The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Alpheus’s unexpected declaration left Tiel blinking in confusion, her head tilting slightly.

“...Huh?”

“I’m planning to pass down the Asterian Family Head title to you, Tiel.”

“...?”

Did I mishear something?

Tiel took a moment to think—was this a dream?

The warm sunlight streaming in through the windows, the gentle breeze rustling the curtains—it all felt too real.

Then... why is this happening?

Perplexed, she looked at Alpheus and asked hesitantly,

“W-Why me?”

“So that you won’t have to enter the Imperial Palace.”

“...The Imperial Palace?”

“Yes.”

Alpheus’s response was firm.

Tiel, still holding a raisin-studded cookie in her hands, quietly set it down and looked at him with wide eyes.

“Because... I imprinted with Ian-nim?”

“Yes. Since you’ve imprinted with the Crown Prince, you are now the Crown Princess.”

“...Me? I am?”

“Yes, you.”

“...I...”

She had to live in the Imperial Palace?

That meant... leaving Asterian.

She didn’t want that.

The emperor was kind, and Ian was incredibly gentle—but living in the palace meant leaving behind her family.

She had just found them.

She was just starting to enjoy her days surrounded by her father, brothers, and grandfather.

Leaving them so soon... was unbearable.

And more than anything—

“...Grandpa.”

“Yes? Speak your mind.”

“Ian-nim... hasn’t woken up yet, has he?”

“No. He’s still unconscious.”

Then... Ian didn’t even know about the imprint yet.

He had been unconscious when it happened, and he had remained unconscious ever since.

Oh...

What if Ian woke up and resented her for it?

Tiel swallowed hard.

She had never intended to imprint with Ian.

She was only seven! She didn’t even know how to imprint!

And besides, imprinting wasn’t something that could happen at one person’s will.

It required both beastmen’s hearts to align perfectly, along with several additional conditions.

So right now, the imprint between her and Ian was only half-formed.

Of course, Tiel had no way of knowing this.

All she could do was worry—

What if Ian wakes up and demands to know why this happened?

Seeing his granddaughter’s expression grow darker, Alpheus furrowed his brows and asked,

“Tiel? What’s wrong? Is something troubling you?”

“H-Grandpa...”

“Yes! I’m right here. Tell me anything, hmm?”

“What if... Ian-nim wakes up and blames me?”

“...?”

“If what you and His Majesty said is true, then I imprinted on him without his consent... isn’t that wrong?”

Alpheus stepped forward without hesitation, scooping her up from the sofa.

Settling her onto his lap, he gently wrapped his arms around her and patted her small back reassuringly.

“Tiel, that won’t happen. Don’t worry.”

He spoke with calm certainty.

“Imprinting doesn’t happen just because one person wishes for it. I don’t know what exactly occurred inside that subspace, but if the imprint remains, that means the Crown Prince accepted it.”

“...Really?”

“Yes. You are not the one who should feel small about this. If anything, the Crown Prince should. He’s the one who put you in danger—what right would he have to be angry with you?”

Alpheus’s voice was gentle yet firm.

Tiel, nestled in his arms, slowly calmed down.

“...Okay...”

“So stop worrying about things that aren’t your fault. Just trust Grandpa, alright?”

“...But Grandpa...”

“Yes!”

“If... If I become the Family Head, then what about Papa and Ferdie Orabuni?”

Tiel’s question was hesitant.

By all rights, the next in line for the Asterian Family Head position was Karsus Celeste Asterian. And after him, it was supposed to be Ferdie.

There was no place for her in that succession.

Besides—

“This is the Black Leopard clan, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“But... I’m a Snow Leopard.”

Tiel grabbed a handful of her stark white hair and held it up for Alpheus to see, as if to prove her point.

“Grandpa... you’re joking, right?”

“This is not a joke, Tiel.”

Alpheus’s voice was resolute.

“Karsus and Ferdie have already agreed to this. And while Asterian is the Black Leopard family, anyone of direct lineage who carries Asterian traits can become the Family Head.”

Karsus and Ferdie... had already agreed?

The two people who had spent their entire lives being raised and educated to become the next head of Asterian?

And now... they were just giving that up?

For her? A seven-year-old?

Wait—

I’m seven years old!

Can I even be the head of Asterian?

Tiel’s small head spun, thoughts racing so fast that she felt dizzy.

Then, as if sensing her turmoil, Alpheus gently brushed a warm finger across the corner of her eye, grounding her.

“You were born with the golden eyes of Asterian.”

“......”

“If anyone dares to oppose your claim to the Family Head position... this old man will handle them personally.”

“But Grandpa...”

“Tiel, we cannot lose you again.”

There was something sorrowful in Alpheus’s voice.

Tiel stopped speaking, simply gazing up at him.

His golden eyes—the same as hers—shone with unwavering determination.

“I will do anything to ensure we don’t lose you again. I won’t let you be put in danger.”

“...If I go to the Imperial Palace, will I be in danger?”

“Yes. Without a doubt. There will be people who try to target you.”

Alpheus’s large hand gently patted her soft, round head as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

“But it doesn’t mean I intend to lock you away in Asterian forever, my dear child.”

“......”

“When you grow up—when you are strong enough to protect yourself—then I will support you in whatever you choose to do.”

Tiel’s lips parted slightly in surprise.

“But right now, you are too small and too young. You still need the protection of the adults around you.”

“...Yes.”

“A family exists to protect its members. If a family cannot even protect one of its own, then it has no reason to exist.”

Tiel stared up at him, her tiny hands gripping his robe.

His aged face, his kind, warm eyes, the firm set of his mouth—everything about him exuded a quiet but unshakable determination.

So...

Tiel didn’t argue any further.

She simply listened.

“Tiel, I am naming you as the next Family Head of Asterian.”

“......”

“Will you accept it?”

“...Yes!”

Tiel clenched her small fists and answered with determination, looking directly into Alpheus’s eyes.

Grandfather and granddaughter’s gazes locked firmly.

Asterian’s Family Head? The Crown Princess?

She didn’t understand any of it.

And truthfully, she didn’t need to.

But—

They’re doing all of this just to protect me.

How can I keep saying no?

Tiel had made up her mind.

If this was the decision that Alpheus, Karsus, Ferdie, and Ludian had come to—

Then she was ready to follow it.

“Yes, Grandpa. I will follow your wishes...!”

Now, she understood.

Now that she had awakened her Light ability, she couldn’t just hide forever in her father’s and grandfather’s embrace.

There would be people who coveted that power.

People who would try to control her.

People who would try to eliminate her.

That was the reality she would have to face.

So—

“...Thank you, Grandpa.”

Tiel smiled.

A bright, pure smile.

Her tiny mouth curved upward, and her soft, round cheeks lifted adorably.

“Thank you for protecting me.”

“......”

“For now, I may be a little weak... but...”

Tiel leaned closer, pressing her lips near Alpheus’s ear, whispering as if she were sharing an important secret.

“...Someday, I’ll grow up into a strong adult who can protect myself. I’ll repay you then.”

Alpheus let out a hearty laugh, his broad shoulders shaking with amusement.

“Hah! Hahaha! Yes, yes! You will grow into a strong adult and repay me! That will be your repayment!”

“Grandpa...”

Tiel wriggled into his embrace, snuggling against his chest.

Alpheus looked down at his tiny granddaughter with warm, affectionate eyes, gently rubbing her back.

“Yes... Tiel.”

“You don’t have to worry anymore.”

“...Yes.”

“All you need to do... is trust your Grandpa. Leave everything else to me.”