Chapter 44: Chapter 44

"So noisy."

At Karsus’s remark, the two brothers shut their mouths and came to an abrupt halt.

“There’s a Wolfgang carriage at the front gate…”

Ferdi had started to say something with a meaningful expression, but his words stuck in his throat.

His eyes widened when he spotted the baby snow leopard cradled in Karsus’s arms.

The grim look on his face brightened in an instant, as if he had seen a ghost—a very cute one.

Completely forgetting what he had been about to say, Ferdi approached Tiel in a daze, reaching out his hand.

“…Tiel?”

"Kkyiiing!"

Brother!

Tiel leaped into Ferdi’s arms. His embrace was noticeably cooler than Karsus’s.

Ferdi’s expression softened as he held his little sister.

Ludian, too, forgot why they had even come here, his hands automatically ruffling Tiel’s head.

“Tiel! You transformed!”

“You’re really adorable, Tiel.”

Ferdi, sounding genuinely happy, gently stroked her head. Tiel’s tiny ears folded in the direction he petted.

"So, why are you two here?"

Karsus, watching his sons mindlessly showering affection on their sister, asked quietly.

It was only then that the twins suddenly remembered the reason they had rushed in.

“Father, did you… call for Olivier?”

“There’s a Wolfgang carriage outside!”

"Ah, so Olivier has arrived."

Karsus spoke calmly. His indifferent tone shocked the twins.

Ferdi instinctively tightened his hold on Tiel, as if protecting her from some unseen threat.

"Tiel is terribly shy, and you're letting her—!"

"Watch your words, Ferdi. Olivier is your cousin."

"…"

"And I didn’t summon her. She just came, as usual."

Karsus wasn’t lying.

Although he had informed Etienne Wolfgang about Tiel’s existence, he had never directly invited Olivier.

Ferdi had even argued against introducing Tiel to Olivier just yet, saying she was still too shy.

That reasoning had seemed valid, so Karsus had not arranged a meeting between them.

Which meant that Olivier had come entirely of her own accord.

“…”

Ludian shook his head as if he had expected this all along.

Ferdi’s expression was just as grim.

Olivier had always been reckless. She had barged into Asterian Estate unannounced more times than they could count.

This time, she had probably come simply because she wanted to see her cousin.

‘This is the worst…’

For once, Ferdi and Ludian were in complete agreement.

Meanwhile, Alpheus, completely unfazed by their reactions, pulled out a parchment and began listing renowned painters.

"Since she’s here, you should at least greet her. There’s no reason to panic like this. Take Tiel and introduce her to Olivier."

"…!!"

This time, it was Tiel who stiffened, her golden eyes widening in alarm.

She already knew who Olivier was—Karsus had mentioned her before. His niece, her cousin.

But… to meet her in this form?

Tiel did not want to greet someone for the first time while transformed!

"Kkiiiing!"

Flustered, Tiel buried her face into Ferdi’s shoulder.

Ferdi’s eyes glinted.

"See? Look at how shy she is! She’s not ready to meet Olivier—"

Bang!

At that moment, the office doors swung open again.

Alpheus turned toward them with an expression of utter exhaustion.

The attendants bowed their heads, unfazed—this was clearly becoming a common occurrence.

And standing at the entrance was—

A lovely young girl with waist-length, shimmering silver-gray hair.

Her rosy-pink eyes sparkled as she found exactly who she had been looking for—all gathered in one place.

Alpheus. Karsus. Ferdi. Ludian. And even the baby snow leopard.

There was no need to search for them individually.

“All of you are here!”

Olivier Wolfgang.

Alpheus’s granddaughter. Karsus’s niece. Ferdi, Ludian, and Tiel’s cousin.

And she had arrived.

***

"So cute. So, so cute! Can I take her with me? Huh? I used to live at the Asterian estate when I was little too. So let’s bring her to the Wolfgang estate to stay with me."

"Don’t say such ridiculous things, Olivier…"

Ferdi, already exhausted, rolled his eyes and tightened his hold on Tiel.

Meanwhile, Tiel gave an awkward smile from between their squabble.

The four of them had just been kicked out of the office by Alpheus, who had declared, "Stop causing a ruckus and go play outside!"

Olivier had enthusiastically nodded, not particularly interested in staying inside their grandfather’s boring office for too long anyway.

Besides, the reason she had come today was none other than this small, cute, and utterly lovable cousin.

She’s just too, too, too adorable!

Olivier’s rosy eyes shimmered non-stop.

She recalled the first time she had heard about Tiel.

"…That child, she’s alive?"

Her mother—Etienne Wolfgang, Karsus’s younger sister—had whispered those words in a trembling voice.

The moment she learned Tiel was alive, Etienne had pulled Olivier into a hug, repeatedly murmuring, "Thank goodness."

And Olivier’s reaction had been immediate.

"I want to go see her!"

"You can’t! It says right here that she’s incredibly shy. At least wait until she’s fully settled—"

"I’m going! She’s bound to like me! That estate is filled with nothing but men. Imagine how lonely she must be as the only girl. I have to go keep her company!"

Upon hearing that the cousin she thought was dead was actually alive, Olivier had thrown a tantrum for three whole days and nights, rolling around demanding to go.

In the end, the head of the Wolfgang family had surrendered, waving a hand dismissively. "Do as you please."

And now—

"Coming here was the best decision ever!"

Olivier’s eyes gleamed as she attempted to snatch Tiel away from Ferdi’s arms.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

But Ferdi’s iron grip made it impossible.

Still, Olivier was nothing if not persistent.

"Just once! Let me hold her once!"

"Absolutely not. Do you think Tiel is an object?"

"Kkkiiing…?"

"I’ll handle her like the softest fluff in the world, okay? Like the most precious treasure ever. Just once! Let me hold her!"

"Ha. You’d be lucky not to drop her the moment you pick her up."

Ludian snickered. Olivier, who had been chasing after Ferdi, suddenly whipped around and glared at him.

"Ludian."

"…"

"Do you… want to die?"

Olivier’s voice dropped chillingly. Ludian flinched.

Tiel flinched too.

Olivier was the sole heir of the Wolfgang family, a lineage renowned for its combat prowess.

Ferdi and Ludian had grown up with her, and from an early age, they had painfully learned that provoking Olivier was never a good idea.

"If you say things like that… you’ll never get to hold Tiel in your entire life."

Ludian fired back without backing down. Ferdi nodded in agreement.@@novelbin@@

"Exactly. Tiel doesn’t like people who charge at her like a wild beast."

"Oh my, what are you saying? Tiel~, that’s all a misunderstanding. Okay? Your big sister isn’t like that. Come here, let me hold you. Hm?"

The moment Ferdi spoke, Olivier’s tone instantly shifted as she stretched out her arms toward Tiel.

Tiel, who had been nestled safely in Ferdi’s arms, cautiously glanced at Olivier.

She doesn’t seem like a bad person…

If Olivier were truly a bad person, then Karsus and Alpheus wouldn’t have let her meet Tiel in the first place.

Besides, even though the twins acted like they hated her, their voices had been a bit livelier since she arrived.

Mmmm.

After a moment of deliberation, Tiel wiggled her way out of Ferdi’s hold and extended a small paw toward Olivier.

"Kkyuuing…!"

"My goodness, Tiel!"

Olivier didn’t immediately scoop her up. Instead, she gently took Tiel’s outstretched paw, her other hand lightly lifting her dress.

"It’s so nice to meet you, Tiel! My name is Olivier Wolfgang. I’m your cousin!"

At that moment, a light breeze swept through the room, tickling Tiel’s nose.

Tiel’s golden eyes widened at the refreshing coolness.

It’s cool!

The gentle wind swirled around Olivier, circling down to caress Tiel’s tiny paw.

It felt as if a soft current of air was petting her, running through her fur in a gentle, soothing motion.

It was the power of the Wolfgang family—masters of the Wind Ability.

"Kkyahaang!"

Tiel, who had been slumped in the heat, suddenly perked up, eyes shining with excitement.