The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"Do you like it that much? It seems your tastes are similar to your brothers'," Alpheus muttered, picking up the black leopard plush by its nape and gently handing it to Tiel.

Tiel hugged the soft, fluffy toy tightly and looked up at Alpheus, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Yes! I really like it. But... brothers?"

Come to think of it, there were two other children besides Tiel born to Lena and Karsus.

Chender Nestian had often muttered while scolding Tiel, "I should’ve brought them instead of you."

He would grumble that if he had raised those two instead of Tiel, the "useless half-breed," the Nestian family would have benefited far more.

Because of that, Tiel knew she had two older brothers. She also knew they were far more exceptional than she was. But—

‘I completely forgot.’

Since coming to Asterian, no one in the mansion had mentioned anything about her "brothers," and Tiel hadn’t seen any other children around, so the thought had slipped her mind.

As Tiel blinked in confusion, Alpheus turned to Ria and said, "Yes, her brothers. Have you not explained about Ferdi and Ludian to her yet?"

"No, I thought it was more important for the miss to adjust to the mansion first, so I haven’t brought it up yet," Ria replied.

"I see," Alpheus said, nodding. He then turned his attention back to Tiel, gently patting her small head. "Tiel, you have two older brothers. The eldest is Ferdi Asterian, and the second is Ludian Asterian."

"You’ll likely meet them soon. I told them on the day you arrived that they now have a little sister."

"Then...," Tiel began hesitantly.

"Yes, they’re already on their way back from the academy. You’ll see them soon enough."

Tiel’s grip on the black leopard plush tightened.

She buried her face lightly into the toy’s soft fur, her golden eyes darting nervously.

‘What if they don’t like me?’

Thankfully, Karsus and Alpheus seemed to like her, as did the other servants in the Asterian mansion. But...

"Your mother died because of you."

Chender’s words echoed in her mind. He had screamed it at her countless times.

Tiel had come to believe, with unwavering certainty, that Lena’s death was her fault.

And Lena was also Ferdi and Ludian’s mother.

That meant their mother had died because of her.

The thought sent a wave of dread crashing over Tiel, and her face turned deathly pale.

Noticing the sudden change in her complexion, Alpheus frowned and asked Ria, "What’s wrong with her? Why does she look so frightened all of a sudden?"

"She’s a very shy child," Ria explained gently, lifting Tiel into her arms. "Perhaps she’s not ready to meet the young masters yet."

Tiel clung tightly to the plush in her arms, burying her face into Ria’s shoulder.

Alpheus, who had been feeling quite pleased with himself for earning points with his granddaughter just moments ago, now looked crestfallen.

He carefully touched Tiel’s small hand and said softly, "I’ll have the rest of the gift boxes sent to your room. You can open them later, whenever you feel like it. All right?"

"Yes, thank you...!" Tiel replied. She hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously at Alpheus, before adding cautiously, "...Grandfather."

Her voice was timid, as though she was taking her first steps toward something unfamiliar.

At that moment, Alpheus’s wrinkled face lit up with a radiant smile.

"Yes, my dear. Now go upstairs and rest."

After Alpheus finished speaking, Ria thanked him politely before carrying Tiel out of the room.

Alpheus watched them until they disappeared down the hallway.

"Grandfather."

He had heard the title countless times from Ferdi and Ludian, yet it felt strangely different coming from Tiel.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, and the corners of his mouth turned upward into an uncontrollable grin.

***

"The toys Alpheus gave Tiel were far more numerous and beautiful than the ones she had seen in Rowen’s room.

A wooden rocking horse made from finely polished wood, a mobile adorned with various gemstones, countless dolls, and wooden blocks.

The spacious room that belonged to Tiel was now filled with the toys Alpheus had gifted her.

As Ria had predicted, she had officially become Tiel’s personal maid. Moreover, after a few days of eating nutritious food at the Asterian mansion, Tiel’s once pallid complexion had grown fairer and healthier.

So far, everything seemed perfect.

Except for one thing.

“Why can’t I control my ability at will?”

Both Rowen and Chender were able to use their abilities as they pleased.

They had always told her that abilities were innate powers one was born with and should be able to wield at will.

But...

Tiel stared down at her small palms. On her tiny hand, a faint light flickered into existence.

Paah!

The light grew slightly larger, taking on the form of a tiny fish that swirled in circles above her palm.

Tiel smiled bashfully at the little fish.

Though she couldn’t yet create the large, powerful light she had summoned that day, she had managed to practice enough to form this small creature.

It was still imperfect—the fins were short, and the shape was a little wonky, making it hard to call it a proper fish. But to Tiel, it was still a fish!

"Let’s not rush things. One day, I’ll be able to control my ability too," she said to herself with determination.

Karsus-nim said I have a special ability and that I’m a special child. So...

One day, I’ll definitely be of help to the Asterian family.

The little fish seemed to sense her emotions, floating upward before gently landing on the bridge of her nose, as if comforting her.

‘Are you trying to cheer me up? Thank you.’

Tiel’s round eyes curved into crescents as a soft blush spread across her plump cheeks.

The fish wiggled its tiny fins, radiating a faint glow that enveloped Tiel’s vision in a warm, gentle light.

Knock, knock.

A sudden knock on the door broke the moment.

Tiel turned her head toward the sound. By the time she looked back, the fish on her nose had vanished.

The door opened, and Ria appeared.

"Miss, it’s time for dinner. Alpheus-nim and Karsus-nim are waiting for you," Ria said warmly.

"Are we eating downstairs today?" Tiel tilted her head curiously.

Until now, she had been eating in her bedroom, thanks to Karsus’s consideration, and hadn’t yet been to the dining hall.

"Yes, you’ll be dining downstairs today. Does that make you uncomfortable?"

"No, it’s fine!"

Tiel quickly shook her head and stood up, taking Ria’s hand.

The dining hall was quite far from her room. However, Ria matched her pace to Tiel’s small steps, making the walk feel easy.

The servants standing at the entrance to the dining hall opened the large doors upon seeing Tiel approach.

Ria let go of her hand gently.

"Go ahead, miss."

"Okay."

Nodding, Tiel stepped into the dining hall.

The first thing that caught her eye was the massive table, covered with a pristine white tablecloth, illuminated by a dazzling chandelier.

It was similar to what she had seen at the Nestian mansion, but far grander and more ornate.

At the far end of the table sat Alpheus Evalt Asterian, the family head, with Karsus seated beside him. And...

"...?"

Across from Karsus were two young boys with youthful faces, holding their utensils.

Tiel instinctively realized that these were her brothers, the sons of Karsus and Lena.

There was no mistaking it—they resembled Karsus so closely.

"Tiel, come here," Karsus called to her in his gentle voice, perfectly timed.

Tiel blinked her large eyes, then ran over to him.

Karsus lifted her lightly and seated her next to him. A thick cushion had been placed on the chair so that Tiel could comfortably reach the table.

As Karsus began to serve her food, Tiel glanced shyly at the two boys sitting across from her.

They looked remarkably alike, as if cut from the same mold.

With their jet-black hair, golden eyes symbolizing the black leopards, large expressive eyes, sharp noses, and well-defined lips, both were strikingly handsome.

The only visible difference between them was their hairstyles.

The boy sitting closer to Alpheus had his hair tied back in a ponytail, while the other boy had his hair neatly cropped short.

Apart from that, it would be difficult to tell them apart.

"Hello," the boy with the tied-back hair greeted her warmly, his tone surprisingly kind and gentle, easing Tiel’s nerves.

"Tiel, these are the brothers I mentioned to you before," Alpheus said, as if waiting for this moment. He set down his utensils and gestured toward the two boys.

"Hello, I’m Tiel."

Seven years old. Tiel added the detail hesitantly, her voice soft as she avoided direct eye contact. The boys were still a little intimidating to her.

"She’s so tiny! Is this really my sister?"

"Watch your words, Ludian. Don’t refer to her as this," the boy with the tied-back hair—Ferdi—chided his younger brother.

Ludian, who had just paused mid-bite with his mouth full of meat, raised an eyebrow curiously as he stared at Tiel.

"But she’s kind of strange, isn’t she? Snow leopard fur and black leopard eyes? That’s not normal—usually they don’t mix like that," Ludian said bluntly.