The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family - Chapter 95

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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 95
Kalid, engaged in conversation with Weiron, found himself checking the time with a subtle glance.
‘By now.’
By now, Teniron should have finished the task he’d been ordered to complete.
Which meant he couldn’t afford to linger in the Ballroom for another moment. Besides, Clover seemed utterly exhausted, still clutching his arm with her brow furrowed in discomfort.
The neat, pristine tailcoat bore a small wet patch from the child’s drool. Kalid dabbed the girl’s mouth with a handkerchief, bid farewell to the Emperor, and slipped out of the Ballroom.
It had been far too brief a time to call it an enjoyment of the ball.
Yet he’d shown his face to the Emperor and impressed the nobility with Clover’s existence. He’d achieved every objective he’d set—there was no reason to remain.
“Father, can we go home?”
“Yes.”
“But Nianea…”
“Your father spoke well to Nianea. Don’t worry.”
At Kalid’s words, Clover’s eyes grew heavy once more.
***
The Foundation Festival spans seven days in the Capital, beginning with a grand ball commemorating the founding day.
The Citizens of the Empire eat, drink, and make merry as they please, and even the nobility occasionally slip away to join in the festivities in secret.
So today was merely the first day of the Foundation Festival.
‘But why am I so exhausted?’
Clover let out a large yawn and buried her face in the blanket.
Lucky, who had remained faithfully at the child’s side all evening, fluttered down and spoke.
[It can’t be helped—you tire when you’re growing. Your Authority is expanding, which is why you’re so weary. And it’s grown quite strong during all this, hasn’t it?]
“Growing?”
[That’s right. Your Authority is developing. So you’re tired, but look how much stronger it’s become.]
“Mm-hmm.”
Lucky was right.
Clover, who once couldn’t even sprout a single seedling properly, had become a prodigy capable of blooming three Ancient Flowers.
So her strength was incomparable to before—though next to her family, it was still a drop in the ocean.
[Your Authority is surging within your body and consuming all your energy. Which is why you need plenty of rest right now.]
Growing is exhausting work.
And it demands so much sleep.
Just as Clover yawned widely and let her eyes drift shut, it happened.
Knock, knock.
Someone rapped at Clover’s door. The child roused herself drowsily and called out.
“Who is it?”
“It’s your father, Clover.”
Father!
Clover rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked toward the door.
It opened, and Kalid entered the room with someone else.
Two people had come in with Kalid—one was his aide Teniron, and the other was…
‘Who is that?’
A boy she’d never seen before. Ordinary-looking, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Another new friend? Clover tilted her head curiously.
“Your Highness, it’s safe to proceed here.”
Kalid, having confirmed through the Messenger of the North Wind that no one else was nearby, spoke softly, and the boy stepped forward.
He hesitated for a moment, then grasped the necklace he was holding and pulled it away from his neck.
And then.
Shimmer!
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed, and the brown-haired, brown-eyed boy’s appearance transformed.
Brown hair became black hair.
Ordinary brown eyes became eyes that shone like amethysts, gleaming violet.
Clover’s eyes widened at the sudden change in the boy before her.
The boy was Pluto!
Pluto Rosipheron!
“Pluto, yo—mph!”
Caught off guard and delighted, she immediately called out his name, but a startled Pluto rushed over and covered her mouth.
“Huh?”
“You can’t call me that!”
Pluto rolled his eyes.
“Call me Tesha. Just Tesha.”
“Tesha?”
Why does Pluto insist on being called Tasha?
Clover was half-closing her eyes in thought when Teniron stepped forward.
“Miss, the Crown Prince’s arrival in the Capital is strictly confidential. Ordinarily, he shouldn’t have come at all, but the Chancellor arranged for him to slip in using a magical artifact from the neighboring continent.”
“Huh?”
“So while he’s in the Capital, this young man is not the Crown Prince—he’s Tasha, my nephew.”
Teniron explained kindly, but the concept was still too difficult for four-year-old Clover to grasp.
“Tasha… hard stuff.”
But she understood that Father had sacrificed something enormous just to bring her and Pluto together.
Half-understanding, Clover smiled brightly and nodded her head.
Then she looked at Teniron and asked.
“But, mister.”
“Yes?”
“Mister, why you here? I heard mister go on vacation.”
“….”
Teniron shook his head with an expression suggesting he had much to say. Kalid, paying it no mind, fastened the necklace around Pluto’s neck once more.
Then he spoke to Clover.
“This secret stays between you, me, and Teniron, Clover. Your older siblings won’t know a thing.”
“Mm-hmm…”
“So while he’s here, he’s Tasha, Teniron’s nephew. Be careful not to slip up.”
In truth, even if discovered, it wouldn’t bring much reproach.
Weiron had forbidden Pluto from attending the Foundation Festival on account of his Authority, but everyone knew the real reason was petty annoyance with a troublesome son. The command had nothing to do with Pluto’s power at all.
So even if caught, Kalid would likely escape with only a mild scolding—but it was still better not to get caught at all.
“Got it, Tasha.”
Clover nodded eagerly and bounced off the bed, standing in front of Pluto.
“Friend, I’m so happy!”
“…!”
“I’m so glad I can play with Tasha at the Foundation Festival!”
As Clover smiled brightly, the tips of Pluto’s ears flushed slightly pink.
The boy’s hair bristled up like cat fur—not a negative reaction at all.
***
The next morning.
“Let’s go see the Festival!”
After finishing breakfast, Arwin hoisted Clover up onto his shoulders, holding her aloft as he shouted excitedly.
“We’ll eat delicious food and see fun things! I’ll even win you a toy!”
Toys were something he could buy anytime, really. If he wanted, he could purchase entire toy shops.
But winning a toy through a festival game was entirely different from one simply bought. This one would carry the effort of Arwin’s own hands.
“A toy!”
“Yeah, and let’s eat something tasty!”
“Something yummy!”
Clover’s body on Arwin’s shoulders bounced with excitement.
Just then, Demian swooped in and plucked Clover right off Arwin’s shoulders, setting her down as he spoke.
“How can you hold her so recklessly?”
“Aw, come on.”
It had been fun. Clover, now off Arwin’s shoulders, looked over at Pluto with a disappointed pout.
Pluto—or rather, Tasha—was standing beside Clover, watching her quietly.
Perhaps because he’d been introduced merely as Teniron’s nephew, neither Arwin nor Demian showed much interest in Pluto.
They might not care about him at all, really. In a way, that was a relief.
“Tasha, are you excited for the festival too?”
Clover reached out her hand toward Pluto. After hesitating briefly, Pluto gently clasped her outstretched hand with his own, clad in brown leather gloves.
“Yes.”
“Yay, me too!”
Pluto seemed uncomfortable using formal speech with Clover, so he didn’t elaborate further.
But his grip on her hand remained firm, and even while Arwin and Demian bickered, he kept hold of it.
However, Arwin and Demian, unaware that the boy calling himself Tasha was actually the Crown Prince—that Kalid had hidden his identity—
“…Hm?”
“Clover, you’re holding hands with someone you just met?”
They made their displeasure known, watching the two as Pluto and Clover held hands.
But no matter what her older brothers said, Clover kept her grip on Pluto’s hand and laughed brightly.
Then, just as—
“That’s enough noise. Go change your clothes.”
Sone appeared from nowhere, her hand resting casually on Arwin’s shoulder as she regarded both him and Demian.
“You’re going to the festival dressed like that?”
One couldn’t wear clothes befitting nobility to the Foundation Festival. After all, the celebration belonged to all the Citizens of the Empire.
To blend in naturally and enjoy it among the crowds, one had to wear something far more ordinary.

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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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