Chapter 35

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 35

Chapter Title: Awakening the Sleeping Mineral

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Cattleya Willston was the most beautiful child in all the Duvered territory.

She had inherited her mother's renowned beauty: lustrous blonde hair and eyes as clear and transparent as the lakes that symbolized House Duvered.

When this doll-like girl flashed her dimples and behaved with perfect poise, no adult could help but adore her.

The day before yesterday, Baron Willston returned to his estate in a state of wild excitement.

"A chance! We've got a chance!"

His wife asked her leaping-with-joy husband, "A chance for what?"

"A chance for our daughter to become a lady of House Duvered!"

"What on earth are you talking about? We were already turned down once."

It wasn't uncommon for branch families to send children to the main house for adoption. Especially for a girl as exceptional as Cattleya.

The Willstons' daughter possessed remarkable divine power. Because of this, she had been raised and educated in a temple from a young age, and even officials from the capital's temple occasionally visited to check on her progress.

If she continued to grow as she was, a high priest position was all but guaranteed—and with the Duke of Duvered's backing, she could even aim for cardinal.

The couple had petitioned the duke to take their daughter in as a stepping stone, but he'd refused. He already had more children than he knew what to do with, he'd said.

"The elders and vassals have promised to lend their support."

"Why the sudden change...?"

"What else? It's all because of that so-called Child of Destiny who can't even hold a candle to our girl's toe."

The baroness scowled.

Just hearing "Child of Destiny" made her stomach churn.

He'd claimed to have more than enough children, yet he'd gone and adopted that one.

No matter that it was at the Empress Dowager's request—thinking of that inferior child stealing the spot her daughter deserved filled her with rage.

"Will the duke change his mind this time?"

"He refused back then because he'd never properly seen Cattleya. Once he sees her side by side with the Child of Destiny, he'll realize how foolish his judgment was."

The baroness's lips curved up at her husband's bold declaration.

The rumor had already spread far and wide: the Child of Destiny had been given the late duchess's name as a middle name.

Once that girl grew a little, she'd take the late duchess's place ruling Duvered high society.

The thought of being bossed around by some lowborn brat was horrifying.

But if Cattleya were registered in the main family and took that position instead...

She could intervene in the main estate's affairs under the pretext of helping her daughter.

She, who had been dismissed as a powerless baroness from a branch line, could lord over those haughty noble ladies.

The baroness stroked Cattleya's hair as she spoke.

"Will you be able to win over His Grace and the young masters?"

Cattleya beamed at the question.

"Have I ever disappointed you?"

"Of course not. Our girl has never once let her mother down."

The baroness chuckled softly and kissed her daughter's cheek.

...Or so it had seemed.

Cattleya clenched the hem of her dress tightly.

The duke had taken the meat she'd offered him and placed it on Leblain's plate.

"Eat slowly."

Leblain's eyes went wide as she fidgeted, glancing back and forth between Cattleya and the duke several times.

Seeing Cattleya's sharp glare, the girl picked up the meat again and quietly placed it back on the duke's plate.

"No, Daddy eat it."

The duke's face hardened. He shouted toward the butler.

"Call the taxidermist!"

Everyone's eyes widened in shock at the sudden command.

But the duke carefully scooped up the meat Leblain had returned with a pristine spoon.

"It's the first meat my daughter has ever given me."

Cattleya's face twisted in dismay.

I gave it to him first...!

As the banquet ended and Cattleya exited the castle with the vassals, she gritted her teeth.

She couldn't bear the humiliation.

What's so great about that brat anyway?!

She could barely even speak properly.

She wasn't cuter than Cattleya, didn't have stronger divine power, wasn't any smarter—just a worthless toddler.

The mortification of losing to her made her vision blur.

"Don't let tears show so easily."

Cattleya startled at the voice beside her.

She turned to see one of the elders—whose face she'd memorized from accompanying her father—smiling gently.

"How can a girl who will one day oversee millions of Duvered subjects as its lady get worked up over something like this?"

"Can I really become a lady of House Duvered?"

"Of course."

"But His Grace didn't even glance at me..."

Cattleya gazed reproachfully at the elder.

The Willston couple felt the same unease.

The baron asked the elder, "His Grace seems to cherish the Child of Destiny more than we expected. He looked at her like she was truly his daughter."

"His Grace isn't the type to be swayed like that."

"Then...?"

"The Child of Destiny happened to aid the family a few times by sheer luck."

It was something only a few knew about.

She'd pointed out where the Oriharcon was buried and led them to the Etwal.

Lucky breaks.

"He's grateful for those side benefits from that girl."

The elder patted the baron's shoulder.

"Don't worry. We'll sway His Grace's heart."

He then knelt to meet Cattleya's eyes.

"Lady Cattleya, just trust in us. And one day, repay us for this."

His words were as polite as if addressing a true lady of Duvered.

Only then did a smile return to Cattleya's face.

The next day.

I leaned against the wall, sneaking glances at Ishak and Henri blocking my path.

"Kiddo."

"Yes...?"

"I'm telling you this 'cause it seems like you don't know."

"Yes."

"I can eat meat too, you know."

"..."

Henri just smiled, but his grin was twice as bright as usual, clearly saying the same.

This is so unfair.

I'd only returned the meat Cattleya had given the duke.

That girl, radiating "adore me" vibes toward the duke from every pore, had shot me a murderous glare the moment he gave it to me instead.

I'd given it back so she wouldn't hold a grudge over one piece of meat.

Ishak said, "If you keep discriminating like this, I'll discriminate against Big Bro too."

Not me, but Henri?

I looked up at Ishak's earnestly ridiculous expression.

Henri eyed Ishak like he was a cockroach.

I sighed and rummaged through my pockets.

Anything in here?

Rustling around, I found a few wildflowers I'd picked in the garden yesterday to give Lea.

I hadn't been able to make a bouquet after bumping into Cattleya, so I'd just stuffed them in my pocket.

After half a day in there, the nameless wildflowers were wilted and ragged, but it was all I had.

I held one out to Henri and Ishak each.

The young masters' eyes went wide.

"For us?"

"Yes."

At my words, they took the flowers with trembling hands.

"The kid gave me..."

"...flowers..."

Ishak yelled, "Taxidermist!" It sounded familiar.

Henri murmured, "Excuse me," and moved to open the door—when one of his knights approached.

"The vassals have petitioned for permission for Lady Willston to dispel the barrier on the [Sleeping Mineral]."

The Sleeping Mineral— that's it, huh.

A heirloom of House Duvered.

A sacred barrier could only be lifted by one with divine power.

No one even knew what it was for.

The ancestor had left it behind with the note: "Only when the main family's daughter is born with divine power will it be usable." But all subsequent daughters had been mana users, unable to activate it.

Ishak bellowed, "What nonsense is that?! His Grace's daughter is the kid—why should Cattleya Willston be the one to dispel it?!"

Henri's expression turned icy.

He asked the knight, "Where are the vassals now?"

"In the audience chamber."

Henri and Ishak strode out into the hall immediately.

The audience chamber was packed with vassals.

Most ruled territories over 3,000 square kilometers.

Cattleya, standing among them, smiled brightly as the young masters and I entered.

Between the duke's throne and the vassals sat an ornate box.

At a glance, it looked like just a large rock.

Is that the Sleeping Mineral?

The vassals spoke toward the duke's empty seat.

"The meteorologists predict a severe drought next year."

That much was true.

The imperial family, nobles, and even the temple had forecasted it and were preparing—but the drought would last from planting season through autumn.

"Isn't now the time we need the power of the [Sleeping Mineral] most?"

"If the records are correct and it can summon water spirits, it would be a tremendous help."

"And Miss Willston possesses powerful divine power. She can dispel the barrier."

Henri, having heard this, turned toward the duke's seat.

"We cannot set a precedent of a branch family member dispelling a main family relic."

I nodded inwardly.

They could use this as justification later to go after other main family relics.

A man in elder council robes spoke.

"We are well aware of the risks if it sets a precedent. It could even spark internal strife."

Ishak sneered.

"Then why spout such nonsense?"

The elder's lips twisted up.

"If you adopt Cattleya Willston into the main family, we can save the territory without setting a dangerous precedent."

So that's the goal.

I glanced at Cattleya, who blushed bashfully.

Ishak let out a hollow laugh.

"So you won't accept the kid running the inner castle?"

The elder chuckled awkwardly at the pointed remark.

"How can you say that? We're merely offering advice for the good of the territory."

"Exactly. If Little One could dispel the barrier, why would we petition like this?"

"Little One's divine power is weaker than an ordinary priest's—she couldn't possibly."

The pro-duke vassals shouted.

"How dare you judge Little One so lightly?!"

"Then can she do it?"

"Well...!"

"But here's the thing."

The elder's gaze turned to me, standing awkwardly beside Viscount Dubos.

"Does Little One truly even have divine power?"

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