Previously
Thiel's unique appearance as a hybrid with silver hair and golden eyes is revealed to be a source of past trauma from Sinder's abuse. During a family meal, Cassius and Alpinus must restrain the bickering twins, Birdie and Lodian, to ensure Thiel feels comfortable.
Birdie Astrian was far from pleased with the younger sister who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Even though the paternity test results had not arrived yet, he already hated how everyone talked about the girl as if she were truly a daughter of the Astrian family and his little sister.
Her appearance was undeniably unique, blending the white fur of the Snow Leopard clan with the golden eyes of the Black Panther clan. That alone seemed proof enough that she was the daughter of Cassius and Lena, without even needing a paternity test.
‘Still, can’t one’s appearance be manipulated using magical power?’
Besides, a child who harmoniously blended the distinct traits of both clans so seamlessly was unheard of.
Didn't it look as though someone had deliberately altered her appearance to pose as the daughter of Cassius and Lena?
For that reason, Birdie remained wary of Thiel. He planned to keep his guard up, at least until the paternity results came in.
Yet everyone else in the Astrian family, including that foolish idiot Lodian, had been completely captivated by the little girl's presence.
‘And… how on earth could someone be so tiny?’
Thiel was astonishingly small.
She was so small that it was hard to believe she carried the blood of the Astrian family.
That simple fact only deepened Birdie's suspicions.
She had fair skin and wide, round eyes, just like them.
Her hands were so diminutive that one could envelop both in a single palm. And her mouth was tiny, too…
It was thoroughly bothersome.
Were all younger siblings this vexing? Furthermore…
‘What if the child is merely an impostor pretending to be Cassius and Lena’s daughter?’
His father, Cassius, was showing an uncharacteristically gentle side.
What annoyed him even more was his grandfather Alvinus, who beamed so brightly that one would think his granddaughter was the most precious child in the world.
Birdie didn't like any of it.
The news that his supposedly deceased younger sister was alive had made him look like a fool for rushing back in a total panic.
And then there was her power.
Not long ago, Cassius had called Birdie and Lodian aside to tell them about Thiel's power.
His reasoning was that since the boys were Thiel’s older brothers, they needed to be fully aware of their little sister’s condition and ability.
Both Lodian and Birdie had been stunned. How could her ability be the Power of Light? It was impossible.
It was nothing more than a myth.
Moreover, even if the oblivious Lodian was unaware, Birdie—the eldest son of the Astrian family and the heir destined to become the next head—knew all about the legend passed down solely between the lords of the Astrian and Nestian families.
‘The Astrian and Nestian clans shall restore their original strength through the Glorious Light.’
The Glorious Light signified the Power of Light, and restoring their clans' original strength…
meant breaking the curse handed down through generations in both Astrian and Nestian.
For generations, the successors of Astrian and Nestian had been born afflicted by a curse.
The Curse of the Demon Orpheo.
It was a curse transmitted down the Leopard clan’s bloodline from generation to generation.
If you overused your power, you would lose control of yourself and ultimately fall into madness.
Alvinus, Cassius, Lena, Birdie, and Lodian were all afflicted by this curse.
And among them all, Birdie's curse was the most severe.
Birdie’s natural aptitude was great enough to rival even the genius Lodian, yet he could not wield his abilities for long because his madness flared far more aggressively than anyone else’s.
That curse was what shackled Birdie, and indeed the entire Leopard clan.
And yet…
This madness…
Could that girl really…?
Birdie narrowed his eyes at the thought.
He let out a short, cynical scoff, finding the notion utterly preposterous.
It was ridiculous.
The Power of Light was literally the stuff of legends.
Father had to be mistaken, or everyone had been completely taken in by the child.
With that innocent, docile, and harmless face… she must have fooled every last person in the Astrian household.
Of course, when Cassius heard those doubts, his expression turned chilly and unyielding.
His tone had been resolute.
‘Even if you fooled everyone else, Thiel, you won't fool me.’
His father seemed to have already lost his senses over this tiny thing, so it fell on Birdie to keep his wits about him.
So, this was purely to keep an eye on the kid.
Birdie suddenly stepped out from behind the rose bushes.
Thiel, Leah, and the maid who had come to deliver the news all looked at him with wide, startled eyes.
Lodian burst out right behind him, shouting indignantly.
The two boys strode quietly up beside Thiel, casting their shadows over the tea table.
Lodian gestured firmly toward Thiel, making it clear he would never allow such a thing.
Birdie nodded in agreement.
Birdie smiled gracefully, meeting Thiel’s eyes as though asking for her consent.
Caught off guard, Thiel nodded blankly.
Birdie had smoothly taken advantage of Thiel.
Startled by Birdie's sudden touch, Thiel flinched,
only to relax again the moment he slipped a madeleine into her hand.
Swayed by Birdie’s words, Leah was just about to deliver the message to Ian that he should return another day.
"……!"
Ianthros’s voice cut in as he strolled across the garden.
Birdie and Lodian narrowed their eyes at the same time, while Thiel’s round eyes went wide with surprise.
A quiet afternoon tea had suddenly become inundated with uninvited guests.
Meanwhile, Thiel’s face lit up the moment she saw him.
If she had been in her animal form, her tail would surely be wagging with pure joy.
Catching Thiel’s reaction from the corner of his eye, Birdie asked with a lingering smile,
Yet there was not a trace of warmth in his eyes.
Ian looked down at the maid standing beside Leah as if reproaching her, prompting the girl to quickly duck her head.
It was Lodian who spoke up. Birdie nodded in agreement, handing Thiel another madeleine.
Thiel’s gaze darted between her older brothers and the crown prince as she nibbled on the madeleine Birdie had offered.
…It was soft and delightfully sweet.
Birdie Astrian did not particularly like Thiel.
Even so, without knowing her true intentions or identity, he could not simply let her meet Ianthros alone.
Besides, Thiel was far too small. How could they leave such a tiny child alone with him?
A chilly war of nerves broke out among the three boys. Surprisingly, it was Thiel who brought an end to it.
"……"
Thiel looked between Birdie and Lodian, asking hesitantly.
The corners of Lodian’s mouth twitched upward slightly when he met those large, round eyes. He cleared his throat in awkward embarrassment.
At Birdie’s firm words, Thiel lowered her head dejectedly before looking over at Ian.
Thiel hurriedly took hold of Birdie's hand.