The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 35

Cattleya Winston was the most beautiful child in Dubbled Territory.

Brilliant blonde hair that perfectly resembled her mother, who was a renowned beauty, and transparent blue eyes like the lake that was the symbol of Dubbled.

When the doll-like child showed her dimples and acted demurely, no adult could help but adore her.

A few days ago, Baron Winston returned to the mansion in great excitement.

“An opportunity! An opportunity has come!”

The Baroness asked her husband, who was jumping with joy.

“An opportunity?”

“An opportunity for our daughter to become the Young Lady of Dubbled!”

“What on earth are you talking about? That was already rejected once, wasn’t it?”

It was not uncommon for branch families to send their children to the main family for adoption. Especially for an outstanding child like Cattleya.

The Winston couple’s daughter possessed exceptional divine power. Because of this, she had been educated at the temple since childhood, and sometimes people from the Imperial Temple would come to check on the child’s progress.

If she continued to grow like this, a high-ranking clergy position was guaranteed, and with Duke Dubbled’s help, she could even aim for a cardinal position.

The couple had asked the Duke to accept their daughter to establish a foundation, but they were rejected. The reason was that he already had more than enough children.

“The Elder Council and retainers said they would lend their support.”

“Why all of a sudden…”

“What else could it be? It’s because of that Child of Fate who can’t even compare to our daughter’s toenails.”

The Baroness frowned.

Just hearing the words “Child of Fate” made her stomach turn.

He said he had more than enough children, yet he adopted that mere child.

Even if it was the Empress Dowager’s request, the thought that a child who couldn’t even reach Cattleya’s ankles had taken the position that rightfully belonged to her daughter filled her with indignation.

“Will the Duke change his mind this time?”

“Back then, he had never properly seen Cattleya, so he rejected her. If he sees them side by side with the Child of Fate, he’ll realize how foolish his judgment was.”

At her husband’s bold declaration, the corners of the Baroness’s mouth curved upward.

The rumor that the Child of Fate had been given the former Duchess’s name as a middle name was already widespread.

When that child grew up a little more, she would lead Dubbled’s social circle in place of the Duchess.

The thought of being controlled by a mere commoner child was horrifying.

But if Cattleya was registered in the main family and took that position instead.

Under the pretext of helping her daughter, she could even interfere in the Main Castle’s affairs.

She, who had been looked down upon as merely a powerless baroness from a branch family, would be able to reign over those haughty noble ladies.

The Baroness stroked Cattleya’s hair and said.

“Can you win the hearts of His Excellency and the Young Masters?”

At the question, Cattleya smiled brightly.

“When have I ever disappointed you?”

“That’s right, our daughter has never disappointed her mother even once.”

The Baroness chuckled softly and kissed her daughter’s cheek.

…But then.

Cattleya gripped her skirt hem tightly.

The Duke transferred the meat I had served to Leblaine’s plate.

“Eat slowly.”

Leblaine opened her eyes wide and fidgeted restlessly, looking back and forth between herself and the Duke several times.

The child saw me glaring sharply at her, picked up the meat again, and quietly placed it on the Duke’s plate.

“No, Papa eat.”

The Duke’s face hardened. Then he shouted toward the butler.

“Call Taxidermist Park!”

People were startled by the sudden words and stared at the Duke with wide eyes.

But the Duke carefully picked up the meat Leblaine had placed back with a clean spoon.

“This is the first meat my daughter has given me.”

Cattleya’s face crumpled with emotion.

I gave it to you first…!

* * *

After the banquet ended and she left the Imperial Palace with the retainers, Cattleya gritted her teeth.

She was so frustrated she couldn’t bear it.

‘What’s so special about that thing!’

She was just a little kid who couldn’t even speak properly.

Just a little kid who wasn’t cuter, didn’t have stronger divine power, and wasn’t smarter than herself.

Her vision blurred from the humiliation of being pushed aside by such a thing.

“Don’t show tears so easily.”

Cattleya was startled by the voice she heard from beside her.

When she turned her head, an Elder whose face she had become familiar with while following her father smiled warmly.

“How can a child who will look down upon millions of territorial citizens as the Young Lady of Dubbled get excited over such matters?”

“Can I really become the Young Lady of Dubbled?”

“Of course.”

“But His Excellency didn’t even look at me….”

Cattleya looked at the Elder sadly.

Baron Winston and his wife were equally anxious.

The Baron asked the Elder.

“His Excellency cherishes the Child of Fate more than expected. His eyes looked as if he was truly looking at his daughter.”

“Is His Excellency that kind of person?”

“Then…?”

“The Child of Fate happened to help the family a few times.”

It was something only a few knew about.

She had told them where Orichalcon was buried and helped them find Etoile.

‘She was lucky.’

“His Excellency must think favorably of that girl since she brought him profit.”

The Elder patted the Baron’s shoulder as he spoke.

“Don’t worry. We’ll turn His Excellency’s heart around.”

Then he bent his knee to meet Cattleya’s gaze.

“Young Lady, you need only trust us. And please repay us for this favor in the future.”

It was a polite remark, as if he were truly speaking to the Young Lady of Dubbled.

Only then did a smile return to Cattleya’s face.

* * *

The next day.

I leaned my back against the wall and glanced at Isaac and Henri who were blocking my path.

“Kid.”

“Yes…”

“I’m telling you this because you don’t seem to know.”

“Yes.”

“I can eat meat too.”

“…”

Henri was just smiling, but his smile was twice as bright as usual, as if he wanted to say the same thing.

This is unfair.

I had only returned the meat that Cattleya gave to the Duke.

That girl who had been radiating an aura of wanting to be loved by the Duke glared at me murderously as soon as the Duke gave me meat.

I didn’t want to create resentment over a piece of meat, so I gave it back.

Isaac said.

“If you discriminate like this, I’ll discriminate against Elder Brother too.”

Against Henri, not me?

I looked up at Isaac who was making a serious expression, feeling absurd.

Henri looked at Isaac like he was looking at a cockroach.

I let out a sigh and rummaged through my pocket.

‘Is there anything?’

When I rustled through my pocket, I found a few wildflowers I had picked in the garden yesterday to give to Lea.

I couldn’t make a bouquet because I bumped into Cattleya, so I just put them in my pocket.

The nameless wildflowers that had been in my pocket for half a day were tattered, but this was all I had.

I held out a wildflower each to Henri and Isaac.

The Young Masters’ eyes widened.

“You’re giving these to us?”

“Yes.”

When I spoke, the two received the flowers with trembling hands.

“The kid gave me…”

“A flower to me…”

Isaac shouted “Taxidermist Park!” It was a tone I’d heard many times before.

Henri also said “Excuse me” and was quickly opening the door when Henri’s subordinate knight approached.

“The Retainers have submitted a petition requesting permission for Young Lady Winston to lift the barrier on the 【Sleeping Mineral】.”

‘If it’s the Sleeping Mineral, they must mean that thing.’

Dubbled’s Family Treasure.

It was an object protected by a sacred barrier that could only be lifted by someone with Divine Power.

I don’t even know what it’s used for.

Our ancestor left behind the Family Treasure with the stipulation that ‘it can only be used when a daughter of the Main Family is born with Divine Power,’ but all the daughters born since then turned out to possess mana instead, so it couldn’t be unlocked.

Isaac burst out angrily.

“What kind of bullshit is that! The Duke’s daughter is just a little kid, so why should Cattleya Winston lift the barrier!”

Henri’s expression also turned cold.

He asked the knight.

“Where are the Retainers now?”

“They’re in the Audience Chamber.”

Henri and Isaac immediately headed out into the corridor.

Numerous Retainers had gathered in the Audience Chamber.

Most were People in Power who controlled territories of over 3,000 square kilometers.

Cattleya, who was standing among them, smiled brightly when she saw the Young Masters and me entering the Audience Chamber.

Between the Duke’s chair and the Retainers sat a luxurious box.

At first glance, it just looked like a large stone.

‘Is that the Sleeping Mineral?’

The Retainers opened their mouths toward the Duke.

“According to the Weather Officials’ predictions, a severe drought will come next year.”

That was correct.

The Imperial Family, nobles, and even the Temple had predicted and prepared for it, but the drought would continue from planting season through fall.

“Now is precisely when we need the power of the 【Sleeping Mineral】.”

“If this mineral can summon water spirits as speculated from the records, it would be of great help.”

“And Lady Winston possesses powerful Divine Power. She can lift the barrier.”

After hearing the story, Henri looked back at the Duke.

“We cannot set a precedent of a branch family member lifting Sacred Artifacts owned by the Main Family.”

I nodded inwardly.

In the future, branch family nobles could use this incident as justification to target other Sacred Artifacts owned by the Main Family.

A man wearing Elder Council Robes spoke.

“Of course, we are well aware of the dangers of setting such a precedent. It could cause internal strife as justification.”

Isaac twisted his lips.

“If you know that, then why are you spouting nonsense?”

The Elder’s lips curled up in a smirk.

“If you adopt Cattleya Winston into the Main Family, you could save the Territory Residents without setting a dangerous precedent.”

‘So this was their goal.’

I looked at Cattleya, whose cheeks were flushed red with embarrassment.

Isaac let out a hollow laugh.

“So you can’t stand to see the kid managing the Inner Castle?”

At those words that hit the core of the matter, the Elder laughed awkwardly as if troubled.

“How could you say such a thing? I merely offered loyal counsel for the sake of the Territory Residents.”

“Of course. If the Young Lady could dispel the barrier, would we make such a petition?”

“The Young Lady, who has less Divine Power than an ordinary Priest, wouldn’t be able to dispel the barrier.”

At those words, the Pro-Duke Retainers shouted.

“How dare you judge the Young Lady so carelessly!”

“Then would she be able to do it?”

“That’s…!”

“But you know.”

The Elder’s gaze turned toward me, standing blankly beside Viscount Dubois.

“Does the Young Lady truly possess Divine Power?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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