The snowstorm outside grew heavier.
Cold wind swept through the cave entrance as a tall figure slowly appeared beyond the falling snow.
Silver hair.
Black robes dusted with frost.
And eyes colder than winter itself.
The moment the man appeared—
The snow leopard twins froze.
Their icy blue eyes widened slightly.
Something deep inside their blood stirred instinctively.
A familiar aura.
A familiar scent.
The fierce Bai Yan frowned immediately.
While the calmer Bai Chen quietly stared at the silver-haired man without blinking.
The cave fell silent.
The man’s silver eyes slowly moved toward the twins.
And for the first time since entering—
The cold expression on his face cracked.
Shock.
Real shock.
His gaze stayed fixed on the cubs’ identical silver eyes.
On the royal snowflake markings hidden near their necks.
On the Frozen Moon aura unconsciously surrounding them.
Impossible.
The cursed snow leopard prince could never have heirs.
Yet two cubs carrying his exact bloodline stood before him.
The air around him trembled slightly.
Bai Xueyin instinctively held the cubs closer.
Her heart suddenly beat strangely fast.
The twins slowly glanced at her.
As if silently asking:
> Is he…?
Xueyin herself didn’t know why—
But the moment she saw the silver-haired man…
Her chest hurt.
Like her body remembered something her mind could not.
The prince finally stepped inside the cave slowly.
The temperature instantly dropped.
Frost spread beneath his boots.
But he didn’t seem to notice.
His gaze remained locked on the twins.
“…Their names,” he asked quietly.
His voice was deep and slightly hoarse.
Bai Chen answered first.
“Bai Chen.”
Then Bai Yan crossed his arms stubbornly.
“…Bai Yan.”
The prince repeated their names softly under his breath.
As if memorizing something precious.
Then his silver eyes slowly lifted toward Bai Xueyin.
The moment their gazes met—
A sharp pain exploded inside her head.
Fragments flashed violently.
Warm arms pulling her close.
Cold fingers gently brushing her hair.
The sound of a deep hoarse voice near her ear—
A quiet low chuckle.
Not words.
Just warmth.
Comfort.
The feeling of being held securely against a broad chest while snow fell outside.
Xueyin’s breathing trembled.
For one brief second—
She almost remembered his embrace.
Then the memory shattered instantly like broken ice.
Pain shot through her head.
“Mother!”
The cubs rushed toward her anxiously.
Bai Xingyuan immediately coiled around her arm.
Bai Shuyi climbed onto her lap in panic.
“Mama headache again?!”
Xue Linyuan moved faster than anyone.
He knelt before her instantly, cold silver eyes filled with restrained panic.
“…Xueyin.”
The way he said her name felt painfully intimate.
His hand carefully supported her shoulder.
The moment he touched her—
Another unfamiliar warmth surged through her chest.
Safe.
Lonely.
Yearning.
Emotions that didn’t belong to her… yet somehow did.
Xueyin instinctively looked up.
Their faces were suddenly too close.
Close enough to notice exhaustion hidden beneath his cold appearance.
As if he had been searching for something for a very long time.
Then she saw it.
His eyes.
Not cold anymore.
Broken.
The prince’s gaze slowly lowered toward the twins again.
Disbelief still lingered there.
Because even now—
He could not fully believe these cubs were real.
His sons.
His impossible miracle.
Meanwhile, the twins quietly stared back at him.
Neither approaching nor rejecting him.
Still waiting.
Waiting for their mother’s reaction.
As if her answer alone would decide everything.
But before anyone could speak—
The pain in Xueyin’s head suddenly disappeared.
And with it—
The strange warmth connected to the silver-haired man vanished too.
The fragments faded like mist.
Leaving only emptiness behind.
Xueyin blinked slowly.
Then unconsciously moved slightly backward.
Confusion filled her eyes once more.
“…Who are you?” she asked softly.
The cave became silent.
The twins froze.
And Xue Linyuan’s expression finally went completely still.
Because for one brief moment—
He thought she remembered him.