The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 65

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 65
“Your Highness!”
Clover came running up in a rush, peering curiously at Pluto.
“Goodness, you look absolutely exhausted…….”
“……It’s not that bad, really!”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
Belze arrived quickly behind her, drew out a handkerchief, and dabbed the sweat from Pluto’s brow.
Pluto remained still while she tended to him, then asked quietly, “Why are you here so early? We were supposed to meet this evening.”
“Well…….”
“The Duke insists that dinner must be taken, so you should eat first and then come.”
“What if we ate dinner together?”
Clover turned her head slyly, looking up at Belze with hopeful eyes.
“It’s going back and forth when we were already meeting after dinner anyway, and that’s a bother…….”
“Oh my…….”
“If we ate together…….”
“Then shall I ask the Duke about it? I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Belze laughed softly.
“……And my say in this?”
“You d-don’t want to?”
“No, that’s not it…….”
As Pluto trailed off, Clover broke into a smile.
“Then let’s eat together!”
“……All right.”
Pluto answered very softly.
“Good.”
Yet Clover caught even that small voice with remarkable clarity.
[So the prince is just a child after all.]
Lucky murmured to herself. Instead of replying, Clover simply nodded her agreement.
“Then let’s go.”
Clover walked with her hands clasped behind her back, grinning broadly as she followed Pluto.
Pluto walked slowly after her, his gaze slipping away shyly.
Yet he did not walk apart from her.
The two children walked side by side back to the Annex House where Pluto lodged.
Behind them trailed a single strand of warm, gentle breeze.
***
“So, did you find anything out?”
Kalid asked as he settled into a chair after returning from Pluto’s lesson.
His adjutant, Teniron, gave a small bow.
Before conducting Pluto’s lesson, Kalid had ordered Teniron to investigate the incidents that had occurred in the White Forest.
Teniron continued smoothly without hesitation.
“The investigation is ongoing, but we’ve found no remarkable peculiarities. I cannot explain how it managed to hide beneath the Spirit Tree.”
“You cannot, you say…….”
“Trailing off like that won’t help matters. I cannot claim to know what I do not.”
Teniron replied.
“However, the researchers who conducted the investigation suggest that the Demonic Beast may have possessed a ‘special ability’ of its own.”
Occasionally, higher-ranking Demonic Beasts possessed abilities analogous to human Authority.
Fire-breathing Dragon Demonic Beasts were examples of this.
“It seemed unremarkable—are you saying it was a powerful Demonic Beast?”
“It was pierced through and died instantly from a single arrow, so I cannot claim it was particularly strong. However, the researchers hypothesize that it may have possessed a special ability of the ‘concealment’ variety—the capacity to mask its true nature.”
“So it deceived not only the Spirit Tree’s perception, but even the forest itself with that ability.”
“There have been instances of Demonic Beasts deceiving human eyes in that manner before, so it is not entirely unprecedented. Though reaching beneath the Spirit Tree itself is certainly extraordinary.”
“Have there been any other unusual occurrences near the White Forest?”
“None to report. Thanks to the recent efforts of the Knights, no additional Demonic Beasts have been found in the area. However…….”
“Speak.”
“The researchers report that the Spirit Tree’s influence over the surrounding area appears to have diminished slightly.”
“Are you certain?”
“Nearly certain. The boundary of the Spirit Tree’s power is visible to the naked eye, and upon investigation, it has indeed contracted, though only marginally. There seems little cause for major concern.”
Teniron continued without pause.
“I conducted further research, though records concerning the Spirit Tree are scarce and difficult to locate. Nevertheless, from what I could find, it appears that when the spirit within the tree undergoes a cycle of recovering its strength, the Spirit Tree’s influence does occasionally narrow. So there should be no cause for alarm. Is there anything further you require?”

“No, that will suffice. You’ve done well, Teniron.”
“It’s my duty, sir. Though, if I may, there’s something I’d like to request…….”
“You want time off during the Founding Ceremony?”
“During the Founding Ceremony, I’d like a leave of absence…… Wait, how did you know?”
“At this time of year, what people ask for is always the same. Go ahead and submit your leave request, then take your time off.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“Will you take it from the first day?”
“Oh, no sir.”
Teniron spoke firmly.
“The Founding Ceremony will keep us frantically busy the entire time. I couldn’t possibly leave from the first day. Besides, this year, Miss Clover herself will be participating in the Founding Ceremony, won’t she?”
“And? What does that have to do with your leave?”
“Everything, sir. I intend to clear out the backlog of work first, and then take my leave after I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the lovely Miss Clover in her Founding Ceremony dress.”
Teniron rattled off his carefully laid vacation plans without hesitation.
Kalid, who had been listening with an intrigued expression, nodded slightly.
“Do as you wish. But this business about a Founding Ceremony dress…….”
Sone would not be wearing a dress, but rather a blouse and skirt.
That meant only one dress needed to be prepared. Kalid paused for a moment at the realization that he would need only one dress after all, not two.
“If we’re to prepare for the Founding Ceremony, you’ll need to commission the dress soon, sir. Have you given thought to any particular concept?”
“I have.”
Kalid nodded, already picturing Elicia’s appearance on the day of the Founding Ceremony in his mind’s eye.
“Yes, it is indeed time to prepare the dress. Thank you for reminding me, Teniron.”
“You’re most welcome.”
Teniron finished speaking, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave the office when he paused.
“Oh, sir.”
“What is it?”
“Now that I think of it, I heard that the young masters and mistresses will be dining at the Annex House this evening.”
“That’s right.”
Kalid nodded readily.
Belze, who was Clover’s devoted attendant, had come to him earlier to ask permission, which he had granted.
He had assumed only Clover would be dining at Pluto’s Annex House, but apparently, the moment she said the two of them alone wouldn’t do, Sone, Demian, and Arwin all followed along as well.
Perhaps because it had been so long since the children had expressed that they wanted to do something, everything that happened in the Claudian Mansion felt slightly unfamiliar to Kalid.
“To be honest, when you first said you were bringing the young prince, I was somewhat concerned…….”
“…….”
“It’s fortunate that he seems to be getting along well. Children needn’t burden themselves with adults’ affairs.”
“No, they need not.”
“By the way, will you be dining at the Annex House as well this evening, sir?”
“No, I haven’t been invited.”
Kalid spoke matter-of-factly.
“Pardon?”
“But I understand. Sometimes children need time to themselves. Sone, Demian, and Arwin have no prior connection with His Highness, so it makes even more sense. Besides, I wouldn’t think of intruding.”
So Kalid would be dining alone this evening.
Having grown accustomed to lively meals with the children, the dining table tonight would feel unusually quiet.
Yet Kalid found himself not minding. It didn’t feel unwelcome.
“Would you at least join me for dinner?”
“Sir?”
“I’m joking.”
***
Annex Garden.
Servants bustled about, setting tables and chairs, carrying platters of food.
A generous table large enough to seat ten children was moved into the garden, and a smooth, beautiful tablecloth was draped over it.
Then, steaming dishes were placed upon it one by one.
Pluto stared at the sight in a daze before turning to Clover.
“You…….”
“Wow…….”
But Pluto abandoned his intention to press Clover about whether she had arranged this.
Clover herself was gazing at the outdoor table with sparkling eyes, as though she were seeing something this wonderful for the first time.
“Your Highness, if you find anything uncomfortable, please let me know at any time.”
Sone spoke with proper courtesy and respect.
Only then did Pluto realize that it was Sone Claudian who had orchestrated all of this.
‘That makes sense. Clover wouldn’t be able to give orders like this to the servants yet.’
Pluto gazed at the outdoor table, which was now nearly ready, and shook his head slowly.
“…No, I’m relieved if it’s not inconvenient for you.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
Sone spoke flatly. Even as she did, her gaze remained fixed solely on Clover.
‘Dining with so many people together…’
It was her first time.
Pluto fought to conceal his bewilderment at the situation unfolding so suddenly, fidgeting with the gloves he wore.

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