The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

The fluffy cream filled her mouth, melting away to leave behind the soft, smooth pudding that tickled her tongue. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

‘I’ve never tasted anything like this before.’

Everything she’d eaten at the Asterian estate so far—even if it was just half a bowl of corn soup and some cake—had been wonderful, but this pudding was by far the best.

As Tiel’s eyes sparkled at the unfamiliar yet delightful taste, Ria chuckled softly and scooped another spoonful, offering it to her.

“This is a special pudding made by the Asterian family chef. Do you like it?”

“It’s delicious...”

Ria smiled warmly at Tiel’s honest answer and gently fed her another spoonful.

Although Tiel wasn’t used to being fed by someone else, Ria’s kindness made it feel okay.

After finishing the entire bowl of pudding, Ria helped Tiel change into pajamas. They were a bit too large, as they had belonged to Miss Olivia, and Ria asked Tiel to bear with it for just one night.

‘Who is Miss Olivia?’

Tiel didn’t know, but it was clear that she was a much older girl, as Tiel had to fold the sleeves of the pajamas twice to make them fit.

Once Tiel was dressed, Ria tucked her into bed and promised to stay by her side until she fell asleep, sitting on a small chair next to the bed.

Tiel blinked a few times before shifting her gaze to Ria’s face. The room was dim after the lights were turned off, making it hard to see her clearly.

“Um... Am I really staying here?”

At Tiel’s cautious question, Ria nodded and gently brushed her small hand.

“Of course. Now, you can eat lots of delicious food, do the things you love, and live happily in this mansion.”

Tiel nodded at Ria’s kind words and then, after a moment of hesitation, lightly held Ria’s warm fingers and asked,

“Then...”

“Then?”

“Then... Can I stay with you too?”

Tiel liked Ria. A lot.

Ria was the kindest person Tiel had ever met. She always spoke softly, ensuring Tiel wouldn’t be startled, and whenever their eyes met, Ria greeted her with a bright smile.

No one in the Nestian household had ever smiled at Tiel like that.

So Tiel couldn’t help but feel drawn to Ria. She even felt a pang of regret seeing Ria straighten her pillow and adjust her blanket as if she were about to leave.

‘There are so many people in the Asterian family...’

Recalling the numerous staff she had seen during the day, Tiel blinked nervously.

What if she didn’t see Ria again?

What if someone else came in tomorrow morning to straighten her blanket?

That sudden fear gripped her, and before she realized it, Tiel had lightly grabbed Ria’s fingers. But as soon as she did, she gasped and quickly let go.

“...!”

She hadn’t meant to do that. Hesitantly, Tiel glanced up at Ria.

Fortunately, Ria didn’t seem upset by her action. In fact...

“Oh my, our little lady is so adorable,” Ria said with a soft laugh, gently wrapping her hand around Tiel’s small one.

Surprised by the unexpected gesture, Tiel’s eyes widened.

Though Tiel didn’t know, Ria had already noticed how much the child liked her.

‘How could I not know?’

The shy little girl, who seemed to avoid others, would always glance around nervously for Ria whenever she felt anxious or scared.

And when she spotted Ria within her line of sight, her tense face would relax in the most endearing way.

Understanding the small lady’s unspoken fear of being left alone, Ria gently lifted Tiel and settled her on her lap, brushing back her hair.

Tiel instinctively squeezed her eyes shut as Ria’s hand approached her face. When nothing happened, she slowly opened her eyes, realizing that Ria was simply tidying her messy hair.

Ria worked quickly, smoothing Tiel’s hair before speaking.

“Don’t worry, young lady. Until a personal maid is assigned to you, I’ll stay by your side and take care of you.”

“But... when the personal maid is assigned...”

Will we be separated?

Tiel’s round eyes seemed to ask that question silently.

Ria reached into her pocket, pulled out a hairpin, and clipped Tiel’s long bangs to keep them from poking her eyes.

“That’s something we’ll have to see when the time comes, but you don’t need to worry too much. Because... This is a secret, but I’ve already applied to be your personal maid.”

“Really?”

“Of course. So don’t worry, young lady. I’ll always be by your side.”

“Thank goodness,” Tiel murmured softly, her voice filled with relief.

Tiel, feeling her tension melt away at Ria's kind words, unintentionally let out her thoughts, smiling bashfully.

Seeing this, Ria couldn’t help but smile warmly, her heart brimming with affection.

If others had witnessed this moment, Ria was certain they’d wear the same expression she had now.

Holding the small, adorable Snow Leopard young lady in her arms, Ria almost teared up from the overwhelming cuteness. But mindful of the late hour, she gently laid Tiel back onto the bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

“So, my lady, don’t worry and have a good rest. Would you like me to sing you a lullaby?”

“N-no! I can sleep on my own!”

Although a part of her secretly wanted to hear the lullaby, Tiel shook her head, reluctant to seem like a child who required too much care.

Ria, sensing this, simply smiled and softly patted Tiel’s head.

“You’re very brave, my lady. Then, I’ll leave the small lamp on the bedside table and turn off the lights. If you feel scared or need anything, just ring the bell on the table.”

“Okay.”

“And don’t worry, Marquis Karsus has already ordered a room to be prepared for you. It will be a beautiful room. Please bear with this one for a little while.”

Bear with this room?

Tiel’s eyes widened.

The room, said to belong to Miss Olivia, was incredibly spacious, warm even at night, and decorated so beautifully that Tiel couldn’t imagine it being uncomfortable.

Before she could voice her thoughts, Ria lightly patted her over the blanket and whispered, “Just a little patience, my lady. We’ll make sure you have the most beautiful room.”

Left with no chance to protest how wonderful this room already was, Tiel simply nodded.

After Ria left the room, Tiel burrowed into the large, cozy blanket.

It was soft.

And it was warm.

In the study of Alpheus Evalt Asterian, the head of the Asterian family.

“So, what is it you want to say?”

Seated on a sofa, Alpheus eyed Karsus, who was sitting across from him.

Karsus, seeming lost in thought, blinked slowly before finally meeting Alpheus’s gaze at his impatient prodding.

“Ah, it’s about...”

“Don’t drag this out, Karsus. You know I have no patience for it.”

At Alpheus’s stern tone, Karsus glanced at him with mild exasperation before nodding and finally speaking.

“It’s about the child’s ability.”

“What about it?”

“She’s manifested her ability.”

“...Manifested her ability?” Alpheus’s eyes widened in disbelief.

An ability?

Abilities typically manifested within the first year of life. But now? How was that possible?

“Wait... You’re saying she hasn’t had an ability all this time?”

“Yes,” Karsus replied calmly, nodding.

Alpheus’s expression shifted, as if everything suddenly made sense.

So that’s why the child was treated that way in the Nestian household.

She hadn’t manifested her ability.

Abilities normally manifested within the first year of life. Given this, Chender likely had no hope that the child would manifest an ability later.

Of course, Alpheus had assumed the same.

I’ve never heard of a case of such a late manifestation.

The latest recorded instance of an ability manifestation had been at the age of four.

After that, there were no records of abilities manifesting. And yet, she had manifested hers at the age of seven?

“But...” Karsus continued, “the child’s ability isn’t ice or fire.”

At this, Alpheus turned his gaze sharply to Karsus, confusion evident on his face.

The Asterians wielded fire, and the Nestians wielded ice.

As the daughter of Karsus and Lena, it was expected that Tiel would manifest either fire, like her brothers, or ice, like Lena. But...

“Not ice or fire? Then what is it?” Alpheus demanded, his voice rising in incredulity.