The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 254

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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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Special Side Story 4
Tiel told Iandros the story of Runa’s visit.
“So Runa said those things.”
Iandros leaned his head gently against Tiel’s hand and asked.
“Did it upset you too?”
“A little.”
Tiel smiled.
“Once a child begins to realize she’s different from others, the first thing that arrives is self-reproach. And that self-reproach is nothing less than a worm gnawing at the heart.”
Tiel thought for a moment of her own childhood—that distant time she had now fully released from her heart.
“The best way to rid oneself of that guilt is to grow far more, to let one’s heart mature. But Runa is still young and hasn’t seen much of the world, so that will be difficult for her.”
“Still, she’s your daughter. She’ll manage well, Tiel.”
“Of course she will—I believe in Runa. But I worry her heart will be hurt and wounded in the process.”
Tiel recalled the moment she had first held Runa in her arms.
Whether Runa possessed an Ability or not, she had always been her treasure, her beloved daughter.
A child so precious it wouldn’t hurt even if she were lodged in her eye.
So dear, so infinitely beloved, that Tiel would gladly bear any burden in her stead.
“That’s why I’d rather blame myself. That way, perhaps Runa won’t blame herself.”
“Tiel.”
“I know it’s foolish thinking, Iandros. I’ll try not to do it.”
Tiel looked down and laughed—a sound like a soft sigh.
“But my heart won’t listen. The wind keeps stirring it up.”
“Then I’ll have to close the windows tightly so the wind can’t shake my wife’s heart.”
Iandros gently brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.
Where her warm skin met his freshly heated palm, a scorching heat passed between them, and both felt its intensity.
“I’ll make sure to seal them well, won’t I?”
“Yes, I think you must.”
“Don’t worry. Closing doors is my specialty.”
Iandros smiled and drew Tiel into his embrace.
“And comforting and soothing the sad—that too is my specialty. Of course, it’s also yours. So don’t worry about Runa, Tiel.”
Iandros continued.
“I have a good idea.”
“A good idea?”
“Yes. Among those I know, there are some who have raised children in similar circumstances with great care and compassion.”
“You mean…?”
“If our strength isn’t enough, let’s ask for their help. Since we’ve done it before, the second time should be a little easier.”
Tiel asked, taken aback.
“Are you talking about Asterian?”
A smile played at Iandros’s lips.
“Your grandfather seems to be making quite a fuss wanting to see Runa and Ain, so let’s have the children meet him and get his help too while we’re at it.”
“Iandros.”
“Tiel, Runa will overcome this bravely. Even if things don’t turn out as she hopes and she grows sad, she’ll be all right—she’ll have family beside her to comfort her.”
Iandros’s voice was tender and warm. Like the sunlight now pouring through the window beyond the glass—
“Do you remember when we taught Runa to take her first steps?”
“I do. She didn’t cry even when she fell, but got up bravely. I can still see it so clearly. I was so proud of her.”
“She pushed her hands against the ground and stood. And that memory will remain in Runa’s body far more vividly than it does in our minds.”
Iandros spoke in a voice both grave and dignified—the measured tone of a man worthy of being called a father.
“So don’t worry, Tiel. Worrying is Runa’s burden, and growing is hers too. You don’t need to shoulder more than your share.”
After Iandros finished speaking, a moment passed before Tiel carefully wrapped her arms around his neck.
Then, cautiously, she rested her face against his shoulder and spoke.
“I understand. Still, I’d like to worry a little. I’m Runa’s mother, after all.”
“Yes.”
“I want to worry, to think of ways not to hurt her heart. Runa is still just a small child.”
“If that’s what your heart wishes, then do as you see fit.”
As Tiel laughed within his arms, Iandros pressed a soft kiss to her white brow.
The wind that had been cold just moments before no longer felt cold at all.
There was no cold; only the scorching warmth of their bodies passed quietly between them in the stillness.
***
Hmph, my brother is stupid.
Runa, whose feelings had been hurt by what wasn’t quite a consolation from Ain, fidgeted with her fingers, her lip pouting slightly.
It was Ain’s fault. He was the one who spoke that way first.
But Runa wasn’t entirely blameless either. Even if she was upset, biting her brother’s tail was the wrong thing to do.
‘Sigh…’
Runa, lost in thought, hung her head low. She felt she should apologize to Ain.
But her lingering anger hadn’t faded, and though she knew in her mind that she ought to apologize, her heart simply refused to cooperate.
It was while Runa was wriggling about, fidgeting, that a long shadow fell across her head.
“Huh? Who’s there?”
Runa’s head snapped up, and when she saw the shadow’s owner, she broke into a brilliant smile.
“Father!”
“Runa, my daughter.”
Iandros scooped Runa up into his arms. She nestled into his embrace with a bright smile.
“Father, did you come to see Runa?”
“Of course, I came to see my daughter. Why were you looking so glum?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Runa hesitated.
Did Father know that she’d bitten Ain? Or didn’t he know yet?
If he knew, would he scold her? He probably would—biting her brother was bad behavior after all.
True, Ain had done something wrong too, but Runa didn’t have the confidence to explain that to Father.
Perhaps because she was still so young, it felt difficult to explain clearly what she’d experienced or suffered.
When she couldn’t answer and only hesitated, Iandros spoke first.
“Did you quarrel with your brother?”
“…Yes.”
“Why did you quarrel? Did your brother upset you?”
“Yes… but I think I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have bitten my brother…”
“You bit him?”
Oh no, he didn’t know about that.
For a moment Runa thought she’d made a mistake in mentioning it, but she quickly let that thought go.
After all, anything between Runa and Ain would inevitably become known to Iandros and Tiel.
So whether he learned of it now or later made no difference—he would find out eventually.
Runa watched Iandros’s expression carefully and nodded.
“Yes, I bit him… I think it was wrong.”
Iandros gently opened Runa’s mouth to examine her small fangs.
Runa’s fangs were still small, but even so, the blood of a beast was evident—they were sharp as pointed daggers.
Iandros made a mental note to check Ain’s wound later, then sat Runa before him and spoke.
“Runa, no matter how angry you are, you cannot bite your brother. You must go apologize to him at once.”
“Okay…”
“And after you apologize, Father will let you meet people you like.”
“People I like?”
Runa echoed his words, her ears perking up as she asked.
“Who are they?”
“Runa, don’t you want to see your grandfather?”
!
At the word “grandfather,” Runa’s ears and tail shot straight up, and her eyes sparkled.
Runa loved Asterian dearly and would sometimes cry to be taken there, so fond of the place was she.
How could she not react to the word “grandfather”?
“C-Cassius grandfather?”
“Yes, would you like to see him?”
“I want to see him, I want to see grandfather!”
Runa, who had been drooping and glum just moments before, clenched her fists and nodded vigorously.
If she had been standing, she surely would have bounced with excitement. Runa nodded as she spoke.
“I want to go meet grandfather!”
“Good. Then first you apologize to your brother.”
“…”
“Hmm?”
“I understand.”
“Good girl.”
Iandros patted Runa’s head. Watching how the child suddenly came alive at the news that she could play outside the Imperial Palace, Iandros smiled faintly.
If Runa stayed cooped up in the house, she would sink deeper into gloom, and if she kept comparing herself to Ain, her condition might well worsen.

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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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