The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 13

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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 13
The fluffy cream melted on her tongue, and just as it dissolved completely, the soft, tender pudding tickled the back of her mouth.
‘I’ve never tasted anything like this before.’
Since arriving at the Asterian Residence, everything she’d eaten—merely half a bowl of corn soup and a slice of cake—had been wonderful, but this pudding surpassed them all.
As Tiel’s eyes sparkled at the flavor, Lia laughed softly and offered her another spoonful.
“It’s the head chef’s special pudding. Does it suit your palate?”
“It’s delicious…….”
At Tiel’s candid reply, Lia smiled warmly once more and fed her another spoonful.
Tiel wasn’t accustomed to anyone feeding her, but Lia was so kind that……, it felt right.
Once the pudding bowl was empty, Lia helped Tiel change into a nightgown—one that had belonged to Olivie, and though it would be a bit loose, Lia asked her to make do for just one night.
‘Who is Olivie?’
Tiel didn’t know, but it was clear the girl was much larger than herself. She’d had to fold the sleeves twice.
After tucking Tiel into bed, Lia settled into the small chair beside it, promising to stay until the girl fell asleep.
Tiel blinked, then shifted her gaze to Lia’s face. In the darkness after the lamp was extinguished, she could barely make out her features.
“Will I……, really be staying here?”
At Tiel’s hesitant question, Lia nodded and stroked her small hand gently.
“Of course. From now on, you’ll eat delicious food, do all the things you love……, and live happily in this residence.”
Tiel nodded at Lia’s kind words. And then……, she gently squeezed Lia’s warm fingers and asked.
“Then…….”
“Then?”
“Then……, will I be able to stay with you too?”
Tiel had taken a great liking to Lia. A very great liking indeed.
Lia was the kindest person Tiel had ever met, always speaking in a soft, gentle tone so as not to startle her, and always breaking into a bright smile whenever their eyes met.
No one at the Nestian Household had ever smiled at her like that.
So Tiel had come to adore Lia—so much so that she found herself reluctant to see the woman arrange the pillow properly, smooth out the blanket, and prepare to leave.
‘The Asterian Family has so many servants…….’
Tiel blinked, recalling the numerous attendants she’d seen throughout the day.
Then……, wouldn’t she lose the chance to see Lia again?
A sudden anxiety seized her—what if tomorrow morning, a different servant came to tidy the bedding instead of Lia?
So, without quite meaning to, Tiel gently squeezed Lia’s fingers, then startled and let go.
“……!”
She hadn’t meant to hold on……. Tiel peeked up at Lia hesitantly.
Fortunately, Lia didn’t seem displeased by the action. In fact.
“Hehe, what a darling young lady you are.”
She laughed softly, as if delighted, and wrapped Tiel’s small hand gently in her own. Surprised by the unexpected gesture, Tiel’s eyes widened.
Tiel didn’t know it, but Lia had long since recognized that the girl had taken quite a liking to her.
‘How could I not notice?’
The shy little lady would cast her large eyes about searching for Lia whenever she grew anxious or frightened even slightly.
And when she confirmed Lia was within her sight, the way her face would soften was so endearingly precious that it was almost unbearable.
For this small girl who feared she might disappear at any moment, Lia gently lifted her onto her lap and brushed back her hair with her fingers.
As Lia’s hand drew near her face, Tiel instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, but once she realized nothing was amiss, she slowly opened them again.
Her slightly disheveled hair was quickly set in order by Lia’s gentle touch.
After combing her hair back carefully, Lia spoke.
“Don’t worry, young lady. I’ve arranged to stay by your side and look after you until a dedicated lady’s maid is assigned to you.”
“But when a dedicated lady’s maid is assigned…….”
Will we have to part ways?
Tiel’s round eyes seemed to ask the question wordlessly. Lia withdrew a hairpin from her pocket and secured Tiel’s long bangs so they wouldn’t fall into her eyes.
“Well, we’ll have to see what happens, but there’s no need to worry. You see……, this is a secret, but I’ve applied to be your dedicated lady’s maid.”
“Really?”
“Really. So don’t worry, young lady. From now on, I’ll always be by your side.”
“That’s a relief.”
At Lia’s tender words, Tiel’s tension melted away, and without thinking, she spoke her true feelings aloud and broke into a bright smile.
The smile that lit Lia’s face as she gazed at her was radiant.
Lia was certain that had anyone else witnessed this moment, they would have worn the very same expression.
Nearly moved to tears by the sheer cuteness of the small, bright-eyed girl in her arms, Lia soon laid her back down on the bed and drew the blanket up to her chin.
“So, young lady, don’t worry and sleep soundly. Would you like me to sing you a lullaby?”
“Oh, no! I can sleep on my own!”
Though Tiel secretly hoped Lia would sing to her, she didn’t want to give the impression she would be too much trouble, so she held back and shook her head.
Lia gently stroked her head and smiled brightly.
“You’re quite brave. Then I’ll leave the small lamp on the nightstand lit and turn off the main light. If you become frightened or need anything, just ring the bell on the nightstand.”
“Yes.”
“And since Cassius has ordered that your room be prepared at once, a beautiful one will be ready soon. I know this room might be a bit inconvenient for now…….”
Inconvenient?
Tiel’s eyes widened at Lia’s words.
This room, which belonged to Olivie, was quite spacious, warm even at night, and so pretty with its delicate furnishings. How could it possibly be inconvenient?
But before Tiel could say anything, Lia gently patted her through the blanket and whispered.
“Just bear with it a little longer. I’ll have the most beautiful room prepared for you.”
So Tiel missed her chance to say that this room was wonderful too and could only nod in agreement.
After Lia left the room, the child burrowed deep into the large, comfortable blanket.
The blanket was fluffy,
and it was warm.
***
The study of the Asterian Family’s head, Alpheus Evalt Asterian.
“So then, what is it you want to say?”
Alpheus, lounging on the sofa, pressed Cassius, who sat across from him.
Cassius seemed to have been lost in thought; he blinked slowly before finally meeting Alpheus’s gaze.
“Ah, well.”
“Don’t draw it out, Cassius. As you know, I lack patience.”
At Alpheus’s impatience, Cassius looked over him with a tired expression, nodded, and spoke.
“What is this all about?”
“The child has manifested a Special Ability.”
“She has manifested a Special Ability……, what?”
Alpheus’s eyes widened.
She manifested a Special Ability?
Special Abilities typically manifest within the first year after birth, yet she’s only now manifested one?
“More than that……, she had no Special Ability until now?”
“Correct.”
Cassius nodded matter-of-factly. Alpheus’s expression shifted to one of understanding.
‘So that’s why the child was treated that way at the Nestian Household.’
Because she hadn’t manifested a Special Ability.
Since Special Abilities typically manifest within the first year, Chender surely had given up hope that the child would ever manifest one.
Of course, Alpheus had done the same.
‘I’ve never heard of a case where a Special Ability manifested this late.’
According to records, the oldest child to manifest a Special Ability was four years old.
After four, there were no records of manifestation at all. Yet here was a seven-year-old manifesting one?
“However, the child’s Special Ability is neither Frost nor Flame.”
At Cassius’s words, Alpheus shifted his gaze to the man’s face in confusion.
The Flame Ability of the Asterians and the Frost Ability of the Nestians.
Since Tiel was Rena and Cassius’s daughter, if she were to manifest a Special Ability, she should have either manifested the Flame Ability like her older brothers or the Frost Ability like Rena. And yet.
“Neither Frost nor Flame? Then what in the world are you telling me?”

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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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