The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 91

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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 91
After Peason’s apology, silence settled over the room.
Arwin watched him intently, taking in every word.
It didn’t sound like a false apology. Sincerity rang through in his voice.
‘That’s something.’
So it was true what they said—live long enough and you see everything. Even Peason offering a heartfelt apology.
In truth, the rift between Arwin, Demian, and Peason ran deeper than adults made it sound.
Peason had constantly needled them both over their Authority Power, which was their sore spot.
But that didn’t make Arwin innocent either.
He’d mocked Peason more than once for having
‘
weaker Authority Power than his sister.’
So really, this wasn’t solely Peason’s fault. Arwin hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry too.”
The boy’s ears flushed crimson just as quickly.
“I’m sorry for always saying harsh things to you.”
Arwin’s gaze was fixed on the floor, but his words—and his heart—were turned toward Peason.
Everyone in the room knew it.
Demian, unable to bear losing to Arwin, seized the moment and rushed to offer his own apology.
“I’m sorry too, Peason. The truth is, I didn’t stop Arwin properly when he came at you like an enraged beast. Hearing your apology just now, I realize I was just holding him back in appearance—I regret that.”
“Wait… is that true?”
When Peason asked in shock, Demian closed his mouth sheepishly, as if wondering why he’d said anything at all.
After the apologies were done, the three boys stood awkwardly in the room, and silence descended again. But it wasn’t the heavy silence that had defined these moments before.
They said nothing to each other, yet they felt it—the walls that had built up between them crumbling away like melting ice.
No fortress of ice, no matter how solid, can withstand the summer sun when it climbs high. It’s the natural order that ice dissolves under heat.
The emotions that had accumulated in these boys’ hearts over the winter were just the same. Melting away and disappearing with one sincere apology.
“From now on, really hold me back if I lose control.”
“Got it. I’ll do my best.”
“Arwin’s got absurd strength, so you have to be the one to restrain him.”
“Hmm… you can’t hold me back either. Like you said, my strength is ridiculous.”
“What’s this?”
Peason, Arwin, and Demian began talking again, their words now flowing with an ease utterly different from before.
Not long after, the sound of young boys’ laughter leaked through the crack in the doorway.
Bright sunlight streaming through the window illuminated that gap with warmth.
***
“They made up?”
At dinner time, Clover, sitting beside Neinya, spoke while watching Peason, Demian, and Arwin.
No one had told her they’d reconciled, yet Clover could tell.
The atmosphere around the three had shifted in a subtle but unmistakable way.
Clover, quick to pick up on their softened demeanor, smiled brightly.
“Don’t fight. Be nice to each other.”
“I’m sorry to you too, for being prickly.”
“Prickly how?”
“For being sharp-tongued.”
“And for being irritating.”
Neinya carved the choicest morsels from the dish and set them on Clover’s plate, shooting Peason a pointed look.
“I’m sorry for that too.”
“It’s fine. Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Why does a four-year-old sound like an old soul saying things like that…?”
Peason trailed off and fell silent. He’d decided it was better to say nothing at all than risk something truly careless.
[Our little one’s picked up my way of speaking…]
Lucky, the one responsible for teaching Clover such precocious turns of phrase, murmured softly.
Clover giggled and stroked Lucky once before dipping a piece of meat and popping it into Neinya’s mouth.
“Mmph!”
“You eat too.”
Neinya, who had been carefully selecting the best pieces and placing them on Clover’s plate, opened her eyes wide.
Clover wiped away a bit of meat sauce that clung to the corner of Neinya’s mouth with her hand.
Sone noticed her about to wipe it on the tablecloth.
“Let me do that.”
“Okay.”
I’ve been caught, trying to wipe it off on the sly.
Sone didn’t so much as sigh—she simply produced a handkerchief and gently cleaned her youngest brother’s sticky palms.
Kalid, watching this peaceful scene unfold, turned to Zhiteia and spoke.
“You’ll be heading back now, won’t you?”
“Yes, I need to check on Peason’s health. And you two should enjoy the Foundation Festival, shouldn’t you? Besides, if I stay at this mansion too long, His Majesty will disapprove again…….”
She rattled off reasons why they couldn’t remain together any longer. At that, Neinya flinched.
…….
“Nia, what’s wrong?”
……No, it’s nothing.
Neinya swallowed the food in her mouth with a gulp and whipped her head around.
Then she spoke softly.
“Aib has a mansion in the Capital too.”
“Oh.”
……If you want to come, you can. The Foundation Festival is long, and I’ll be there the whole time.”
Neinya was subtly inviting her to visit. But Clover couldn’t answer right away.
The thing was, she’d never been to another person’s home before.
Hmm…….
As Clover pondered with her eyes half-closed, Neinya stared at her in sudden alarm.
“You don’t want to!?”
“No, that’s not it…….”
“Then why are you thinking about it?”
“I’ve never been to a friend’s house before…….”
She’d been to the Imperial Palace, but that was because her father had taken her, so it didn’t count.
Was she allowed to visit?
Did you need a ‘gift’ to go to a friend’s house, the way you did for the Imperial Palace?
Four-year-old Clover’s mind swirled with countless thoughts that bloomed and faded like clouds.
At Clover’s answer, Neinya was silent for a moment, studying her. Then, fidgeting with the Cat Doll she’d brought to the table, she spoke.
……Listen.
Hmm?
This is the first time I’ve called someone a friend.”
At the word “friend” from Neinya’s lips, both Zhiteia and Peason at the table froze.
Neinya, who used to complain that friendship was pointless.
That same Nia who insisted on staying close to no one!
Neinya, aware that their eyes had fixed upon her, squirmed and spoke.
“So, you come too, Clover.”
But…….
“This is my first time, and your first time too, so come visit Aib. Later, come to the real mansion instead of here—it’s much bigger. From the terrace in my room, you can see the vast sea.”
Neinya abruptly pressed the Cat Doll she’d been fidgeting with into Clover’s hands.
“So come, Clover. You’re my friend.”
Neinya……!
“This one’s yours too. It’s something I treasure. There are two kittens in the set—one is pink and one is sky blue.”
The one Neinya was holding was the sky-blue Cat Doll. As she handed it to Clover, she babbled in a trembling voice.
“Since you have the sea one, now you have to be my friend. And come to my house, okay?”
Zhiteia the Duchess, watching this scene, grasped like something unbelievable.
“This can’t be…….”
At her gasp, Kalid raised an eyebrow and asked.
“Why?”
“That doll—it’s the thing Nia treasures most in the world. The Emperor himself couldn’t get her to give it up!”
And yet she was handing it over just like that? Zhiteia murmured to herself.
As Zhiteia’s fascinating explanation spread among those seated at the table, all eyes turned to the sky-blue Cat Doll that Neinya was offering.
A moment of silence fell, and just as Neinya squeezed her eyes shut.
“Nia, thank you…….”
Clover’s face flushed with excitement as she murmured and took the kitten from Neinya.
“Thank you so much for giving me something you treasure.”
Clover gazed at the sky-blue doll for a long moment, then suddenly threw her arms around both it and Neinya.
“Nia and Clover are best friends now!”
……!
Clover beamed widely, burying her face in Neinya’s shoulder. Her soft cheeks pressed firm against it.
At Clover’s warm embrace, Neinya’s face flushed hot in an instant.
Squeeze.
Peason, who had been watching Neinya cradle Clover tenderly in her arms, posed the question almost casually.
“You’re happy now that you have a friend?”
Neinya nodded, her expression uncertain, and answered.
“Yes…….”
Happier than I’ve ever been.

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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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