The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 76

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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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Chapter 76
Anernia’s brow furrowed as she heard what had happened to Clover and Pluto.
“You’ve had a difficult time of it, you little ones.”
Because Kalid had kept the affairs within Claudian hidden, Anernia hadn’t learned the full details.
Still, she’d gathered enough—that Pluto had experienced growing pains, and that Clover had helped him through them.
Besides, with the Foundation Festival approaching, a letter had arrived from Clover.
When Anernia opened Clover’s letter, a soft smile spread across her face.
The attendants of the Empress Dowager’s quarters, too, returned the letter after Anernia’s permission and smiled warmly.
No one could help but laugh at such a charming letter.
“It’s Miss Clover’s first festival, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. It seems she’s disappointed she can’t attend with His Majesty.”
“Well, children that age always want to go somewhere nice with a friend, share something good with them, eat something delicious together. It’s only natural.”
Anernia’s attendants laughed merrily around her.
As she listened to their voices, Anernia read the letter through once more, slowly, and murmured to herself.
“Now that I think of it, the Foundation Festival is drawing near.”
All the Empire’s prominent nobles would gather in the capital.
Of course, Claudian would attend, and House of Abe would as well.
But Pluto could not.
‘Perhaps it’s for the best.’
When Anernia learned that Pluto’s Authority had grown so strong he’d been confined to the estate for the time being, she went straight to Oulon and demanded answers.
‘But Mother, what if danger befalls the Empire’s people?’
Yet Oulon would not rescind the imperial order.
“My own son, and yet he speaks so coldly…….”
It wasn’t quite fair to say he hated Pluto—the child born and lost to the Empress Consort, whom he loved far too deeply.
If one loved the mother, shouldn’t one also love the child? The boy had not willfully harmed his own mother; what was there to hold against him?
Yet even as Anernia thought this, she knew the truth in her heart.
Why Oulon was so wary of Pluto.
‘He fears losing his place.’
When Tiaren had lived, Oulon had been just as watchful, just as envious, just as bitter toward him as he now was toward Pluto.
When Tiaren died and the throne had no more rivals, he’d grown quiet—until his son Pluto was born, and that ugly nature of his reared its head once more.
Oulon was Anernia’s son. A mother knows the thoughts of her child.
“Indeed…….”
Even at the Foundation Festival, Pluto would be alone unless Anernia looked after him personally.
In such circumstances, it was no wonder the boy disliked the festival. Perhaps, then, this confinement was actually a mercy.
After a moment’s reflection, Anernia turned to one of her attendants.
“The Foundation Festival is not far off. Would it tire Miss Clover if we summoned her?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. She’s still so young that too much travel over long distances would surely exhaust her.”
“Then let us see her face at the festival itself. In the meantime…….”
Anernia gestured to summon another attendant.
“I wish to send the children each a garment as a gift. Go tell Madam Adora to enter the palace.”
“But Your Majesty, if it’s a dress, wouldn’t the Duke of Claudian see to it himself? Parents usually choose their child’s festival dress.”
“Does the child wear only one dress all week long?”
Anernia rebuked her gently, without harshness.
“I should prepare something for Pluto as well. He hasn’t grown too much in the meantime, has he?”
She narrowed her eyes, gauging the measurements of her grandson who would not be able to attend the festival.
***
“His Highness the Prince……cannot attend.”
Cugugun Palace.
At Kalid’s words, lightning struck over Clover’s head.
When Clover learned that Pluto could not go to the Foundation Festival with her, her eyes widened.
The girl faltered, struggling to form words through her shock.
“Why……?”
“It’s by order of the Emperor. He’ll be staying at the estate in the meantime.”
“But everyone else goes out to play, and only His Highness has to stay home alone?”
“…….”
“That’s… that’s not fair…….”
The Emperor—what a mean thing to do.
Clover pressed her face against Kalid’s leg, her expression petulant.
“It’s a lie, it’s all a lie…….”
“I’m afraid it’s the truth.”
“Ugh…….”
This couldn’t be happening.
Clover fell into despair.
‘So I’m supposed to go off and have fun alone without my friend……?’
It felt like a betrayal. Like doing something wrong.
Clover slumped, melting into a formless puddle as she spoke.
“Then I don’t wanna go either…….”
“But you have to go, Clover.”
“But even Your Highness the Crown Prince isn’t going…….”
“It’s the first Festival, so I need to make an appearance—there are people who want to see you.”
Since rumors about the Ancient Flower had spread, many nobles had taken an interest in Clover.
So she had to attend the Foundation Festival.
Kalid didn’t like separating his two friends either, but neither could he defy a royal command.
Kalid gathered up the melting Clover into his arms and gave her cheek a gentle poke as he spoke.
“His Highness wouldn’t want you staying away from the Festival because of him.”
“Mmm…….”
“And if you’re really worried, you can just come back early.”
Kalid soothed her gently, stroking her hair.
“I’ve had a pretty Dress prepared for you. I took your measurements last time and placed the order. It should arrive soon.”
“Okay.”
“And besides, you might make new friends there. The youngest daughter of House of Abe is about your age, so you might just become friends.”
“But my friend is Your Highness, isn’t he?”
“You can’t go through life having only one friend. Friends are better the more you have.”
“Then how many friends does Dad have?”
“…….”
“Not counting Mom.”
“……One.”
Kalid answered reluctantly.
“Huh?”
“Your father’s a special case.”
Clearly wanting to move past the subject, he wrapped up the conversation quickly.
“……Anyway, there will be lots of good things, Clover. But if you’re really worried and can’t bring yourself to go…….”
Kalid leaned in close to Clover, his voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear.
“Dad will find a way.”
“……Really!?”
“But I can’t promise I’ll definitely find one—I’m just going to try.”
“Yay, yes!”
At Kalid’s words—that he would try—Clover’s face brightened at once, and she threw her arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
“Dad, you’re the best!”
Then she planted a kiss on his cheek.
Startled by his daughter’s sudden kiss, Kalid looked down at her.
But Clover didn’t care whether he was surprised or not—she just grinned, beaming with happiness.
Kalid couldn’t help but smile too. He gave her forehead a gentle kiss in return.
“That’s my girl.”
***
“There’s dancing at the Foundation Festival too.”
Arwin spoke while keeping Clover perched on his lap.
“You dance as a pair—a man and a woman.”
“A man and a woman?”
“Well…… men can dance with men, and women with women too, but not many people do it that way.”
Demian chimed in.
“But our sister danced with a friend.”
“That’s right. Friends can dance together too. Really, you just dance with whoever you like. It doesn’t matter who.”
“Ooh, your friend……!”
At the mention of Sone’s friend, Clover’s interest sparked, and she looked across the sofa to where Sone sat reading a book.
“Big sister, I wanna know about your friend!”
“I could introduce you, but she’s not the type you’d want to meet.”
Sone said flatly.
“The one you danced with?”
“Yeah, the one I danced with.”
“Why would you dance with someone who isn’t a good friend?”
Arwin interjected.
“Well, since my sister only has one friend, it must run in the family.”
Sone’s eyebrow twitched, and Arwin quickly ducked behind Clover.
Sone sighed and regarded her hapless younger brother cowering behind Clover.
“She’s a good friend—close, yes—but not someone I’d introduce to a child…….”
“What’s her name?”
“Tersia Hesoni. She’ll be coming to the Foundation Festival. The Academy will grant a holiday for it.”
“Ooh……!”
“If you two happen to cross paths, I’ll introduce you.”
Sone spoke quickly, anticipating Clover’s interest.
Clover nodded.
“Mmhm, but sis…… is she from House of Abe?”
At Clover’s sudden question, all three siblings’ attention snapped toward her.
Why were they all staring at her like that?
But Clover didn’t lose her nerve and pressed on.
“Dad said my friend would be from House of Abe.”

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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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