The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Episode 64

The carriage quickly raced and arrived at the capital.

The horses harnessed to the Asterian family’s carriage were much faster than other carriages because they had received the Wind’s Gift from Wolfgang.

“We’ve arrived, Thiel.”

“Already…?”

Thiel muttered as she groggily got up. It didn’t seem like it had been long since they departed, yet they were already there!

‘Wolfgang’s ability is truly remarkable…’

Thiel blinked her sleepy eyes and stood up from her seat.

Seeing her like that, Lucian quickly lifted Thiel in his arms and got off the carriage.

“If you’re tired, go inside and rest more. You can sleep more inside.”

Thiel yawned while being held by Lucian. As her small mouth opened wide, her pointed fangs were revealed.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, the girl looked around.

The Asterian knights stood in formation on both sides, and the mansion’s servants lined up in front of the estate.

It was just like when they left the Asterian mansion… Thiel blinked in slight surprise.

A man who stood at the forefront stepped forward and bowed his head.

“Welcome, Master Cassius, Maste. Perdi, Master Lucian, and…”

He looked at Thiel.

“Miss Thiel.”

Thiel silently looked at the man. His attire resembled what Pardein wore.

“I am Rojeur, the butler in charge of the estate. Please, Miss, feel at home.”

Rojeur smiled gently as he looked at Thiel.

Everyone except Thiel knew about Rojeur.

It was natural. Whenever Cassius, Perdi, or Lucian had business in the capital, they always stayed at this estate.

Thiel was the only one meeting him for the first time. Thiel nodded while being held in Lucian’s arms.

“Thank you, Rojeur! Please take care of me!”

Rojeur smiled brightly. He bowed deeply and gestured towards the mansion with one hand.

“Please, come inside. Everything has been prepared as instructed.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Cassius nodded.

With a smile still on his lips, Rojeur bowed once more and politely asked, “When will the Grand Duke be arriving?”

“My father will only arrive tonight after he finishes his work.”

Rojeur nodded and stepped back. Cassius turned around.

“Thiel, go and explore your room. Rojeur has prepared it for you as instructed.”

“My room?”

“Yes, your room while you stay here. If there’s anything uncomfortable, let me know.”

“Okay.”

Thiel nodded.

Cassius seemed to have urgent matters to attend to and disappeared into the mansion.

Lucian and Perdi, who were familiar with the mansion’s layout, ascended the stairs with Thiel in their arms.

“Where’s Thiel’s room?”

“It’s right next to the young masters’ rooms.”

The twins’ faces lit up at the maid’s words. Lucian muttered, “I like the room arrangement,” under his breath.

Seemingly not interested in visiting their own rooms, Lucian and Perdi headed straight for Thiel’s room.

Leaving behind the maids who were supposed to guide them, they swung open their little sister’s door.

“Wow…!”

Thiel’s eyes widened at the sight before her.

Though slightly smaller and cozier than the rooms in the Asterian mansion, the room felt meticulously decorated by the estate’s servants.

The walls were painted in soft pastel tones to suit the children’s tastes, and sun catchers hung from the wide-open windows, reflecting light in all directions.

Additionally, there were quaint pieces of furniture scattered around, and even…

“The sofa is so small!”

A tiny sofa, perfectly sized for Thiel’s body, was positioned in the middle of the room.

Thiel bounced out of Lucian’s arms and explored every nook and cranny of the room.

There was another small room attached to the main one, and it was filled with stacks of new toys.

“This must be your playroom!”

“It’s quite nice, perfect for you to stay in, Thiel.”

The former statement was from Lucian, while the latter was from Perdi. Thiel blushed at the sight of the stack of toys.

“Look at this, brothers! There are even cute dolls here!”

“And here’s an ugly doll that looks just like Perdi?”

“This stupid-looking leopard doll looks just like Lucian.”

The twins each grabbed a toy they considered the ugliest and growled.

Now perfectly accustomed to her two older brothers, Thiel hugged the dolls tightly, regardless of what the twins were doing or saying.

But then it happened.

Pa-aat-!

Light suddenly began to sparkle from Thiel’s palm.

Forgetting their squabble, Perdi and Lucian looked at Thiel’s palm.

“Thiel, why did it suddenly light up?”

Perdi asked, raising his eyebrow. Thiel shook her head in confusion.

“I-I didn’t do it.”

Thiel hadn’t used her ability. It had activated on its own.

“Weird, isn’t it?”

Thiel shook her head, giggling, and clenched and unclenched her fist.

But instead of fading, the light from Thiel’s hand grew even brighter.

‘Weird.’

Thiel practiced controlling her ability with Perdi and Lucian.

While she wasn’t yet able to fully control her ability, she could still use or suppress it relatively easily.

‘But now, it’s like…’

Her ability seemed to be reacting independently of her will.

It felt as if Thiel’s ability resonated with the power of the Lusset God in the temple.

The sparkling light fragments clashed in her hand, transforming into a school of small fish that swirled around Thiel.

“Why is this happening…?”

Perplexed, Thiel looked at the school of fish. They swam around her in a coordinated manner.

“Could it be the pontiff underneath?”

Lucian muttered senselessly.

“Why would the pontiff come? That’s absurd.”

“Unless there’s a reason why Thiel’s ability is reacting like this.”

Frowning at Lucian’s words, Perdi looked at Thiel.

Thiel’s ability was swirling around her regardless of her will.

…As if trying to protect her from something.

‘Protect?’

At that moment, the school of fish that had illuminated the room swiftly swam into Thiel’s palm.

“Oh, it’s over!”

Thiel nodded as she watched the light fragments being absorbed into her palm.

The fish-shaped light particles quietly swam into Thiel’s body and were absorbed, as if they were just returning to where they belonged.

“It’s done now! But why did it happen suddenly…?”

Thiel’s ability differed from others’.

While others’ abilities were merely their “means,” Thiel’s ability, the “light,” allowed her to communicate with the fish she created.

A truly remarkable ability, but Perdi and Lucian were unaware of Thiel’s ability to communicate with her fish, thanks to her not mentioning it.

Thiel cautiously used her ability again.

A small fish suddenly popped out of her hand and swam around in front of her nose.

‘Why did it suddenly pop out?’

Thiel cautiously reached out with her index finger towards the fish. The fish brought its head to her finger as if greeting her.

[Power…]

A very faint voice could be heard. Thiel closed her eyes and focused on the voice.

But the voice did not continue. She opened her eyes again and sent the fish back into her embrace.

“Thiel, what did you just do?”

“I was trying to figure out why my ability suddenly activated…”

Thiel furrowed her brows. The voice she just heard was too faint and unclear to explain to Perdi and Lucian.

“But I failed. Is it because I still can’t control my ability perfectly?”

“From what I see, it doesn’t seem to be your fault. It’s probably your power resonating with something in the capital. Maybe the pontiff did come, as Lucian suggested…”

At that moment, someone lightly knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

With Lucian’s permission, the door swung open. The three children simultaneously looked at the maid who entered.

The maid bowed and clearly stated, “Prince Iandros is here. Shall I guide him to your room?”

“Iandros?”

Perdi questioned, and the maid nodded. Perdi sighed and shook his head with a wry smile.

“We’ll meet him tomorrow anyway. But I guess I should acknowledge his impatience.”

Perdi turned to Thiel.

Thiel, already reacting at the mention of Iandros, stood as if ready to rush out at any moment.

Though Perdi felt somewhat annoyed by her reaction…

“We’re going downstairs. He’ll be in the reception room, right? Let’s go, Thiel. Seems like Iandros wants to see you.”

Perdi smiled gently and reached out his hand to Thiel. Thiel giggled and nodded eagerly.

“Yes! Let’s go downstairs quickly!”

Thiel’s eyes sparkled as if they were adorned with jewels.