The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

The carriage had been traveling through the lush forest for only a short time before arriving in front of Arne’s estate. Nestled deep within the dense woods, the estate looked less like a mansion and more like a castle.

Creak—

The massive gates opened, and Ian Dross's black steed was the first to step inside. Following him, the carriage, the supply wagon, and the knights all entered Arne’s estate in an orderly procession.

Tiel pressed both hands against the carriage window, gazing outside with curiosity. The vast and beautifully maintained garden of Arne stretched alongside the path.

"It's really pretty..."

"You think so? Should we make Asterian’s garden like this too?"

Ludian, who had caught Tiel’s murmuring, asked with interest. Tiel hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

"Arne's garden is wonderful, but Asterian’s garden has its own unique beauty... I don’t think we need to copy Arne."

"That's true. Asterian’s garden is much tidier and more structured. This place is a bit... chaotic, don’t you think?"

At Ludian’s remark, Ferdie and Olivia simultaneously frowned.

Indeed, Arne’s garden was filled with flowers and plants that they had never seen before. Some had grown so wildly that they would need immediate trimming to maintain the garden’s appearance.

And all of this was due to Arne’s unique ability.

The Verdant Arne.

The ability to make flowers bloom, sprouts emerge, and trees grow was the power that kept Arne’s lands covered in lush greenery.

However, there were still many children in Arne who hadn’t yet fully mastered their abilities, so the garden's grass and trees grew in an unruly and uneven manner.

"You! If you say something like that, you'll get kicked out immediately! Do you realize how insulting it is to criticize Arne’s garden in front of the Arne family?"

"Yeah, Ludian. If you get kicked out, you’ll have to make your way back to Asterian on your own. No one’s going to escort you."

Olivia and Ferdie both scolded Ludian almost simultaneously. Ludian, however, simply shrugged, looking entirely unfazed.

"Even if someone said my fire ability was weaker than a campfire, I wouldn’t get mad."

"What are you talking about? Didn’t you beat up a guy at the academy for making fun of your ability and end up getting a warning?"

"Did I? I don’t remember..."

Ludian, who had been confidently boasting, quickly averted his gaze. Ferdie let out a deep sigh.

"We're guests in Arne, so stop acting recklessly. If the head of Arne decides to throw you out, I’d be the first to support it."

Just then, the carriage came to a halt. Outside, Ian Dross’s voice could be heard speaking. The children immediately stopped their conversation and turned their attention toward the carriage door.

"We have arrived."

A knight clad in silver armor opened the carriage door and bowed his head. Ferdie gave a slight nod before stepping out first.

"Be careful, Tiel."

He immediately took Tiel’s hand, ensuring she stepped down safely. Olivia also watched closely to make sure Tiel didn’t bump her head against the carriage as she descended.

"Oops—thank you!"

Tiel lightly hopped down and beamed at her older siblings. Olivia and Ludian followed after her, both gently ruffling Tiel’s hair once they were on the ground.

At that moment, Olivia suddenly lifted her head and called out in an excited voice.

"Clemence!"

"Hello, Olivia."

Standing gracefully in front of Ian Dross’s black steed was Clemence Arne, the successor of the Arne family. Tiel blinked and stared at Clemence with a slightly open mouth.

‘Ah, I’ve seen her before.’

She was the girl who had represented Arne’s family during the Luminarie.

Clemence stepped forward, lifting the hem of her dress slightly as she bowed her head with elegant poise.

"I am Clemence Arne. The head of the family has been expecting you. Normally, the head would have greeted you personally, but due to circumstances, I am welcoming you on her behalf."

Her voice was soft and gentle, leaving a distinct impression. Her appearance, too, was as delicate and graceful as her tone.

With hair as radiant as spring blossoms and eyes as green as fresh foliage, Clemence's beauty was further accentuated by her serene demeanor.

Then, Clemence turned her gaze slightly and looked directly at Tiel.

"Is this the youngest princess of Asterian? I saw you at Luminarie before... You were quite impressive. Hello, Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Clemence Arne."

"Tiel Asterian!"

Tiel confidently added the Asterian surname to her name, her cheeks flushing with pride as she carefully grabbed the edge of Ferdie’s sleeve.

Ferdie, finding Tiel adorable, gave a small smile and gently held her hand in return.

"Let's go in. The head of the family is waiting for you."

Clemence spoke in a soft, lilting voice, almost as if she were singing. Tiel thought her voice sounded just like a songbird’s. Did all bird clans have such beautiful voices?

The knights, exhausted from the journey, were guided to their accommodations by Arne’s attendants so they could rest and unpack.

Meanwhile, Ian Dross, Ferdie, Ludian, Olivia, and Tiel followed Clemence toward the head of the family's chamber.

"The Crown Prince has arrived, yet she doesn't even come out to greet him?"

Ian Dross spoke in a low, chiding voice. Clemence slowly blinked and responded without a trace of distress.

"I apologize on behalf of the head of the family."

The heads of the noble families in the Crassion Empire were more like kings ruling over their own domains than mere family leaders.

And since Arne was located far from other territories, its independence was even more pronounced.

Here, within the lands of Arne, the head of Arne was essentially a monarch.

Ian, fully aware of this, refrained from pressing Clemence further.

After all, the beastkin were a race that submitted under the emperor’s authority—but never bowed their heads completely.

When they reached the head of Arne’s chamber, Clemence lightly knocked on the wooden door.

"Master, the guests have arrived."

Not long after Clemence’s words, the door opened smoothly.

The one who personally stepped out and greeted them was the head of Arne—Iris Hilde Arne.

"Glory to Crassion. I, Iris Hilde Arne, head of Arne, greet Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Iris Hilde Arne and Clemence resembled each other so closely that even a stranger could immediately tell they were mother and daughter.

Her long, radiant pink hair cascaded down her back, adorned with delicate flowers.

To Tiel, she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

"Arne, we were unable to greet each other properly last time due to my situation."

"I was greatly concerned when I heard about what happened to Your Highness. Congratulations on your recovery."

Iris responded smoothly, stepping aside with a slight bow.

"Please, come inside first. I’ve had tea and refreshments prepared."

Ian Dross gave a slight nod and stepped forward. The children followed and took their seats on the sofas.

Tiel ended up sitting beside Ian, who helped her settle in properly.

"Lord Ferdie, Lord Ludian... and Olivia."

Iris smiled as she called their names. Olivia nodded in response.

"Have you all been well? I haven’t been able to invite you recently due to how busy things have been."

"Olivia hasn't been in touch, so Clemence was quite disappointed. She only has Olivia as a friend, so she hopes you’ll reach out more often."

Iris and Olivia were quite close, largely because Olivia and Clemence were very dear friends.

Due to Arne's remote location, Olivia had never visited before, but—

Clemence had often traveled to Wolfgang just to see Olivia, and Iris herself had made occasional visits there, leading to their strong bond.

"Clemence was disappointed? Then I’ll have to spend all day today catching up with her!"

Olivia declared enthusiastically, making Iris chuckle as she nodded.

Her warm green eyes then shifted toward the small girl sitting next to Ian Dross.

"And... the Asterian princess?"

"Yes, Head of Arne. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Tiel Asterian."

Tiel greeted politely.

Iris responded with a bright smile and returned the greeting.

"It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. Especially at Luminarie—you were truly remarkable."