The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family-Chapter 102

At Iris’s praise, Tiel’s cheeks turned red. The small girl smiled softly before speaking.

"It’s still an ability that needs improvement... but thank you for thinking so highly of it, Head of Arne!"

"Improvement? The moment the Light Ability manifests, it is already flawless. You should take more pride in your power, Your Highness."

Iris replied with a warm smile. After exchanging greetings with the children, the maids of Arne entered, carrying trays filled with refreshments.

"Excuse us."

The maids, with gentle smiles, placed fragrant floral tea and delicately arranged plates adorned with edible flowers on the table. The pastries on the plates were neatly arranged.

As Tiel listened to the maids’ voices, she thought to herself that everyone in Arne’s estate seemed to have such pleasant voices.

Soon, the soothing aroma of the tea filled the room. Ian Dross was the first to pick up a teacup and take a sip. The flower petals floating on the surface gently sank into the liquid.

"It has a wonderful fragrance."

Tiel, watching Ian Dross drink his tea, carefully held her own cup with both hands and took a sip.

A soft floral fragrance spread through her mouth, wrapping her in warmth. A small, contented smile formed on her lips at the comforting sensation.

"Arne’s floral tea is well known. I’ll prepare some as a gift for you when you leave. I would appreciate it if you accept it without hesitation."

The children nodded in response. Each of them took a sip of their tea before turning their attention to Iris. It was Ferdie who spoke first.

"Head of Arne, I assume you are aware of the reason we’ve traveled all the way here."

"Of course. I received a letter from Asterian before you arrived. You are requesting guidance to the Land Where Morning Never Comes."

"Yes, we would be most grateful if you could provide us with a guide. Asterian will ensure that this favor is properly repaid."

Ferdie spoke with a firm and dignified tone. He was certainly living up to his role as the heir of Asterian—composed and mature, completely different from the way he usually bantered with Ludian and Olivia.

"The Imperial Family will also ensure compensation. After all, we are here under the name of His Majesty, the Emperor."

Ian Dross followed up with his own statement. Iris alternated her gaze between Ian and Ferdie before smiling.

"Of course. Clemence will guide you personally."

"Clemence? But isn’t she the heir of Arne? The successor herself is going to act as our guide?"

"Yes. She is not only the successor but also the one who knows that land better than anyone. Ever since she was young, she has taken a great interest in the Land Where Morning Never Comes."

Olivia nodded in agreement.

"That’s right, she really likes that place... Honestly, her tastes are a little unusual."

"It might not be entirely accurate to call it unusual... but yes, she’s quite interested in it."

Iris responded with a slightly awkward tone. Ferdie listened to the conversation between Iris and Olivia before asking another question.

"Then, would it be possible to ask Clemence for information about that land? I’ve heard that Arne possesses the most knowledge about it."

"Yes, you can ask Clemence. She will provide as much information as she can."

"Do you also have written records? Books or documents related to that land?"

Ludian suddenly asked. Iris nodded without hesitation.

"Of course. I will have the library opened for you. You are welcome to stay in Arne for as long as necessary until you’ve gathered all the information you need."

Iris also expressed her willingness to provide anything else they might require, showing a truly hospitable attitude. As a result, the children began to relax their guard.

"Seems like things are going smoothly."

"Ludian, don’t be so flippant in front of the head of the family."

Ferdie lightly scolded Ludian. Iris, watching their interaction, found their dynamic rather endearing.

Ian Dross picked up a golden, sweet-looking cookie and gently placed it in Tiel’s mouth before turning his gaze to Iris.

"Come to think of it, Lady Clemence mentioned that you had an urgent matter to attend to."

It was most likely just an excuse to cover for why the head of Arne hadn’t come to greet them personally... But Ian Dross deliberately brought it up again, watching Iris’s reaction.

Iris smiled in a way that suggested mild discomfort but nodded.

"I was unable to come out and greet Your Highness immediately due to some pressing matters, and for that, I must apologize. The urgent matter in question is none other than..."

She carefully rose from her seat, her soft dress flowing like rippling water over her shoulders. Tiel couldn’t help but think once again—Iris was truly beautiful.

With graceful steps, Iris walked to the corner of the room and pulled back a velvet cloth.

What appeared beneath it was a small yet exquisitely beautiful flowering tree. Bathed in sunlight, its leaves shimmered with a golden hue.

It was the most stunning and precious-looking tree Tiel had ever seen in her life.

"Do you know what this tree is?"

Iris asked calmly. Ian Dross, Ludian, and Olivia nodded, and it was Ferdie who answered.

"I’ve heard of it before. The heads of Arne inherit the Sacred Tree from their predecessors."

"That’s right. This small tree is Arne’s Sacred Tree... Isn’t it adorable?"

Iris gently ran her fingers along the delicate branches, her fingertips glowing with a soft green light.

The Sacred Tree seemed to react to her touch, its leaves trembling slightly.

"The head of Arne must tend to the Sacred Tree with their whole heart. According to legend, as long as this tree does not wither, the divine blessing over Arne’s lands will remain intact..."

As she withdrew her hand, a few leaves drifted down from the branches, settling at the base of the pot. One leaf landed on an exposed root, resting there in silence.

"As you can see, despite my efforts, its condition is not well... That is why I was unable to come out and greet you personally."

Tiel gazed at the Sacred Tree.

It was breathtakingly beautiful, yet... something about it felt lacking.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Why do I feel this way?

Tiel tilted her head slightly, shifting her gaze back to Iris.

Iris then draped the velvet cloth back over the tree, completely concealing it.

Ferdie, who had been watching in silence, tilted his head ever so slightly. It was a subconscious habit of his whenever he was deep in thought.

Why is she showing us this?

If what Iris Hilde Arne said was true, then any problem with the Sacred Tree would indicate a problem with Arne’s divine blessing.

That meant that if this information were to leak, Arne’s standing could be at risk.

In Crassion, where the power structure of noble families was often dictated by the strength of their abilities, such a revelation could deal a significant blow to Arne’s authority.

So then, why...?

Was it because no one could pose a threat to Arne, regardless of whether this information was known?

Arne, a land blessed by the gods, had managed to sustain this much vegetation in the freezing northern region thanks to its unique ability.

Unlike other noble families, which were in constant competition with one another, Arne had never faced such threats.

Its neutrality played a role in that, but more importantly—only those who possessed the Sacred Tree’s ability could govern Arne’s land.

Even so, this is strange...

Iris’s true intentions were unclear.

The people gathered in this room weren’t just any children. They were the heirs of Asterian and Wolfgang, and one of them was the Crown Prince of Crassion.

She wouldn’t have shown them this without a reason.

At that moment, as if reading Ferdie’s thoughts, Iris spoke.

"Of course, I trust that you will keep this matter a secret. Anything concerning the Sacred Tree of Arne must remain undisclosed..."

"In that case... why have you chosen to tell us?"

Iris returned to her seat and gazed at the children with a serene smile.

"What does a tree need to grow? Water and sunlight. Nothing else."

She paused before adding, her voice quiet.

"But now, the water has disappeared..."

"......"

"After all, ice kills trees, and lightning splits them apart."

Iris’s forest-green eyes landed directly on Tiel.

"Arne wishes to support you in becoming the head of Asterian, Princess."