Previously
Thiel recalls being denied medical care at the Nestian house for being a hybrid and is shocked when Kid asks for her permission to treat her. Cassius uses a mirror to show Thiel her golden eyes, proving she is his biological daughter and a true member of the Astrian family who belongs in the palace.
As the delicate cream melted in my mouth, the smooth pudding tickled my tongue.
‘This is the first time I’ve tasted anything like this in my entire life.’
Everything she had eaten at Astrian—even if it had only been half a bowl of corn soup and a biscuit—had been wonderful, but this sweet dessert was by far the best.
Thiel’s eyes sparkled at the splendid taste she had never known before. With a soft chuckle, Leah brought another spoonful to her mouth.
At Thiel’s honest answer, Leah smiled softly again and fed her another bite of the pudding.
Thiel wasn’t used to having someone feed her, but Leah was so kind… that it felt truly wonderful.
Once she finished her pudding, Leah changed Thiel into Olivia’s nightgown.
It was far too large for Thiel, but Leah asked her to bear with it just for tonight.
‘Who is Olivia?’
Thiel had no idea who she was, but she figured she must be much older, considering she had to fold the sleeves of the nightgown twice.
Leah settled Thiel into bed and took a seat on a small chair beside it, saying she would watch over her until she fell asleep.
Thiel blinked in surprise, then turned her gaze toward Leah’s face.
The room was dark since the lights were out, making it difficult to see her clearly.
In response to Thiel’s hesitant question, Leah nodded and rubbed the back of her small hand.
Thiel nodded at Leah’s gentle words. Clutching Leah’s warm fingers, she asked,
Thiel truly liked Leah.
Leah was the kindest person Thiel had ever met. She always spoke softly so as not to startle or frighten her, and she smiled brightly whenever their eyes met….
In Nestian, no one had ever smiled at Thiel like that.
That was why Thiel liked Leah so much. And it was why her heart sank as Leah prepared to leave after tidying the pillows and blanket.
There were so many people in Astrian.
Thiel blinked, recalling the countless servants she had seen during the day.
Would she… never see Leah again?
Fearing that someone other than Leah might come to make the bed tomorrow morning, Thiel reflexively grabbed her hand, only to let go in surprise a moment later.
"…!"
She hadn’t meant to grab her…. Thiel looked quietly up at Leah.
Fortunately, Leah didn’t seem offended by her action at all. Rather,
As if feeling completely charmed, Leah smiled softly and gently held Thiel’s hand.
Thiel stared in wonder at what she had done.
Thiel didn’t realize it, but Leah was well aware of how much the child liked her.
‘How could I not know?’
The little girl, who hid her face so often, would immediately search for Leah with her eyes whenever she felt the slightest bit of unease or fear.
And the moment she saw her, that frightened look would ease just a little.
Leah gently lifted the child, seated her in her lap, and stroked her head.
Thiel instinctively closed her eyes when Leah’s hand drew near her face, only opening them slowly when nothing bad happened….
Her disheveled hair was smoothed into place beneath Leah’s gentle touch.
Running her hand through Thiel’s hair, Leah spoke.
Will I have to say goodbye?
Thiel’s round eyes seemed to ask just that.
Leah took one of her own hairpins from her pocket and pinned Thiel’s long bangs back so they wouldn’t cover her eyes.
The tension in Thiel dissolved at Leah’s reassuring words, and she giggled softly.
Seeing Thiel smile, Leah’s own smile broadened even further.
She was certain that if anyone else saw this, they would wear the exact same expression.
Leah, who almost wiped away a tear at the sheer cuteness of the little girl in her arms, tucked the child into bed and drew the blanket over her.
Thiel dearly wanted Leah to sing her a lullaby, but she didn’t want to leave a bad impression, so she held back and shook her head.
Leah stroked Thiel’s hair gently and smiled warmly.
‘Uncomfortable in this room?’
At Leah’s words, Thiel’s eyes went wide.
This room, said to belong to Lady Olivia, was immensely spacious and warm, made utterly lovely by its pretty decorations.
How could anyone find staying here uncomfortable!
Before Thiel could say anything, Leah patted her gently and whispered,
Thiel merely nodded, losing her chance to say that this room was already wonderful.
After Leah left the room, the child pulled the large, cozy blanket closer.
Warmth settled over her entire body.
The office of Alvinus Ewald Astrian, head of the Astrian family.
Alvinus, seated on the sofa, looked at Cassius sitting across from him and urged him on.
Cassius seemed lost in thought for a moment, blinking slowly, before finally speaking under Alvinus’s persistent stare.
At Alvinus’s warning, Cassius looked at him with an exhausted expression, nodded, and finally parted his lips.
Alvinus’s eyes flew wide open.
When it came to innate powers, it was standard for them to appear within a year of birth, yet she had only just shown hers.
Cassius nodded quietly. Alvinus took on an expression as though he suddenly understood everything.
Because she couldn’t manifest her power.
Since supernatural powers usually surfaced within the first year, it was obvious that Sinder hadn’t even entertained the thought that the child might awaken hers later on.
Of course, Alvinus hadn’t thought so either.
According to the records, the latest age of manifestation was four years old. There was not a single record documenting a child awakening their power past the age of four.
For Thiel to manifest hers at the age of seven…
At Cassius’s words, Alvinus shifted his gaze toward him, wordlessly demanding an explanation.
The flame of Astrian and the ice of Nestian.
“Neither ice nor flame? Then what on earth was it!”