The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Episode 85

“Thiel, I’m planning to pass on the headship of the Black Panther family to you.”

At Alpheus’s sudden declaration, Thiel widened her eyes in shock, tilting her head slightly.

“…Pardon?”

“I intend to pass the headship of House Asterian to you, Thiel.”

“…?”

Did I mishear that?

Thiel wondered if she was dreaming. The warm sunlight streaming through the windows and the fresh breeze brushing against her face suggested otherwise.

‘Why… why is he saying this?’

Unable to comprehend, Thiel looked up at Alpheus and asked hesitantly, “W-why me?”

“Because that’s the only way to keep you out of the Imperial Palace.”

“…The Imperial Palace?”

“That’s right.”

Alpheus’s voice was resolute. Thiel quietly set down the cookie in her hand, studded with raisins, and looked at him.

“Is it because I bonded with Ian?”

“Yes. Since you’ve bonded with the Crown Prince, you’re destined to become the Crown Princess.”

“…Me? A Crown Princess?”

“Yes, you.”

“I… I…”

Live in the Imperial Palace?

That… she didn’t want that. The Emperor was kind, and Ian was as gentle as could be, but living in the palace would mean leaving Asterian behind.

She had just found her family and was finally happy with them. The thought of being separated from them so soon filled her with dread.

Moreover…

“Grandfather.”

“Yes, speak your mind.”

“Ian… hasn’t woken up yet, has he?”

“No, he hasn’t.”

Then… Ian didn’t even know they were bonded?

He had been unconscious when the event occurred and hadn’t woken up since.

‘Oh no…’

What if Ian woke up and got angry at her for the bond?

Thiel hadn’t meant to bond with Ian. She swore it.

At seven years old, Thiel barely understood how bonding worked, let alone possessed the knowledge to initiate one. Besides, bonding wasn’t something one person could do alone—it required perfect mutual agreement and a few other specific conditions to align.

What they had now was only a partial bond.

But Thiel didn’t know this, and the thought of Ian waking up and accusing her sent her into a nervous gulp.

Seeing his granddaughter’s face darken, Alpheus raised an eyebrow and asked, “Thiel? What’s wrong? Is something troubling you?”

“G-Grandfather…”

“Yes! I’m here, Thiel. Speak freely.”

“What if Ian gets angry with me when he wakes up?”

“…?”

“If, as you and His Majesty say, I bonded with him without his consent… won’t he blame me?”

At that moment, Alpheus strode over and scooped Thiel off the sofa. Placing her gently on his lap, he pulled her into a hug, lightly patting her small back as he spoke.

“Thiel, there’s no need to worry. A bond isn’t something one can force on their own. Whatever happened, the Crown Prince must have accepted it on some level for the bond to take root.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. If anyone should feel regret, it’s the Crown Prince. After all, he’s the one who put you in danger. What right would he have to get angry at you?”

Alpheus’s gentle reassurance brought some calm to Thiel. She nodded slowly from the comfort of his arms.

“…Alright.”

“So don’t trouble yourself with unnecessary worries. Just trust your grandfather.”

“But, Grandfather…”

“Yes?”

“If I become the head of the family, what happens to Father and Brother Perdi?”

Thiel’s question was thoughtful. After Alpheus, the headship of House Asterian would naturally pass to Cassius Celeste Asterian, and then to Perdi after him.

There didn’t seem to be any place for Thiel in that order. Moreover…

“This is the Black Panther family, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

“And I… I’m a Snow Leopard.”

Thiel grabbed a handful of her snow-white hair and held it out to Alpheus as if to prove her point.

“Grandfather… you’re joking, right?”

“I’m not joking, Thiel.”

Alpheus’s voice was firm and unyielding.

“Cassius, I’ve already spoken with Perdi. Besides, while House Asterian is the Black Panther family, any direct descendant with Asterian traits can become its head.”

Spoken with Perdi?

Both Cassius and Perdi had spent their entire lives preparing to become the head of House Asterian.

And now… they had relinquished that role to hand it to her, a mere seven-year-old?

Wait a moment…

‘I-I’m seven years old!’

Could she even ‘become’ the head of House Asterian? Her little head swirled with thoughts, leaving her dizzy with confusion.

Sensing her turmoil, Alpheus gently brushed his warm fingers across the corners of Thiel’s eyes, as if sweeping away her worries.

“You were born with the golden eyes of Asterian.”

“…”

“If anyone dares oppose your ascension to headship, I’ll handle them myself.”

“But, Grandfather…”

“Thiel, we cannot lose you again.”

There was a somber weight in Alpheus’s voice that stilled Thiel. She looked up at her grandfather, her questions faltering.

His golden eyes, the same as hers, glimmered with warmth and unyielding resolve.

“We’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I won’t let you be in danger.”

“Would I be in danger if I go to the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes, you would. There will undoubtedly be people who target you. That doesn’t mean I plan to confine you to Asterian forever, my little one.”

Alpheus’s large hand rested on her small, round head, stroking it with the utmost care, as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

“When you’re grown, strong enough to protect yourself, I’ll cheer for you to go wherever you wish.”

“…”

“But for now, you’re far too small and young. You need the protection of the adults around you.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“A family exists for its members. If we can’t even protect you, then this family has no right to exist at all.”

Thiel gazed up at him, her wide eyes fixed on his weathered face, his gently arched brows, and his firmly set mouth. There was a sense of unshakeable determination in his expression.

And so, Thiel stopped questioning and simply listened.

“Thiel, I intend to pass the headship of House Asterian to you.”

“…”

“Do you think you can handle it?”

“…Yes!”

Thiel clenched her little fists and answered with determination, meeting Alpheus’s gaze head-on. Grandfather and granddaughter locked eyes, their connection unbroken.

Head of House Asterian? Crown Princess?

She didn’t truly understand what either meant. And if she could live her life never knowing, she would have been just fine with that. But…

‘They’re doing all this to protect me.’

She couldn’t keep saying no or resisting their efforts.

If it was a decision made by Alpheus, Cassius, Perdi, and Ludian, Thiel was prepared to follow it.

“Yes, Grandfather. I will follow your will…!”

Now, Thiel understood.

As someone who had manifested the ability of light, she couldn’t stay hidden forever in her grandfather’s or father’s arms.

Countless forces would covet or fear her power, and those forces would undoubtedly reach out their claws. Accepting this burden was now her role to bear.

And so…

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

Thiel smiled, her small lips curving upward as her soft, chubby cheeks lifted into a bright expression.

“Thank you for protecting me.”

“…”

“Even though it’s a little hard for me right now… Hmm, one day, when I grow up into a capable adult who can protect myself, I’ll make sure to repay you…”

Thiel leaned close to Alpheus’s ear, whispering her words like a closely guarded secret.

Hearing her, Alpheus burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha! Yes, yes! You’ll grow up into a fine adult who can protect herself and repay me. That will be thanks enough!”

“Grandfather…”

Thiel snuggled into Alpheus’s embrace, burrowing herself into his warmth. Alpheus looked down at his tiny granddaughter with a gaze full of affection, gently stroking her back.

“Yes, Thiel… There’s no need to worry.”

“…Okay.”

“You only need to trust in me. Don’t think about anything else.”