The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

The Day of the Temple Visit.

Ria put extra care into dressing up Tiel that day.

Even though it was an unofficial outing, it was still Tiel’s first time stepping outside the mansion.

From the dresses Ian had gifted her, Ria chose a pink one adorned with abundant frills and ribbons, dressing Tiel in it before tying her voluminous white hair into two curled pigtails.

She then placed a bonnet, heavily decorated with frills, on Tiel’s head, tying a cute ribbon beneath her chin.

With a pair of pretty shoes to complete the look, the contrast from when Tiel first arrived at Asterian was striking.

Thanks to the plentiful delicious meals she had eaten during her time here, her once-gaunt cheeks had filled out into a round, adorable softness, flushed with a rosy hue.

Her large golden eyes sparkled with life, and her previously brittle, tangled hair now gleamed with a healthy sheen.

She now truly looked like the young lady of a prestigious noble family.

Ria, pleased with her work, led Tiel to the full-length mirror.

“How do you like it, my lady? Do you like it?”

With a gentle touch on Tiel’s shoulder, Ria asked with warmth.

Tiel stared blankly at the reflection in the mirror before nodding absentmindedly.

‘Is this really me...?’

Back in Nestian, she could have never imagined looking like this.

Rowen had always mocked her, calling her an ugly, vulgar half-blood, but the girl staring back at her in the mirror looked nothing like that.

Rather, her white curls and striking golden eyes made her appear even more captivating.

Feeling a sudden wave of shyness, Tiel blushed and looked up at Ria.

“I like it, Ria. Thank you for making me look pretty.”

“Our young lady is so sweet. You are absolutely stunning. I guarantee, among all the noble girls your age, not a single one is as lovely as you.”

At Ria’s praise, Tiel’s face turned red once again.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ria quickly stepped forward to open it.

“Tiel.”

Standing at the doorway were her two older brothers, Ferdi and Ludian.

Unlike their usual preference for casual shirts, today they wore silk vests embroidered with gold thread, layered under elegant jackets.

Seeing her brothers so well-dressed, Tiel’s eyes curved into a crescent with delight.

“Oraeboni...!”

“You look beautiful today. That pink dress suits you well.”

“It really does. We should fill your wardrobe with pink dresses. Dressed like this, you look like a little doll.”

Ludian chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Tiel’s hair before abruptly stopping himself.

He didn’t want to mess up the careful styling Ria had done.

However, Tiel looked at Ludian in confusion. Why didn’t he pat my head?

Living in the Asterian estate with Karsus, Alpheus, Ferdi, and Ludian, Tiel had become accustomed to touches of affection—head pats, hugs, and holding hands.

So now, when she wasn’t patted, she felt just a little disappointed.

Understanding Tiel’s feelings, Ferdi carefully smoothed out her dress to avoid wrinkling it, then picked her up in his arms.

Tiel wrapped her hands around his neck as he held her.

“We should go. We’ll be late. Father is waiting.”

“Hey, Ferdi. I told you to stop picking up Tiel like that. Girls her age need to be handled delicately.”

“What kind of ridiculous theory is that? Tiel likes being held.”

“...I read it in a book. No, that’s not the point!”

Bickering, Ludian and Ferdi headed toward the carriage.

As she listened to her brothers argue, Tiel carefully placed a hand over her chest.

The paternity test result didn’t make her anxious.

But going to the temple... that made her nervous.

Karsus had once explained to her how extraordinary her ability was, warning her that many people would try to claim it for themselves.

‘The temple might want my ability.’

Tiel swallowed hard.

Going to an unfamiliar place and meeting unfamiliar people was nerve-wracking enough.

But to think that the people there might see her as a target...

It would be strange not to be nervous.

“Look, he’s waiting for you.”

At that moment, Ferdi directed his gaze ahead.

Tiel followed his line of sight.

In the distance, Karsus stood tall, draped in a distinguished cloak, waiting for them along with Ludian.

He lifted his head and looked at her.

His unwavering gaze settled on the small girl in Ferdi’s arms.

Their eyes met.

“...!”

And in that moment, all of Tiel’s worries melted away, as if they had never existed.

“Tiel.”

Karsus reached out and took Tiel from Ferdi’s arms.

Familiar with the motion by now, Tiel instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Ka—Karsus-nim...! Ah, no.”

Karsus held her securely, patiently waiting until she found the courage to say what she wanted.

“...Papa.”

“That’s right, my daughter. You look absolutely adorable today.”

Tiel blushed deeply and nodded.

Each time she moved her head, the ribbons tied to her hair swayed gently.

“Thank you. You look really handsome today too, Papa...!”

And Karsus truly did.

His face was never anything less than striking, but today, he seemed even more refined than usual. Whether he had put in extra effort or not, just standing there, he exuded an undeniable presence.

Worried that she might wrinkle his elegant cloak, Tiel tried to climb down from his arms to take her seat in the carriage.

“...?”

But Karsus didn’t put her down.

Instead, he stepped into the carriage while still holding her and sat down with Tiel on his lap.

As a result, she ended up perched on his knees like a small, delicate doll.

“....”

“Why are you holding her like that? Tiel’s seat is over here.”

Ferdi, smiling slyly, pointed to the plush cushion beside his own seat.

“When a child is nervous, a parent’s embrace is the best place for them.”

Karsus shrugged and lightly placed his hand on Tiel’s small stomach, pulling her closer against him.

Tiel, now snugly seated in his lap, glanced at her two older brothers sitting across from them.

“So I plan to hold her. Do you have a problem with that?”

There wasn’t a single person in this carriage who could openly oppose Karsus’s decisions.

Ferdi and Ludian, clearly displeased, exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

“Tiel, are you comfortable?”

Instead, Ferdi redirected his efforts elsewhere.

He stroked the soft, plush cushion that had been prepared for Tiel and asked gently.

“Knees can be a little hard to sit on. The cushion would be more comfortable.”

“He’s right, Tiel. The cushion is much better than Father’s lap. Or you could sit on this brother’s lap instead.”

Karsus watched Ferdi and Ludian’s half-hearted rebellion—or rather, their admirable attempt to reclaim Tiel—with a faint smirk.

Tiel hesitated for a moment, looking between the two before shaking her head.

“I appreciate the thought, but I’d like to stay here.”

The moment she finished speaking, Karsus pulled her even closer into his arms.

Nestled securely against him, Tiel blinked before adding, almost as if making an excuse,

“It’s really... comfortable.”

If she were to compare pure comfort, of course, Ferdi’s cushion would be the better choice.

‘But... I like it here more.’

The warmth of Karsus’s embrace melted away her nervousness in an instant.

Maybe there was truth in what he had said—“When a child is nervous, a parent’s embrace is the best.”

When she was in his arms, the bad memories didn’t surface as easily.

That’s why she liked being held by him.

Even the faintly cool scent he carried helped calm her.

“Well, if that’s what you want.”

Fortunately, Ferdi and Ludian backed down without further argument.

Karsus, still holding Tiel, turned toward his sons with a triumphant expression.

“...You’re so childish.”

“That’s seriously annoying.”

The first comment was from Ferdi. The second was from Ludian.

The two brothers clicked their tongues in exasperation, shifting their gazes to the window as if they couldn’t bear to watch.

Meanwhile, Karsus paid them no mind, carefully adjusting Tiel’s neatly styled hair so it wouldn’t get messed up.

“...?”

Since she was nestled in his embrace, Tiel couldn’t see the smug expression on his face.

She simply tilted her head, looking up at him in innocent confusion.