The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 90

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

Chapter 90
Clover carefully cupped her hands before the billowing smoke.
The vaporous clouds that had been swirling between Peson and Jetiaia were drawn into her waiting palms.
“Hya.”
The moment the child exercised her Authority, the deep crimson smoke gathered in her hands blazed with brilliant scarlet light, transforming into a tiny seed.
“…Clover?”
Nenia, witnessing Clover wield her Authority for the first time, gazed down at the child in astonishment.
Clover’s ears perked up and she grinned at Nenia before exercising her power once more.
Then—
A soft rustle.
The seed in Clover’s palm suddenly sprouted, unfurled in a rush of growth, and transformed into a crimson blossom.
The Ancient Flower that Clover could bloom with her Authority.
As her power grew with the child’s heart, she had now reached the point where she could conjure flowers in her own palm without need of soil.
“Clover, you’re absolutely amazing.”
The child’s eyes shimmered as she gazed at the flower—three blooms hanging from a single stem, each one a deep scarlet hue.
What name did this Ancient Flower bear? Without books, there was no way to know.
Lucky, who had been observing the flower intently, alighted gently upon it and spoke.
[This is a Carnation.]
“Oh…!”
[It’s the flower we gave together when conveying our love to our parents.]
All eyes—Kalid’s, Nenia’s, Peson’s, and Jetiaia’s—fixed upon Clover.
The moment Clover realized everyone was looking at her, she startled and clutched the flower tightly.
“Uh?”
“Clover, what is that…?”
“…Is this the Ancient Flower that Clover can bloom? The one you spoke of, Kalid?”
Peson and Jetiaia exchanged bewildered murmurs. At their reaction, Kalid nodded.
“Yes.”
This was only the third time Kalid had witnessed Clover conjuring an Ancient Flower.
It was still wondrous, mystifying, and moving—but unlike the other two, he did not lose himself in awe. Cradling Nenia in his arms, Kalid approached Clover and gently stroked her head.
“You did well, Clover.”
“Heh.”
Still beaming, Clover—holding the flower—suddenly extended it toward Jetiaia and Peson.
“This is for both you and my brother.”
“…What?”
“It’s made from my brother’s heart. Clover can make flowers from people’s hearts.”
That was the nature of Clover’s Authority, after all.
Upon hearing the child’s words, Jetiaia glanced instinctively at Kalid, and he nodded in confirmation.
“It’s true.”
“So this flower came from both my brother’s heart and yours, which is why it’s a gift for both of you.”
Jetiaia accepted the crimson Carnation from Clover’s hands, dazed.
An Ancient Flower, beheld for the first time in her life.
It was of an entirely different order from the ‘flowers’ she had known until now.
It gave off no stench, harbored no dreadful quality, and posed no immediate threat of attack.
Clover’s flower was small and beautiful, emanating a sweet fragrance. Jetiaia and Peson stood frozen, blinking slowly.
“Its name is Carnation.”
Clover repeated to Jetiaia the words Lucky had given her.
“This flower means loving your parents.”
Jetiaia knew, at least, that in ancient times special meanings were assigned to flowers—she had learned as much in her history lessons.
But she had never learned what meaning each individual flower carried, nor had she ever considered such things important.
But now—
“…I see.”
Taking the Carnation in hand, Jetiaia stroked Clover’s head and smiled with tender emotion.
“Thank you, Clover.”
In this moment, the meaning of this flower was to Jetiaia more precious than anything else.
“It’s the most special gift I’ve ever received.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You truly are a very special child.”
An Ancient Flower bloomed from the hearts of Peson and herself.
A crimson Carnation.
She had a feeling she would carry this moment with her for the rest of her life.
Peson felt the same way.
A beautiful Ancient Flower symbolizing his own heart and his mother’s.
A Divine Authority that bloomed flowers from the foundation of two hearts.
Clover’s Authority was remarkable, and the flower that had bloomed was even more exquisite and extraordinary.
For a moment, Peson was ashamed of himself for having cursed Clover’s Authority as something so weak it couldn’t even protect his own body.
There were values in this world more important than strength.
Being strong was not everything.
Young Peson came to understand this truth late, learning it through Clover’s flower.
It was the moment when the red flower took root deeply and fiercely in the hearts of both Peson and Jetiaia.
So that even if it withered, it could bloom again.
So that one day they could hold their heads high once more.
Deep and fierce.
***
Jetiaia Eibe interrogated Manela immediately upon arrival at the detention facility, taking precautions against the possibility of the prisoner’s suicide during transport.
Under her relentless questioning, Manela finally broke and opened her mouth.
“T-the cult……!”
“The cult?”
“The cult gave it to me! I really don’t know what kind of Seed it is!”
“Which cult are you talking about?”
“It’s……”
“You have three seconds.”
“The Trina Cult! The Trina Cult!”
The Trina Cult.
A heretical new religion estimated to have emerged roughly ten years ago.
Its power was weak and it had shown no notable activity, so she hadn’t paid it close attention — yet now the Trina Cult had reached out its hand to the Eibe ducal family.
“Those petty wretches…….”
Jetiaia ground her teeth. Kalid, standing beside her, added to her words.
“This is almost the first time I’ve heard the name Trina Cult.”
“That makes sense — it’s a fledgling heresy that operates mostly near the Eibe Dukedom. They view the World Tree as their sole deity.”
“The World Tree…….”
“Since they showed no particular activity, I didn’t pay much attention. But they’re pulling off something like this? I’ll wipe them all out!”
Jetiaia slammed the table with a bang. Kalid answered without so much as blinking.
“I’ll look into it with you too — if it’s a heresy related to the World Tree, there are things that concern me as well.”
“Right, and seeing Clover’s Authority now, it seems Claudian will need to be cautious as well. From what I understand, the Trina Cult believes the World Tree is their only deity, so they’re obsessively fixated on the Ancient Flower and the branches of the World Tree. They might take interest in Clover’s Authority.”
“Yes, we’ll look into it carefully. But…….”
Kalid looked at Jetiaia.
“Manela will be transported to the Eibe territory, but what about Peson?”
“What?”
“Peson seems to be in poor health — is it all right to keep him in the Capital for now?”
Jetiaia replied.
“He wants to stay. He wants to enjoy the festival with Nenia. Those two were distant with each other all this time, but they’ve reconciled through this affair.”
She continued.
“Besides, I can’t send both Manela and Peson to the territory together. Who knows what else Manela might do to the boy.”
“That’s true.”
Kalid, who had been thinking for a moment, spoke.
“It troubles me a bit that we couldn’t identify what the Seed really is…….”
That would come out as we investigated.
According to both Manela and Jetiaia, it was a place that had only recently emerged and wasn’t particularly formidable, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to investigate.
Moreover, there were suspicions to be made.
‘A Seed used as a tool for brainwashing or control, most likely.’
Kalid, who had been pondering something, looked at Jetiaia.
“You’ll be heading back now?”
“Once Peson regains his strength, yes.”
Be careful during the Founding Festival — now that Manela’s identity has been exposed, they might make another move targeting Peson.”
“I’ve already increased his guard and decided to keep him with me as much as possible.”
Jetiaia answered.
“And for now, I don’t intend to hire a new governess.”
“Because of Manela?”
“Yes, I’ll take better care of him myself. If I really need someone to entrust him to, there’s also Nenia’s governess.”
She laughed awkwardly.
“From now on, I want to take better care of you.”
So the child wouldn’t go hungry for love and affection again.
That was his role, after all.
***
“……I’m sorry.”
Peson stood awkwardly before Demian and Arwin, offering his apology.
Demian and Arwin’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.
“What’s this? Peson apologizing? ……Did the sun rise in the west?”
“Arwin, the sun rises in the east.”
Arwin and Demian bickered quietly. Peson held Nenia’s hand, watching them in silence for a moment before he spoke again.
“Listen, and I mean this seriously. I’m sorry for constantly picking fights with you over Divine Authority.”
“You…….”
“I was dissatisfied with my own Authority, and I hated seeing my weakness. I think I just took it out on you both without meaning to.”
The boy’s ears flushed red with shame.
“……I’m sorry. I mean it sincerely.”

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