The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 92

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

Episode 92
After Naenia’s shy confession,
Ziteya finished the meal and prepared to depart with the children, but what had seemed a brief stay had slipped away—the Foundation Festival was now upon them.
“I’ll see you at the Foundation Ball, Kalid.”
“Yes, travel well. Take good care of the boy.”
“If anything unusual comes up, I’ll send word.”
Ziteya and Kalid exchanged their farewells.
Demian and Arwin, standing side by side, turned their gaze toward Peson. He returned it in kind.
“Safe travels. We’ll see you again soon.”
“Next time, let’s not fight.”
Demian and Arwin spoke first. Peson hesitated, then slowly nodded.
“…Yes. See you next time.”
Sone watched the exchange quietly before giving Peson a slight nod.
“Farewell, Peson.”
“…!”
“See you later.”
At Sone’s greeting, the tips of Peson’s ears flushed warm. The boy averted his gaze from hers and nodded.
Once the older siblings had finished their farewells, it was Naenia and Clover’s turn.
Both girls carried a certain solemnity with them.
‘I mustn’t throw a tantrum asking them to stay longer.’
‘I won’t cry, even saying goodbye to Nia….’
Having made their silent promises, the children gazed at each other before Lucky bounded over and wrapped them both in an embrace.
“Clover, you have to come.”
“Nia, see you soon.”
The two girls held each other for a long while, exchanging their goodbyes. The others watched the scene warmly, allowing the children ample time to say their farewells.
Only after their warm bodies had comforted each other’s hearts did Clover and Naenia part, leaving their reluctance behind.
They climbed into the carriage at once and departed the residence. Clover remained standing in place, quietly watching the carriage recede into the distance.
Even as her older siblings urged her to come inside, she shook her head with a soft “No,” standing motionless where she was.
Kalid, observing the girl silently, placed his hand upon her head.
“Clover, are you lonely?”
“Mm?”
“It seems like you’re sad to part from Naenia.”
Is this what loneliness feels like?
It feels as though Naenia, riding away in that carriage, has departed from Clover’s heart as well. This must be what loneliness is.
After a moment’s thought, Clover nodded.
“Yes, I miss her already.”
“If you miss her, you can hold the Cat Doll—Naenia gave it to you, after all.”
Kalid glanced at the Cat Doll that Clover held so dear as he spoke. The girl nodded.
“That helps a little, but… I just miss her so much….”
“When the Foundation Ball begins, Naenia will come to the ball too. You’ll see each other then.”
“Mm.”
“Once the Foundation Festival ends, we can visit the Peson estate as well—it has a beautiful sea, just as he said, and great ships besides.”
“Yes.”
“When one carriage leaves, another arrives to bring back people we’re happy to see. If you wave goodbye kindly, the carriage will return with them.”
Kalid took the girl’s hand and gently swung it in the direction the carriage had gone as he spoke.
“Come now, wave goodbye.”
“Goodbye…”
After waving her hand as Kalid suggested, Clover’s heart seemed a little lighter.
Her ears perked up and her eyes grew bright again. She clutched the Cat Doll close once more.
Kalid, smiling softly at the sight of the child, lifted her into his arms. She no longer resisted, but nestled into his embrace without reservation.
“Now, let’s go rest.”
“Rest?”
“Yes. You need sleep if you want to play again tomorrow.”
Tomorrow the festival would begin in earnest, so he needed to put her to bed early. He carried the child straight toward her bedchamber.
It wasn’t long before Clover, still clutching the Cat Doll, had drifted off to sleep even before her clothes were changed.
***
On the day the Foundation Ball was to begin, the servants were bustling about early.
Several maids descended upon Clover with care, washing and dressing her for the ball.
While the child drowsed, one maid supported her face with her hand while others swiftly changed her clothes and arranged her hair.
Thanks to their efforts, all preparations were complete even as Clover slept. The Dress she now wore was one that Kalid had personally selected, just as he had done when they first arrived at the capital.
The adorable child’s dress was made of a material that wouldn’t wrinkle no matter how much she moved, yet the servants still took great care to keep it pristine.
“Are we finished?”
Kalid, who had been waiting while Clover was being prepared, stepped into the child’s room.
The servants who had been braiding her hair into pretty loops and fitting a jeweled mesh over it turned to look at him.
“Oh, we’re almost done!”
“That’s right, just about finished now.”
Clover’s eyes were still half-closed. But when the noise stirred her slightly awake, she shifted.
“Mm…….”
“Oh my, is she waking up?”
The servants looked at Clover with a hint of hope, but she had not truly woken.
Shift.
Instead, she gripped the hand of the servant supporting her face and settled into a more comfortable position for sleep. Her soft cheek pressed firmly into the servant’s palm.
“Oh my…….”
The servant cradling Clover’s face flushed crimson. It was almost too much cuteness to bear. She didn’t want to move her hand away.
But she had no choice. Clover had to go to the ball.
Watching this quietly, Kalid confirmed that the preparations were complete, then lifted Clover carefully into his arms.
The child’s head lolled. He cradled her carefully so her neck wouldn’t bend, allowing her head to rest against his chest.
“Mm…….”
But unsatisfied with the position, Clover made a fretful sound.
Squirm, squirm.
She shifted about, searching for comfort. Kalid and all the servants held their breath, watching.
Settle.
Clover’s movements ceased only after she had completely buried her face in the crook of Kalid’s arm.
“Oh no, the young mistress’s hair……!”
The servant who had so carefully arranged her hair fretted at the sight, worried it would become disheveled.
But they could not wake the child. She would be tired all day long—they couldn’t exhaust her before they’d even begun.
“Follow me. We’ll fix her hair again before we enter the ball.”
Kalid gestured to the servant who had braided Clover’s hair.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll carry the child as she is.”
Kalid said this while holding Clover, now with only the back of her head visible. Soft, steady breathing continued to drift from within his arms.
The impeccably dressed Kalid carrying the sleeping child might have seemed incongruous at first glance, but it was also as lovely as a painting.
Once preparations were finished, Arwin, who had been waiting, quickly approached Kalid and asked.
“Father, what about Clover?”
“She’s sleeping.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go as is. We can wake her when we arrive.”
***
[Wake up, little one.]
Lucky roused Clover from sleep. She lifted her head in a daze.
Creases marked her cheek where it had been pressed. Sone quickly dabbed away the thin line of drool with a handkerchief.
“Where… am I…….”
“The Imperial Palace.”
“Huh……?”
“We’re here, Clover. Wake up now.”
The beautifully dressed Sone gently lifted Clover into her arms. The moment her round little head came into view, a waiting servant immediately began to fix her hair.
“Naenia, I slept.”
“You did sleep well.”
“Where’s Father?”
Clover rubbed her eyes and turned her head to look around.
Then Kalid, who had been sitting nearby waiting for her, gently tapped her cheek.
“Father’s right here.”
“Papa.”
“Yes—the Foundation Ball only needs us for the first night, so even if you’re tired, let’s bear with it for a bit, darling.”
The Foundation Festival’s ball lasted two days.
But not all the nobles attended both evenings.
These balls were originally meant for socializing among the nobility. Great houses like Claudian with solid standing had no need for such things. Yet as it was a major event of the Empire, it would have been awkward to miss it entirely, so they attended only the first night.
Since Kalid was attending with his young daughter, it was natural that he would only attend the ball’s first evening, intending to show Clover the festival from the second day onward.
“Sir Kalid, we’re all set.”
The servant, having quickly tidied Clover’s hair, stepped back from the carriage and spoke.
“Clover, look at Father.”
“Hmm?”
“There we are.”
Kalid took Clover back from Sone, confirming that the child’s hair had been arranged into a neat, charming style, and spoke.
“Shall we go down now?”

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