Chapter 2

(How happy I am today from the moment I woke up...)

In her mouth was a sweet pastry she hadn't eaten in a long time. While rolling it around on her tongue, Marguerite skipped along. Unlike Adel, Marguerite lived by eating leftovers. But even in such a harsh environment, Marguerite remained optimistic.

The townspeople, understanding Marguerite's situation, were kind to her in various ways. Knowing this, Marguerite acted bravely without showing a gloomy face. Normally, one might become pessimistic about their life, become cynical, or cry and resent their parents.

But Marguerite thought that living like this was better than living like a noble. Watching the Viscount Nefashial and his family, she realized that despite their ostentatious displays, they were hollow inside. Marguerite, who saw this up close, understood their emptiness. Despite being in a sensitive period of her life, she wondered why she could remain so calm.

The reason is that Marguerite Nefashial is a reincarnated person who retains memories of living in Japan. In Japan, she ran a family restaurant in the back alleys of a bustling area. She continued to make dishes that people said made them feel at ease and reminded them of home.

She lost her parents at a young age and lived with her grandmother and grandfather in the countryside. After seeing them through, she decided to start a new life as a restaurant owner, serving meals every day. The dishes she learned from her grandmother were all exquisite and incredibly delicious.

(...Ah, I want to eat Japanese food.)

Thinking about the tamagoyaki that was infused with dashi, she looked at the eggs with longing, and before she knew it, they had arrived at the Viscount Nefashial's residence.

(No! I have to prepare lunch and start dinner soon...!)

When the cook they employed fell ill, the Viscount and Viscountess Nefashial ordered Marguerite to prepare the meals. It was when Adel particularly enjoyed Marguerite's cooking that she started making every meal.

She made dishes similar to Japanese food because she wanted to eat them, but of course, these were things that didn't exist in the Kingdom of Belfast. They knew Marguerite had no cooking experience, so they thought her recipes were original. Therefore, she made whatever she liked without any concern.

Cleaning, cooking, and shopping were not painful tasks for Marguerite. Although Adel and her parents looked down on Marguerite, and the townspeople pitied her, she enjoyed this life to some extent. Without expecting any major changes to her usual routine, she headed to the spacious kitchen.

At the usual lunchtime, Marguerite made a soufflé omelet, salad with homemade mayonnaise, olive oil, salt, bread, and grilled meat that she had marinated the day before. She carried several plates in her palms and arms and hurried to the dining room.

However, her parents and Adel, who usually sat with their chests puffed out, were nowhere to be seen. Marguerite placed the dishes on the table and tilted her head in confusion.

(That's unusual... I wonder if something happened.)

Suddenly, the Viscountess Nefashial's anguished scream reached Marguerite's ears. She arranged the plates to make it look like she had prepared everything on time and waited. The Viscount and Viscountess Nefashial rushed into the room, and the moment they saw Marguerite, they widened their eyes and lunged at her.

They grabbed her by the collar and shook her violently, desperately trying to convey something. Spittle flew as they spoke, and Marguerite grimaced and turned her face away, but it seemed they were talking about Adel.