The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Tiel explained in detail to Ferdie and Ludian what had happened in Ian Dross' spatial realm.

Of course, she skipped the part about the "big pink cushion" because it seemed like Ian wanted to keep it hidden.

After hearing everything Tiel had to say, Ferdie and Ludian both wore serious expressions.

"First of all, it’s best not to tell anyone else... until Ian decides to disclose it."

"Yeah, that’s probably for the best. There's nothing good that would come from this being known. But I’m worried."

"So that’s why you ran out looking so dazed?"

Tiel nodded in response to Ludian's words. Ferdie gently rubbed her cheek.

"Are you okay? Were you not too shocked? You mentioned you’ve been having nightmares lately; I’m worried this might disturb your sleep again."

"I’m... okay! I was a little surprised, but I’m fine. What worries me more is Ian."

Ludian and Ferdie nodded in agreement.

Just then, the messenger pigeon, which had been quietly perched in the spot Ian had left it, fluttered its wings and gently landed on Tiel's shoulder.

***

"The imperial family’s collateral?"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes. Ian Dross nodded gravely. The Emperor set down the documents and removed his glasses, placing them beside him.

"There’s no child with emerald eyes in the collateral branches of the imperial family. You know that, don’t you? That’s a symbol of the imperial bloodline, something only the direct descendants of the Crassion family possess."

"I know."

"Then why are you asking about this? This doesn’t seem like you."

"......"

Ian Dross didn’t answer. The Emperor, though, felt something strange about Ian’s behavior today but didn’t press him further.

Their relationship, the one between grandfather and grandson, was shallower and less trusting than others might think.

Ian Dross despised his grandfather, so the Emperor had no reason to question him too deeply.

There was a thin layer of trust in their silence, a trust that was fragile. That was the last trust the Emperor shared with Ian.

The Emperor didn’t want to break even that.

After a long silence, Ian Dross lifted his head and asked, "Then, are there any records about others who had the same ability as mine?"

"Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?"

"Because I need to know."

"As you know, there are almost no records about the creation of spatial realms. But if you still want to look, try searching the archives in the Imperial Palace's basement. Normally, it’s a restricted area for the Emperor only... but I’ll give you permission to enter."

"I appreciate Your Majesty’s grace."

Ian bowed deeply to express his gratitude.

The Emperor nodded. Ian left the room without hesitation.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

The Emperor watched his grandson’s retreating figure for a moment, deep in thought.

"Is something wrong...?"

He had never seen Ian make that kind of expression before.

Since Ian was very young, he had been distant, calm, and composed, likely due to the trauma he suffered in his early years. It was not typical behavior for a child.

The Emperor was deeply concerned about this.

While being calm and composed might be a good quality for a future ruler, a child who lacks the traits of a child misses out on the opportunity to grow naturally.

Fortunately, since meeting the youngest daughter of the Asterian family, Ian had improved, treating her like a sister, and now even as a friend.

"I’m worried about you, Ian Dross."

The Emperor, before being a grandfather, was the ruler of Crassion, and thus, he had to prioritize Crassion over his grandson.

Sometimes, he resented it. After all, why wouldn’t he want to embrace his beloved grandson?

But the weight of the imperial throne and the crown above his head kept him from doing so.

With a bitter expression, Wilhelm stared at the spot where Ian Dross had been standing just moments before.

Ian Dross had remained standing throughout the conversation with the Emperor.

***

"You’re talking about the ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) basement of the Imperial Palace’s archive?"

"That’s right."

Ian Dross answered. His aide, Cedric, looked uneasy.

"The basement of the Imperial Palace’s archive is off-limits except to His Majesty the Emperor."

"His Majesty has permitted me to enter. Stop talking and follow me."

At Ian's sharp tone, Cedric fell silent and followed him.

Although Ian Dross often visited the Imperial Palace’s archive, he had never been to the basement before. As the Emperor had mentioned, it was a place only the Emperor could access.

Even the Crown Prince was no exception.

Ian walked briskly toward the archive.

The guards stationed in front of the archive, seeing Ian and Cedric, immediately straightened up and saluted.

Ian passed them and stepped into the archive.

The Imperial Palace’s archive, which housed the vast records of the Crassion Empire, was exceptionally well-maintained, remaining cool even in the heat of summer.

Ian Dross stood in front of the stairs leading to the basement and turned to Cedric.

"Wait here."

"Yes, Your Highness. But, is something happening?"

"You don’t need to know. I’ll tell you when the time comes."

The boy answered coldly and descended the stairs to the basement.

Two guards stood watch at the entrance to the basement of the archive. After confirming Ian’s identity, they hesitated.

"This area is restricted to His Majesty the Emperor. We’re sorry."

"His Majesty has allowed me to enter. Open the door."

The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether Ian’s words were true or false.

But Ian was the Crown Prince, and they were mere soldiers. Even if Ian were lying, they had no choice but to obey.

The guards opened the door to the basement. A musty smell immediately hit Ian’s nose.

Ian, who usually preferred cleanliness, frowned as he stepped into the archive.

The basement was impeccably maintained, but because it contained very old books and materials, the smell was unavoidable.

Ian slowly started to examine the materials.

The information Ian was looking for was clear. Was there anyone outside the Crassion imperial family who had the ability to create spatial realms?

It was not publicly known, but perhaps it was possible.

There might be records of someone born in the collateral branches of the imperial family.

Ian quickly gathered all the books and materials that seemed to contain information on spatial realms.

The well-organized materials made it easy for Ian to find what he was looking for, and he didn’t take long to find the relevant documents.

He began flipping through a few of the papers about spatial realms. One document seemed to have been written long ago by an imperial scribe who worked under a previous Emperor of Crassion.

Ian turned the page indifferently when he came to a section about a princess who had the ability to create spatial realms.

What he was searching for were records about whether someone born in the collateral branches could have this ability, and whether people with spatial realm abilities could connect their realms. He wasn’t interested in records about the princess.

He quickly flipped the pages. The book detailed how wise, beautiful, and great the Crassion princess who had the ability was.

It also mentioned that she was almost set to become the next Empress.

The scribe’s personal admiration for the princess was evident in the glowing descriptions.

Ian Dross narrowed his eyes in surprise.

It was well-known that a Crassion princess with the ability to create spatial realms had once existed.

However, that princess was a madwoman who nearly wiped out the entire empire with her powers, and she had been imprisoned for her crimes, eventually dying in captivity.

Yet the records told a completely different story.

"She was wise and noble?"

Everyone in Crassion knew that the princess with the spatial realm ability was insane.

Ian Dross flipped through the pages with a curious expression. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Perhaps there was more information about spatial realms in the book. Maybe the answers he was seeking were here.

Suddenly, as Ian turned the page, his hand froze.

There, on the page, was a portrait of the princess.

It was a face he found eerily familiar.