Chapter 14
A moment later—
“I know you’ve taken good care of my townhouse in many ways until now, Aunt.”
Zigfried spoke politely.
“I appreciate your concern for the books. However, I believe a child is more important than a few books.”
“…Your Grace?”
“Of course, as you said, the child might accidentally damage a book while handling it. But that’s something I can easily accept.”
Zigfried spoke gently, but his words were firm.
“So, I intend to place the child I chose to care for above a few books.”
Wow.
My eyes sparkled.
He was polite to the other person while still taking my side.
His way of speaking was absolutely flawless!
“The food is getting cold. Please continue your meal.”
Zigfried gracefully picked up his spoon and spoke to the Countess.
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
Countess Giberti bit her lip tightly as she picked up her utensils.
I secretly smiled to myself.
Our hero really knows how to talk! Hero, you’re the best!
After that, the meal became enjoyable again.
I completely immersed myself in the delicious food.
I picked out pieces of chicken from the cream stew and happily chewed them.
Then I spread layers of butter and jam on the soft white bread.
“Nom.”
The moment I took a bite of the fluffy bread…
It felt like heaven.
Wow… It’s so delicious!
What am I supposed to do?
It’s so good that I can’t stop smiling.
Just then—
“Tatiana.”
Zigfried, who was sitting at the head of the table, called my name.
“Hm?”
I looked at him with wide eyes.
He gently tapped his own lips.
“You have some jam on your lips.”
Ah!
I quickly reached for a napkin.
But Countess Giberti moved faster.
“Oh, Miss.”
A hand holding a napkin suddenly appeared beside me.
“Let me wipe it for you.”
Unlike her gentle voice…
The way she rubbed the napkin against my lips was surprisingly rough.
Excuse me?! That hurts!
It stung so much that tears almost came to my eyes.
Finally, she pulled the napkin away and smiled brightly.
“There. All clean.”
“Y-Yes…”
Ugh…
I think my lips are scraped…
With a pitiful expression, I gently touched my sore lips while secretly glaring at Countess Giberti.
Are you really going to keep bullying me like this?
No. Endure it.
Today is my first day at the townhouse.
For now, I have to look like a good child.
Suppressing my anger, I stuffed another piece of jam-covered bread into my mouth.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I’m sorry, Tatiana.”
As soon as the meal was over, Zigfried stood up.
“I think I’ll have to leave first.”
“It’s okay!”
I hurriedly shook my head.
“Thank you for eating with Titi!”
“What are you thanking me for?”
Zigfried clicked his tongue softly.
“Finish your meal slowly, and get plenty of rest today.”
“Okay!”
I smiled as sweetly as I could.
Seeing that, Zigfried also smiled faintly.
Then he quickly left the dining room.
The moment he was gone—
“That’s enough. You won’t be using these anymore.”
Countess Giberti suddenly snatched away my children’s tableware!
“It’s much better if you get used to adult utensils from the beginning.”
…Huh?
I slowly turned to look at her.
Right now?
Is there really any reason I have to start using adult utensils already?
Once my hands get bigger, I can use them then.
This is obviously just bullying!
But instead of giving the children’s utensils back, Countess Giberti crossed her arms and looked down at me.
It seemed like she had no intention of leaving until I finished eating.
“…”
I stared helplessly at the food left on my plate.
No. I can do this.
Making up my mind, I grabbed the heavy spoon.
I carefully dipped it into the stew, trying my best not to make a mess.
But…
No… This is way too heavy…
I barely managed to hold it.
The spoon was so heavy that I couldn’t move it properly.
Even so, I tried to take one bite.
I opened my mouth wide.
Then—
Plop.
“…”
I stared blankly at the chicken and cream sauce that had fallen onto the tablecloth.
Countess Giberti clicked her tongue loudly, making sure I could hear.
“You don’t even know basic table manners. You’re spilling food everywhere. How vulgar. I can hardly stand to watch.”
Endure it.
I have to endure.
They say if you endure three times, you can even avoid murder.
I kept repeating those words to myself.
Just then—
“Um… Head Housekeeper.”
Someone spoke carefully.
It was…
Nora?
My eyes widened.
“What is it?”
Countess Giberti raised an eyebrow at Nora.
Faced with that fierce stare, Nora’s shoulders trembled.
But…
“Miss is still very young, so I don’t think she’s comfortable using adult utensils.”
“So?”
“I-I think it would be better if she used children’s utensils for now…”
Although her voice shook, Nora spoke clearly.
But if Countess Giberti were the type of person to listen to such reasonable advice…
She wouldn’t have been bullying me in the first place.
“Who gave you permission to question my orders?”
Countess Giberti glared at Nora.
“Who told you to bring those children’s utensils in the first place?”
“I-It was me.”
“And who are you to decide something like that on your own?”
“…”
Nora bit her lip as her face turned red from the humiliation.
The Countess continued mockingly.
“If you keep spoiling her like this, what if she starts thinking she’s a real young lady of the Duke’s family?”
“Head Housekeeper, that’s…!”
Nora’s face turned pale as she desperately tried to stop her.
But Countess Giberti wouldn’t listen.
“How long do you think that child is going to stay in this townhouse?”
My mouth fell open.
Wow…
The moment Zigfried left, she completely changed her attitude.
She must really be in a bad mood to say something like that.
Meanwhile, Nora looked horrified.
“Head Housekeeper! Miss can hear everything you’re saying!”
“So what? Let her hear.”
Countess Giberti shrugged and glanced at me.
“She won’t even understand what I’m saying anyway.”
…Excuse me.
I have ears too.
Just because I look like a four-year-old doesn’t mean you should insult me right in front of my face.
“B-But…”
Nora still tried to protest.
“And who are you to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do?”
Countess Giberti only glared at her.
“…”
In the end, Nora had no choice but to stay silent.
“Anyway, make sure you wash the tablecloth that little brat dirtied. Understand?”
After saying that coldly, Countess Giberti left the dining room.
Nora looked at me with pity.
“Um… Miss.”
“Hm?”
“What the Head Housekeeper said just now… I mean…”
“It’s okay. Titi didn’t even understand what she was saying.”
I really wasn’t bothered.
So I smiled brightly at Nora.
Don’t worry.
Compared to Demon King’s Castle, this level of bullying is nothing.
“…”
But Nora’s expression only became gloomier.
Ah…
Trying to lighten the mood, I pretended nothing had happened and gently tugged on Nora’s sleeve.
“Nora.”
“Yes?”
I want to become a polite person. How do I use these?”
I pointed at all the utensils lined up on the table.
Nora bit her lip.
Then she spoke firmly.
“Miss, you are not a rude child.”
“…Hm?”
“Please don’t listen to what the Head Housekeeper said. No one can know how to do something they were never taught.”
Then she scooped up a spoonful of cream stew and held it toward me.
“The adult utensils are too heavy. I’ll feed you today.”
“Uh…”
“Say ah. Okay?”
“…”
It was a little embarrassing.
But I quietly opened my mouth.
I’m only accepting because I don’t want to reject Nora’s kindness.
It’s definitely not because I’m a child!
I tried my best to suppress my embarrassment.
After feeding me, Nora smiled warmly.
“Is it good?”
“Mm-hmm!”
I nodded enthusiastically.
No wonder Zigfried had confidently said it would taste even better than Cesar’s cooking.
Hmm.
So this is the skill of a professional chef.
✦ ✦ ✦
After Tatiana finished eating, Nora carefully picked her up.
After such a long journey, the child was probably exhausted.
Walking around the large mansion would only make her legs hurt.
Tatiana quietly rested in Nora’s arms.
Then—
Riiip.
The moment the child grabbed Nora’s collar…
The entire collar tore off.
“Huh!”
Tatiana froze in shock.
“I-I tore your clothes…”
“It’s alright, Miss!”
Nora hurriedly waved her hands.
“Don’t worry. It wasn’t your fault.”
