The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family-Chapter 87

"Have a safe trip, my lady!"

Ria beamed as she placed a bonnet on Tiel’s head. It was a delicate white bonnet adorned with intricate lace.

"Yes! I’ll be back soon!"

"Hehe, I’ll be waiting for you."

After adjusting the bonnet one last time and smoothing down Tiel’s hair, Ria gently clasped the little girl’s hand.

Hand in hand, Tiel took quick, eager steps forward.

Waiting in the hallway, Ferdi and Ludian watched her approach and immediately closed the distance.

"Oraboni!"

Sensing the moment, Ria tactfully stepped back, allowing the two brothers to crouch down and meet their little sister at eye level.

"Have a safe trip, Tiel."

Ferdi placed a light kiss on her cheek. Not one to be outdone, Ludian mirrored the gesture on her other cheek.

"Come back safely, okay?"

"Yes! Don’t worry!"

Tiel answered confidently before turning and running toward Karsus and Alpheus.

"Let’s go, little one."

Karsus effortlessly lifted Tiel into his arms.

Having spent every day being carried like this by her grandfather, father, and brothers, Tiel naturally settled into Karsus’s hold.

With Tiel in tow, Karsus and Alpheus boarded the carriage.

Inside, the spacious interior was filled with cushions and pillows, ensuring that Tiel would have a comfortable ride.

But rather than nestling among them, she opted to remain curled up in Karsus’s embrace.

Since Karsus showed no intention of setting her down, he didn’t even ask if she wanted to sit on her own. Instead, he simply kept her on his lap.

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"Tiel, there’s nothing to be nervous about."

His voice was gentle as he soothed her.

"Your father and grandfather will handle everything. You just have to stand beside us."

"Will there be others there besides His Majesty?"

"Most likely. The heads of the noble houses will be in attendance. Stefano will be there, Iker as well... Arne and Nestian, I’m not sure."

By now, word must have spread that Asterian was planning to appoint a seven-year-old child as its head.

At the very least, the five major noble families would undoubtedly attend today’s meeting with one goal in mind—to prevent Tiel from being officially recognized as Asterian’s leader.

From their perspective, it was far more convenient for Tiel to remain locked away in the imperial palace as the Crown Princess rather than holding power within Asterian itself.

‘But I won’t let that happen.’

Karsus stroked his daughter’s soft hair, his resolve firm.

He would raise her with all the love and care he had failed to give her before.

No one—no one—would take her away.

Not even the emperor himself would be able to steal Tiel from his arms.

‘Don’t worry, Tiel.’

Your father will protect you.

He whispered so quietly that it was barely audible.

Tiel blinked up at him, tilting her head in curiosity.

"Cute thing."

Karsus said nothing more, simply pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.

Today, Karsus and Alpheus would stand before the noble families and declare the change in Asterian’s leadership.

And there would be no problem.

Not a single one.

***

That was how it was supposed to be.

"A mere seven-year-old child ascending as the head of Asterian? That is utterly absurd!"

Cloud glared at the Asterians as he spoke. Karsus, however, merely returned his gaze with an unreadable expression, offering no response.

"The authority to decide Asterian’s head belongs solely to Asterian. Why is the head of another house meddling in our affairs?"

"How could we not interfere? Lady Tiel is destined to become the Crown Princess."

Crown Princess.

Everyone in this room knew exactly what that title meant in this empire.

A vessel. Someone who would receive Ian’s ability and, in return, sacrifice her life force to stabilize his power.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I have heard that Lady Tiel and His Highness the Crown Prince have formed an imprint. If they are imprinted, then she is no longer merely a daughter of Asterian, but rather—"

"I have never made such an announcement," the emperor cut in languidly, interrupting Cloud’s words.

Cloud raised an eyebrow. "The rumors have already spread far and wide."

"How curious, that rumors have traveled so quickly when even the individuals involved have yet to be informed."

At the emperor’s pointed remark, Cloud fell silent, stepping back slightly.

The emperor shot him a disapproving glance before turning his gaze to the Asterians.

"You are correct, Asterian. The authority to appoint your head rests with your house alone. I acknowledge that."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"However, you must also consider the fact that Asterian is the leading house of all beastkin families. A seven-year-old child cannot bear the weight of leading an entire people."

Wilhelm wanted to side with Asterian as much as possible.

Not only had his grandson, the Crown Prince Ian Dross Crassion, survived thanks to Tiel, but Alpheus, Tiel’s grandfather, was a lifelong friend of his.

However... Asterian was no ordinary noble house. It was the head of all beastkin houses in the empire.

For most noble families, it would not matter whether they placed a five-year-old or a seven-year-old at the head of their household.

But Asterian’s name carried far too much weight for that.

Wilhelm sighed as he looked at them.

"It would be wise to reconsider."

"Your Majesty, Tiel is indeed only seven years old, but she has already awakened the Light Ability," Alpheus spoke slowly.

"There is no one in this room who does not understand the significance of the Light Ability in the Crassion Empire."

That much was obvious.

The Light Ability—the power foretold in legend to one day save the empire.

The mere fact that it had manifested was enough to give it weight.

"As you said, Asterian stands at the head of all beastkin families. And I believe there is no one more suited to lead it than my granddaughter, who possesses the Light Ability, Your Majesty."

"Hmm..."

"That is unacceptable."

A voice cut through the discussion.

Both Alpheus and Karsus turned their eyes toward Chender Nestian.

"You cannot do this," Chender said firmly. "No matter what power she has awakened, the girl is still just seven years old. A child of that age cannot be placed in such a position. Moreover—"

His sharp gaze locked onto Alpheus’s.

For a brief moment, the two elders stared each other down in silent confrontation before the tension broke.

"She may have awakened the Light Ability, but she has yet to accomplish anything with it."

"She is only seven," Karsus stated calmly.

But Chender merely shrugged, as if dismissing his words entirely.

"Exactly. Lady Tiel is just seven years old. And yet you think to make her the head of Asterian? You cannot appoint her solely on the basis of awakening the Light Ability. She must prove her worth, or if she cannot, she must wait until she is of an age where she can."

At Chender’s words, the other house heads exchanged glances.

None of them spoke up, but their silence was telling enough.

Even if they would not say it aloud, they agreed with Chender.

Asterian’s name carried an entirely different level of responsibility compared to other noble houses.

Anyone who wished to bear that name also had to shoulder its immense weight.

Alpheus regarded Chender with a piercing gaze, then slowly opened his mouth.

"Duke Buchanan, it seems you have something you wish to say."

"What could you mean by that?"

"If you insist on proof, then you must be hoping for Tiel to prove herself, must you not?"

A faint smirk tugged at Chender’s lips. He inclined his head slightly before turning toward the emperor.

"Your Majesty, among the many legends surrounding the Light Ability, there is one that states, ‘In the land where morning never comes, the child of light shall bring forth the dawn.’"

"And?"

"If Tiel Asterian is truly the child of light foretold in legend—if she is worthy of inheriting Asterian’s leadership without question—"

Chender continued.

"Then let her prove it. Command her to bring dawn to the land where the morning never comes. If she can do that, then Nestian will acknowledge her as Asterian’s rightful head."