Chapter 21: Chapter 21

A hybrid of two species did not necessarily inherit the traits of both lineages.

Usually, hybrids took after only one parent in terms of appearance.

The Snow Leopard and the Black Leopard.

At a glance, they might seem like the same species, but in reality, they were completely different. That was why it was impossible for a hybrid to be born with the defining features of both species.

And yet—

“Your eyes are golden, but your hair is white. Whoa, that’s fascinating. Right, Ferdi?”

As Ludian pointed out, Tiel had inherited the Snow Leopard’s white hair while her eyes bore the golden hue of the Black Leopards.

She was the only one who possessed both the white fur of the Snow Leopards and the golden eyes of the Black Leopards.

That was why Chender always called her a mongrel. At the same time, he utterly despised her golden eyes.

He firmly believed that Tiel’s inability to manifest any abilities stemmed from the fact that she had inherited the golden eyes of the Black Leopards.

"You mongrel!"

"How dare you look at me with those disgusting eyes!"

Memories she wished to forget surfaced, and Tiel instinctively lowered her gaze, clasping her hands together.@@novelbin@@

Karsus immediately noticed her unease and intervened, cutting Ludian off.

“Ludian, mind your words.”

His tone was firm—an order. Ludian frowned, looking dissatisfied, but Karsus was unmoved.

“Your sister is wary of strangers. Stay away from her for now.”

It was an unmistakable dismissal. Ludian, hot-tempered as ever, was about to protest when—

“I understand, Father. Don’t be so thoughtless, Ludian.”

“…You.”

Ferdi smoothly cut off Ludian’s retort with a smile.

He then sliced off a large piece of meat and placed it onto Ludian’s plate—his way of telling him to shut up.

And then—

“Sorry for startling you. Your name is Tiel, right?”

Ferdi’s gentle voice reached her. Tiel, who had been shrinking in on herself under Karsus’s reassuring pats, slowly lifted her head at the kind tone.

“Yes… My name is Tiel.”

“Right, Tiel. I’m Ferdi Asterian, your older brother. And this here is Ludian, your brother and my twin.”

Oh. So they were twins.

Tiel, who had been wondering about the striking resemblance between the two boys, glanced between Ferdi and Ludian before nodding in understanding.

Now that she knew they were twins, they looked even more alike.

“I-It’s nice to meet you…!”

“Likewise, Tiel. I’m really happy to have a cute little sister.”

Ferdi’s warm golden eyes settled on her. The tension in Tiel’s clenched hands slowly melted away.

Not that she was aware of it herself.

“I hope you grow close to us soon. I’ve always been jealous of my friends who had little sisters and got to take them to festivals.”

Ferdi’s eyes curved in a gentle arc.

Watching from the side with a skeptical expression, Ludian scoffed.

“What? Weren’t you the one who said having a younger sibling would be annoying?”

“That was about you, Ludian. Don’t you think you’re a bit of a hassle yourself?”

“…You wanna die? I’m not your younger brother. We were born on the same day. Hey, come outside. Let’s fight and settle this properly.”

“See? All you think about is solving things with brute force. No wonder everyone says you’re lacking.”

Ludian’s face turned red with fury. He looked ready to throw his utensils aside and lunge at Ferdi at any moment.

Karsus, completely unfazed, paid them no attention and simply focused on placing more food onto Tiel’s plate.

In the end, it was Alpheus who had to step in.

Placing his utensils down, he spoke in a stern voice.

“Ferdi, Ludian. What do you think you’re doing at the dining table?”

“…Sorry, Grandfather.”

“But this bastard—”

“Ludian.”

This time, it was Karsus.

His voice was low as he called Ludian’s name.

Ludian, startled, looked at Karsus with an expression of surprise. His father, who had never once paid him any attention, had just addressed him directly.

“…Your sister is eating.”

“……”

“What if she loses her appetite?”

At Karsus’s words, everyone fell silent and turned their eyes to Tiel.

Only then did Karsus, seemingly satisfied, pick up a small cherry tomato and place it into Tiel’s mouth.

“……”

“……”

“…Silence is nice.”

Tiel, sitting between them, suddenly felt like crying.

***

“...Um.”

“Yes, my lady? Is something troubling you?”

Ria asked kindly. Tiel glanced past the tall rose bushes before quickly shaking her head.

“...No, it’s nothing.”

“Oh my, if there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

Right now, Tiel was having tea time at a small table in the garden, a suggestion from Ria.

The tiny tea table, perfectly suited to her size, had been a gift from Alpheus.

Under the shade of a tree, Tiel was supposed to enjoy a leisurely afternoon, sipping tea filled with sugar cubes at the table Alpheus had gifted her.

…If only the two brothers constantly peeking out from behind the rose bushes weren’t there.

“You idiot, you’re making it obvious.”

“Then why don’t you climb up and check?”

They were whispering as quietly as they could, but since the distance between the rose bushes and the tea table wasn’t far, their voices carried clearly.

“Hey, do you think she noticed us?”

Ever since that dinner, Ferdi and Ludian had been strictly forbidden from approaching Tiel, per Karsus’s orders.

The reason? Tiel is shy around strangers.

Ludian had protested, but it was no use. Karsus had coldly stated that if they made Tiel uncomfortable, he would send them straight back to the academy.

But apparently, Karsus’s warning had no effect, because Ferdi and Ludian had been lurking around her ever since.

They loitered in the hallway outside her room, peeked through her window—despite the fact that her room was on the second floor!

At one point, Tiel had found their behavior so baffling that she asked Ria about it.

‘Um, excuse me.’

‘Yes, my lady?’

‘Why do my brothers keep… watching me? Did I do something wrong?’

Tiel had asked anxiously, worried that she had offended them.

But Ria had merely covered her mouth and chuckled before responding warmly.

‘Oh no, my lady, it’s not that you did anything wrong. The young masters are simply fascinated by you and find you absolutely adorable.’

Tiel found it hard to believe, but she nodded anyway.

They’re watching me because they think I’m fascinating and cute?

That couldn’t be right…

She recalled the look in Ferdi’s eyes from before.

During her time in the Nestian estate, she had only ever seen people filled with hostility toward her. She knew all too well what it looked like when someone harbored animosity.

And while Ferdi had been warm and gentle at the dinner table, the next time she saw him…

‘Ah, Tiel. Hello.’

‘…’

He was wary of me…

Unlike Ludian, who seemed thoughtless, Ferdi was clearly watching her with caution.

He tried to hide it, but it was obvious.

In the end, Tiel found herself glancing at her brothers nervously, unable to relax as she sipped her tea.

The bitterness of the tea spread through her mouth.

Tiel, still not used to the taste, stared at the sugar bowl filled with cubes of sugar before quickly looking away.

Oh dear.

Ria, noticing Tiel’s slight grimace, brought a hand to her lips.

She had already added extra sugar, thinking that would help, but it seemed the tea still didn’t suit the child’s taste.

Ria gently placed a sweet candy into Tiel’s mouth before asking,

“My lady, would you like me to bring a different tea if this one doesn’t suit your taste?”

“Yes, I’d appreciate that.”

“Fufu, alright. I’ll bring it right away.”

Ria took the teacup from Tiel’s hands and set it aside.

Just as she was about to leave to fetch another tea, a maid hurried over and whispered something to her.

“Oh my, right now?”

“Yes, he has just arrived.”

Tiel perked up, paying close attention to the conversation.

Someone has arrived?

Ria hesitated for a moment before kneeling beside Tiel and whispering,

“My lady, we have a guest at the estate. It’s His Highness, the Crown Prince, Ian Dross Crasion—the one who brought you here. He wishes to see you… Would you like to meet him? If you feel uncomfortable, you can decline—”

Declining a prince’s visit? In an ordinary noble family, that would be unthinkable.

But this was the Asterian family.

A family so powerful they could make even a soaring bird fall from the sky.

And from the way Ria spoke, it was clear that if Tiel refused, they would really turn the prince away without a second thought.

However, contrary to Ria’s expectations that Tiel would be overwhelmed and refuse,

“…Ian Dross Crasion. Just call me Ian.”

Recalling the gentle voice of the man who had saved her, Tiel’s face brightened slightly, and she nodded with a soft smile.

“I’d like to see him! I didn’t get to thank him properly last time.”

At the same time—

CRASH!

A loud thud and the sound of something collapsing echoed from behind the rose bushes.