The Baby Sprout Who Bloomed in the Villain Duke’s Family
Chapter 12
Khalid Claudian and Elysia Claudian had four children.
The eldest daughter, Sone Claudian.
The eldest son, Demian Claudian.
The second son, Arwin Claudian.
And finally, Clover Claudian.
Among those four children, the eldest daughter, Sone, was the only one born with the "complete" Authority of the Storm.
Taking after Khalid completely in both appearance and personality, Sone boasted an Authority of the Storm so formidable that some assessed she might surpass Khalid in his youth.
Thus, it was only natural for Sone to become the heir to Claudian and Khalid's pride.
However, Demian and Arwin were different.
Of course, both were Khalid's proud sons, but Demian Claudian could only command the wind of the storm, while Arwin Claudian could only command its rain.
The two brothers could only wield the complete Authority of the Storm when they were together.
That was a vulnerability Demian and Arwin carried, and at the same time, a tender spot in Khalid's heart.
“Demian, that’s…”
Noticing Khalid's expression darken by the second, Demian quickly cut him off.
“Father, I’m not saying this because I'm upset or sad.”
He added,
“I only wanted to say that it should be fine for us to stay by Clover's side. And just in case, we didn’t get too close.”
“Right, we maintained a safe distance.”
When Demian and Arwin pushed this far, even Khalid could no longer hold them back.
“Though Sone noona shouldn't approach her, of course.”
“Right. If Sone noona wants to look, she'll probably have to watch from a hundred meters away.”
Arwin and Demian traded remarks. Listening quietly to their conversation, Khalid nodded.
“Fine, I understand. But the baby might find strangers frightening, so be careful when approaching—”
Demian spoke up again.
“About that, too—she didn't find us strange at all.”
“Maybe that’s the pull of blood. She toddled right up to us, gave a bright smile, and greeted us. Right, hyung?”
“Right.”
The two boys looked at each other and nodded.
Even though Demian and Arwin were born a year apart, at times like this, they seemed just like twins.
“Just be careful, regardless.”
Khalid looked once more at his sons, who wouldn't listen in the slightest, and said,
“Do not frighten your little sister; look after her well from a distance. She is a child with deep wounds.”
Belatedly, Demian and Arwin focused on Khalid's words.
“Treat her well… so she does not feel abandoned.”
And simultaneously, they nodded.
“By the way, Father.”
“What is it.”
Demian asked as if only now remembering.
“Does that mean you can't approach Clover at all, Father?”
After a moment's contemplation, Khalid answered.
“No, once dawn breaks, I will go see her briefly.”
He murmured,
“I must clear the misunderstanding with my daughter as well…”
***
Soft breathing filled the room.
Having changed into comfortable pajamas and fallen asleep on the wide bed, Clover opened her eyes at dawn beneath the bright moon.
After meeting her oppas, she had eaten the dinner Belze brought her and collapsed onto the bed to sleep, but…
Tap, tap.
“Mmm…”
Someone was tapping Clover to wake her. Groggy and half-asleep, Clover rubbed her heavy eyes and looked at the one waking her up.
And yet.
“Kitty…!”
The one waking Clover was not a person, but Khalid's summon.
It's the summon!
Though not fully awake, she reached out in pure delight and slowly stroked the cat's head.
“Why did you come heere…”
Her voice was thoroughly drenched in sleep. Clover's head tilted slowly to the side. It seemed she would fall right back to sleep within ten seconds if not nudged again. Noticing this, the cat nudged its head right into Clover's arms.
“Mm…? Wake up…?”
At that, Clover, who had almost collapsed back onto the blanket, lifted her head again.
Lying beside her, Lucky flashed brilliantly in the darkness.
[Why are you waking the baby up! What if she doesn't grow tall! Sleep is the most important thing at this age!]
The cat, however, did not spare Lucky a single glance. Gazing clearly at Clover with sapphire eyes in the dark, it spoke.
<Let's go, little one.>
“Where…?”
<To find the treasure.>
The words were concise, but the voice was resolute. At the cat's words, Clover, who had been dozing with half-closed eyes, snapped them wide open.
“Treasure!”
Lucky said displeasedly,
[At this hour?]
<We must find it at this hour.>
The cat retorted firmly. Left without a counter, Lucky fell silent.
Clover rubbed her sleep-swollen eyes with the back of her hands, doing her best to shake off the grogginess.
‘I have to find the treasure.’
Then she could stay here, and Daddy would be happy too. Clover would finally be able to prove her "worth" for the first time in her life.
“W-Wait. I can't see right now. 'Cause I'm sleepy…”
<Take your time.>
The Lion of the North Wind spoke. But Clover, feeling hurried, quickly rubbed the sleep from her eyes and scrambled down from the bed.
The bed was a bit high, making the climb down slightly tricky, but it was fine nonetheless.
The moment Clover's feet touched the floor, the Lion of the North Wind, in the form of a cat, swished its small tasseled tail.
<Follow closely, daughter of Khalid and Elysia.>
“Yup, don't worry, twust me.”
Clenching her tiny fists, Clover nodded. Her seed-round eyes sparkled like jewels in the darkness.
***
Guiding Clover away from the servants' sight, the Lion of the North Wind led her to the front of a fountain where a puppy statue stood.
It was a fountain situated in the center of the garden, grand and towering enough that the cascading water felt magnificent.
Tilting her head all the way back, Clover looked up at the fountain.
“Whoa, so cool…”
Still, what was that puppy statue standing in the middle? The puppy had its front paws raised, smiling blissfully.
“What's dat?”
[A puppy statue.]
“I know dat much.”
Just as Clover gave a pouty retort, gazing at the puppy statue gleaming splendidly in the moonlight and the fountain pouring beneath it…
<It's here.>
The cat leaped up onto the fountain. Illuminated by the moonlight, its long shadow cast an elegant silhouette. Its posture was every bit as noble and graceful as a statue. Khalid's summon licked its forepaw.
<What you seek, and what Khalid seeks.>
“Here?”
Clover pointed toward the tall fountain.
<Here.>
Gush—!
Starting from beneath the statue, streams of water poured down like a waterfall. Clover had no idea where in this fountain the treasure could possibly be.
‘Is it inside the water?’
Did that mean she had to look inside the fountain? But the fountain was far too high for Clover to peer into.
It seemed Daddy might have to be the one to look after all…
Just as Clover had that thought—
<I will lift you up.>
Along with the cat's voice, a gentle tailwind blew, lifting Clover's body floating into the air. It was the summon's Authority.
That Authority placed Clover gently atop the fountain and vanished. Thanks to that, Clover rode the Authority of the Storm up onto the fountain without a scratch or a moment of pain.
“H-Hup, whoaaa… The storm is so totally awesome! Auntie wasn't just talkin' nonsense after all!”
[No, your aunt was definitely talking nonsense.]
Lucky, who had been watching the Lion of the North Wind place Clover on the fountain with great displeasure, chimed in.
Then, landing on Clover's shoulder, Lucky whispered,
[Baby, tell me if you're scared. I'll bring you down right away. You don't have to be the one to find it. Look at this, being up on this fountain is way too dangerous, and…]
<Overprotective.>
[It's not that… Huh? What? Hey, what did you just say?]
Incensed, Lucky snapped back at the cat. In the darkness, Lucky's form sparkled like starlight.
Clover seemed to ponder Lucky's words for a moment, then sat on the edge of the fountain, plunged both hands into the water with a splash, and shook her head.
“No, I'm not scared.”
Then she beamed with a smile.
“Clover will find it, and I'm not gonna go back to Demper.”
