Previously
Cassius reveals that Thiel possesses the legendary Power of Light, a mythic ability that could potentially break the Astrian family curse. Despite the strategic value, Cassius remains firm that he will not allow his daughter to be burdened by legends or expectations.
Knock, knock.
Thiel knocked cautiously on the door.
The attendants standing on either side of the entrance announced her arrival in loud, clear voices.
Then the servants pulled the massive doors open.
Thiel hesitated for a moment before stepping through the open entryway.
Ahead of her, at the far end of the room, stood an imposing desk.
A sharp gaze, carrying the exact same color as Thiel’s own eyes.
Cassius Celeste Astrian.
The man standing before her was the master of this estate—and Thiel’s father.
Thiel looked at Cassius for a brief second, then tapped hesitantly on the open door frame and asked,
Cassius set down the pen he had been holding.
Thiel nodded and walked briskly over to the desk.
Behind her, the servants quietly pulled the door shut.
Setting aside the gold-rimmed glasses he had been wearing, Cassius gestured toward the sofa in the office.
Doing as Cassius said, Thiel went over and perched lightly on the very edge of the sofa cushion.
Dissatisfied with the sight, Cassius rose and made his way
straight toward Thiel.
Cassius smiled, walked over, and gently lifted Thiel into his arms.
Thiel’s eyes widened in sheer astonishment at the sudden action.
Paying no mind to Thiel’s small fluster, Cassius lifted her easily and settled her comfortably deep into the sofa cushions.
Thanks to that, she was nestled cozily into the seat rather than clinging to its perilous edge.
Only then did Cassius smile with satisfaction, taking a seat
on the sofa directly across from Thiel.
Thiel blinked both eyes repeatedly as she looked at Cassius, engulfed in the wide, soft cushions.
‘That was so sudden…’
She had been startled when he marched over out of nowhere and scooped her up, all just to settle her comfortably onto the sofa.
Naturally, this was something she could never have imagined back in Nestian.
In Nestian, every single touch from an adult had always been painful and frightening to her.
So this felt bizarre, yet so gentle and warm.
She had never received such care before in her life.
She had never even dreamed she would ever experience something like this…
Because of it, Thiel’s guard against Cassius lowered just a fraction.
Setting aside her fears without even realizing it, she found herself gazing up at Cassius with curious eyes.
The corners of Cassius’s mouth curled upward as he watched her.
‘It is a relief to see her adjusting so quickly.’
He had worried he wouldn't be able to ease her wariness toward him, yet her defenses had lowered so fast; it seemed he had been fretting over nothing.
Cassius felt immensely happy at the sight, but deep within him lingered a bitter ache.
Despite the unmistakable scars of prolonged mistreatment, a mere gentle touch was all it took for her to let her guard down.
Just how on earth had they treated her over there?
‘Without even knowing what kind of life you were forced to endure, or how terribly you were treated…’
Cassius’s golden eyes flared with white-hot fury toward Nestian, before he reined it back into absolute calm.
He suppressed his rage with practiced ease.
It was because he worried Thiel might catch sight of his expression and cower in fear.
Fortunately, Thiel had noticed nothing.
Soon, the maids entered carrying a tray laden with cake, sweet refreshments, and tea, arranging the spread before the two of them.
Since Thiel was still so young, the tea had been substituted with a glass of orange juice.
The maids bowed their heads respectfully before quietly stepping out of the office.
Cassius spoke as he picked out the most appetizing pastry from the table before her and held it out.
Accepting the pastry from his hand, Thiel looked cautiously into his eyes.
He had something to say… What could it be?
Was she going to be thrown out again…?
Her thoughts were spiraling toward the worst possible conclusions when Cassius’s voice gently broke through.
Thiel nodded at Cassius’s question.
She did not recall everything clearly, but faint fragments still lingered in her mind.
Cassius had come down to find her himself, and at that very moment, a strange light had radiated from her palm.
How could she possibly forget?
Even now, when she closed her eyes, she could still picture that light glittering before her.
It had happened just as she was drowned in despair, believing that an Astrian would kill her.
Almost as if answering the desperate cry within her heart, a cluster of lights had burst from the palm of her hand.
But what on earth was that?
It certainly wasn't the power to freeze things.
Countless questions flooded Thiel’s mind all at once.
Cassius’s gentle voice settled softly over Thiel’s ears.
Thiel stared into his eyes as if she could scarcely believe what she was hearing.
Was it truly a special power?
Thiel tilted her head in thought.
She had neither the power to freeze nor the ability to summon fire.
Back then, the ability she had brought forth had seemed like nothing more than a faint, useless trick, yet he was calling it a special power…
Could he have misunderstood something?
‘Producing a tiny light like that can’t possibly be a special power…’
Thiel had never once heard of the legendary Power of Light passed down through the Crassion Empire; it was only natural, given that she had never received proper instruction.
So it wasn't unreasonable that she assumed her power was merely weak and trivial.
Slowly, Cassius began telling Thiel the legend of the Power of Light.
He spoke of the myths handed down within the Crassion Empire, and the truths surrounding that very power.
He also explained what the radiant cluster of light rising from her palm signified to the empire.
Yet Cassius chose not to mention the other legend, the one whispered only between the Nestian and Astrian bloodlines.
He refrained out of fear that such a legacy would become an unbearable burden on a young child like her.
It was Cassius’s quiet way of shielding and caring for her.
After listening to everything, Thiel’s eyes went wide.
Wringing her hands nervously together, she asked,
straight from the legends, Thiel.”
Thiel could hardly bring herself to believe Cassius’s words.
It sounded like a tale from another world entirely.
Could it really be that she—the mistreated, unwanted, weak, and constantly ridiculed child—was actually someone truly special…?
It felt as if there had to be some mistake, yet Cassius standing before her did not look like someone who would tell a lie.
Thiel cupped her small hands together, leaving only a sliver of space between her palms, and tried calling forth her power.
A faint glimmer sparked between her hands before swiftly flickering out, casting a shadow of disappointment across her face.
Since she had never been taught how to wield her power properly, failing was only natural, yet a trace of sadness lingered in her heart.
Thiel slowly raised her head and looked up at Cassius.
“Could… could I be of use to the Astrian family?”
Thiel asked in a meek whisper, her mind blank with uncertainty.
Her question hung in the air, plunging the room into absolute silence.
Cassius let out a quiet sigh.
Just what on earth had they done to her in Nestian to make such a young child ask a question like that?
Cassius rubbed his face with a weary hand before turning his gaze back to Thiel.
The results of any paternity test didn't even matter to him.
Thiel was his daughter.
Her golden eyes alone were the unmistakable mark of the Black Panther
clan, while her white hair proved her Snow Leopard lineage; and on top of that,
Lena’s necklace stood as undeniable proof.
A formal bloodline test was merely a ceremony to proclaim Thiel as the official successor of the Astrian family, nothing more.
Thiel was undoubtedly his daughter.
He had known it from the very first moment he laid eyes on her.
No parent in this world could ever fail to recognize their own child.
Hearing the words ‘my daughter,’ Thiel’s eyes went round, and warmth rushed into her cheeks.
Thoroughly flustered, she stammered,
children must be useful to their family…”
Cassius’s voice was resolute and firm, and Thiel nodded
as she absorbed the weight of his words.
Thiel nodded once more.
Cassius still looked terribly dissatisfied… though his displeasure was not directed at Thiel.
Brushing a hand over his face once more, Cassius took the pastry Thiel hadn’t touched yet and gently offered a bite to her lips.
It was something she had never once heard in all her life.
All she had to do was eat well and play well.
In Nestian, hearing such words was something one couldn't even dare to dream of.
Yet Cassius had already repeated it so many times.
Taking a small bite of the sweet pastry Cassius offered, Thiel nodded, her cheeks blushing red from the gentle warmth she had felt for the very first time.
And right then, a soft light shimmered from the palm of her hand once again.