BRRC CH 12

pter 12 – Bread, Cocoa, and an Escape Plan

“Ugh, I told you, we should’ve added more eggs! The food would’ve been softer!”

“What are you talking about? It needed more sweet dishes!”

“Sweet food isn’t healthy! It’s her first meal in the mansion—she deserves something proper!”

The argument in the kitchen grew louder and louder.

“Ahem!”

Soya finally snapped and gave a sharp, exaggerated cough.

Instantly, the noise stopped.

From behind the wall, I saw shadows flinch and disappear—everyone ducking out of sight.

Ugh… now I feel bad.

If my stomach weren’t acting up, I really would’ve eaten it all.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected such a grand meal in the first place.

After all, my current position here was just “the Duke’s ward”—a fancy title that still meant I was basically a common orphan.

Why are the people in this house so kind?

A strange ache filled my chest and stomach again.

Just as I was about to put down my fork completely, something on the table caught my eye.

“…Bread?”

A small plate of neatly arranged bread rolls sat off to the side.

Without thinking, I jumped up, stretched out my little arms, and grabbed one.

Soya’s eyes widened in surprise.

I took a big bite.

It was plain—no butter, no jam—but…

Chew, chew.

All eyes in the room were suddenly on me.

“…It’s good.”

The room went silent for one second—then erupted.

“She’s eating! She’s finally eating!”

“A-ah, my lady, would you like some milk?” Soya asked nervously, thrusting a cup toward me.

I shook my head, too busy devouring the rest of the bread.

The moment food hit my stomach, I felt it grumble back to life.

This is so good. Really good. I could eat just this forever…!

Swallowing the last bite, I looked up at Soya.

“Soya, do you have… any coffee?”

She froze.

“Eh? You mean… coffee?”

“Yes! Co—”

I stopped mid-word, realizing my mistake.

Wait. I’m four. I can’t just ask for coffee!

Old habits from my previous life were hard to kill—
back then, I’d eaten nothing but bread and coffee every morning.

My mind scrambled for an excuse—

“Ah, good morning, little miss~!”

A cheerful voice called from the kitchen.

A plump woman bustled over, wiping her hands on her apron.

“I’m Marenes, the assistant chef. My husband’s the head chef.”

I bowed politely.

“Oh, don’t worry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” she said with a laugh.
“It’s just, children aren’t allowed coffee in this kitchen, you see.”

Her voice was kind, motherly.

“But how about some warm cocoa instead?”

I froze—then clapped inwardly.

Nice save.
She must’ve thought I’d only asked out of curiosity.

I widened my eyes and sighed sadly.
“Aww… I really wanted to try coffee just once…”

“Oh, sweetie,” Marenes said, smiling.
“But coffee isn’t good for little ones. It can upset your tummy, make your heart race, and stop you from growing tall!”

I pretended to think deeply for a few seconds—
then nodded solemnly.

“Okay. If that’s the case… I guess I’ll wait.”

Soya gasped dramatically.
“Oh my goodness, my lady! You’re so understanding and mature!”

“I know, right?” Marenes added, chuckling. “Such a well-behaved four-year-old—knows how to wait!”

They both laughed and patted my head.

And somehow… I felt kind of proud.

So this is what it’s like to be a kid, huh?

People praise you just for breathing. What a life.

Grinning, I munched on more bread.
“Miss Anne always said if you listen to grown-ups, cake will appear in your dreams.”

Soya slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Even the kitchen staff lowered their heads, shoulders shaking.

Marenes chuckled warmly.
“Of course! What a clever little girl. Now wait right here—I’ll get that cocoa.”

She bustled away.

I reached for another roll.

Whew. That was close.

Good thing I’d managed to play it off.
What kind of four-year-old confidently asks for coffee?

Ever since I woke up in this small body, I’d noticed it—the younger I acted, the fuzzier my thinking became, especially when I was hungry or tired.

I’ll have to be more careful next time.

***

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the dining room—

“My goodness…”

Miel stood there, teary-eyed.

Beside her was none other than Duchess Sharon Abner herself.

“She’s eating bread,” Sharon observed, her tone neutral.
“Out of all the food, she chooses plain bread.”

The butler cleared his throat respectfully.
“It happens sometimes, madam. A child’s body can react to sudden changes in environment.”

“So she avoids rich food?” Sharon mused.
“She leaves behind the fine dishes but eats the dry, tasteless ones?”

“It could be instinct, my lady,” the butler replied softly.
“When one has lived without luxury for long… the body resists it.
Her previous circumstances, as you know, were not ideal.”

Sharon’s violet eyes lingered on me—on the tiny girl eagerly chewing her bread, crumbs on her cheeks.

Finally, she spoke.

“Then tell the kitchen this: from now on, put the other food on top of the bread.”

“Pardon?”

Both Miel and the butler gaped.

“If it’s veal, or meunière, or salad, or fruit—whatever it is—put it on the bread.
She needs vegetables and meat, not just flour.”

Her tone was calm but firm.

“She’s four years old. This is when she needs nourishment the most.”

After a moment watching me eat, Sharon turned and left the dining hall.

* * *

Time passed quickly in House Abner.

“Ta-da! Lady Annelia, guess what I brought you today?”

Miel burst into my room, grinning ear to ear.

I looked up from where I was playing dolls with Soya.
Miel’s arms were full—carrying a big white cloth bundle.

I blinked.
“Wow! What’s that?”

She set it down dramatically.
“I got these straight from Mr. Wendel himself—you know, the quiet one!”

She started untying the bundle with exaggerated flair.

“He said you really love books, my lady.”

“Yes! I do!”

“So!” Miel declared, puffing out her chest, “I went around the entire public library three times and found—”

She flung open the cloth.

“—a whole stack of fairy tales!”

“Oh… wow…” I said, trying my best to sound enthusiastic.

Miel held them up proudly, one by one.

“This one’s The Dragon Who Repaid Kindness! And this one’s The Mouse Guest from Rabbit Village!”

Then I spotted something… questionable.

“…‘Poo! How Does It Come Out?’”

Miel nodded eagerly.
“Yes! Aren’t you curious how your body makes poo? I brought it just for you!”

Then she leaned toward Soya and whispered,
“See? I told you! Kids this age love poop and fart stories.”

Soya glared.
“Still… you could at least say ‘bowel movements’ or something!”

Panicking, Soya quickly pushed another book toward me.
“A-ah, my lady! What about this one instead—The Secret of Fairy Lily! Sounds fun, right?”

“Heh… hehe…”

I smiled weakly, my soul already leaving my body.

Great. First endless doll play, now storytime… and the theme is poop.

As I stared blankly, a familiar voice came from the doorway.

“Ah, so it’s reading time, I see.”

I looked up—
and my eyes lit up immediately.

“Mr. Wendel!”

I jumped to my feet and ran straight to him.

He caught me carefully and lifted me up, chuckling.

I buried my face in his shoulder and patted his arm.

“Wow, I missed you so much!”

Of course… that was a complete lie.

It was simply my quickest, most efficient escape
—from ‘Poo! How Does It Come Out?’