The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 56

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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 56
That day, Estella visited the Asterian Mansion quietly.
Because of Estella’s request not to tell anyone and Ian’s warning, the Asterian Mansion kept silent about her visit.
Instead, more maids than usual lingered in the corridors, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her veiled figure.
“Why are you all hovering around here? Don’t you have work to do?”
Of course, they scattered at once under the reproving eye of Sophia, the head maid.
Estella had come to the Mansion alone.
It was unusual, considering that salon owners who typically visited to commission dresses always brought at least five attendants with them.
But Estella was already unusual enough on her own, so no one gave much thought to the fact that she had arrived unaccompanied.
“Good day, Miss. I am Estella, the one who will be crafting your dress.”
An elderly woman bowed respectfully in greeting. Tiel returned the courtesy without hesitation.
“Good day, Estella. I’m Tiel.”
Tiel smiled warmly as she introduced herself. Her unfailingly gentle and kind demeanor, combined with the fact that she was Ian’s guest, quickly dissolved Tiel’s guardedness.
The woman nodded.
“I’ve heard word, Miss. Do you have a particular dress in mind?”
Estella spoke clearly and without hesitation. Tiel fell silent for a moment, thinking.
‘A particular dress in mind?’
She didn’t really have one. To begin with, Tiel didn’t even know what made a dress beautiful.
There was hardly a young lady in society who didn’t know Estella’s name, regardless of age—save for Tiel.
Tiel had lived a life far removed from dresses until now.
So instead of answering right away, Tiel studied Estella’s expression carefully.
She worried that answering “I don’t have a preference” might seem rude to someone who had come so far at Ian’s behest.
That was when—
“My sister is still young and doesn’t know much about such things, so I’d appreciate it if you could decide for her.”
Ferdi stepped in. A familiar hand touched her tense shoulders gently. At that touch, Tiel’s stiff shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Tiel, don’t be afraid. She’s here for you.”
Ferdi, lowering his voice, spoke kindly. Tiel finally nodded.
“Well, I don’t have a particular design in mind, but I do have a favorite color. Would it be all right if I mentioned it?”
“Of course, Miss. Please, speak freely.”
Estella said warmly.
Tiel hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth. Her voice emerged so softly it was barely audible.
“I like yellow.”
But it was clear and distinct.
When Tiel first came to the Asterian Mansion, the maids had asked her about her favorite color.
But Tiel couldn’t answer. She had never once thought about what color she preferred.
Lia had comforted her, saying such things could be considered slowly.
‘But now I can think about it.’
She had the leisure to consider her favorite foods, her favorite colors. All of it was something the Asterian Family had given her.
“Yellow?”
Ludian and Olivie, who had been lounging on the sofa, suddenly bolted upright and stared at Tiel. They looked as though something had suddenly piqued their interest.
“Why do you like yellow?”
“Yellow is the color of gold! Tiel, you’ll never want for money.”
Ludian and Olivie’s eyes sparkled. Tiel laughed awkwardly at their enthusiasm.
What did the color of gold have to do with not lacking for money…?
Fortunately, the awkwardness didn’t last long. The eldest son, Ferdi, sternly cut them off.
“What are you saying to her, Olivie? If you don’t shut up, I’m throwing you out.”
It was a bit harsh, admittedly.
Tiel opened her eyes slightly and looked at Ferdi. For some reason, her eldest brother’s tone seemed different than before.
It hadn’t been this sharp before Olivie came…what could have changed him like this?
It was the innocent curiosity of a child, but if she’d said it aloud, Ferdi would have been deeply hurt. Fortunately, Tiel kept the thought to herself.
“So, Tiel, why do you like yellow?”
Ferdi asked gently, brushing aside the other(?) matters. Tiel looked bewildered, peering past Ferdi’s shoulder.
Estella had stepped back slightly, watching them as though to say the conversation could continue.
With that silent permission, Tiel carefully opened her mouth.
“Yellow is…”
“Yellow is?”
“Because it’s the color of Asterian…”
“But Asterian’s color is gold?”
Ludian interjected obliviously. Olivie kicked him in the backside and shoved him off the sofa.
“From today on, it’s yellow.”
And she declared it proudly.
“Hey! You’re not even Asterian!”
“So what? Asterian blood flows through my veins too, doesn’t it?”
Ludian and Olivie bickered. As Tiel listened to the two, she fell into thought.
‘Oh, is that so?’
Now that she thought about it, Asterian’s color did seem to be gold.
But the symbolic color of the Asterian Family shone in a soft, pale yellow that gleamed when caught by the light.
So Tiel loved yellow. And…
‘Yellow is the color of warm light.’
The first color I ever shone with.
That’s why Tiel loved yellow. Because yellow is a warm and gentle color that embraces everyone equally.
Estella, who had been quietly observing from behind, stepped forward.
“Yellow, then. Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll remember it clearly.”
She spoke kindly. Then she carefully opened her mouth again.
“Would it be all right if I took your measurements again? I did receive your measurements beforehand, but it would be more accurate to measure again.”
“Oh, of course!”
Tiel jumped up.
That was when Estella’s gaze fixed on the Brooch at Tiel’s chest.
“This…this is…”
She murmured.
Ferdi, Ludian, and Olivie all turned their heads sharply. Tiel pointed calmly at her chest.
“This one?”
“What a truly, truly beautiful Brooch…”
Estella’s face drew closer. Tiel wasn’t frightened of her, but she did think her face was getting a bit too close.
“Well, um…”
That was when—
“I just remembered! There’s a dress I think would suit you perfectly! I need to take your measurements right away and get back! I’ll have the dress finished and sent to the Mansion!”
Estella’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. Right now, she looked far more animated than any of the teenagers here.
“No, wait… do you really not need anything else? An artisan, or assistants…?”
Ferdi asked carefully, already planning to assign people from the Asterian Family if she said she needed them.
“The Crown Prince has already provided an artisan for me. He also gave me other things I need.”
But Estella was firm.
“Come along, Miss!”
The elderly woman meticulously took Tiel’s measurements at remarkable speed, then slipped out of the Mansion before anyone could say another word.
She had to hurry back before she forgot what she’d just thought of, she insisted.
‘Why not just write it down?’ The words rose to someone’s throat, but Estella was already beyond the reach of reason.
“Two dresses for the festival, three for wearing indoors, and three for spring outings—is that correct?”
Of course, she didn’t forget to confirm the order carefully.
Ludian, observing quietly, murmured softly.
“They say genius and madness are only a sheet of paper apart…”
Everyone quietly agreed with that sentiment.
***
Asterian Training Grounds.
“Tiel! Want to see something fun?”
Ludian, grinning wickedly, crept closer to Tiel.
Olivie and Ferdi, seeing this, firmly blocked his path. They looked like they were protecting their younger sister from a villain.
“Aw, come on! I really was just going to show her something fun!”
“You always cause trouble after saying that. Stupid Ludian. I wish you’d go play by yourself somewhere and not hurt Tiel.”
Ferdi spoke in a matter-of-fact tone that was somehow menacing. Olivie nodded in agreement, at least for today.
“No, really!”
At Ludian’s aggrieved voice, Tiel peeked her head out from between Olivie’s side.
“What is it, brother?”
“Look, Tiel. I worked really hard to show you this…”
Ludian chuckled. Ferdi and Olivie still regarded him with deep suspicion.
Then, in Ludian’s hand, flames emerged—but different from usual.
“…!!”
Tiel’s eyes widened in surprise.
The flames blooming in Ludian’s hand were taking on a shape just like Tiel’s fish.
Apart from the fact that it was burning brightly, it looked identical to Tiel’s.
“How’s that? Pretty amazing, right?”
Ludian said proudly.

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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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