The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 39

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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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Episode 39
Not long after, Asterian announced Tiel’s existence to the world. Along with confirmation of paternity from the Temple.
The nobility gossiped eagerly about Asterian’s youngest daughter who had “returned alive,” and the “mysterious light” that had shimmered across Asterian Territory.
“Then that means… the Marchioness was alive too?”
“I heard the Marchioness really did die that day! But apparently the child survived.”
“Could it be that the light which shimmered across Asterian Territory was also from that youngest daughter…?”
“A Light Ability! I thought it was just a legend, but to think such a power actually exists.”
Asterian had chosen not to officially disclose information about his youngest daughter’s Ability.
But they had already become certain that the owner of the “light” that had poured forth across Asterian Territory was none other than that youngest daughter.
The timing of the announcement was suspiciously soon after the “light” had appeared in Asterian Territory.
Consequently, interest in “the youngest daughter of House Asterian” soared without limit.
Since she had never officially appeared in public before, it was only natural that curiosity about Tiel would skyrocket.
Moreover, rumor spread that the men of House Asterian—notorious for their coldness—were hovering around that “youngest daughter.”
The nobility rushed to compete with one another, desperate to forge some connection with Asterian’s youngest daughter.
Dozens of party invitations arrived at House Asterian. Every single one addressed to “Tiel Asterian, the youngest daughter of House Asterian.”
Tiel’s eyes grew wide as she stared at the mountain of invitations piled before her.
“All of these… are invitations addressed to me?”
“Yes.”
Carsus answered with clear indifference. He picked up the topmost invitation, opened it, and tossed it back down with a look of annoyance.
“Of course, you don’t have to attend if you don’t want to. But…”
“But?”
“It would be good to have some dresses prepared. There are no women in the household to have thought of it properly…”
Tiel tilted her head at Carsus’s words.
There were already so many dresses that her wardrobe was overflowing.
Some had been gifts from Iandros, and others had been specially made by Carsus.
But to have new dresses tailored? Tiel found this difficult to understand.
“From now on, you’ll need to make public appearances. It’s good to have dresses prepared for occasions like that.”
Ferdi, who had been casually flinging several of the invitations addressed to Tiel into the fireplace, spoke up.
Ludian, standing nearby and poking at the invitations with a poker to make them burn better, chimed in as well.
“That’s right, Tiel! Get the most expensive and elaborate dress in the entire empire tailored! The youngest of House Asterian can’t be seen in just anything—”
Tiel wanted to ask her brothers why they were burning the invitations, but she held her tongue. Instead, she asked something else.
“Wouldn’t the dresses I have now be sufficient? Iandros also gave me gifts…”
“Dresses should be tailored fresh for each season. Fashion designs change constantly.”
Of course, not every Young Lady of a noble house had new dresses made for every party.
A dress designed by a famous dressmaker could cost as much as the annual budget of a modest territory.
But this was House Asterian. A mere matter of dresses could be tailored by dozens of seamstresses in the span of a single day, if desired.
Ferdi remembered how Iandros had once given Tiel a dress as a gift.
He would have one made that suited her far better. So well that she’d never even think of taking out Iandros’s gift.
A pleased smile crossed Ferdi’s lips as he envisioned his clever plan.
“There are several renowned seamstresses in the Capital. I’ll compile a list and we can visit them together, or we could have them come to the mansion instead.”
Ferdi looked toward Carsus as if seeking approval. After a moment of thought, Carsus nodded his consent.
“Yes, that’s a good idea. And we should have Olivie summoned to the mansion. She’d probably know more about this sort of thing than we would—she’s a girl her own age.”
At the familiar name, Tiel lifted her head.
When she first arrived at Asterian Mansion, Lia had dressed her in a nightgown and offered her a room, mentioning it had belonged to “Miss Olivie.”
As she’d rolled up the sleeves of the nightgown—two spans longer than her actual size—she’d wondered who exactly Miss Olivie was.
Would she finally get to meet her?
Then Ludian’s expression twisted in what looked like disgust. Ferdi’s composed face also creased slightly.
“Olivie? Father, are you serious?”
“I can take her dress shopping myself without needing Olivie for that.”
The first objection came from Ludian, the second from Ferdi. But Carsus was resolute.
“Men have their limitations when it comes to judgment. Girls understand girls’ tastes best. Besides, I’ve just heard from Etienne, so it would be fine to introduce Tiel to Olivie at the same time.”
Once Carsus finished speaking, his gaze shifted to Tiel. Tiel nodded and opened her mouth.
“But who is Olivie?”
“Your cousin. Etienne is your aunt’s name.”
“…Cousin?”
Without thinking, Tiel found herself remembering Cornelia and Rowen, her expression tightening slightly.
Since they were from House Asterian, they would surely be different from Aunt Cornelia and Rowen…
Seven years of confinement in a cramped room and the abuse she’d suffered had prevented her mind from expanding beyond what little she’d known. Though things had improved since coming to Asterian Mansion, she still had a long way to go. Tiel swallowed hard.

“Tiel, if you don’t want to meet her, you don’t have to. Your aunt won’t force you either.”
And Ferdi didn’t miss that opening. The boy tickled Tiel’s small palm.
“Our Tiel is still shy around strangers… wouldn’t you rather go shopping for a dress with just me than with a cousin you’re meeting for the first time?”
“Why just two? Now I’m being completely left out.”
“Oh, here we go again…”
“What would you know about dresses? At best you know how to look at a sword blade. You’d just be dead weight if you came along.”
“Don’t fight!”
Tiel covered Ferdi’s mouth with her hand. Then, startled by her own action, she quickly pulled her hand away.
“Oh! I mean, that is… well…”
Why on earth had she done that? Tiel had never covered anyone’s mouth before in her life!
At Tiel’s sudden action, Ferdi, Ludian, and Carsus all looked taken aback. A brief silence fell.
Then Ferdi burst out laughing. Tiel’s face flushed a deep red in an instant.
“Haha, Tiel. You covered my mouth to get me to stop fighting? Okay, okay. I’ll stop.”
“Right! It’s because Ferdi kept trying to start something that Tiel had to cover your mouth.”
Ferdi, ignoring Ludian’s comment entirely, settled Tiel onto his lap. Etienne and Olivie had long since been forgotten from the minds of the three.
The invitations from “families of questionable standing,” carefully culled by Ferdi and Ludian, crackled and burned brightly in the fireplace.
***
The royal carriage came to a halt in front of Asterian Mansion. The household servants now guided Iandros to the reception room without so much as a flicker of surprise.
“Iandros!”
At the news of Iandros’s arrival, Tiel came bounding out with a bright smile, moving swiftly toward him.
Her hair was completely disheveled from rushing out in such a hurry.
Iandros raised an eyebrow and gently smoothed her bangs back into place.
Not long after, the girl’s personal maid appeared carrying a comb. Her expression showed contrition that the Crown Prince was doing work that should have been hers.
“My apologies, Your Highness. The young lady rushed out so quickly that…”
Iandros simply opened his palm to indicate it was fine, then turned his hand over, showing the back.
Lia quickly understood what he wanted and placed the comb in his open palm.
“Don’t come running like that next time. What if you hurt yourself?”
“Hehe, yes. I got excited knowing you were here…”
The girl’s pale cheeks flushed red as she clasped her hands together.
With an expression of resigned acceptance, Iandros began gently combing through the child’s hair with careful strokes.
“Still, no more running. Understand? If you get hurt, your brothers will cause a commotion.”
Iandros set the comb down in Lia’s palm with a soft tap, his tone gruff.
“Don’t worry. I won’t run anymore.”
Tiel had even learned to lead Iandros ahead. As he was guided toward the reception room by her small hand, Iandros caught sight of their reflection in a window pane and let out a quiet, rueful laugh.
In the beginning, he couldn’t even find his way into her room and trembled with uncertainty…
Feeling an odd sense of pride, he gently stroked her round head. The carefully combed hair became tousled again.
It was at that moment that Tiel, who had been walking ahead with spirited determination, suddenly spun around.
“…!”

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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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