The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"What does Grandfather mean by ‘not an option’...?"

Even as Tiel nestled into Karsus’s arms, her gaze remained locked onto Alpheus.

The Emperor and Alpheus exchanged brief words before moving away together.

“Tiel.”

She had been so focused on them that she almost didn’t hear her father calling her.

“Father, why is Grandfather so angry?”

“...Who knows.”

Karsus didn’t answer her question. Instead, he smoothly shifted the topic.

“But more importantly, you did well today.”

Tiel blinked.

Then grinned brightly and nodded.

“Did I do good?”

“You did very well.”

Hearing that made her chest swell with pride.

"What a relief."

She had been so worried that her ability wouldn’t work properly in front of so many people.

But she had done far better than even she had expected.

Still basking in that satisfaction, she wrapped her arms around Karsus’s neck.

“Tiel! Well done!”

“You were amazing, little sister.”

The twins ran up to her, ruffling her hair.

Ludian squeezed her tiny hands in his own, his expression oddly serious.

“When did you grow up this much?”

Their praise made her feel strangely warm inside.

Embarrassed, she buried her face into Karsus’s chest.

Then—

"Tieeeeel!!!"

A loud, chaotic voice pierced through the air.

Tiel’s head snapped up.

Both Ferdi and Ludian scowled instantly.

In the distance, Olivia was charging toward them with a beaming smile.

The Wolfgang knights were struggling to keep up, their expressions nothing short of exasperated.

Her dress billowed behind her as she ran, utterly ignoring all dignity.

“Lady, please—stop running—”

“Ah, whatever! I don’t care!”

With an impatient wave, Olivia shooed off the knight who had tried to restrain her.

Then, in one swift motion, she grabbed Tiel’s hands.

“Tiel! I saw everything! That was incredible!”

“Olivia unnie!”

“You were the absolute best! The best, I tell you! Today was completely your day—and from now on, every Luminarie will be your day! Ah, my baby’s grown up so much—”

“You’re acting like you raised her yourself.”

“I practically did!”

Olivia replied shamelessly.

Karsus, as expected, did not react.

***

"Father, can we take Tiel around the festival?"

“We’ll be careful. Extremely careful.”

Ludian and Ferdi pleaded, their eyes practically shining with desperation.

“Please?”

Ludian’s puppy-like expression made him look especially pitiful.

Karsus let out a low hmm, then—

Without a word, he gently set Tiel down and rested a large hand on her head.

“Go with your brothers. Be careful. Very careful.”

“Yes! I’ll be careful!”

"Escort them."

At Karsus’s command, Asterian’s elite knights immediately stepped forward, falling into formation behind Tiel, Ferdi, and Ludian.

Technically, the twins were strong enough to protect themselves, but letting children wander alone in a crowded festival was out of the question.

"Alright, let’s go!"

“Yes.”

At some point, the Wolfgang knights had also joined them.

Olivia’s face scrunched up instantly.

"...You too?"

"Of course."

"Ugh, fine. Whatever, just come along."

With a reluctant nod, Olivia accepted their presence.

Tiel giggled, then reached out—grabbing onto both Olivia and Ferdi’s hands.

“Are we really going to explore?”

“Of course. Luminarie only happens once every three years—you have to enjoy it while you can.”

Ferdi tightened his grip around her hand, a warmth settling in her palm.

And so—

The children stepped into the festival.

Laughter and excited chatter filled the festival streets. Small lanterns lined the darkened paths, casting a gentle glow to prevent people from stumbling.

Tiel watched the lively scene for a while before carefully tugging on Ferdi’s hand.

"Hm? What is it?" he asked.

"Oraeboni, why is the festival held at night? If it's a festival for Ruisette, the God of Light, shouldn’t it be held during the day?"

“That’s simple.”

Before Ferdi could answer, Ludian jumped in.

"Because light appears in darkness."

"...Huh?"

Tiel tilted her head, puzzled by the overly simplistic explanation.

Seeing her confusion, Ferdi gently cupped her cheek, explaining in a softer tone.

"Tiel, do you remember using your ability earlier?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Your light was incredible—it lit up the night sky. But... what if it had been daytime instead?"

"Huh? Well, obviously..."

Tiel furrowed her brows.

If it had been daytime, no matter how bright and radiant her light was, the blazing sunlight would have overshadowed it, making it nearly invisible.

Realization dawned on her.

That’s why the people of Crassion held the festival at night.

"Tiel."

Olivia, grinning, reached over and pinched Tiel’s soft cheek.

"Light is born from darkness! We've been waiting for it—waiting for light to emerge from the shadows, for a long, long time!"

It was a common story that every child in Crassion grew up hearing.

Of course, Tiel had never heard it before.

But most of the people around her had probably listened to this tale since they were young.

Olivia tugged on her cheek, stretching it.

"In other words, we were waiting for you! Tiel, do you have any idea just how much this festival means—" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Then—

"Really?"

A gruff voice cut through Olivia’s speech.

Immediately, Ferdi, Ludian, Tiel, and Olivia turned their heads toward the source.

The Asterian and Wolfgang knights also directed their gazes in the same direction.

And standing there—

"You’re telling me this little brat actually awakened the Light Ability? I find that hard to believe."

A boy, standing casually with one foot propped up, his arms crossed, eyes narrowed in doubt.

The heir of Iker.

Sterling Iker.

"Sterling Iker?" Olivia’s tone sharpened into a low growl.

"Why is that insufferable bastard here, of all places?"

The Wolfgang knights visibly flinched at their lady’s crude words, but no one dared to stop her.

"Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention earlier," Sterling shrugged. "But still..."

His sharp gaze fixated on Tiel.

She didn’t flinch.

Instead, she looked back at him—steady and unwavering.

"The Light Ability is a bit of an abstract concept, isn’t it? None of us really know what it actually does—"

"Sterling."

Before he could continue, Ferdi stepped forward, smiling.

His expression was warm.

But his presence was overwhelming.

Iker and Asterian may both be part of the Five Great Houses, but Iker was merely a marquis family.

Meanwhile, Asterian was a ducal house.

Their standing was entirely different.

So how dare the mere heir of Iker speak so arrogantly in front of Asterian?

Ferdi had stepped forward to put him in his place.

But—

"Wait, I was just—ARGH!!!"

Sterling’s neck snapped forward as if yanked by an invisible force.

A loud smack echoed.

Grimacing, he clutched the back of his head, eyes flaring as he whirled around.

And the moment he saw who had hit him—

His eyes widened in horror.

"A-Ah... Father?"

The Lord of Iker glared down at his son, seething.

"You little brat—you’ve finally done it this time!"

Sterling could swear on his life—he had never seen his father this angry before.

"M-Me?!"

"Who else, idiot?!"

***

Ferdi, Ludian, Olivia, and Tiel exchanged glances, then slowly looked up at the Marquis of Iker.

At some point, the crowd had begun to part, creating space.

Behind the Marquis, Iker’s knights stood at attention.

Olivia lowered her head slightly, whispering into Tiel’s ear.

"Shouldn’t he be doing this at home instead? What a nuisance."

Tiel, normally someone who didn’t entertain gossip, found herself agreeing.

Because of Iker’s head personally coming here, many festival-goers had retreated to make way.

Of course, Tiel, Olivia, Ferdi, and Ludian had also been walking around with knights following them, so the people naturally had to step aside.

But there was a difference.

Festival heirs casually enjoying the streets—

And a marquis himself stepping in.

The atmosphere was completely different.

Still looking furious, the Marquis of Iker turned to face them.

"My son has been rude. Please, forgive his insolence."