~Chapter 22~
Rustle—
Clover slowly sat up from her bed, her face buried deep in her blanket.
She had slept so long that her eyes were puffy, and her hair was an absolute mess.
Still half-asleep, she started fumbling around her bed without even wiping her eyes.
Where is it?
“…The seed…”
As Clover mumbled sleepily, Lucky hopped up and down beside her pillow.
It’s right here!
When she turned her head toward Lucky, she spotted the seed sitting on her nightstand.
It was the heart seed she made yesterday using Khalid’s feelings.
“Ehehe…”
Just thinking about it made her happy again — a seed made from her dad’s heart!
What amazing thing would it grow into?
This time, it felt like it wouldn’t wither in three seconds — it would grow beautifully!
“Miss, you’re awake?”
At that moment, Belje came in and gently lifted Clover into her arms.
She carefully supported Clover’s head so it wouldn’t flop backward while she was still drowsy.
“Yesh, I’m up.”
Clover nodded and showed Belje the seed.
“Tada~!”
Come on, react! Say something nice!
Clover peeked up at Belje’s face with hopeful eyes.
“That’s the seed you made yesterday, right? It’s wonderful, miss!”
Belje had already heard from the maids who went on the picnic that Clover made a seed, so she smiled brightly as she praised her.
“Our young lady is so clever — you already know how to use your powers so well! When you grow up, you’ll be an amazing person for sure.”
At that, Clover giggled and buried her face in Belje’s arms.
That was the reaction she wanted!
Belje’s the best!
Feeling even happier, Clover whispered softly to her.
“Belje, is a secwet.”
“Yes, miss?”
“I made it with Daddy’s heart.”
“With Lord Khalid’s?”
“Mhmm… with Daddy’s heawt…”
Her words came out slurred because she was still half asleep, but she stubbornly kept going.
“So next time, I’ll make one for you too.”
“Oh my…”
“A big, pwetty one.”
Clover smiled sleepily as she mumbled that — then plopped her head down and fell asleep again.
Belje didn’t really understand what she meant by “made from the heart,” but—
Our little miss…
How could anyone not be touched when such a tiny girl says she’ll make something for you?
Rustle—
She gently stroked Clover’s soft hair.
Clover was so small in her arms — like a puffball, or maybe a little sprout that had just poked out of the soil.
Pea, sprout, fluff — she resembled all the small, delicate things in the world.
Belje moved quietly, careful not to wake the little girl. She knew well how sweet these small morning naps could be.
***
Right now, Clover’s room was known as the “Sprout Room.”
It was the nursery Khalid Claudian had prepared right after sending newborn Clover to the Demper family.
Decorated mostly in Elicia’s style, it was full of cute, tiny things — a cozy and charming room.
But—
“We’ll redo it.”
Khalid had decided to redecorate Clover’s room.
The butler, Cherenio, blinked in confusion.
“Miss Clover seems perfectly happy with it, so why change it?”
“I designed this room, not her. Even little kids have their own tastes.”
Khalid thought of Clover’s bright smile — and the corners of his mouth twitched on their own.
“Ahem.”
He quickly straightened his expression and looked around the room again.
Honestly, saying he wanted to reflect Clover’s preferences was just an excuse.
He just wanted to buy her lots of things she’d like and see her smile again.
In truth, Clover’s room had simply become an excuse for that.
When Damian and Arwin heard about their father’s plan, they poked their heads into Clover’s room.
“I think it’s already cute.”
“Yeah, I like the wallpaper and that pink blanket too.”
“Clover probably likes it this way, Dad.”
“Are you sure you should just change a kid’s room like that? Sounds like your greed to me.”
Arwin teased — and immediately got a light flick on the forehead from Khalid.
Thunk!
“Ow!”
But then—
“Hm…”
Khalid thought for a moment. His sons weren’t completely wrong.
Clover might actually like this room.
Kids often take time to adjust to new things, so suddenly changing everything might make her uncomfortable.
Still, I want to buy her something…
Maybe a bigger, softer bed? Or a tiny tea set just her size?
He just wanted to get things she’d enjoy and watch her face light up.
After a short pause, he nodded to himself.
“Alright then. I’ll ask Clover directly — if she wants anything new, or if something feels uncomfortable.”
Having decided, he turned to the butler.
“Where is Clover right now?”
The little owner of the room wasn’t inside — she had already gone out somewhere.
Where could she be this time?
When he asked, Cherenio gestured politely toward the garden.
“I believe she’s near the garden, my lord.”
“The garden?”
What’s she doing there?
“Shall I bring her here?”
“No, I’ll go myself.”
“But my lord, Count Siddew is scheduled to visit this afternoon—”
“I know.”
Count Siddew was one of the retainers who had secretly worked with the Demper family in illegal business, and Khalid was preparing to purge him.
He could guess the reason for the visit — to beg for mercy.
But who cared? Clover was far more important.
He started walking out immediately.
“Dad! We’re coming too!”
“Me too, Father!”
Hearing that, both brothers ran after him. Khalid slowed his pace just a little so they could catch up — then continued walking together.
***
Let’s plant the seed!
Round and plump, the little seed.
Humming happily, Clover marched into the garden with a small shovel and plopped down on the ground.
“What will grow if I plant it~?”
Of course, she had almost never succeeded in growing anything before.
But this time, she had a good feeling. She was sure something amazing would sprout!
Totally excited.
Thunk!
As she dug into the soil with her shovel, she suddenly froze.
Wait.
She reached out and felt the dirt with her hands — and as expected…
There’s no power here.
She couldn’t feel any life in the ground.
Just like when she first came to Claudian — there were no crystal seeds in the soil.
Nothing could grow properly in such lifeless dirt. The plants in this garden must’ve survived only thanks to the gardener’s constant care.
Clover lifted her head and looked at Lucky.
“Wucky, no cwestal here, wight?”
Crystal? Yeah, none.
“Then we hafta make one.”
Clover said firmly.
She couldn’t plant her precious seed in dead soil.
Her seeds already had a habit of dying too easily — and planting this one here would be the same as throwing it away.
No way.
She put the seed safely in her pocket and looked determined.
“Wucky, hewp me.”
Before planting her dad’s seed, she placed both hands on the ground.
Such a handful, this kid.
Lucky floated above her small hands and glowed softly, sharing his power with her.
Then—
Paaah—!
A faint light began to glow beneath her palms. Clover could feel her energy flowing out.
But it was fine.
It wasn’t her first time doing this.
I did it back in Demper too.
A green glow slowly seeped into the ground. Clover pressed her lips together and focused.
After a while, the light grew brighter—
“It’s working…”
Pop!
Something tiny burst out of the soil.
But what popped out wasn’t just that green lump—
“Huh?”
