The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 63

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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 63
***
Time flowed past as swift as a stream.
Alpheus and Cassius remained occupied with festival preparations, while Tiel studied further with Ferdi and Ludian on controlling her Ability before the Luminarie began.
She still couldn’t master it completely, but thanks to countless hours of practice, she’d at least stopped the mishap of tiny shards of light bursting forth at random moments.
‘Thank goodness.’
She’d worried so much about looking foolish if she couldn’t control her Ability, but that concern seemed to have eased.
Tiel tested her Ability one last time. Tiny glimmers of light sparkled like starlight in her cupped palms.
“Miss, you really must sleep now.”
Lia, who had been watching her quietly, approached and gently stroked her back.
“Tomorrow is already the Eve Ceremony for the Luminarie, after all. You’ll need proper rest so you won’t be tired during the journey tomorrow.”
“Yes, I will! I’ll go to sleep right away!”
Tiel nodded brightly, smiling wide. The shards of light melted into her palms and vanished.
‘The Eve Ceremony is tomorrow already.’
She felt her small heart racing, thump-thump. The girl placed a hand over her chest.
‘Finally, tomorrow…….’
Tomorrow, the Asterian Family would present to the world their youngest daughter, whom they had reclaimed—Tiel Asterian.
Grandfather and Father, Ferdi and Ludian had all told her there was nothing to worry about.
‘But I’m so nervous…….’
In the span of two lifetimes, this would be her first time standing before such a great gathering of people.
‘I mustn’t make any mistakes.’
Tiel pressed her lips together firmly and nodded to herself.
No matter what happened, she wouldn’t bring shame to the Asterian Family name. Having resolved this, Tiel lifted her eyes toward the wall where the Asterian Family Crest was drawn.
A magnificent crest—golden laurel branches interwoven with the sharp fangs of a wild beast.
Gazing upon it, her chest swelled with emotion once more, and Tiel chose not to think further, slipping instead into bed.
“Sleep well, dear little miss.”
Lia extinguished all the lights in the room and, murmuring softly, drew the blanket up to Tiel’s shoulders.
“You have a good night too, Lia!”
Tiel blinked her eyes and returned the farewell to Lia.
Lia chuckled softly and soon slipped out of the room.
Tiel stared at the ceiling with wide eyes for a moment, then gently closed them shut.
‘I’ll be able to see Ian soon.’
Thinking of the gentle Ian, her heart began to flutter and swell with warmth.
The girl fell asleep not long after.
***
“Miss, are you very sleepy?”
“Mmm…….”
Tiel’s head bobbed drowsily as she nestled in Lia’s arms. Lia smiled gently and stroked the child’s back.
The servants had been bustling about since morning, helping Tiel prepare for her outing.
Though the festival wouldn’t truly begin until tomorrow, so today’s preparations could be simpler, the Asterian servants never did anything halfheartedly.
From dawn, they’d soaked the drowsy young miss in pleasantly scented tepid water, scrubbing her carefully, then lovingly applied oils to keep her skin soft and supple.
Then they dressed her in a soft slip, followed by an outing dress.
This dress was one of six that Estella had made and sent—a charming pale yellow ribbon and white ruffles that beautifully emphasized the girl’s loveliness.
And it came with a matching bonnet that was absolutely adorable!
The servants had combed her hair carefully, twisting it into twin braids, then rolling those into loops.
Her hair coiled into round, donut-like rings. The servants clearly delighted in styling her hair this way.
The reason being that when her hair was arranged in these round loops, the already-round little miss looked even more round and endearing.
“She’s too cute…….”
They didn’t forget to shower praise upon their perfect handiwork throughout the process.
Once her hair was finished, when they placed the cute lace-trimmed bonnet on top, one would have believed she’d stepped straight out of a storybook.
Lia, observing Tiel after the preparations were complete, ventured to ask carefully.
“Miss, are you still very sleepy?”
“No, I’m fine now.”
Tiel shook her head. Though her eyes were still heavy with drowsiness, she’d woken up somewhat during the servants’ washing and preparations.
‘I should have gone to bed earlier…….’
Tiel rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. She’d slept late the night before from practicing her Ability usage further, and now her whole body felt exhausted.
Sensing Tiel’s state, Lia spoke in a gentle, soothing tone.
“Sleep a little during the carriage ride. The carriage has lovely soft cushions.”
Lia spoke in hushed tones and took Tiel’s hand. Tiel nodded and grasped Lia’s hand tightly.
Before leaving, she glanced once more at herself in the mirror.
The mirror reflected a lovely girl who looked as though she’d stepped straight out of a storybook.
‘I’m nervous…….’
Though it was only a journey to the Villa, for some reason she felt anxious. Tiel exhaled carefully. That seemed to help calm her somewhat.
‘All right, let’s go.’
The girl left the room with determination, hand clasped in Lia’s. Faint traces of light followed behind her, but fortunately it was daytime, so they weren’t very noticeable.
“Father!”
Tiel’s eyes brightened the moment she spotted Cassius standing in the distance.
The instant Cassius saw Tiel, he lowered himself so she could rush into his arms. Lia released Tiel’s hand at the perfect moment.
The child hurried forward and nestled into her father’s embrace. A pleasant fragrance emanated from Cassius. Tiel wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“Tiel, your eyes are full of sleep.”
Cassius brushed back her bangs with his thick, broad fingers as he spoke.
Tiel quickly glanced around. Only after confirming that no one else could hear her words did she lean carefully toward Cassius’s ear and whisper.
“Actually, I was too nervous to sleep well last night…….”
“Don’t worry. I’m here.”
Cassius’s voice was low and firm, carrying the power to calm a child. Her shoulders, stiff with anxiety, gradually relaxed.
“Yes! I’ll stay right close to you!”
At Tiel’s words, Cassius let out a light laugh and pressed a kiss to her soft cheek.
Cassius carried Tiel over the red velvet carpet that had been laid out beforehand, making his way toward the carriage.
All the household staff stood in neat rows before the front entrance. With so many people lined up before the grand mansion, their numbers made quite an impressive sight.
“Have a pleasant outing, Cassius, and miss.”
Parden, the elderly butler who oversaw all affairs of the mansion, bowed respectfully as he saw them off.
Parden had to remain behind to manage the household, unable to leave the Asterian Mansion.
Cassius gave a light nod, then boarded the carriage with Tiel in his arms.
Ferdi and Ludian were already inside the carriage.
“Tiel!”
Ludian jumped to his feet. The boy immediately tried to scoop his little sister into his arms, but was blocked by both Ferdi and Cassius, and reluctantly settled back down.
“Ah, why!”
“Her dress will wrinkle, you idiot. Look with your eyes only.”
Ferdi shook his head with mild reproval. Ludian made a disgruntled noise, but since Ferdi’s words weren’t entirely wrong, he didn’t press further.
“Ferdi, Ludian!”
Tiel had never met other boys, but she was certain her brothers were the handsomest of them all.
Ludian and Ferdi were the sort of beautiful young men for whom “pretty” suited them better than “handsome.”
The twins, dressed formally, were so cleanly featured and beautiful that they looked striking even with their shirt buttons undone or jackets carelessly removed.
Tiel was sure that even dressed in plain nightclothes, the two of them would somehow appear extraordinary.
Moreover, Ludian had his hair combed back and styled differently than usual, while Ferdi had combed his down and tied half of it back.
Arranged this way, the twins looked truly like a painting—absolutely perfect.
Now she understood why Olivier had said, ‘Imperial princesses would be smitten with these faces!’
“Tiel, you look incredibly cute today, little sister.”
Ferdi, her strikingly beautiful brother, smiled warmly and extended his hand to Tiel. She reflexively grasped his hand tightly.
“Of course! You’re truly adorable. I’d stake my life on it—there’s no girl in this entire empire cuter than you!”
Ludian chimed in enthusiastically. When he jumped up excitedly, Cassius made a slow, calm gesture like soothing a colt.
“Sit, Ludian. You’ll fall over.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ludian sat down without complaint.
In the meantime, the carriage began to move.
Tiel peeked out through the slightly open window, watching the landscape slip swiftly past.
‘Finally.’
She murmured softly to herself.
……Her heart was pounding furiously.

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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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