.

Still, my father smoothed his face expertly and led the guest toward the annex.

It was bad weather to stay outside.

In the boy’s arms, I thought grimly—

This blind date is ruined.

He looked perfectly groomed for the occasion—blue silk clothes and a black fur-lined coat that made his silver hair stand out dramatically. So elegant.

And me?
I looked like a scruffy puppy that had just rolled out of bed.

A disastrous first impression for what’s supposed to be a matchmaking meeting.

“Phewww.”

I sighed.

I wanted to at least fix my tangled fur, but wrapped tight in his scarf, I couldn’t move.
When I looked up at Sobeksan, he leaned closer, meeting my eyes.

“What is it?”

Up close, his face was breathtaking.
If only my dirty reflection weren’t visible in those icy blue eyes, I’d have admired him endlessly.

But I couldn’t stay like this forever.

I barked softly, asking him to put me down.

“Woof. Hmf. Woof-woof.”

“Hmm?”

Sadly, Sobeksan didn’t understand a word.

Of course not.

When I fell silent, he asked gently if I was cold again. His refined scent filled my nose—I almost sniffed, but restrained myself and looked for my father instead.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

But Father was at the entrance of the annex, greeting another guest.

“I came because I heard my son was here…”

A man with a strange, almost ethereal voice approached slowly.

“Father,” Sobeksan said.

The man’s long silver hair flowed freely like a mane. The head of the Baek family—Baek Hasung—half-opened his languid eyes.

“I see impatience runs in the family.”

His presence was immense—like standing before a mountain.
The air itself seemed to tremble around him.

“Who else would he take after, if not you?”
A sharp, steely voice cut through that heavy tension.

It was Grandma.

With her jet-black hair and fluttering robes, she appeared like a tempest—and she looked so cool I almost barked out loud in admiration.

“General Hyeon.”

“I laid down that title long ago. Call me ‘Head of House Hyeon’ properly.”

Baek Hasung’s narrow eyes curved in amusement.

“You haven’t changed.”

“You have.”

“Oh? In what way?”

“You used to jump into fights without a thought. Seems your temper and tongue have weakened. The old you would’ve started a duel already.”

“I’ve learned to consider appearances. Some things are worth keeping up, you see.”

The air between them was taut—unyielding.

Black and white.

A goblin-like dog and a tiger-like mountain faced off—until Mother appeared behind Grandma.

“Woof!”

Well, technically, it was me barking that broke the tension, after spotting Mom.

All eyes turned to me, still cradled in Sobeksan’s arms.

Even unflinching Mother’s pupils trembled when she saw Baek Hasung—and then widened further when she spotted me.

And Grandma?
Her eyes said, “What on earth are you doing there?”

Dad?
He’d just been quietly watching me and Sobeksan this whole time.

Without helping.

I looked around frantically—then locked eyes with Baek Hasung.

He tilted his head, then widened his eyes in surprise and turned to Grandma.

“Don’t tell me… that pup is our son’s blind date?”

“She is.”

“Hah.”

Baek Hasung let out a short laugh and strode toward me.

Sobeksan frowned, clearly displeased, but Baek Hasung didn’t care—he bent low, meeting my eyes.

“Incredible.”

“Woof?”

“Forgive my bluntness, but such loveliness could only come from the Hyeon family.”

“You really haven’t changed. Still as rude as ever,” Grandma snapped.

One thing was clear—

These two family heads did not get along.

Thankfully, Father stepped in before it turned into an all-out war.

“Perhaps we should continue this inside.”

Both Baek father and son were stunning men, but my dad wasn’t any less so. When he smiled brightly, it had a quiet but undeniable force.

“The children might be cold,” he added.

Sobeksan quickly agreed.
“This one’s paws are freezing. We should go somewhere warm.”

He was still rubbing my paws since earlier, which made the adults exchange awkward looks.

Hard to describe—part shock, part disbelief, part let’s see how far he goes.

I was flustered.
I’m the one being grabbed here!
He’s the one not letting go!

I wanted to protest—but before I could, Baek Hasung spoke.

“Let’s head inside.”

And just like that, I lost my chance to object.

A while later, everyone was seated together in the sitting room.
And yes, I was still in Sobeksan’s arms.
He really had no intention of putting me down.

“I’m Hyeon Doi, external general of the Hyeon family.”

“I’m San Ye-ryeom, hunter of the Ashen Tribe of Mount Seolsan.”

“I am Baek Hasung, head of the Baek family.”

“I’ll skip the formalities.”

Finally, the adults exchanged greetings.

Once the introductions settled, Grandma immediately started interrogating Baek Hasung for arriving earlier than scheduled.
He answered calmly.

“We were meant to arrive just before noon.”

“And?”

“As you know, travel magic is affected by wind. The gusts around here were unusually strong today. We didn’t expect to arrive this early—then the wind got so fierce near the end that my son and I got separated.”

Apparently, they were supposed to land at the front gate.
Instead, the gust blew Sobeksan all the way to the back garden—where he stumbled upon me, out for a morning stroll.

Unbelievable.

So the only reason I met him looking like a stray dog… was the wind?!

“Ruff! Woof-woof! Arf!”

I barked indignantly, and the boy hurried to soothe me, patting gently.

No!
That’s not it!

I just wanted to be a pretty puppy!

I couldn’t even change back into human form now, since I’d transformed in my pajamas.
Dirty, unkempt, and bleary-eyed—what kind of first impression was that?!

“Sobeksan. Would you put her down, please?”

“What is she saying?”

“She’s asking for someone to brush her fur,” Father replied smoothly.

“…Pardon?”

That’s it—I had to get out of this boy’s arms or I’d never escape.

With effort, I wriggled free and shook out my fur vigorously.

“Oh dear.”

Father sighed softly when he saw me.
My fur was a mess—ruffled from the wind and flattened where the scarf had pressed down.

Snorting in frustration, I went to Mom, who always carried a comb, and she carefully brushed me until my fur was sleek again.

Perfect.

From scruffy pup to adorable puppy—transformation complete!

I regained my confidence, though to really continue the matchmaking properly, I’d need a bath and clean clothes.