The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 61

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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 61
Etienne and Stefano did not stay much longer before preparing to depart.
Wolfgang, as the head of the Wolf Clan, also had no shortage of preparations to make for the Festival.
“See you at Luminarie, darling.”
Etienne smiled brightly and stroked Tiel’s hair. Tiel nodded and looked up at her.
In such a short time, Tiel had grown so attached to Etienne and Stefano that parting felt unbearable.
And if Tiel found the parting difficult, Etienne seemed to feel the same—her lovely niece’s face filled with reluctance at the thought of leaving the dear girl behind.
“Yes, Aunt. We’ll see each other again soon!”
“Ah, you precious thing. Yes, let’s see each other again soon, Tiel.”
Etienne grasped Tiel’s soft cheeks and stretched them playfully. Tiel, her cheeks still in her aunt’s hands, looked up and asked clearly.
“You’ll come again next time, won’t you?”
“Of course, whenever you wish. Or you could come to Wolfgang instead if you like. We’re always happy to see you.”
Olivie suddenly interjected.
“That’s right! I’ll give up the nicest bedroom in the Wolfgang Mansion just for you!”
“……My room?”
Stefano asked back with an uncharacteristically blank expression. Olivie paid him no mind whatsoever and continued.
“I’ll come pick you up whenever you want!”
Stefano looked between his spirited daughter and the quietly standing Tiel, then stepped forward.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Tiel.”
He extended a large, warm hand. Tiel looked up at Stefano and slowly took his hand.
A gentle, comforting warmth brushed across Tiel’s cheek.
The girl met his soft pink eyes directly and smiled brightly.
“I was happy to meet you too, Stefano.”
“Do come visit whenever you wish. As Olivie said, Wolfgang is always open to you.”
Stefano, mindful that the small child might be frightened, did not reach out to her. Instead, he nodded in greeting and withdrew.
“Well then, let’s go.”
And with that, he seized Olivie by the scruff of her neck. Olivie, caught in Stefano’s grip, squirmed and said.
“Tiel, don’t forget about your sister!”
“Don’t worry, I won’t!”
“You don’t need to answer every little thing like that, Tiel.”
Ferdi murmured kindly.
“Well then, I really must go now, Tiel. Until we meet again.”
Etienne grinned, looking between Olivie and Ferdi in turn. Tiel nodded, still holding Cassius’s hand.
“We’ll be going now, Father.”
“Quick with your farewells, I see. Safe travels, Etienne.”
Alpheus let out a small cough. Etienne paid it no mind and shrugged her shoulders.
“Goodbye.”
“See you again.”
The farewell between the siblings was even briefer than that. Cassius and Etienne turned their backs on each other without hesitation, as though there was nothing more to say.
Not long after, the carriage from Wolfgang departed through the gates of the Asterian Mansion. Tiel watched it go, holding Ferdi and Cassius’s hands tightly.
‘The mansion feels so quiet all of a sudden.’
Though Etienne and Stefano had not stayed long, and only Olivie had truly left, the emptiness was palpable.
‘Is it because I’m not used to saying goodbye?’
To Tiel, Olivie was far more than just a cousin—she was her first friend.
To be parted from someone she’d spent all her time with was bound to leave a hollow ache in her heart.
Would her brothers feel the same? Tiel was about to turn to look at Ferdi and Ludian when—
“Well, they’re finally gone.”
“About time. Lock the gate.”
Ludian and Ferdi each tossed out a curt remark.
Tiel swallowed what she’d meant to ask and smiled gently.
‘They don’t seem sad about it at all.’
“Let’s go inside, Tiel. The wind is getting cold.”
Ferdi scooped Tiel up into his arms. Cradled against his chest, Tiel gazed quietly at the slowly closing gates of the Asterian Mansion.
Goodbye, Olivie.
See you next time.
***
The Asterian Mansion fell into a flurry of activity preparing for the Festival. As the youngest daughter of the Asterian family would be making her public debut for the first time, unveiled from behind the veil of secrecy, there was far more to arrange than usual.
“Tiel, you absolutely must not let go of your brother’s hand at the Festival. Do you understand?”
“That’s the thirtieth time today you’ve said that, brother……”
Tiel muttered in a slightly exhausted tone.
Though the Festival was still some time away, Ferdi was visibly anxious about the possibility of losing Tiel.
Ludian, watching this with disdain, gave Ferdi’s shoulder a sharp nudge.
“Hey, who’s going to take her, huh? You and I are here, and Grandfather and Father too! The Asterian knights are present as well. So stop your needless worrying and——”
“Then keep your knees from bouncing while you talk. You’re driving me crazy.”
Ferdi shot back. Ludian flinched at the retort.
“That’s not—”
“You’re the one who’s anxious, and you’re bouncing your leg about it.”
Tiel looked down at Ferdi’s hand, which was gripping her own tightly.
Then she lifted her gaze to meet Ferdi’s worry-filled face.
“Brother, please don’t worry. I won’t get lost, I promise!”
The moment Tiel finished speaking, a small light flickered in her tiny hands. Ludian and Ferdi’s eyes snapped to their sister’s hands.
The small light that emerged from Tiel’s hands hovered for a moment in the air, then vanished into Ferdi’s chest with a soft pop.
“Did you see? I can find you wherever you are. So really, truly, don’t worry!”
Tiel spoke with confidence and composure.
Tiel had now developed her Ability to such a degree that she could locate Ferdi and Ludian from anywhere, or alert them to her own whereabouts.
Of course, it was far weaker than the Abilities of others, but compared to when she’d first awakened her power, it had developed tremendously.
Ferdi and Ludian felt a catch in their throats at the sight of their youngest sister grown so capable.
“Tiel, when did you……”
Just then,
Knock, knock.
There came a knock at the door. Tiel, Ferdi, and Ludian all turned toward it at once.
“Come in.”
At Ferdi’s permission, Lia entered with a slightly flushed face and bowed her head.
“Miss, young masters. Madam Estella has sent the dress for you, Miss. Would you like to come down and see it?”
“Tiel’s dress?”
Ferdi was the first to react. Ludian too sprang up from his seat at once.
“It’s already here?”
“It’s not ‘already’—she left quite some time ago.”
“Um, I’d love to see it!”
Tiel’s eyes sparkled.
The dress that had just arrived was the gift Ian had sent. So surely it had to be something truly special. Tiel felt an eager desire to see Ian’s gift right away.
‘It’s going to be beautiful.’
It has to be—because it’s a gift from Ian……
Tiel’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
“Of course we’ll go try it on.”
Ferdi nodded as though it were obvious and scooped his sister up into his arms. Tiel’s feet left the ground.
He slowly turned his head and asked Lia.
“But Estella didn’t come with the dress herself?”
“No, young master. Only the dress arrived.”
“That’s rather unusual of her……”
Normally, a completed dress would be delivered by the maker themselves. If something didn’t fit or the client wasn’t satisfied, it would need further alterations.
But to send only the dress spoke to her confidence—that it would be perfect as is.
Ludian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Ferdi, unconcerned, simply continued on his way, still carrying Tiel.
“Where is the dress?”
“We’ve placed it in the dressing room for now.”
“Good work.”
Ferdi made his way toward Tiel’s dressing room with an ease that spoke of familiarity. Ludian quickly followed. The three of them arrived at the dressing room not long after Lia had brought the news.

“Miss!”
The maids tending to the dress looked up and their eyes gleamed.
That gleam was much like the eyes of predators who had spotted their prey.
Startled by the maids’ fervent calls, Tiel descended from Ferdi’s arms and tilted her head in confusion.
“Huh……?”
“Come, come and try on the dress! You’re certain to look absolutely adorable!”
“That’s right! Every beastkin at the Festival will be mesmerized by our Miss!”
“Miss, Miss!”
The maids came running with the dress, moving with such fervid energy it was as if their very skirts were on fire.
Ferdi and Ludian stepped back, watching as the maids spirited Tiel away into the inner reaches of the dressing room.
Tiel glanced back questioningly before asking carefully.
“Is it alright to try it on now?”
“Of course! Naturally! It’s your dress, Miss!”
A maid with flushed cheeks nodded emphatically. Tiel gave a slow nod in return and allowed herself to be guided by their hands.

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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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