The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"Tiel! You're just too cute!!"

Olivia grabbed Tiel and pulled her into a tight hug.

Ferdi, looking thoroughly exasperated, pried Olivia off of her.

"Don't just grab her like that. Are you going to take responsibility if you wrinkle her dress?"

"If it gets wrinkled, I'll just buy her a new one!"

Tiel giggled as she nestled comfortably in Ferdi's arms.

After hearing that Tiel was allowed to go out, Ria had dressed her up beautifully.

Her now silky, well-groomed hair was braided neatly and tied with a pretty ribbon.

The pale blue bonnet, shielding her from the sun, matched her soft blue dress perfectly.

Looking all dressed up, Tiel truly resembled a delicate little doll.

It was only then that Olivia finally understood why Ferdi had been so protective.

Olivia nudged Ferdi’s shoulder.

"Hey, Ferdi."

"What now?"

"I get it now. If I had a little sister as cute as Tiel, I wouldn’t want to hand her over to anyone either...."

Olivia dramatically wiped away imaginary tears, sniffling for effect.

Ferdi shot her a glare, looking like he wanted to punch her, but he ultimately held back.

Because, well—she was kind of right.

Tiel wasn’t someone he could just hand over to anyone.

Around the carriage, the Asterian knights, handpicked by Ferdi and Ludian, stood at attention.

Holding onto her brothers’ hands, Tiel made her way toward the carriage.

"Greetings, Young Masters, Young Misses. We will be your escort for the day."

The knight who seemed to hold the highest rank gave a polite bow.

Tiel, mirroring him, offered a small nod.

"Yes, thank you very much."

Seeing the tiny, polite young lady bowing to them, the knights couldn’t help but break into wide, dopey smiles.

"?"

Ludian narrowed his eyes at them in suspicion. The knights immediately wiped their grins away and straightened up.

"Tiel, step up."

Ferdi helped her onto the carriage, making sure she didn’t stumble or fall.

Thanks to him, Tiel climbed in safely without a hitch.

Next was Olivia, then Ferdi, and lastly, Ludian.

Once all the children were inside, the carriage door shut.

Tiel, brimming with excitement, gazed eagerly out the window.

Soon, the sound of hooves clopping filled the air, and the carriage set off.

"Sit properly, Tiel."

Ferdi gently pulled Tiel back to keep her from sliding off the seat.

Not stopping there, he even placed a soft cushion behind her for extra support.

Tiel, touched by his thoughtful care, beamed up at him.

"Thank you, Ferdi Oraboni."

"It's nothing. If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me. You can sit on my lap if you want."

Watching this, Olivia narrowed her eyes.

"Haaah, Ferdi Oraboni. If you were even half this kind to other noble ladies, every single young lady in the empire would fall head over heels for you!"

"Stop talking nonsense, Olivia."

"But it's true, isn't it? Hm? There are already girls lining up from here to the horizon, dying to catch your attention. If you were just a little bit nicer, you could have every noble lady in the empire in the palm of your hand. Tiel, did you know? Your brother, outside the house, is—"

"Outside, he's what?"

Tiel tilted her head.

She had assumed Ferdi was gentle and polite to everyone.

...Was that not the case?

Just then, a tiny flicker of flame sparked at Ferdi’s fingertips—a warning.

Unfazed, Olivia conjured a light breeze at her own fingertips.

"No! Stop, both of you!"

If Tiel hadn't spoken up, Ferdi’s fire and Olivia’s wind would have clashed, causing yet another explosion.

Tiel firmly grabbed both of Ferdi’s hands and lifted her head.

"Oraboni! You promised not to fight. If you keep this up, I’ll tell Dad everything!"

"...Sorry, Tiel. I didn’t even realize."

"You can’t fight in here. Understand? If you want to fight, do it outside."

Tiel spoke in a scolding yet calm tone.

Ferdi, surprisingly obedient, nodded like a tamed lamb.

Ludian and Olivia, meanwhile, were laughing so hard they were clutching their stomachs.

Tiel turned her glare on them next.

"That goes for you two as well!"

"Alright, alright, Tiel—hahaha, okay, we got it."

"Ehehe, got it, Tiel. But seriously, even when you scold people, you're just the cutest thing ever..."

Even after apologizing, they continued giggling for a while.

Tiel, noticing the faint trembling in Ferdi's hands, gently squeezed them tighter.

***

"Hello, Mister!"

Olivia burst into the bakery, throwing the door open with a bright greeting.

"Lady Olivia!"

A man, covered in flour from his face to his apron, rushed over from where he had been baking cakes and cookies.

This was Michel, the owner of the bakery.

The shop was located within Asterian territory, and since Olivia had practically grown up in the Asterian mansion, she was well-acquainted with Michel.

Her eyes sparkled as she scanned the display case filled with cakes.

"What’s the best one today?"

"It’s fig season, so the figs are especially sweet. How about a fresh fig cream cake?"

"Sounds perfect! Five slices! We’ll eat here!"

"Alright, I’ll bring them right out~."

Michel responded with a cheerful smile. Olivia then spun around to face Ferdi, Ludian, and Tiel.

"None of you are allergic to figs, right?"

"Isn't it a little late to ask that now?"

Ludian raised an eyebrow.

"It looks so delicious! Right, Tiel?"

Olivia ignored him completely.

Tiel nodded. She had never tried fig cake before, so she was curious about its taste.

"Ah, and since the young lady is visiting today, I’ll add two slices of raspberry pie on the house."

"Wow! Thank you!"

Excited, Olivia grabbed Tiel’s hand and led her to a window seat. Ferdi and Ludian, grumbling under their breath, followed behind.

"Honestly, we can eat all the cake we want at the mansion."

"Eating it outside is totally different, you idiot."

Ludian and Olivia started bickering again.

Tiel, sipping her juice, silently agreed with Olivia.

It really is different.

Their seats by the window were bathed in warm afternoon sunlight.

The soft ding- of the doorbell ringing each time someone entered, the sight of people peacefully going about their day outside...

Tiel couldn’t take her eyes off the street beyond the glass.

So this is what it’s like outside...

Now she understood why Rowen loved going out so much.

How could anyone not like this?

Her golden eyes, gleaming like sunlight, shone with quiet wonder.

"Alright, here are your cakes."

Michel himself placed the wooden plates on the table. Unlike the fine china in the mansion, all the dishware here was made of wood.

More customers began to arrive, so Michel left them with a quick "Enjoy your meal!" before hurrying back.

"Here you go, Tiel."

Olivia pushed two slices of cake toward her.

Ferdi handed her a fork, while Ludian placed a napkin neatly over her lap.

"Go on, try it!"

Olivia urged excitedly, eyes full of anticipation.

Tiel nodded, scooping up a small bite from the corner of the cake and placing it in her mouth.

"......!!"

The cake was... absolutely delicious.

The desserts at the Asterian mansion had been incredible, of course, but this was different.

The fresh cream melted smoothly on her tongue, blending perfectly with the sweet and tangy fig.

"It’s really delicious!"

Tiel exclaimed with a radiant smile.

The flavors might not have been as refined as the ones in the mansion, but to her, it was the best cake she had ever tasted.

Because—

"Tiel, drink some juice too."

"If it’s that good, we should pack some to take home!"

"The raspberry pie will be amazing too!"

—this was the first time she was eating cake outside, surrounded by the warmth of her siblings.

She had a feeling she wouldn’t forget this taste for a long, long time.

Suddenly, tiny bursts of light flickered around her.

It was Tiel’s ability.

Overwhelmed by happiness, her powers had slipped out unintentionally.

"Oh, Tiel!"

Olivia was the first to notice.

Ferdi and Ludian soon realized what was happening as well.

"Ah! I didn’t mean to! It’s just, I..."

Just then, a small, fish-shaped light swam out from Tiel’s hand.

The glowing little fish brushed past her cake, playfully bumped against the tip of her nose, then vanished.

Tiel stared at the spot where the light had disappeared, then smiled brightly.

"Sometimes, when I’m really happy, my ability just comes out like this..."

Fortunately, their seats were bathed in sunlight, making it difficult for others to notice the flickers of light.

With that reassurance, the children finished their cakes in peace.