The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"Disposal, you say?"

At the same time, Karsus spoke. All eyes turned to him. Karsus continued calmly.

"Tiel has done nothing wrong. How can you use the word 'disposal'? Let me make this clear. My daughter did not leave because of any wrongdoing. She went because the people here could not even accept a reasonable request. It was your unreasonable insistence that forced her to leave."

"Karsus,"

Alpheus, noticing that Karsus was getting worked up, gently intervened. Karsus nodded, calming down.

The Emperor waited until Karsus finished speaking before turning to Chender Nestian and saying.

"Karsus is right. The child has done nothing wrong. Why then, is the word 'disposal' even being used? It's inappropriate."

"…I will be more careful."

Chender bowed his head. Alpheus and Karsus did not press the matter any further.

The Emperor sat back down and looked down at them.

"The legend of light has arrived in this land. The Empire will flourish more than ever because of the child with the light ability."

The Emperor continued.

"Therefore, the child is more than worthy to be the Crown Prince’s consort, and the bond has already been sealed, so naturally, she should be brought to the palace...”

The Emperor's gaze shifted to Alpheus. Alpheus tightened his lips, staring back at him.

"It is not appropriate to bring someone who will soon be entrusted with the leadership of Asterian into the Imperial Palace immediately."

The Emperor expressed his support for Tiel Asterian assuming the role of Asterian’s head.

This meant that no other family would be allowed to interfere with Asterian affairs.

It had always been the right thing. Each family handled its own matters. However, this situation was so exceptional that other families had intervened.

Chender, who had been grinding his teeth, felt the taste of blood in his mouth. Everyone around him sensed his discomfort and cautiously looked to him for reactions.

Only Asterian and the families supporting them remained unaffected by Chender's silent rage.

"Tiel Asterian will not be brought into the Imperial Palace until she has fully assumed the role of Asterian’s head and the territory is stabilized."

Now, no one would stand in the way of placing Tiel in the role of Asterian’s head.

Under the protection of the Asterian name and family, Tiel would be safe.

“Thank you for your wise decision.”

Alpheus lightly bowed. The Emperor raised his hand. Alpheus raised his head again.

"Now, let's set this matter aside and discuss the fate of the 'Land Without Morning.'"

The Emperor seemed to hesitate for a moment before he stroked his chin and spoke again.

"We should not call it that anymore. As the legend of light foretold... the morning has come for that place."

***

"So, what happened?"

Ludian held Tiel close and looked at Alpheus and Karsus.

Alpheus elegantly sipped his tea before speaking…

"What happened, Grandpa?"

"Ah, boy! Can't you wait a moment? Why are you always in such a rush?"

Alpheus set the teacup down, suddenly irritated. But neither Ludian, Ferdie, nor Tiel seemed fazed.

"What’s going to happen to that land? Is it considered ownerless, so will the Imperial Palace manage it for now?"

"Probably. Things may change if the heir of Everard is revealed..."

The land had been managed for generations by the water-affiliated Everard family. Even if Arne or Asterian took over, there was no guarantee they could manage it properly.

Most of the beastkin living there were those connected to water, so it was only right that a family with an affinity for water should step forward to manage it.

"But doesn't Everard’s ability surpass all others?"

"Well, Nestian’s ability is strong, but it’s not really related to water."

The lands of the Crassion Empire changed depending on the abilities of the managing family. For example, the Nestian territory was frozen solid due to their ice abilities, while Asterian’s land had fiery landscapes in some places due to their fire-related abilities.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

Arne was the most habitable land, though, because of the "greenery" abilities of the Arne family. The land affected by Arne’s influence was naturally the best place for beastkin to live.

"By the way... the knights from Arne and Clemence saw the heir of Everard there. Do you think the secret will be kept?"

Tiel asked carefully.

"Arne will definitely keep it secret. They won’t benefit from the news of the Everard heir being alive," Ferdie answered. Alpheus and Karsus nodded in agreement.

"Why?"

"If it’s known that the heir of Everard is alive, Arne can’t claim Arcadia’s territory as their own."

"But if it’s known that the heir of Everard is alive, won’t everyone try to kill them? Wouldn’t it be better for Arne to reveal it? They could get rid of the heir without lifting a finger."

"Instead, other families who killed the heir of Everard will try to seize Arcadia. For now, it’s best if the Imperial Palace manages it, so Arne probably won’t make a move. Also..."

Ferdie looked at Alpheus. Alpheus nodded as if he understood.

"I’ve already received a letter from Arne. It was unexpected that Arne, who had always remained neutral, would make such a choice."

"They said they would follow the same path as Asterian, so can’t we request that, for now, there be no discussion about Everard’s heir in Asterian’s name?"

"I’ve already mentioned it. There will be no further leaks about that boy, the heir of Everard. By the way... this is truly fascinating."

Alpheus, who had heard everything the children experienced, initially looked shocked.

The heir of Everard, whom they had believed to be long dead, was still alive, and coincidentally, born in the same year as Tiel, and it was essential that the blood of Everard was needed for Tiel to bring the morning.

It was almost as if the head of the Everard family, who had died hundreds of years ago, had foreseen all of this and left his son behind.

Alpheus looked at Tiel, nestled in Ludian's arms. Tiel was nibbling on cherries with her plump cheeks.

Alpheus reached out to stroke Tiel’s hair when—

Ludian suddenly pulled Tiel closer to him, moving her out of Alpheus’s reach.

Alpheus’s hand hovered in the air, and the awkward silence between grandfather, grandson, and granddaughter was palpable.

"…"

"???"

Ludian awkwardly straightened up again. Tiel’s soft hair brushed Alpheus’s hand, which had been suspended in the air.

"What… are you doing?"

Alpheus, unable to contain his astonishment, stammered. Ludian, who had become slightly embarrassed, scratched his head and replied.

"Well... I’ve just gotten used to avoiding Ian Dross’s hand, so I did the same with yours, Grandpa."

"Avoiding whose hand?"

"Ian, that guy keeps petting Tiel!"

Karsus narrowed his eyes at the mention of Ian, while Alpheus couldn’t seem to process the absurdity of it all.

No matter how close Ian and the Emperor were, and no matter how friendly Ian was with the children, Ian Dross was still the Crown Prince!

And yet, what was this about avoiding him?

"Ludian... Do you even realize who that person is? The Crown Prince?"

"Of course, I do."

"Then why avoid him?"

"I just don’t like him petting my sister."

Ludian’s bold response made Ferdie nod in agreement. Alpheus looked at his grandchildren in disbelief.

It was hard to imagine what kind of "royal disrespect" they might have committed during their journey with Ian Dross.

***

"Huh?"

Tiel tilted her head as she looked at herself in the mirror. She turned around to face Ria.

"Ria, do I look like I’ve grown a little?"