Chapter 4

Rabi died. She was killed by the rich, heavy meals of the nobility.

“Ahh... Ah, Ahh...”

To gain strength, she had to eat. Yet, her body, weakened by repeated fasting, rejected food. Even when her body craved the simple side dish of salad, the dressing was too exquisite and made her uncomfortable, and even the cold vegetables caused her stomach to ache. Her frail body found the cold magic fridge, a common magical item in noble households, unbearable. She wished the food could be served at room temperature. Thanks to the cold magic fridge, the vegetables, kept at a consistently low temperature, remained icy cold and delicious, but her stomach and intestines ached.

However.

“I want to eat...!!”

Continuously having her meals taken by Nella, and with her past memories resurfacing, Rabi's pride as a young lady had vanished. Her desire for food had grown to a terrifying extent. To escape from Nella and this country, she needed to build up her strength. To do that, she had to start by putting food in her mouth and gain at least a normal body.

Eating alone was probably manageable. But she didn't want to just eat; she wanted to eat deliciously. This wasn't about being fed like an animal. She was tired of secretly eating the bread crumbs Nella deliberately dropped on the floor, away from her gaze. She wanted to eat healthily, deliciously, and wonderfully. Her desire for food had become distorted by the accumulated suffering.

Even though Nella had left the mansion, Rabi couldn't let her guard down. Nella had formed close relationships with the residents of the mansion. If Rabi acted in a way that betrayed her "crazy duchess's daughter" persona, it was uncertain how the information would reach Nella.

For the escape funds, she could take some from the house. Although it pained her conscience a little, the amount needed for her to live quietly was a trivial sum for Rabi's parents. So, all that was left was to build up her strength, at least to a normal level.

She couldn't consult anyone. Standing was painful, and she dragged her pitiful body to sink into the sofa. Looking at her too-thin ankles, she sighed, wishing she could prepare a warm, filling meal. Her body was so lethargic.

Thinking back to her time in Japan, her current state felt like she had a severe cold or something. But for Rabi, this was normal. Today, she had stood and moved around her room more than usual, thinking about various things, which had drained her strength.

(When I had a cold, the food I ate...)

When she lived in Japan, she lived alone for a long time. During such times, she would stock up on instant ramen or use pancake mix. These were her companions for living alone, as they could be made delicious with just hot water or mixed and microwaved in a mug to create a filling, sweet treat. When she had a cold, she couldn't muster the energy to do anything, let alone take care of herself.

But such things didn't exist in this world. She let her consciousness drift. If she closed her eyes for a moment, she might be able to recover a little strength. Then, she suddenly remembered.

(In this world, there is food...)

She had only eaten a few times with a fork, and with Nella's interference, it was a rare occurrence. But then.

“I can make porridge!?”

She jumped up. Then she swayed.