The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Etienne and Stefano didn’t stay much longer before they began preparing to leave again.

As the head family of the Wolf Clan, Wolfgang had its own share of responsibilities in preparing for the festival.

"We’ll see you at Luminarie, my dear."

Etienne smiled brightly, stroking Tiel’s hair. Tiel looked up at her and nodded.

She had grown attached to both Etienne and Stefano in such a short time, making their departure all the more bittersweet.

And it seemed Etienne felt the same way. Her expression was filled with reluctance, as though she was not at all pleased about leaving her beloved niece behind.

"Yes, Aunt. Please visit again soon!"

"Oh, you precious thing. Of course! We’ll see each other again soon, Tiel."

Etienne playfully took hold of Tiel’s soft cheeks and stretched them. Staring up at her with her cheeks caught in Etienne’s grasp, Tiel asked firmly.

"You’ll come back, right?"

"Of course. Anytime. Or you could come to Wolfgang instead. You’re always welcome there."

Olivia suddenly jumped in.

"Yes! I’ll steal the best bedroom in Wolfgang for you!"

"...My room?"

For once, Stefano looked genuinely dumbfounded. But Olivia didn’t even spare him a glance as she continued.

"I’ll come to pick you up anytime!"

Stefano looked between his wild foal of a daughter and the calmly standing Tiel, then took a step forward.

"Tiel, it was a pleasure meeting you."

He extended his large, firm hand. Tiel looked up at him and slowly placed her small hand in his.

A warm and gentle breeze brushed against her cheek.

Holding Stefano’s soft pink gaze, Tiel smiled sweetly.

"I was happy to meet you too, Lord Stefano."

"Good. Come visit anytime. As Olivia said, Wolfgang is always open to you."

Rather than reaching out to pat her, afraid she might find it intimidating, Stefano simply gave her a respectful nod before stepping back.

"Now, let’s go."

With that, he grabbed Olivia by the back of her collar. She flailed in protest.

"Tiel! You can’t forget about your big sister!"

"Don’t worry, I won’t!"

"You don’t have to answer to things like that, Tiel," Ferdi murmured kindly.

"Well then, we’ll truly be off now, Tiel. See you soon."

Etienne grinned at the sight of Olivia squirming and Ferdi’s calm indifference. Holding onto Karsus’s hand, Tiel nodded.

"We’ll be going now, Father."

"You make your farewells quickly. Safe travels, Etienne."

Alpheus let out a small cough. Etienne merely shrugged, unconcerned.

"Take care."

"Until next time."

The exchange between the siblings was even shorter. Karsus and Etienne turned away from each other without hesitation, as if there was nothing more to say.

Before long, the Wolfgang carriage rolled out of the Asterian estate’s grand gates.

Tiel watched it depart, tightly holding onto both Ferdi and Karsus’s hands.

‘For some reason, the mansion suddenly feels really quiet.’

Etienne and Stefano hadn’t stayed for long, so in reality, the only one who had left was Olivia.

‘Maybe it’s because I’m not used to goodbyes?’

To Tiel, Olivia was more than just a cousin—she was her first friend.

Now that they wouldn’t be playing together every day, it was only natural for her to feel as if a part of her had suddenly been hollowed out.

Did her brothers feel the same way?

Just as Tiel turned to look at Ferdi and Ludian—

"Wow, she finally left."

"Took long enough. Lock the gate."

Ludian and Ferdi muttered in complete disinterest.

Tiel swallowed back the question she was about to ask and instead smiled gently.

‘Guess they don’t feel the same way.’

"Come inside, Tiel. It’s cold."

Ferdi lifted her up effortlessly.

Held securely in his arms, Tiel watched as the gates of the Asterian estate slowly closed.

Goodbye, Olivia.

See you next time.

***

The Asterian estate was bustling with preparations for the upcoming festival. Since this was the first time the youngest daughter of the Asterian family would be publicly introduced, there was even more to prepare than usual.

"Tiel, you absolutely must not let go of my hand during the festival. Understand?"

"You’ve already told me that thirty times today, Oraeboni..."

Tiel muttered with a slightly exhausted expression.

Even though there was still some time left before the festival, Ferdi was visibly anxious, as if he feared she might suddenly disappear.

Ludian, watching his brother’s paranoia with exasperation, bumped his shoulder against Ferdi’s.

"Hey, who’s going to take her? You and I are here, Grandfather and Father are here, and we’ve got all the Asterian knights. So stop worrying—"

"If you’re going to say that, at least stop bouncing your leg. It’s distracting."

Ferdi snapped back, his tone sharp. Ludian turned to him with a guilty expression.

"I mean, this is just..."

"You’re just as nervous as I am."

Tiel looked down at the hands tightly clasping her own.

Then, she lifted her gaze to meet Ferdi’s face, which was filled with concern.

"Oraeboni, really, you don’t have to worry. There’s no way I’ll get lost!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a small light flickered in her hands. Ludian and Ferdi’s eyes immediately fixated on the glow.

The tiny light, conjured from Tiel’s palms, hovered in the air for a moment before quietly sinking into Ferdi’s chest and disappearing.

"See? No matter where I am, I’ll always be able to find you. So please, really, don’t worry!"

Tiel declared confidently, her voice full of conviction.

She had improved her ability to the point where she could now sense where Ferdi and Ludian were, or even let them know where she was.

Compared to others, her power was still weak, but considering how far she had come since she first discovered her abilities, it was an incredible improvement.

Seeing their little sister acting so mature, Ferdi and Ludian felt their chests tighten with emotion.

"Tiel, when did you grow up so much...?"

Just then—

Knock, knock.

A soft knock at the door made all three siblings turn toward it simultaneously.

"Come in."

At Ferdi’s command, the door opened, revealing Ria, who looked slightly flustered as she bowed her head.

"My lady, young masters. Madame Estella has sent the dress for the young lady. Would you like to come see it?"

"Tiel’s dress?"

Ferdi was the first to react. Ludian immediately shot up from his seat as well.

"It’s here already?"

"It’s not ‘already.’ She left quite a while ago."

"I want to see it!"

Tiel’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

The dress that had just arrived was a gift from Ian. That meant it had to be something truly special. She couldn’t wait to see it.

‘It must be beautiful.’

There was no doubt—because it was a gift from Lord Ian.

Tiel’s cheeks flushed a soft pink.

"Of course, let’s go try it on."

Ferdi nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world and effortlessly lifted Tiel into his arms. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Then, turning his head slightly, he asked Ria,

"But wait—did Estella not come herself and just send the dress?"

"Yes, young master. Only the dress arrived."

"She really is an odd one..."

Normally, a dressmaker would personally deliver a finished gown to make adjustments if necessary.

But the fact that she had simply sent the dress meant she was completely confident in her work.

Ludian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ferdi, on the other hand, paid it no further mind and simply carried Tiel toward the dress room.

"Where is the dress?"

"It has been placed in the dressing room."

"Good job."

Ferdi strode toward Tiel’s dressing room with a familiarity that showed he had been there many times before.

Ludian quickly followed behind. The three of them arrived at the dressing room shortly after Ria’s announcement.

"My lady!"

As soon as Tiel entered, the maids who had been arranging the dress practically lit up.

Their eyes gleamed like predators who had just spotted their prey.

Startled by the intensity of their excitement, Tiel tilted her head slightly as she was lowered from Ferdi’s arms.

"Uh...?"

"Hurry, hurry, you must try it on! I’m sure it will be absolutely adorable!"

"There’s no doubt! Every beastkin will have their eyes on our lady!"

"My lady, my lady!"

The maids came rushing toward her, dress in hand, as if their tails were on fire.

Ferdi and Ludian took a step back, watching as their little sister was swept away into the depths of the dressing room.

Tiel observed the scene for a moment before cautiously asking,

"Can I try it on now?"

"Of course! Absolutely! It’s your dress, my lady!"

A maid with flushed cheeks nodded fervently.

Tiel slowly nodded in return, then allowed herself to be led away by the maids, placing herself in their eager hands.