Chapter 53

# 53

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"……What?"

Nabia's wandering gaze turned to Margaret.

Strangely, at that moment, Margaret's eyes seemed to resemble hers. Even though it shouldn't be possible.

Nabia tightly closed her mouth.

'Ask for help?'

Was she supposed to say those useless words in this important situation? Nabia wasn't inexperienced in asking for help; she had said it hundreds, even thousands of times. What had been the result?

Stop being so troublesome.

You're just spouting nonsense.

Who would help you? This is why you're a low-born who doesn't know her place.

And yet, she was supposed to ask for help. The words sounded to Nabia like a demon's whisper, urging her to break a taboo.

It was something she shouldn't say.

Nabia's lips quivered.

Unfortunately, she had no choice. As the subordinate, she had to listen to the superior. But her lips wouldn't part easily.

She had to speak. She had to ask for help……

Margaret spoke again.

"Ask for help. Now is the time you need the courage to do so."

But what if she was rejected again?

What would she do then?

Nabia, with a blank expression, slowly opened her trembling lips.

"……Please help me."

Actually, saying those words was terrifying.

Being rejected when asking for help was terrifying.

She had to do everything on her own. That's what she believed.

"Please help me."

Her voice trembled.

It would be easier to just ask her to die. It would feel much more comfortable.

"Please let me stay here."

Please help me. Don't make me leave here. I won't be a bother. I can be of help. No one else can help me if not here.

This is the only place left.

The ground beneath her feet seemed to shatter completely. She fell.

Just as she was falling, a voice caught her.

"Good job."

The words that caught her as she fell made her cold, trembling body warm up.

Margaret held her in her arms and patted her back affectionately.

"You said it really well."

Following Margaret, Schleman also said, his voice a bit choked.

"Indeed."

Minerva, who had been trembling quietly like Nabia, had red-rimmed eyes. Her hands, gripping her bag, were white from the strain.

Nabia didn't cry, so Minerva held back her tears.

She felt she shouldn't cry on her behalf and forced them back.

Nabia's loneliness didn't seem to be something light.

Just like Lark.

Nabia was overwhelmed with a heavy feeling.

Even though she hadn't cried, her head felt dazed as if she had just had a good cry.

'I'm hungry……'

She felt weak and her stomach was growling. As warmth spread through her body, her tension completely dissipated.

She felt utterly drained.

But it wasn't the kind of exhaustion from being swept away by a storm. For the first time, she had expended energy to feel full.

"There's no one else here but us."

Margaret kept telling Nabia that such rules could be ignored.

No one had ever told her that before.

It was an unfamiliar and uncomfortable sensation. But to stay here, she had to get used to it.

And she liked it. Just like the hand holding hers now.

When they entered the kitchen, surprisingly, everyone except Nabia rolled up their sleeves and took their places.

"I'll help too."

Nabia, who was quite skilled at cooking, also rolled up her sleeves to help. Margaret was about to say it was okay but hesitated and then gave her a piece of bread to butter.

"Then, Nabia, you can butter the bread. It's a very important task, so do your best!"

"……Yes."

Nabia couldn't help feeling awkward at being treated like a child. But since she looked only eight years old, she soon accepted and started spreading butter on the bread.

At least she was glad she could help with something.

"Omelets sound good today."

Nabia glanced at Schleman cooking. His skillful handling of the eggs and the pan showed he was an experienced cook.

This was also surprising to Nabia.

'Father or Wood can't even peel an onion.'

Schleman quickly made four soft omelets.

They set the meal on the island counter and gathered around, sitting closely on chairs.

"I find this atmosphere more comfortable. It brings back old memories."

Schleman's comment made Margaret chuckle in agreement.

"It reminds me of our camping days."

Nabia instinctively realized they were recalling the war.

"Then, everyone, let's enjoy our meal."

"Thank you for the meal."

Nabia tried the omelet first. The fluffy texture melted in her mouth like butter.

With sparkling eyes, she took a bigger bite.

"Is it good?"

When Schleman asked casually, Nabia smiled and replied.

"Excellent."

"Hehe!"

When Nabia had eaten about half of the omelet and the buttered bread, she suddenly thought of Lark.

"But isn't the Duke eating?"

"Ah."

At Nabia's question, the three of them looked at each other with a peculiar expression.

Schleman then said.

"Our lord, well, doesn't eat much."

'Doesn't eat much?'

Was he a picky eater? Nabia thought he would eat everything without being picky, considering his large build, but it was unexpected.

"I see. I was wondering when the Duke would eat……"

Nabia didn't say, "It would be nice to eat together." He was a much more uncomfortable presence than Esselred's retainers.

'I thought I might be able to speak to him when he comes down for meals.'

Or should she send a letter with his meal? Nabia was lost in thought.

"By the way, Minerva. Didn't you have something to say?"

At Margaret's question, Minerva quickly lifted her medical bag.

"Ah, yes, I have something for you, Miss."

"For me?"

Minerva pulled something out of her large medical bag. It was a new nightgown.

"You can't just wear one nightgown……"

Margaret genuinely admired it.

"Oh, did you make this too?"

"Make this too?" Nabia was puzzled, so Margaret explained.

"The nightgown Nabia is wearing now was also made by Minerva. She often makes children's clothes."

"Really? I thought it was definitely a boutique item……. Thank you so much, Minerva."

Nabia's eyes widened in admiration.

She wasn't just saying it; she genuinely thought it was a boutique item.

The stitching and the details of the pleats, as well as the finishing, were of top-notch quality.

And Minerva made this?

"That, that much……"

Minerva blushed and waved her hands.

"Minerva is incredibly skilled with her hands. She can make anything."

"Amazing. To be a doctor at such a young age and have such skills……"

Margaret almost burst out laughing at the phrase "such a young age" Nabia used.

Nabia was indeed precocious, and her choice of words was unique.

Margaret smiled, finding Nabia's adult-like speech endearing.

"Our genius doctor is truly talented. She's a remarkable person."

When Schleman joined in to praise her, Minerva's cheeks only turned redder.

"Then, shall you try on the new nightgown?"

When Margaret clapped her hands, Schleman said with a hint of disappointment.

"I'm looking forward to it, but I'll only see it after I return from my errand."

The Esselred Duke's mansion didn't need a large supply of daily necessities, so they didn't have a connection with a merchant.

Thus, Schleman went out every day or every other day to buy ingredients and other necessities.

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

Schleman asked Nabia.

Nabia shook her head, her eyes wide.

"I'm fine."

Schleman didn't insist, just reached out and gently stroked Nabia's head.

'I should bring something sweet.'

Nabia's habit of refusing might be due to her lack of knowledge about the world.

Schleman stood up and said.

"Then I'll be off."

Nabia hopped off her seat and bowed politely.

"Please come back safely."

Hearing this, Schleman's lips curved slightly.

"Thank you."