The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 55

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Chapter 55
Clover met Pluto again some time later.
After Anernia had fully recovered and sent the Claudian Estate a trove of gifts as thanks,
and after Clover had received those gifts with joy and spent happy hours with her family,
a shabby carriage arrived at the Claudian Estate.
“…Good day, Duke.”
The carriage was so dilapidated it was hard to believe it had come from the Imperial Palace.
It was small enough that a respectable noble house would never use it, pulled by only a single horse, and the driver himself bore little resemblance to an Imperial Palace coachman.
‘It’s as if the coachman hoped the carriage would break down on the way here.’
In fact, the horseshoes were worn completely through.
Though it was true that the road from the Imperial Palace to the Claudian Estate was rough and long, so the horseshoes could have worn down along the way,
‘No—these simply weren’t replaced.’
Kalid watched the horse standing uncomfortably, its worn horseshoes making it limp with pain, and clicked his tongue in disapproval.
It was a wonder the horse and driver had made it here without an accident.
“Good day, Your Highness.”
Kalid Claudian bowed his head with proper respect for the royal.
Though the prince had arrived in shabby circumstances, alone and with no attendants, a prince was still a prince.
He was the second son of Auron Feroy Rosipheron, the second heir to the Rosipheron Empire itself.
Kalid had a duty to serve him with proper courtesy, regardless of how the young prince appeared.
“Welcome to the Claudian Estate. During your stay, we shall see to your every comfort.”
“Thank you….”
The dejected second prince nodded. Kalid’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The prince was more downcast than Clover had been when she first arrived at this estate.
Though it was only natural, given how he was treated at the Imperial Palace, the boy was scarcely six years old, and Kalid’s heart did not sit well with it.
“These are my children. Greet His Highness properly.”
Sone, Demian, and Arwin, who had been standing behind Kalid to maintain proper protocol toward the royal, stepped forward and bowed their heads respectfully.
“Good day, Your Highness. I am Sone.”
“I am Demian Claudian. You may simply call me Demian.”
“I’m Arwin.”
“…Pluto.”
As Pluto awkwardly returned their greetings, something stirred behind Sone.
Peek.
It was Clover, who had been standing behind Sone waiting her turn.
Clover poked her head out from beside Sone’s leg and gazed at Pluto.
“Hello, there.”
“…!”
“I’m Clover.”
Clover beamed at him.
Upon spotting Clover, Pluto flinched. He hurriedly hid his hands behind his back.
His hands, clad in black gloves, disappeared behind him.
Why was he doing that?
He hadn’t acted that way when greeting the others.
He seemed to fuss only when greeting Clover.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
Whoosh.
Sone suddenly lifted the bewildered Clover into her arms.
At that moment, Kalid gestured, and the Claudian servants standing in two lines began to move forward.
“We shall show you to your quarters. Lessons will begin the day after tomorrow. For now, please rest comfortably.”
The maids of the Claudian Estate approached and took Pluto’s baggage.
The young prince’s belongings were so meager it was hard to believe they belonged to a royal heir.
Auron had sent the prince off without so much as proper provisions. Perhaps it was only natural for a child one means to discard.
Kalid gazed at the small prince’s downcast face and recalled the Emperor’s words.
‘If Authority becomes a source of danger, handle it.’
Handle it meant kill.
He spoke of his own blood without hesitation when discussing death.
How could he? The young prince was still so small, so young.
“Thank you, Duke….”
Pluto looked at Kalid uncertainly and spoke in a mumble.
Kalid, watching him intently, slowly closed his eyes and opened them again before answering.
“Think nothing of it. Please make yourself at home.”
***
Clover, nestled in Sone’s arms while intently reading the Book on Ancient Flowers that Anernia had given her, suddenly bit the book.
“You can’t chew the book.”
“Mm…….”
So you weren’t supposed to bite it.
Clover released the book from her mouth. Fortunately, since she’d only used her lips, no saliva had marked the pages.
“Is something troubling you?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What is it?”
Sone tucked Clover’s hair behind her ear as she asked. Clover glanced at her sister before answering.
“The Crown Prince.”
“The Crown Prince? Why him?”
“Just… he’s alone, isn’t he?”
Wasn’t he lonely?
When Clover was in Demper, she’d hated being alone. Wouldn’t the Crown Prince feel the same way?
Yet she couldn’t go near him.
‘Let him rest undisturbed.’
That was what Kalid had instructed—keeping everyone away from the Separate Building where the Crown Prince was staying.
The Claudian Estate had two separate buildings, and the northern one was reserved for distinguished guests, with far better facilities than the other.
That was where the Crown Prince had chosen to stay.
“He doesn’t even come for meals.”
“No, he’ll be eating alone.”
“That’s so sad…….”
Clover stared blankly at the book, its words barely registering.
Ever since that day, Clover had been reading frequently, preparing for the possibility of creating another Seed of the Heart.
Usually Sone or Demian helped her, and sometimes Kalid or Arwin would listen as she read.
Clover loved those times too, but today for some reason.
‘I just can’t focus.’
Was it because a guest had come to the house?
Or perhaps…….
‘He looked so sad back then.’
Was that face the reason it kept coming to mind?
Either way, Clover’s thoughts remained in turmoil.
“Now that you’re living here together, you’ll be able to meet him soon enough.”
Sone offered these reassuring words in a mature tone.
“So let’s just be patient a little longer, all right?”
“Yes.”
Clover nodded her head enthusiastically.
Sone stroked her younger sister once more, then returned to the ancient book.
The book—passed from Elicia to Tiaren, from Tiaren to Anernia, from Anernia to Clover—now lay in the hands of Sone and Clover, its pages turning ceaselessly.
***
[You’re really going?]
“Aren’t you coming?”
[It’s not that, but……]
Lucky glanced uncertainly toward the North Wind Lion.
The North Wind Lion, who had followed Clover at some point, raised one paw toward Lucky and spoke.

[So you really are, aren’t you?]
Kalid was observing Clover through the North Wind Lion.
Yet the fact that he hadn’t come to stop her meant that Kalid had implicitly allowed Clover to go meet Pluto.
Clover and Belze approached the Separate Building quietly.
The building held none of the bustle of Imperial Palace guards. Not a single knight was visible.
Save for the occasional servants of the Claudian moving through, it was so quiet that it was hard to believe anyone was living here at all.
Belze gently took Clover’s hand and spoke.
“The Crown Prince is resting on the second floor. Shall I call for him?”
“No, I’ll go up myself.”
Clover released Belze’s hand and looked up determinedly toward the second floor.
“If I call too many times, he might get tired of it, so I’ll just go alone.”
“But miss…….”
As far as Belze knew, the Second Prince Pluto was quite reserved and disliked being around people.
But would it really be all right to let Clover approach him?
Just as Belze was deliberating, the North Wind Lion slipped smoothly between them and blocked her path.
Then he gave Belze a meaningful glance—permission for Clover to go ahead.
‘Ah!’
Belze understood Kalid’s intent at once and tidied Clover’s clothes for her.
“Off you go, miss. I’ll be waiting here.”
She smiled warmly.
“If you need anything at all, call out right away, and always stay close to the North Wind Lion.”
“Mm, don’t worry.”
This time would be different from last time.
‘I brought cookies this time.’
So Pluto would certainly welcome Clover.
Clover nodded and waved at Belze.
“Belze, bye-bye.”
Then she climbed eagerly toward the second floor where Pluto was.
Knock, knock.
“Your Majesty.”
She rapped on the door to Pluto’s room.
Creak.
The door opened not long after.
And then.
“What is it.”
Pluto stood in the doorway, regarding Clover with widened eyes as he spoke.
“……Go away.”
Slam.
Pluto shut the door immediately.
A bewildered Clover fingered the cookies she’d brought.
‘Oh.’