The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"Huh? A letter?"

The elderly woman spotted a carrier pigeon outside her window and opened it with a delighted expression.

The bird flew in, spreading its wings in greeting before perching comfortably on her shoulder.

"Where did you come from, little one? Let’s see."

She unfolded the letter the pigeon carried. It bore the seal of the Crasion imperial family.

"Crasion, is it?"

The pigeon, familiar with the routine, hopped over to the water dish and drank deeply.

It had flown a long distance without rest, so it was undoubtedly thirsty. Estella, the elderly woman, poured a handful of grain into a dish so the pigeon could eat as well.

This carrier pigeon was one of the many she had gifted to royal and noble families long ago.

They possessed a special ability—no matter where Estella was, these birds could always find her.

"Aren’t you a good one?"

Estella was not one to settle in one place. She had always been a wanderer, unable to stay still for long.

She traveled as she pleased, making clothes when she needed money to buy fabric. The claim that she only tailored for royalty and nobility was completely false.

It was just that, since she never stayed in one place, only those who possessed her gifted carrier pigeons could contact her.

Adjusting her spectacles, Estella read through the letter.

It was a request for several dresses for a young girl.

"Oh my."

She pursed her lips in amusement.

She had paused briefly at the word young girl.

Had the imperial crown prince fallen in love?

Chuckling to herself, she pulled out a quill and wrote a response, stating that she was fortunately in the Crasion Empire at the moment and could deliver the dresses soon.

"Alright, now you take this one."

She tied the letter to another carrier pigeon’s leg, allowing the exhausted first pigeon to rest.

With a flap of its wings, the newly assigned bird soared out through the open window, letter secured.

"There you are."

Ian Dross tapped on the bakery window. The children, in the middle of devouring their cakes, lifted their heads.

"Ian-nim!"

Tiel greeted him happily.

Olivia, on the other hand, eyed Ian with visible wariness.

Ferdi and Ludian weren’t any different.

"What the hell? How did Ian Dross find us here? Did one of you tell him?"

"As if."

Ferdi shrugged.

"I ran into a marquis on my way to the Asterian estate. He mentioned you were at this bakery."

Ian casually stepped inside and took a seat.

And just like that, this small, quiet bakery in the outskirts of town had become the gathering place for the crown prince and the heirs of two prestigious families.

Michel, the owner, fought to remain calm, but his hands were trembling.

At this point, he figured he might as well close up shop for the day.

With the Asterian knights and imperial guards stationed outside, it was unlikely any more customers would come in anyway...

Deciding to let the young nobles converse in peace, Michel subtly flipped the open sign to closed.

Ferdi, unimpressed by Ian’s seamless intrusion, let out a pointed question.

"Don’t you think you’ve been visiting the Asterian estate a little too often, Your Highness?"

"Not at all. Didn’t I come over just as often before? If you ask me... you lot have just been more on edge ever since Tiel arrived."

"Aaah, this is the worst. I was going to enjoy a nice, cozy date with my cute little cousin, but now the whole mood is ruined by uninvited guests."

Olivia grumbled.

She had been close with Ian, Ferdi, and Ludian since childhood, so she was used to treating the crown prince without any formality.

"But I had so much fun! Didn’t you, Oraboni?"

"......."

"Didn’t you?"

"...Yeah, it was fun."

Ludian finally responded.

Tiel, satisfied with his answer, nodded firmly.

"You have something on your face."

Ian pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of Tiel’s mouth.

Startled, Tiel quickly grabbed his wrist.

"Ah, I can do it myse—"

"Stay still."

At Ian’s firm tone, Tiel had no choice but to let go of his wrist.

After carefully wiping the cream off Tiel’s lips, Ian casually tossed the handkerchief to Ludian.

"Ian!"

Ludian grumbled, but no one paid him any attention.

In the end, he stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket with a huff, narrowing his eyes.

"Why do you look so free, Ian Dross? Shouldn't you be busy dealing with the whole Crown Princess selection?"

"Yeah, why do you look so relaxed? Every noble lady is desperately trying to get your attention right now."

This time, it was Ferdi who spoke, mimicking Olivia’s way of talking before glancing at her.

"Look at you, copying me already!"

Olivia cried out in disbelief.

Ian listened to all their remarks without reacting, his expression unreadable.

Tiel, on the other hand, peeked up at him.

Busy with the Crown Princess selection...

She suddenly recalled how Rowen had been making a fuss about becoming a candidate.

It wasn’t just Rowen—every girl of that age group had been entered into the selection. Tiel had only learned that part much later.

If Ian chooses a Crown Princess, will I not get to see him as often anymore?

Tiel liked Ian.

He was kind, thoughtful, and always remembered even the smallest details about her.

She enjoyed spending time with him.

And although her brothers and Olivia never openly admitted it, she was sure they liked having Ian around too.

"So, have you looked through all the candidates? Who do you like the most?"

Even if they acted like they disliked him, they always ended up tolerating him.

Thinking that she might not get to see Ian as often anymore made her feel... a little—no, a lot sad.

Her expression grew gloomy as she lowered her gaze.

Ian, having been silently watching the way her face shifted through different emotions, finally turned his attention to Ferdi and Ludian.

"And why do you two look so free? Shouldn't you be returning to the Academy soon?"

"......."

"You’re not planning to go back before break ends? The headmaster won’t let you off so easily."

Ian smirked.

"Ack, you’re going back to the Academy...!"

It was only then that Tiel realized Ferdi and Ludian would be leaving soon. She clapped her hands in surprise.

Ferdi and Ludian, who had been trying to tease Ian, suddenly fell silent, sipping their drinks with darkened expressions.

They had to leave Tiel behind and return to the Academy.

What if some bastard bullied her while they were gone?

Their minds were already spiraling with unnecessary worries.

For a brief moment, they desperately searched for ways to not return to the Academy.

Olivia smirked teasingly at them.

"Don’t worry, while you’re gone, I’ll take great care of Tiel~. Just hurry up and go back."

"That’s right, Ferdi, Ludian. No need to worry—I will be here."

Ian added smoothly.

Ferdi and Ludian had to physically restrain themselves from saying, You two are exactly who we’re most worried about.

"Will I not get to see you anymore once you go back?"

Tiel asked carefully.

Ferdi quickly wiped the gloom from his face and smiled reassuringly.

"Of course you will. If you ever miss me, just write a letter. I’ll come visit you."

Hearing that, Tiel’s face lit up instantly.

"Okay! I’ll work hard on my writing and send a letter when I miss you, Oraboni!"

"Tiel, instead of writing, just visit us at the Academy!"

Ludian shoved Ferdi aside and leaned in toward Tiel.

Ferdi, his face full of irritation, pressed a hand against Ludian’s cheek to push him away.

"Think before you speak. How is Tiel supposed to visit the Academy?"

"She can just come to the entrance! Philip’s little sister visited the Academy once! Do you know how jealous I was?"

Tiel pondered for a moment before clapping her hands together.

"Hmm... If Dad allows it, I’ll go! To visit Orabonis!"

Ferdi and Ludian nodded at the same time.

"No, Tiel. Do you know how far the Academy is? What if something happens along the way—mmph!"

Olivia, shaking her head disapprovingly, had her mouth abruptly covered by Ludian’s hand.

As she and Ludian began wrestling, Ferdi ignored them and turned to Ian.

"Enough jokes. Why are you really here?"

Ian hadn’t planned to visit today.

For him to come unannounced like this, something must have happened.

Ferdi’s instincts were rarely wrong.

Ian exhaled slowly before speaking.

"The rumors have spread."

"......."

"About your sister."