The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 17

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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 17
The room was dominated by a carpet embroidered with a distinctive pattern that covered more than half the floor, upon which sat a small sofa and tea table perfectly scaled to a child’s frame.
Tiel started toward the tea table but paused, studying the carpet’s embroidery intently.
Golden laurel leaves symbolizing victory were sewn throughout, and in their center lay the fangs of a fierce beast.
She crouched down and traced the pattern with her fingertips, feeling the raised embroidery catch beneath her touch.
‘I’ve definitely seen this before somewhere…….’
The design seemed familiar. As Tiel narrowed her eyes, searching her memory for where she’d glimpsed it, Parden approached and came to stand beside her.
And in that moment, she recognized it.
‘It’s the emblem from Mother’s locket!’
The very design that had been impressed in bold relief upon her mother’s locket.
The whole journey to Asterion Estate, she’d clutched that locket in her hand, so the texture was intimately familiar.
Seeing Tiel study the embroidery so carefully, Parden crouched down to meet her gaze and began to speak.
“This crest is the emblem that represents the Asterion Family. The golden laurel border symbolizes victory, and in the center are the fangs of a black leopard representing our ancestral line. The flames along the border symbolize the Flame—the Innate Ability unique to House Asterion.”
At Parden’s kind explanation, Tiel nodded.
“The Flame… that’s truly magnificent.”
Back in Nestian, the word “Flame” had been nearly forbidden. It belonged to Asterion, after all.
But now she could speak of it freely. The Flame, which could thaw even frozen things, was far more magnificent than the cold Frost Bind that froze everything solid.
Tiel rose with a decisive huff and began examining the room thoroughly.
The plush bedding and charming furnishings all delighted her, but what captured her heart most was.
‘So beautiful.’
The Suncatcher hanging before the window, scattering sunlight in all directions.
Tiel stood mesmerized before the Suncatcher for some time, and Parden came to stand beside her once more.
Unable to reach the Suncatcher due to her small stature, Parden gently tapped it instead.
“You have an excellent eye, young lady. This Suncatcher has clearly captured your heart.”
“Yes, it’s really so pretty.”
Light filtered through the blue gemstone, casting a azure glow across Tiel’s bright face.
Parden gazed upon the scene warmly, then cleared his throat softly and spoke.
“This Suncatcher was crafted by Linat, a master artisan of the highest caliber, using only premium diamonds he personally selected from Dezmond, where the finest in the world are found. There is but one like it in existence. It arrived as a gift from Carsus, who felt it would look lovely in your room and wished you to have it.”
“……Diamonds?”
Though Tiel was only seven years old, she knew well enough that diamonds were very, very expensive.
And since the word “finest” had appeared twice, this Suncatcher was surely far more precious than ordinary diamonds.
Parden nodded with evident pride.
Tiel gazed up at the Suncatcher sparkling above her head, and with the air of having made a decision, clenched her fists and looked up at Parden.
“Um, Steward Parden.”
“Yes, young lady. What is it?”
“I’d like to thank Carsus and Alphius for giving me such a lovely room and beautiful Suncatcher. Do you think I might see them?”
Though Alphius still frightened her a little, it was only proper to express gratitude for such generous gifts.
At Tiel’s words, Parden’s expression brightened and he nodded.
“Of course. However, the Head of Household is currently away on urgent business, so I shall escort you to Carsus instead.”
Parden finished speaking and extended his hand to Tiel. She took his warm hand lightly.
Parden adjusted his stride to match the small girl’s pace, moving at roughly half his usual gait.
This way, Tiel could walk without hurrying or gasping for breath, holding an adult’s hand.
***
The Asterion Estate was truly vast. One could easily lose one’s way within its halls.
As Parden led Tiel by the hand toward Carsus’s chambers, he warned her that the estate was so extensive one could become lost, and she should always bring a servant along when traveling anywhere.
He mentioned that the Basement in particular was so expansive and intricate that even longtime servants often lost their way.
As Tiel traveled with Parden’s hand in hers to Carsus’s room, she resolved never to wander alone.
‘I don’t want to get lost and cause anyone worry…….’
Not wanting to trouble the kind people of the Asterion Estate, Tiel listened to Parden’s words with far greater attention than usual.
After some time had passed, just as she began to think they’d come far from her room, Parden stopped before an enormous door.
“This is Carsus’s chamber.”
An enormous door.
It was tall and wide enough for a great beast to pass through comfortably—far too large for Tiel alone to dare open.
Tiel stood awed by the door’s sheer size, her mouth slightly agape and head craned back, when Parden smiled gently and knocked softly.
“Carsus, young lady Tiel has come to see you.”
Moments after Parden finished speaking, the heavy door slowly swung open.
And.
“Tiel.”
Carsus himself appeared. Though Tiel was startled by his sudden emergence, she neither fled nor hid from him.
She had already met with him once before.
And that memory had left a favorable impression.
“Come in, little one.”
Carsus stepped slightly aside as he spoke. Tiel hesitated for a moment, gauging his demeanor, before carefully stepping into his chamber.
“I shall take my leave now, then.”
Once Parden confirmed that Tiel had entered Carsus’s room, he bowed formally. Carsus glanced once at Tiel, once at Parden, then gave a slight nod.
“Very well.”
The enormous door closed behind them with a soft sound, and Carsus, having already taken a seat on the sofa, gestured toward Tiel.
“Tiel, come here.”
His voice held a gentleness that inexplicably brought comfort.
Like that day when he’d rescued her as she wept in the Basement.
Like that day when he’d whispered that she was a special child, possessed of a special Innate Ability…….
Her clenched fists gradually relaxed. Tiel blinked, then crept slowly toward Carsus. She came to stand before him with her hands clasped together.
“No, not like that.”
But Carsus, as if something still displeased him, smiled softly and reached toward her.
Once he confirmed that the child no longer shied from his touch, Carsus clumsily but carefully lifted her and settled her on his lap.
“……!”
Tiel’s eyes went wide as she suddenly found herself perched on Carsus’s lap. In her shock, her small body struggled for a moment.
“Careful, Tiel. You’ll fall.”
“But, but—!”
At the word “fall,” Tiel’s expression crumpled. Her struggling ceased, and she rested her small hands on his knee, her eyes blinking in confusion.
‘Why on earth am I here……!’
She’d only come to thank him for the lovely room.
Back at the Nestian Estate, she’d never once sat on an adult’s lap. She could count on one hand the times she’d even held hands, so naturally this was unprecedented.
And now, at the Asterion Estate, how many times had she found herself on someone’s lap already!
Moreover, Carsus’s lap was hard and uncomfortable, quite unlike Lia’s soft and secure one.
Likely because Carsus had seldom, if ever, held a child before—though Tiel had no way of knowing this.
As Tiel squirmed, trying to find a more comfortable position, Carsus rang a bell on the side table.
The door opened and a servant entered, bowing. With his head gently resting against Tiel’s small crown, Carsus spoke.
“Bring some light refreshments the child might enjoy. And a warm cup of tea.”
Carsus examined Tiel’s small hands with curious interest, gently holding them, before speaking again.
“Actually, since she’s so young, hot cocoa or warm juice would be better than tea. Like before.”
“Very good, Carsus.”
The servant hurried from the room.
Tiel remained on Carsus’s lap, blinking, until the purpose of her visit suddenly came back to her, and she turned her head.
“Um, Carsus!”
“Yes, Tiel. What is it?”
“It’s…….”

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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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