Chapter 31

31

"Father."

"Yes."

I thought I would have returned to the room with Bella, so why am I still here with these people? And in this terrifying space that looks like a family dinner.

"That child has the magic stone, perhaps Father gave it to him."

"Yes, I gave it to him."

"It really does work with magic."

Sharent Clownd placed the magic stone he had taken from me earlier on the table and said.

"Oh, Miss."

"Ah-."

Man.

While still eating the tasteless baby food, I sighed deeply.

If it weren't for the apple puree served afterward, I wouldn't even want to touch this baby food.

Bella seems to have a strong heart, too. Normally, she wouldn't do this in front of her masters.

"Would you like another spoonful?"

I've already eaten five spoonfuls, and you want me to eat more?

It's disgustingly tasteless. It seems even more tasteless today. Or maybe it's because of the people around me.

When I glanced over, they were leisurely slicing and eating rich, delicious food and meat while chatting.

Feeding me this sticky green food of some sort!

‘I hate being a baby...’

The baby food is so tasteless.

‘Was it always this tasteless?’

What did I eat when I was little?

I felt like tears would fall, but I clenched my eyes shut and opened my mouth.

"Right, our little Miss is eating well."

As soon as Bella finished speaking, I felt a gaze from the side.

I turned my head with a distorted expression.

Sharent Clownd alternated his gaze between my face and the baby food before speaking.

"Bella."

"Yes, Young Master."

"The food the child is eating, could you give it to me for a moment?"

"The baby food?"

Sharent Clownd frowned instead of answering.

He hated it when a servant questioned or made him repeat himself.

Bella, remembering this, straightened her bent knees and hurriedly stood up.

Bella carefully placed the lukewarm bowl on Sharent Clownd's outstretched, pale palm.

He picked up his unused utensils, took a bite of the baby food, and immediately furrowed his fine brows.

‘If you're going to eat it, at least take a big spoonful.’

Looking at the bowl with more than half left, I saw a steak with juice dripping from it.

I wondered how I ended up in such a pitiful state, but then I thought about being able to eat and live here.

Maintaining my life in the Clownd family, who despise magic, is something. It's fortunate I'm not starving.

At least recently, with Bella as my dedicated maid, I can eat regularly.

The fact that I can get apple puree after meals is a small comfort.

"How much does a child usually eat of this food?"

"Strangely, she doesn't eat much... If she eats a lot, it's about ten spoonfuls."

"It's no wonder she doesn't eat. It's so tasteless."

He said this with a continued frown.

It must be disgustingly tasteless. After all, Sharent Clownd is known to be a gourmet.

In any case, I nodded repeatedly at his rare agreement.

‘Right. It's not just a little tasteless.’

It's really tasteless.

Of course, I've chewed on raw tree roots before, so I somehow managed to eat it...

No matter how much I dislike it, though.

‘Of course, it's better than starving.’

Still, if I'm going to eat, I prefer something tasty.

As I nodded repeatedly, Sharent Clownd looked at me with a subtle expression.

"Where did you learn to do that?"

Deschar Clownd picked up the utensils and, without fear, took a big spoonful of the mushy food and put it in his mouth.

He immediately frowned. His expression turned red and blue, indicating it was very tasteless.

‘So my taste wasn't off.’

"Father."

Sharent Clownd called him softly, as if predicting the situation.

However, Deschar Clownd's expression was already fierce.

"Which cook dared to make such food!"

Bang!

The table shook violently from the force of his punch.

While less so than Sharent Clownd, Deschar Clownd was also known for his picky taste.

Especially Sharent Clownd, who would rather starve than eat subpar food.

Recalling how he wouldn't even pick up his utensils if the food at meetings didn't meet his standards, I slumped in my baby chair.

‘Eating this three times a day is a real struggle.’

If it weren't for the apple puree after meals, I wouldn't eat this at all.

Eating unripe, green fruit would be better. Of course, I found the apple puree delicious, so I would eat that.

"That... I made it, Your Grace."

Bella, raising her hand as if to confess, hurriedly knelt down.

I looked at Bella with a blank face.

‘Wait, you made it?’

Really?

That disgustingly tasteless baby food?

‘No wonder it was so tasteless.’

"What? You were supposed to take care of the child, and you fed her this garbage!"

"That... "

Bella turned pale.

Due to Deschar Clownd's intimidating presence, Bella couldn't stand up to his anger and trembled on her knees.

It seemed he might cut her throat at any moment.

No, that can't happen.

Without Bella, I'll starve again.

No, even if I gather and mash my own ingredients, her disgustingly tasteless food is better.

At least I knew she was trying to give me good food, not just feeding me garbage.

"Pe-e-e!"

At my desperate call, the trembling Bella turned her head.

I wriggled in my chair, reaching out my arms toward the food Sharent Clownd held.

‘Hey, I'll eat it from now on, just don't take you away...’

You're the only one I can trust here.

Of course, if she's in danger, she'll protect herself first...

But there's no time to think about that now.

"Pe-e-na!"

When I called Bella again, Deschar Clownd's eyebrows twitched.

Whatever.

At least keep the only decent maid I found.

"Ah, Miss."

Bella, unable to approach or stand up, fidgeted awkwardly.

Sharent Clownd sighed deeply, as if watching a pitiful scene.

"Bella, go and calm her down."

Sharent Clownd nodded slightly, giving Bella an order.

As soon as the order ended, Bella rushed to me.

Holding me in her arms, I grabbed her dress and pointed to the bowl Sharent Clownd held.

"Ma-a!"

"Are you hungry? Mamma? Mamma?"

"U!"

Boom!

I nodded vigorously.

‘If you made it for me, how can I survive without eating it? I have to eat it.’

Even though it makes me want to vomit...

Don't leave me in this wretched family. I don't want to go back to picking fruits until my knees are sore.

"That food is tasteless, Miss."

"Au! Ma!"

Startled by Bella's lifeless voice, I shook my head and pointed to the bowl again.

What if she stops making food for me? You're not responsible for my meals!

"Stomach!"

As I wriggled in Bella's arms, she looked at Sharent Clownd with a flustered expression.

Sharent Clownd was observing me with a subtle expression.

Why is he looking at me like that?

Actually, there's no need to think too deeply.

How ridiculous must I look?

Still in dirty clothes, desperately trying to eat tasteless food.

‘You may live a peaceful life, but my life is on the line.’

Sharent Clownd put the bowl down on the table without taking his eyes off me.

Then, he arrogantly nodded, giving an order.

The quick-witted Bella carefully took it, scooped a spoonful, and gently brought it to my mouth.

Everyone is watching me.

‘Is this the first time they've seen a baby eating baby food?’

I boldly took a bite.

Even though others said it was tasteless, it seemed even more so, and my face naturally contorted, but I pretended not to notice and swallowed it. It's fortunate I don't have to chew.

‘Well, it's better than starving.’

In any case, Bella is the only one who takes care of me without neglecting or bothering me.

I am a child, and even a weak shield is better than none.

And Sharent Clownd was watching me closely. Specifically, he was watching me swallow the food without gagging or fussing.