Chapter 46

# 46

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Nabia fell asleep without a care.

Perhaps it was because her mind and body, which had been pushed to the brink of collapse, greedily sought the hard-earned rest? Rest is important.

But is it really okay to rest? Her heart kept urging her to regain her senses and look around properly.

However, her body wouldn't listen.

Nabia, wrapped in soft bedding, woke up to the smell of something delicious and savory.

Turning her head at the clinking sound, she saw a middle-aged woman preparing a meal a short distance away.

'Who is she?'

When the middle-aged woman met Nabia's eyes, she smiled kindly and spoke.

"Are you awake?"

Before Nabia could respond, the woman continued.

"My name is Margaret Romanov. I am the head manager of the Esselred Dukedom."

Nabia felt the sleep instantly leave her.

'Margaret Romanov!'

Margaret was one of the few women to have been granted a title and, although some time had passed, she was also a war hero in her youth.

Nabia tried to get out of bed to greet her.

But Margaret stopped her, placing the tray on the side table.

"Don't overexert yourself while you're injured. What's the harm in not following etiquette perfectly?"

Nabia could only avoid etiquette when she was unconscious.

That's why Margaret's suggestion to relax the rules was confusing.

'Is she serious?'

Nabia's eyes calmly searched the woman's face.

She didn't sense any hostility or discomfort. It seemed she was simply treating her kindly as a child.

'If so, it's better to accept her kindness.'

It would be troublesome if there were conflicts here, like with Agnes.

Nabia bowed her head slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Countess Margaret Romanov. I'm Nabia."

Margaret was surprised when Nabia correctly addressed her as a countess.

"Do you know me? You must have studied noble families diligently, even at your young age. That's impressive!"

'Is this something to be praised for?'

Nabia had often heard that she wasn't bad or that her humble birth was unavoidable.

Being told she wasn't bad was not something she usually heard for simply memorizing noble families.

She had only received such praise when she had memorized an entire history book or demonstrated high-level etiquette.

That was the highest praise Nabia had ever received.

But to be called impressive?

'There's no way someone as great as Count Romanov would genuinely be impressed by such basic things.'

So this must be a formality.

It was a bit ambiguous, though, because she didn't feel much pretense from Margaret.

'Besides, it's strange for her to speak so formally to me.'

Nabia bowed her head slightly, unsure of how to act.

"Please speak more casually."

Margaret smiled.

"I should show proper respect to my lord's guest. I'm speaking quite casually, so don't worry."

'My lord.'

Nabia wondered why Margaret served her lord and took on the role of a butler here, but she didn't ask.

Her position was still unclear. She needed to act as a complete outsider until she resolved this issue.

While lost in thought, Margaret asked,

"Are you very hungry?"

Rumble—

Her stomach answered.

Nabia blushed and replied, "Yes."

"I've prepared some soup for your meal. If it's not enough, let me know. There's plenty more."

"Thank you, Countess."

Margaret smiled warmly.

'If it were pretense, it would be easier to handle.'

When Margaret placed a small table for the patient in front of Nabia, the rich, savory smell of cream soup filled the air.

Nabia, who was very hungry, quickly picked up the spoon and blew on the steaming soup before taking a bite.

"……!"

It was delicious.

Nabia felt a warm sensation spread through her body, and her mood lifted.

How long had it been since she had eaten a warm meal?

The rich cream soup was not at all greasy but had a deep flavor. Her taste buds were in ecstasy.

Nabia savored the soup, taking small bites.

"Does it not suit your taste?"

When Margaret asked, puzzled by her behavior, Nabia quickly replied,

"No, it's delicious."

"But why……"

Margaret stopped herself.

'It's because food was scarce.'

Nabia had developed the habit of trying to feel as full as possible with just one bowl of soup because food was scarce.

'What happened to her at the Esselred Dukedom……'

Margaret sighed deeply.

Seeing a child find happiness in food was a cute and endearing sight.

But knowing why Nabia was acting this way made Margaret's heart ache.

'Her whole body was covered in injuries. And the marks from the cane were clear.'

Margaret had been the one to bathe Nabia while she was unconscious.

So she had seen all the injuries on Nabia's body.

Minerva's words while treating the unconscious Nabia echoed in her mind.

"Severe malnutrition. Her body has been overworked, and it's uncertain if she will grow properly."

Margaret looked at Nabia with pity as she finished the soup.

"I'll bring you more soup. Eat more. Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"

Nabia politely declined.

"This is enough. I'm full and can't eat any more. Thank you for your concern."

More than her overly polite and formal attitude, what concerned Margaret was the amount she had eaten.

Nabia said she was full, but the amount she had eaten was ridiculously small.

Even one bowl of soup was a very small portion, just enough to whet one's appetite before a meal.

Yet she claimed to be full.

'But forcing her to eat more might not be good.'

Then, I'll prepare some snacks.

Margaret hoped Nabia would feel comfortable staying here.

She wanted her to be able to relax and not feel anxious.

'……I'm such a softie.'

Margaret smiled bitterly. Seeing a suffering child was heart-wrenching.

"I'll bring you a bit more food at mealtime. Before that, some warm milk with honey and chocolate cookies would be suitable as a snack."

Warm milk with honey.

And chocolate cookies?

Nabia, overwhelmed by the kindness, instinctively tried to refuse.

"You don't have to……"

She stopped herself mid-sentence.

She had intended to say that there was no need to go to such lengths for her.

But she stopped, realizing that such a response wouldn't make her look like a lovely child.

Nabia knew her position.

'I'm the subordinate, and Esselred is the superior.'

With a clear superior-subordinate relationship, she needed to follow the rules and achieve her goal.

'Don't be a nuisance.'

Nabia replied with a sweet smile.

"Thank you."

Margaret, who quickly realized that she hadn't gained Nabia's trust, smiled warmly.

Trust isn't built in a moment, after all.

She understood why the child was cautious.

The child needed some independent time.

"I'll prepare the snacks, so rest."

Nabia nodded resolutely, feeling a bit relieved that Margaret was leaving.

Margaret tucked Nabia in and pulled the curtains back to look outside.

"It doesn't seem like it will snow."

With that, Margaret left the bedroom.

The peaceful silence returned.

Nabia yawned widely. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, which she wiped away with her sleeve.

She had slept for quite a while, yet drowsiness was overwhelming her again.

Perhaps it was because adapting to a new place required a lot of mental effort.

Nabia lay in bed, staring at the black canopy and thought,

'Will the honey milk and chocolate cookies be delicious?'

What would they taste like?

Can I really have them……? Her eyes grew heavy, and she soon drifted off to sleep.