The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 237

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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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Side Story 5
It was an unmistakable expulsion order.
Ferdi and Ludian had grown weary of this situation long ago—it was all too familiar.
This was the Asterian Mansion, their home, and yet the younger sister they’d been conversing with only moments before was being asked to leave by that man!
‘Well, it’s only natural.’
Iandros was, after all, the man who had lingered at Tiel’s side since she was very young.
Moreover, he was her Bonded Partner, having formed a Bond with her. So from an early age, Iandros had come and gone from the Asterian Mansion as if it were his own home, meeting with Tiel whenever he wished.
That wasn’t strange at all. True to form, Iandros was Tiel’s problem.
The only issue, if there was one, was this:
‘Why does he come so often?’
She’d thought he visited frequently even when they were young, but perhaps he’d exercised restraint then—because ever since Tiel came of age, Iandros’s visits to the mansion had grown far more frequent.
And after everything was settled, he’d practically worn a groove in the threshold, coming and going as if honey had been smeared across the estate.
Even now, both of them were gazing at each other like long-parted lovers, but Ferdi knew the truth.
‘Long-parted, my foot.’
They’d seen each other just the other day.
In fact, they hadn’t gone a day without seeing each other, and yet here they were, acting as though they couldn’t bear the separation.
Ferdi, having taken in the full measure of the situation, regarded Iandros with weary eyes.
The prince stood watching them both with an expression that said, ‘Well? Aren’t you going to leave already?’
He showed every sign of remaining right there, staring them down, until they rose and departed.
“Don’t look at us like that—we’re leaving now anyway. Besides, isn’t this supposed to be your busy season?”
“It is busy, but there’s something more important than busyness, and it’s right here.”
Iandros spoke without changing his expression, delivering words that made everyone’s skin crawl.
Ludian scrunched his face in disgust and rose from his seat.
“Right then. Tea time was lovely, Tiel. Now go spend time with your betrothed. As for me, I suppose I’d better start preparing to depart.”
“Ah! Brother, you’re heading to the North now?”
Ludian had been tasked, for some time now, with fulfilling the Emperor’s commands while stationed near the northern borders.
Given Ludian’s temperament—someone who’d always preferred a sword to a pen even as a child—it was only fitting.
“That’s right. We’ll be apart for a while. Still, I’m glad I was able to spend this time with you.”
Ludian offered a warm smile and extended his hand to Tiel.
Tiel, who had been standing at Iandros’s side, approached Ludian and grasped his hand, beaming widely.
“I’m glad too, brother. Please let me know before you depart for the North. I’d like to see you off.”
“Seeing me off isn’t necessary…… if it tires you out. I don’t like it when you’re tired.”
Yet at the mention of “seeing him off,” Ludian’s expression brightened perceptibly.
“Don’t worry, I promise!”
Tiel resolved that no matter how exhausted she might be, she would see Ludian off on the day he departed for the North.
After Ludian stood, Ferdi too rose and looked at Tiel.
Ferdi offered his customary gentle smile as he spoke.
“Tiel, I’m your perceptive and tactful brother, so I’ll gracefully excuse myself now. Go enjoy some time with your betrothed, my dear sister.”
Tiel, embarrassed, glanced shyly up at Iandros. Her cheeks were still tinged with rose.
Ferdi and Ludian watched their younger sister with satisfaction before taking their leave.
Iandros, with practiced ease, extended his hand to Tiel.
“Shall we take a walk?”
With his other hand, he created a shadow again, placing it against Tiel’s forehead.
“Somewhere in the shade where the sunlight isn’t too strong.”
***
Tiel and Iandros walked slowly through the Garden.
The Asterian Garden had a row of trees planted in a line, and walking beneath their shade meant that the sunlight never felt harsh or biting.
Tiel matched her pace to Iandros’s.
Iandros matched his to Tiel’s.
To any observer, the two seemed deeply devoted to one another, adjusting their steps in perfect synchrony.
From time to time, the sound of their laughter drifted on the breeze, tickling the ears of the maids.
The servants of the Asterian household found themselves in high spirits as they watched the pair.
“When do you suppose the Head of Household will marry the Crown Prince?”
“Things are still a bit unsettled, so probably not this year? Perhaps next year?”
“Ah, I do hope they marry soon! They make such a perfect couple!”
The maids whispered among themselves, their cheeks flushed.
The problem was that they’d spoken close enough that their words reached Tiel’s ears as well.
‘Marriage…….’
Tiel dwelled on the thought a moment longer before, feeling suddenly self-conscious, clasping her hands tightly together.
Iandros, observing this, leaned toward her and, with a familiar touch, swept her long hair back behind her ear.
“Tiel.”
His voice was low and tender, pleasant to hear.
“Yes, Iandros?”
Tiel had long thought his voice was truly lovely to listen to.
Beneath the warm sunlight, their gazes met. Iandros’s emerald eyes gleamed beautifully.
But in the next moment, those beautiful emerald eyes were half-hidden as he smiled.
Tiel stared at him, momentarily bewildered.
Iandros squeezed his eyes shut in a smile and took her hand.
“Once things settle down a bit more and I have some free time, shall we travel together?”
“Travel?”
“Yes. If there’s anywhere you’ve always wanted to go, let’s visit it together.”
Iandros tapped the back of her hand lightly with his fingertips.
“We’ve been so busy all this time, but now everything that kept us occupied is gone…….”
“So you want us to take a trip and rest a little?”
“That’s right.”
Tiel’s cheeks flushed as she lowered her eyes.
“I’d…… like that. Anywhere, as long as it’s with you.”
Though her voice was small, it reached Iandros’s ears in that moment with a clarity and certainty no other sound could match.
Tiel looked at Iandros as she spoke.
“A place by the sea would be nice, or somewhere deep in the mountains. Somewhere quiet where no one else is around, so we can rest together for a little while…….”
In that moment, Iandros felt something like a small light glimmering at Tiel’s side. Was it an illusion?
He gazed at her in a daze for a moment, then smiled again. His expression softened.
“Yes, the sea would be lovely, and the mountains too. Or a Villa on a Remote Island would do nicely. A week of rest and return, or a month of leisure and return—either works.”
“But if we go to a Remote Island, everyone will worry! I’m the Head of the Asterian Household, and you’re the Crown Prince of Crasion…….”
“You are the Head of the Asterian Household, and I am the Crown Prince of this Empire. Is there anyone in the world who could stop us?”
Iandros took Tiel’s hand and drew a step closer.
“Wherever you wish to go, we can go. I’ll make it so.”
Tiel held his hand as she looked up at him.
Though both of them stood in shadow, Iandros’s face seemed unnaturally vivid and clear, as if untouched by darkness.
Tiel admired his refined features for a moment before asking softly:
“……Really?”
Iandros answered.
“Really.”
“Even if I wanted to go somewhere that’s absolutely ridiculous and strange?”
“If you want it, Tiel, then I can transform that ‘absolutely ridiculous and strange place’ into a ‘quite splendid place’ so you won’t have to worry at all.”
There was a certainty in Iandros’s voice—a certainty with substance behind it.
Tiel felt the full weight of his gaze upon her, so endlessly tender and kind, and found her fingertips tingling slightly.
Was it because she loved him?
To the point where her hands and feet felt like they were tingling and numb…….
Come to think of it, Iandros had always taken her wherever she wished to go.
Even from their very first meeting.
‘If it weren’t for Iandros, I would never have escaped.’
If he hadn’t brought her to the Asterian Mansion, if he’d ignored her that day when she was hiding in that room…….
She would have been trapped in that attic forever, and could never have grown up to face him like this.
So Iandros was truly the one who had always ‘taken her’ to wherever she wanted to be.
As she recalled this, Tiel felt her heart grow warm again, and her pulse quicken.
Cautiously reaching out, she pulled Iandros toward her, wrapping her arms gently around his waist and pressing her face against him.
“What does that even mean……? Ha ha…… transforming a ‘strange place’ into a ‘lovely place,’ that’s quite a strange thing to say itself…….”
She pressed her face against his and burst into laughter, then.
“But.”
Rising onto her toes to meet his gaze, Tiel placed a delicate kiss on Iandros’s cheek and whispered:
“I really do love hearing such things. I’m so happy that you asked me to travel with you…….”
Iandros, watching Tiel laugh, reached out and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.
And the two of them stood there, their foreheads pressed together, laughing for quite some time.

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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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