The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 249

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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 17
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“Tiel Asterian, do you vow to take Iandros Crasion as your husband?”
“I vow.”
Tiel nodded softly. Beneath the glittering Tiara and the delicate veil, her face flushed with shy warmth was barely visible.
“Iandros Crasion, do you vow to take Tiel Asterian as your wife?”
“I vow.”
Iandros nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
Having just concluded his coronation as Emperor, Iandros wore a splendid Laurel Crown symbolizing his reign over Crasion.
It had belonged to Wilhelm and was far more elaborate than the crown Iandros had worn during his time as Crown Prince.
After that, everything moved swiftly.
The Marriage Vow Certificate was read aloud, and the new High Priest presiding over the ceremony presented the Wedding Rings.
Iandros gazed at the Wedding Ring the High Priest offered, then extended his hand carefully toward Tiel.
Tiel placed her hand upon his large one.
Iandros slipped the ornate ring onto her slender finger without hesitation.
It was a different ring from the one he had given when he proposed—even more splendid than that one.
“Done.”
Iandros murmured so softly that only she could hear.
The Wedding Ring fit Tiel’s finger perfectly. Not loose, not too tight.
Then the High Priest extended a ring to Tiel.
Tiel accepted it and carefully slipped it onto Iandros’s finger.
All the Beast-kin who had come to bless the wedding held their breath, watching the exchange of rings.
Tiel pushed the ring all the way to the base of Iandros’s thick finger.
And just as Iandros had done,
“Done.”
she whispered, so softly only he could hear.
Iandros and Tiel’s eyes met. The corners of Iandros’s eyes crinkled softly.
Tiel met his gaze and broke into a radiant smile.
Only then did those who had witnessed the ring exchange burst into applause, blessing the union.
The countless Beast-kin who had received help from Tiel and Iandros rejoiced as though it were their own celebration.
Tiel and Iandros held a grand and beautiful wedding ceremony blessed by countless voices and cheers.
It was a moment when the Crasion Empire welcomed a mistress of the Imperial Palace after a long time.
***
The wedding concluded quickly.
They exchanged rings, kissed Iandros, and… by then most of the ceremony was complete.
By the time Tiel finished the reception and entered the Imperial Palace, it was already late night.
Her feet were swollen from wearing heels all day, and her waist ached from the constraining Wedding Dress.
As Tiel entered the Imperial Palace, the attendants waiting in the Empress Palace bowed and approached her.
“Allow us to help you undress.”
“I’d appreciate that very much.”
The attendants swiftly and expertly removed Tiel’s dress, then dressed her in a nightgown they had prepared—one styled like a gown.
The soft nightgown somehow reminded her of the Wedding Dress, and Tiel’s heart fluttered inexplicably.
The attendants brewed warm tea and guided Tiel to a place with warm bathwater prepared.
Since it was Tiel’s first time in the Empress Palace, she followed the attendants at their direction and slowly admired the palace as she walked.
This was where she would live from now on.
‘It’s so large and beautiful…’
She’d heard that the previous Emperor of Crasion had built this palace with a tremendous budget for his beloved wife.
The Empress Palace was indeed as magnificently beautiful as its reputation suggested. In sheer splendor, it seemed even more beautiful than the Emperor’s residence.
After seeing the vast bathtub in the Empress Palace, Tiel fully understood how deeply the late Emperor had cherished his wife.
Not a single aspect of the Empress Palace had been spared from meticulous care.
The bathtub was large enough to accommodate several people with room to spare, crafted entirely from marble and adorned with gold inlay.
‘Magnificent.’
Though the Empress Palace had been vacant for quite some time, the attendants had cleaned and maintained it so well that it showed no sign of disuse.
With the attendants’ help, Tiel dipped her toes into the steaming bathwater.
The temperature was perfectly warm, ideal for easing into immediately.
“It’s so warm…”
Her body felt drowsy. She could sense her fatigue melting away. Tiel submerged herself in the warm water, her eyes flickering drowsily.
Today, Tiel and Iandros had become husband and wife.
‘I still can’t believe it…’
She and Iandros had been engaged and Bonded Partners for quite some time, yet the fact that Iandros was now her husband felt impossibly unreal.
She couldn’t believe she had become Empress of Crasion, couldn’t believe Iandros was her husband. Nothing felt believable.
Tiel soaked for a long while in the fragrant bath, petals floating on the surface.
Later, the attendants approached and gently scrubbed her skin with meticulous care. Their touch was so delicate and careful it didn’t hurt at all.
They washed her thoroughly, dressed her again in the nightgown, and bowed.
“Shall we guide you back to your bedchamber?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Tiel nodded. Thanks to the attendants’ care, her dry hair swayed softly at her waist.
Her unbound hair needed no adornment to be beautiful in itself, and whenever Tiel smiled, small sparkles of light fell softly with each movement.
To the attendants, she was truly beautiful.
The sight befitted the mistress of the most beautiful Empress Palace in all Crasion.
The attendants gazed anew at the beauty of this Snow Leopard maiden and guided her back to the bedchamber.
Tiel dragged her tired body back and stepped into the bedchamber.
But then.
“Was the bathwater temperature all right?”
Iandros emerged from the darkness. Startled, Tiel’s eyes widened.
Reflexively, a small light flashed from Tiel’s hand. Iandros’s face was illuminated clearly.
“Iandros! How long have you been here?”
“Since right after you went to bathe.”
“You should have told me! I would have come out sooner! I wouldn’t have lingered!”
Tiel pouted, scrunching her eyes, guilty for having made Iandros wait. But Iandros simply laughed.
“I wanted you to bathe in peace for as long as you wished. That’s why I didn’t tell you. But about the bathwater temperature—”
“It was wonderful…”
“I’m glad. It was my first time adjusting bathwater for someone else.”
Iandros beamed and pulled Tiel close by the waist.
“I wanted to attend to you once we were married.”
Tiel then realized.
It was not the attendants but Iandros himself who had adjusted the water temperature and scattered the flower petals in the Empress Palace bath.
Iandros Crasion, the Emperor of the Crasion Empire, had personally drawn her bathwater. For her!
Tiel was bewildered by this revelation, her eyes widening.
“What! You’re the Emperor of Crasion now!”
“And you’re my Empress.”
Iandros replied with a pleased smirk. Unable to win against him, Tiel finally settled quietly into his embrace.
“I still can’t quite believe it… that we’re truly married, Tiel.”
Iandros’s voice was low and clear. But to Tiel, it sounded as sweet as honeyed bread.
Tiel nodded while held in Iandros’s arms. She was grateful the darkness hid her flushed face from view.
Had the room been bright, she would have had no choice but to expose her crimson cheeks to Iandros without reservation.
Iandros held Tiel’s waist and gently led her forward. Tiel followed slowly as he guided her.
Iandros led her to the window.
A place where moonlight poured down brightly, illuminating both their faces.
“Tiel.”
Iandros called her name softly. Tiel, her cheeks flushed, looked up at him and nodded.
“Close your eyes.”
In that moment, their lips met once more.
Tiel closed her eyes as he asked and wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist, drawing him closer.

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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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