The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Time flowed like a swift current.

Alpheus and Karsus remained busy with festival preparations, while Tiel spent the remaining days before Luminarie training with Ferdi and Ludian to better control her ability.

Though she still couldn’t fully master it, thanks to countless hours of practice, she had at least managed to stop the tiny light fragments from bursting out unexpectedly at random moments.

‘Thank goodness.’

She had been so worried about looking foolish for not being able to control her ability, but it seemed she no longer had to be concerned.

Tiel tested it one last time. A soft glow shimmered like stardust between her palms.

"My lady, it’s time for bed."

Ria, who had been silently watching, approached and gently stroked Tiel’s back.

"Tomorrow is already the eve of Luminarie~. You should get some rest so you won’t be exhausted when we travel."

"Yes! I’m going to sleep soon!"

Tiel nodded brightly, flashing a radiant smile. The specks of light in her hands faded away, disappearing without a trace.

‘Tomorrow is already the eve of the festival.’

She could feel her small heart thumping against her chest. The girl placed a hand over it.

‘Finally, tomorrow...’

Tomorrow, the Asterian family would formally introduce their long-lost youngest daughter, Tiel Asterian, to the world.

Grandfather, Father, and her brothers—Ferdi and Ludian—all reassured her that she had nothing to worry about.

‘But I’m still so nervous...’

In both of her short lifetimes, she had never once stood in front of so many people.

‘I can’t make any mistakes.’

Pressing her lips together, Tiel nodded firmly.

No matter what, she would make sure not to bring disgrace to the Asterian name.

With determination in her heart, she lifted her head and gazed at the Asterian family crest painted on the wall.

A grand emblem where a golden laurel and a predator’s fang intertwined.

Looking at it made her chest swell with emotion again, and without dwelling on it further, Tiel slipped under the blankets.

"Good night, my lovely lady."

Ria turned off all the lights and pulled the blanket up to Tiel’s shoulders, whispering softly.

"Good night, Ria! Have a wonderful night, too!"

Tiel squinted her eyes and returned the greeting.

Ria chuckled warmly before stepping out of the room.

Tiel lay on her back, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes for a moment before squeezing them shut.

‘I’ll see Lord Ian soon.’

Just thinking about kind, gentle Ian made her heart feel light and warm.

Not long after, the little girl drifted into sleep.

***

"My lady, are you very sleepy?"

"Mm..."

Tiel, nestled in Ria’s embrace, nodded drowsily. Ria chuckled softly and stroked the girl's back.

Since early morning, the maids had been bustling around, helping prepare Tiel for the day.

Though the festival itself wouldn’t start until tomorrow, today was a day of travel and light preparations. However, the Asterian maids never did anything half-heartedly.

From the moment she woke up, still groggy with sleep, they had bathed her in warm water scented with soothing oils, scrubbed her clean, and massaged her skin with care to ensure it remained soft and free of dryness.

Afterward, they dressed her in a soft petticoat before carefully slipping her into her traveling dress.

It was one of the six dresses Estella had sent—a charming white gown adorned with delicate yellow ribbons and frills, emphasizing the girl's natural cuteness.

And as the perfect finishing touch, there was an absolutely adorable bonnet!

The maids skillfully combed through Tiel’s silky hair, parting it into two sections before twisting them into neat, rounded buns.

Her hair coiled like soft, golden-brown donuts, which delighted the maids immensely.

They always loved styling Tiel’s hair this way because it made their already round and adorable young lady look even rounder and cuter.

"She’s just too cute..."

Between their work, they couldn’t stop whispering praises about their perfect creation.

Once her hair was set, they placed the lace-trimmed bonnet on her head, making her look as if she had stepped right out of a fairytale.

Ria, admiring the finished look, cautiously asked,

"My lady, are you still very sleepy?"

"No, I’m fine now."

Tiel shook her head, though her eyes were still heavy with drowsiness.

The morning preparations had helped wake her up somewhat, but she was still feeling sluggish.

‘I should’ve gone to bed earlier...’

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. Staying up late to practice her ability had left her completely exhausted.

Noticing her fatigue, Ria spoke softly,

"You can sleep a little in the carriage. There are plenty of soft cushions inside."

Ria gently took Tiel’s hand, and the girl squeezed it back as she nodded.

Before heading out, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

There, standing in the glass, was a little girl who looked as if she had just stepped out of a storybook.

‘I’m nervous...’

Even though they were only traveling to the estate’s villa, she still felt oddly anxious. Taking a slow, careful breath, she exhaled softly. The feeling eased just a little.

‘Alright, let’s go.’

Holding Ria’s hand, Tiel left the room with steady steps.

As she moved, faint fragments of light flickered around her, but since it was daylight, they weren’t very noticeable.

"Papa!"

The moment she spotted Karsus in the distance, her golden eyes lit up.

Karsus immediately lowered himself to her level, allowing her to run into his arms. Ria let go of her hand at just the right moment.

The little girl wasted no time rushing forward, wrapping herself around her father.

Karsus smelled nice—his familiar, soothing scent enveloped her as she clung to his neck.

"Tiel, your eyes are still full of sleep."

Karsus murmured, brushing aside her bangs with his thick, calloused fingers.

Tiel glanced around quickly, ensuring no one else was close enough to hear, before whispering into his ear,

"Actually... I was so nervous that I stayed up late last night..."

"Nervous? But I’m here."

His deep, steady voice carried a reassuring weight, instantly easing the tension in her small frame.

"Yes! I’ll stay right by your side, Papa!"

At her confident declaration, Karsus chuckled and pressed a light kiss against her soft cheek.

With Tiel in his arms, he strode across the red velvet carpet leading to the waiting carriage.

The estate’s servants were lined up in neat rows at the grand entrance, their presence making the scene all the more imposing.

"Have a safe journey, Lord Karsus, my lady."

Parthen, the estate’s elderly head butler, bowed respectfully as he bid them farewell.

Since he was responsible for overseeing the entire mansion, he couldn’t accompany them.

Karsus gave a brief nod of acknowledgment before stepping into the carriage with Tiel still in his arms.

Inside, Ferdi and Ludian were already waiting.

"Tiel!"

Ludian immediately shot to his feet, eager to snatch his little sister into his arms.

But before he could, both Karsus and Ferdi reached out to stop him, forcing him to plop back down onto his seat.

"Ugh, why?!"

"Because you’ll wrinkle her dress, idiot. Just look with your eyes."

Ferdi gestured lazily with his chin. Ludian grumbled, sulking, but couldn’t argue—Ferdi was right.

"Ferdi Oraeboni, Ludian Oraeboni!"

Tiel beamed as she looked at her brothers.

She hadn’t met many other boys her age, but she was absolutely certain that her brothers were the most handsome of them all.

Rather than just ‘handsome,’ they had a beauty that was almost too perfect, too refined.

Even in formal attire, their striking features stood out effortlessly.

No matter how casually they dressed—whether they unbuttoned their shirts or carelessly draped their jackets—their natural elegance never faded.

Even if they were forced to wear plain pajamas, they’d still look exceptional.

And today, they were even more refined than usual.

Ludian had neatly combed his hair back, while Ferdi had his half-slicked down, with the upper part tied back in a loose half-ponytail.

Together, they looked as if they had been painted into existence—perfect in every way.

Now, she understood why Olivia had once said, "The noble ladies of the empire will go crazy for them."

"Tiel, you look adorable today, my little sister."

Ferdi, like a figure straight out of a painting, smiled warmly and extended his hand toward her. Without hesitation, Tiel grabbed it.

"Of course! You’re the cutest. I swear, there’s no one in this empire cuter than you!"

Ludian added enthusiastically.

Getting overly excited, he stood up abruptly, only for Karsus to motion lazily, as if calming a restless colt.

"Sit down, Ludian. You’ll fall."

"...Yes."

With a slight pout, Ludian obediently sat back down.

And just like that, the carriage began to move.

Tiel turned to the slightly open window, watching as the scenery outside whisked past.

Finally.

She let out a small murmur.

...For some reason, her heart was racing wildly.