The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 53

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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 53
The children shared the Birthday Cake—a special creation prepared by the Asterian Family’s pastry chef.
For a Crown Prince’s birthday, it was modest, yet no one complained.
Well, there was one person who did take issue.
“Keep your promise, Your Highness.”
But it wasn’t about the cake itself. To be precise, the discontent ran closer to the birthday celebration as a whole.
“If someone sees this, they’ll think I’ve gone back on my word, Ferdi.”
Iaan fielded the remark coolly.
“Well, it’s only natural to worry when the dress hasn’t arrived yet. But surely you don’t mean to pretend ignorance after throwing such a grand birthday party here at our mansion……?”
“At this point, I’m curious what you think of me, really.”
Estella was not the sort to come running just because someone called her—not even if that someone was the Empire’s Crown Prince.
Iaan had left her a letter; by now, Estella should have received word and be on her way to the Asterian Mansion.
Yet here was Ferdi, looking at the Crown Prince with such disrespectful skepticism before that moment arrived. Iaan clicked his tongue.
That was when Tiel came rushing over—pitter-patter—having taken a large Gift Box from Lia, and she stopped short before Iaan.
“Iaan!”
It was the first time anyone had seen Iaan’s expression brighten so swiftly.
He smiled gently, as though his face had never been tense at all, and extended his hand to Tiel.
“My present?”
“Yes, though it might be a bit inadequate for the Crown Prince…….”
Tiel rolled her eyes.
She had never given a gift to anyone before—not once.
How could she? Back in Nestian, there hadn’t even been breadcrumbs for her own mouth, let alone presents to spare.
Which meant that the act of giving a gift held considerable significance for Tiel.
Tiel carefully extended the Gift Box to Iaan.
The box was so large that it was more accurate to say Tiel had moved rather than simply handed it over.
“May I open it now?”
“Um, no! I’d prefer if you opened it after returning to the Imperial Palace.”
Tiel shook her head firmly back and forth.
“After returning to the Palace?”
“Yes, because opening it now would be, well… a bit embarrassing.”
Iaan nodded obediently.
Ferdi, watching this quietly, raised his eyebrows.
Iaan wasn’t usually one to listen so readily to others—yet before Tiel, he was as docile as a lamb.
He’d considered calling him out on it but let it pass. There was nothing wrong with his beloved younger sister domesticating the Empire’s Crown Prince like this.
Iaan’s very presence gave Tiel strength. The boy decided to drop the matter entirely.
Ferdi had already begun treating Iaan as a tool to smooth Tiel’s path forward.
The problem was that even after the Gift Box passed into Iaan’s hands, Tiel remained anxious and restless for some time.
“……Should I take it back?”
Even the recipient felt compelled to ask.
Tiel hurriedly shook her head. Return the gift? Absolutely not.
This was a present she’d prepared over four straight days of careful planning with Lia.
The money for the purchase had come from Cassius, of course……but still!
“Take it back? This is a gift I’m giving to Iaan!”
“Then why are you so nervous?”
“Well, that’s…….”
Tiel’s cheeks flushed.
‘How can I say I’m worried he won’t like it…….’
Was giving a gift always this overwhelming and anxious?
The thought of Iaan opening it and being pleased made her feel as though she might soar, yet imagining even a hint of disappointment on his face made her fingertips go limp.
‘Giving a gift is both joyful and difficult…….’
So in the end, Tiel couldn’t quite bring herself to voice that thought, and instead stammered.
“Next time, next time……I’ll explain. But you absolutely cannot return it! This is a gift from me to Iaan!”
Tiel spoke firmly, each word distinct.
Compared to when she’d first met him—unable even to meet his eyes, let alone speak to him—this was a dazzling transformation.
So Iaan said nothing more and simply smiled.
“Understood. I’ll open it alone.”
“Yes! And please tell me next time we meet whether you liked the gift!”
“I can tell you now. I like it, Tiel.”
“Oh, come on. You haven’t even checked what’s inside.”
“I haven’t checked, but I can tell you. I like it.”
Iaan replied with absolute certainty in his voice and turned with a triumphant expression to glance at the other children.
The faces of Ferdi, Ludian, and Olivier were subtly strained.
Tiel, with a peculiar expression, looked back and forth between her older siblings and Iaan, then abruptly turned her attention to him.
“Happy birthday!”
“You already said that earlier.”
“But saying it more never hurts, does it?”
Iaan reached out and gently stroked Tiel’s hair. Her noticeably softer locks rustled beneath his palm.
Then, shortly after, he turned his head.
“Why is everyone else silent?”
“…….”
“I mean, I’m the Empire’s Crown Prince, after all…….”
Well, quite.
Had he celebrated his birthday at the Imperial Palace, he could have heard birthday wishes until his ears wore thin, and still had more to spare for tomorrow.
The words ‘why did you insist on spending it here instead?’ rose to their throats, but the children all swallowed them.
Because they recalled the price(?) they’d exacted from Iandros.
“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”
Ferdi offered a bright smile.
“Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday. I’m sure Father will send a gift.”
Then came Ludian and Olivier.
Tiel watched all of this quietly, then tilted her head slightly.
‘Why do my brothers’ mouths look so stiff?’
***
“I’m glad you had an enjoyable time.”
Alpheus bowed lightly. Cassius did the same.
“I hope nothing was lacking.”
Cassius spoke as he gently stroked Tiel’s cheek, continuing his words.
His youngest daughter had been bursting with anticipation since three days ago about giving Iaan a gift, and even now she seemed positively effervescent.
Iaan glanced at the affectionate pair before answering.
“It was an enjoyable time. Better than I could have asked for.”
The party the Asterian family had arranged clearly fell far short of what Iaan was accustomed to.
However carefully the servants prepared it, it was hardly a proper celebration—more like a simple dinner among children.
Of course, Alpheus and Cassius had never intended to treat Iandros’s birthday lightly.
He was the Empire’s Crown Prince, and he deserved treatment befitting his rank.
Yet they could not ignore the Crown Prince’s own wish: “I want a quiet meal.”
So rather than plan something grand, they let the children simply enjoy themselves together.
That was Alpheus and Cassius’s consideration.
And Iandros found that consideration very much to his liking.
“……I want to speak sincerely.”
Iaan’s voice emerged quietly.
“I want to offer my sincere thanks. To the Asterian Family and to Wolfgang.”
Iandros was discovering for the first time that a birthday could be such a joyful day.
Until now, it had been nothing more than a tedious occasion when he had to endure loud-mouthed people.
But then.
Iaan’s gaze moved toward Cassius, then settled slightly lower.
There stood the familiar girl.
The youngest daughter of the Asterian Family, a bit fuller in the face now, and smiling more readily than when they first met.
Tiel had given Iaan something invaluable—beyond all price.
Which meant Iandros, too, had to give something of equal measure.
Looking at the girl’s pale, beautiful face, Iandros made his vow.
Whether it be the Emperor, the Temple, other houses, or anyone else—he would not let anyone who set their sights on Tiel go unpunished.
“I should take my leave now.”
Having settled his resolve, Iandros spoke clearly. Alpheus, Cassius, and the other children nodded gently in response.
“Safe travels, Your Highness.”
With Cassius’s words, Iandros boarded his carriage and departed the Asterian Mansion.
Cedric, who followed Iandros, wore a soft expression on his face, though no one noticed this fact.
Alpheus gazed at the receding carriage with quiet satisfaction.
Alpheus was one who knew how lonely Iandros lived in the Imperial Palace.
But lately, the boy no longer seemed lonely.
That was probably because of these children…….
Alpheus turned around and stiffened.
The children were slumped without dignity or composure, leaning on one leg, brushing back their hair with their fingers.
“…….”
“……Ah, did someone call?”
“Hey, don’t call each other like that when the Crown Prince is around—it’s tiring.”
What had gotten into these children?
Alpheus regarded Tiel with a bewildered gaze.
But Tiel had nothing much to offer in explanation either.
“…….”
She could only shake her head quietly.

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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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