The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 101
The carriage had not traveled long through the verdant forest before arriving at the Arne Mansion. Nestled deep within the lush woods, the Arne residence resembled less a manor than a fortress.
Creak—
The massive gates swung open, and Iandros on his black horse stepped through first. The carriage, supply wagon, and knights followed in succession, crossing the threshold into the Arne estate.
Tiel rested both hands on the carriage window, gazing out at the scenery. The celebrated Arne Garden unfurled lavishly along the path.
“It’s truly beautiful…….”
“Beautiful? Should Asterian be designed like this too?”
Ludian, catching Tiel’s murmur, posed the question. Tiel hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
“The Arne Garden is wonderful, but Asterian has its own distinct charm……, so I don’t think we need to imitate Arne.”
“True enough—Asterian’s garden is far more orderly and refined than this. Which is why this place is rather…… chaotic, wouldn’t you say?”
At Ludian’s words, both Ferdi and Olivier frowned in unison.
True, the Arne Garden contained many flowers and plants they’d never seen before. Some had grown so profusely that they would mar the garden’s appearance if not trimmed promptly.
And all of it was due to the Ability wielded by Arne.
Arne the Verdant.
Arne’s Ability—to coax blossoms to bloom, to bring forth sprouts, to urge trees skyward—played a crucial role in maintaining the Arne Territory as a lush, forested domain.
Yet many were still young, unable to fully control their Ability, which left the garden’s lawns and trees untamed and irregular.
“You! Say such things and you’ll be cast out on the spot! Don’t you realize how insulting it is to the bearers of the Arne name to hear their garden disparaged?”
“Indeed, Ludian. If you’re thrown out, you’ll make your own way back to Asterian. No one will come to fetch you.”
Olivier and Ferdi rebuked Ludian nearly in unison. Ludian merely shrugged with unbothered ease.
“I don’t take offense even when someone says my Flame Ability is weaker than a campfire.”
“That’s a lie—you beat someone at the Academy for insulting your Ability and got a formal warning for it.”
“Did I? I don’t recall…….”
Ludian hastily shed his confident demeanor, rolling his eyes. Ferdi sighed.
“We’re guests here at Arne, so no acting as you please. If the Head of Household tells you to leave, I’ll agree at once.”
Just then, the carriage came to a halt. Iandros’s voice sounded from outside. The children stopped talking and looked toward the carriage door in unison.
“We’ve arrived.”
A knight in silver armor opened the carriage door and bowed. Ferdi gave a light nod before stepping out.
“Mind yourself, Tiel.”
He then took her hand, helping her descend safely. Olivier watched carefully to ensure Tiel didn’t strike her head on the frame as she disembarked.
“Up we go—thank you!”
Tiel hopped lightly down and grinned at her brothers, her face bright. Olivier and Ludian followed, their hands gently ruffling her hair.
Then Olivier suddenly lifted his head, his voice alight with excitement.
“Clemens—!”
“Hello, Olivier.”
Before Iandros’s black horse stood Clemens, the Heir of Arne, waiting with quiet composure. Tiel’s eyes widened at the sight of her.
‘Oh, it’s that girl I saw before.’
The girl who had appeared as Arne’s Heir at Luminarie. Clemens approached delicately, lifted her skirt lightly, and bowed.
“I am Clemens Arne. The Head of Household awaits. Ordinarily, she would greet you herself, but circumstances prevented her, so I’ve been asked to receive you in her stead.”
Her voice was gentle and even-tempered, quite striking. Her appearance was equally soft and beautiful.
Her spring-blossom-pale pink hair and verdant green eyes made her beauty all the more luminous.
Clemens turned her head slightly to look at Tiel.
“You must be the youngest Princess of Asterian? We met once at Luminarie……. It left quite an impression. How do you do, Princess? I’m Clemens Arne, pleased to make your proper acquaintance.”
“I’m Tiel Asterian—!”
Tiel declared her name with the Asterian surname appended proudly, her cheeks flushing with satisfaction as she gently took hold of Ferdi’s sleeve…….
Ferdi found her adorable and smiled warmly, squeezing her hand in return.
“Shall we go in? The Head of Household is waiting for us…….”
Clemens spoke in a voice like a songbird. Tiel found herself thinking that it resembled the call of a woodland songbird. Did all the bird-folk possess such beautiful voices?
The road-weary knights were shown to their quarters by Arne’s servants and chose to unpack and rest before the evening meal.
Iandros, Ferdi, Ludian, and Olivier, along with Tiel, followed Clemens toward the Head’s chamber.
“The Crown Prince comes to visit, and she doesn’t even bother to greet him herself.”
Iandros spoke in a low tone of reproach. Clemens blinked slowly in response.
“Please accept her apology on her behalf.”
The Heads of Household among the Crasion Empire’s great families were less rulers of a house than kings governing a people.
And Arne, separated from other territories by great distance, possessed that sovereign quality even more keenly than the rest.
Iandros, well aware that in these Arne lands the Head was sovereign in all but name, saw no reason to reproach Clemens further.
These beast-folk bent the knee to the Emperor’s will while never truly lowering their heads.
Upon reaching the Head of Household’s chamber, Clemens rapped lightly upon the wooden door.
“Head of Household, your guests have arrived.”
Not long after Clemens spoke, the door opened softly. The Head of the Arne house emerged, Iris Hilde Arne, and bowed in greeting.
“Honor to the Crasion Empire. I am Iris Hilde Arne, Head of Arne, and I humbly receive the Crown Prince.”
Iris Hilde Arne and Clemens bore a striking resemblance. So marked was it that even a stranger would have recognized them as mother and child.
With her long, lovely pink hair adorned with flowers, Iris was the most beautiful woman Tiel had ever beheld.
“Arne, my circumstances prevented us from exchanging proper greetings before.”
“We were greatly concerned to hear of Your Highness’s condition. We offer our congratulations on your swift recovery.”
Iris replied smoothly and stepped slightly aside, bowing her head.
“Please, do come in. I’ve arranged for tea and refreshments…….”
Iandros nodded and proceeded. The children took their seats on the sofa in turn. Tiel found herself seated beside Iandros, who helped her be seated properly.
“Ferdi, Ludian. And…… Olivier.”
Iris smiled brightly. Olivier, his name called, nodded in acknowledgment.
“Have you all been well? I’ve been rather occupied and unable to invite you.”
“Olivier hasn’t been in touch, so Clemens has been terribly disappointed. She’s such a lonely child—her only friend is you, and she does hope you’ll write more often.”
Iris and Olivier shared a close relationship, for Olivier and Clemens were the dearest of friends.
Though Olivier had never visited the Arne Territory, given how remote and difficult to reach it was.
Clemens often traveled to Wolfgang to see Olivier, and Iris herself visited frequently, so Olivier knew them both intimately.
“Clemens was disappointed? Then I simply must spend the whole evening catching up on everything we’ve missed!”
Olivier said brightly, and Iris nodded with a smile. Her gentle green eyes now turned toward the small girl seated beside Iandros.
“And……, the Princess of Asterian?”
“Yes, Head of Household. It’s our first meeting. I am Tiel Asterian.”
Tiel offered a respectful greeting. Iris smiled widely and returned the courtesy.
“How lovely to meet you. I’ve heard much about the Princess. Especially from Luminarie—she was quite remarkable…….”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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