Chapter 45

Navia fell asleep like a log.

Is it because the spirit and the body, which had been driven out to the brink of ruin, greedily coveted the rest that had barely been secured?

Resting is important.

But is it really okay to rest?

Her mind kept asking her to wake up and look around properly.

But her body didn’t listen.

Navia fell asleep wrapped in a soft bed and opened her eyes to a savory and delicious smell.

When she lifted her head to the clatter, a middle-aged woman who was preparing a meal in a little distance was seen.

‘Who?’

The middle-aged woman spoke to Navia with a gracious smile when their eyes met.

“Are you up?”

Before Navia answered, the woman spoke again,

“My name is Margaret Romanoff. I’m the caretaker of the Eseled Duchy.

Navia felt her sleep run away.

‘Margaret Romanoff!’

Margaret was one of the few female aristocrats who conferred titles, and although time passed, she was a war hero of her youth.

Navia tried to get out of bed and greet her.

Then Margaret put her tray down on the table and dissuaded her.

“Don’t overdo it while you’re hurt. What’s the big deal if you don’t follow the rules?”

The only time Navia was able to ignore manners was when she was unconscious.

Therefore, she was flustered when Margaret said she didn’t have to follow the rules of etiquette.

‘Is she serious?’

Navia’s eyes searched the opponent in silence.

She couldn’t feel any hostility and there was no feeling of spying. It simply felt like she was being friendly to a child.

‘Then it would be better accept the favor.’

She didn’t want to have the same friction from Agnes while being here.

Navia bowed her head.

“Nice to meet you, Count Margaret Romanoff. My name is Navia.”

“Do you know me? You’re still young, but you must have studied hard about the nobility. That’s amazing!”

‘Is this something to be praised for?’

Navia was usually told ‘not bad,’ or ‘you’re of humble birth, so it can’t be helped.’ The compliment of ‘not bad’ was not even heard enough to memorize.

When she memorized a history book and carried out difficult tasks like high-quality etiquette, Navia was only praised with ‘not bad.’

That was the best compliment for Navia.

But amazing?

‘A person as great as Count Romanoff in particular couldn’t be admiring these basic things.’

But this was a greeting.

It was a little vague, but there wasn’t anything fake from this person.

‘And it’s weird to speak up to me.’

Navia bowed slightly as spoke as if she didn’t know what to do.

“Please speak comfortably.”

Then Margaret grinned.

“My Lord’s guests deserve respect. I’m talking comfortably enough, so do not worry.”

‘Lord.’

Navia wondered why Margaret was serving Lark as her Lord and took the role as the butler, but she didn’t ask.

Her position wasn’t clear yet. Until the problem was resolved, she had to act like a complete stranger.

When she was lost in thought, Margaret asked,

“Are you very hungry?”

Growwwl-.

Her answer came from her stomach.

Navia blushed and replied, “yes.”

“Here, I’ve prepared a soup for dinner, but if there’s not enough, please tell me. There’s plenty more.”

“Thank you, Count.”

Margaret smiled softly with a ‘don’t mention it.’

‘Rather, I’d be more comfortable if she was fake.’

Margaret put a small table for patients in front of Navia and the strong smell of savory cream soup wafted up.

Navia was so hungry that she quickly picked up the spoon and blew the spoon to take a mouthful of the steaming soup.

“!”

It’s good.

Navia felt her mood soften by the warm sensation spreading inside her body.

How long has it been since she’s had warm food?

The thick cream soup was not greasy at all but had a deep taste. The tip of her tongue was enchanted.

Navia ate the soup little by little.

“Is it perhaps not to your taste?”

Margaret, who was watching, asked in wonder, and Navia answered quickly.

“No. It’s delicious.”

“But why…”

Margaret spoke and then shut up.

‘Food was precious.’

Because food was precious, she had the habit of trying to feel as full as possible, even with a bowl of soup.

‘Just what happened in the Agnes Duchy…’

Margaret let out a miserable sigh.

It would be a very cute and lovely sight for the child to be happy with the food.

However, Margaret felt sorry for Navia because she knew what the problem was.

‘Her whole body was hurt. There were also obvious marks of whipping.’

Margaret was the one who washed Navia when she was unconscious.

That was how she could see all the wounds on Navia’s body.

She remembered what Minerva said while treating the unconscious Navia.

“The lack of nutrition is severe. Her body has been so overworked that I don’t know if her body will grow up properly.”

Margaret looked at Navia with sad eyes and found the soup revealing its bottom.

“I’ll bring you more soup. Help yourself. Is there anything else you want to eat?”

But Navia politely declined.

“This is enough. I can’t eat anymore because I’m so full. Thank you for your care.”

She had an overly polite and gracious attitude, but the thing that hurt Margaret more was the amount of food ate.

Navia said she was full, but the amount she ate was ridiculously small.

Although it was one bowl of soup, it was only a very small amount that would make one’s mouth water before the main course.

But she was full.

‘But it can be bad to force her to eat more.’

Then snacks should be prepared.

Margaret wanted Navia to stay here comfortably.

So she hope she will relax a little bit and relieve her anxiety.

‘…I really.’

Margaret smiled bitterly. It was heartbreaking to see a child troubled.

“Then I’ll increase the amount of food a little bit for the meal. Before that, warm milk with honey and chocolate cookies as a snack will be good.”

Warm milk with honey.

And chocolate cookies?

Navia opened her mouth to refuse unknowingly saying it’s too much.

“You don’t need to…”

But Navia suddenly shut up.

She was going to tell Marget she didn’t need to care about her that much.

But she stopped because she didn’t think such an answer sound like a lovely child.

Navia knew exactly where she was.

‘Eseled is the best and I’m at the bottom.’

The objective had to be achieved without breaking this rule because there was a clear gap in the relationship.

‘Let’s not get in the way.’

Navia replied with the face of a good child.

“Thank you.”

Margaret was alert of the fact that she had not gained Navia’s trust, but she smiled gently.

Trust isn’t formed in an instant anyway.

She fully understood why the child is wary.

It seemed that the child would need time alone.

“I will get you some snacks, so have some rest.”

Navia nodded resolutely, a little relieved to hear Margaret go out.

Margaret laid Navia down, covered her with a blanket, and looked out of the window where the curtains were rolled up.

“I don’t think it will snow.”

At the end of that remark, Margaret left the bedroom.

Peaceful silence once again.

Navia yawned for a long time. Tears formed around her eyes. She wiped them off with her sleeved one after another.

Although she slept quite a bit, she was getting sleepy again.

Maybe it’s because she had to pay a lot of attention to adapting in a new place.

Navia lay on the bed, looking at the black canopy, thinking,

‘Milk with honey and chocolate cookies, will it be good?’

What will it taste like?

Can I have something like that…?

Her eyes closed and she fell asleep.