Chapter 45 (1/2)

Navia fell asleep like a log.

Is it because the spirit and the body, which had been driven out to the brink of ruin, greedily coveted the rest that had barely been secured?

Resting is important.

But is it really okay to rest?

Her mind kept asking her to wake up and look around properly.

But her body didn’t listen.

Navia fell asleep wrapped in a soft bed and opened her eyes to a savory and delicious smell.

When she lifted her head to the clatter, a middle-aged woman who was preparing a meal in a little distance was seen.

‘Who?’

The middle-aged woman spoke to Navia with a gracious smile when their eyes met.

“Are you up?”

Before Navia answered, the woman spoke again,

“My name is Margaret Romanoff. I’m the caretaker of the Eseled Duchy.

Navia felt her sleep run away.

‘Margaret Romanoff!’

Margaret was one of the few female aristocrats who conferred titles, and although time passed, she was a war hero of her youth.

Navia tried to get out of bed and greet her.

Then Margaret put her tray down on the table and dissuaded her.

“Don’t overdo it while you’re hurt. What’s the big deal if you don’t follow the rules?”

The only time Navia was able to ignore manners was when she was unconscious.

Therefore, she was flustered when Margaret said she didn’t have to follow the rules of etiquette.

‘Is she serious?’

Navia’s eyes searched the opponent in silence.

She couldn’t feel any hostility and there was no feeling of spying. It simply felt like she was being friendly to a child.

‘Then it would be better accept the favor.’

She didn’t want to have the same friction from Agnes while being here.

Navia bowed her head.

“Nice to meet you, Count Margaret Romanoff. My name is Navia.”

“Do you know me? You’re still young, but you must have studied hard about the nobility. That’s amazing!”

‘Is this something to be praised for?’

Navia was usually told ‘not bad,’ or ‘you’re of humble birth, so it can’t be helped.’ The compliment of ‘not bad’ was not even heard enough to memorize.

When she memorized a history book and carried out difficult tasks like high-quality etiquette, Navia was only praised with ‘not bad.’

That was the best compliment for Navia.

But amazing?

‘A person as great as Count Romanoff in particular couldn’t be admiring these basic things.’

But this was a greeting.

It was a little vague, but there wasn’t anything fake from this person.

‘And it’s weird to speak up to me.’

Navia bowed slightly as spoke as if she didn’t know what to do.

“Please speak comfortably.”

Then Margaret grinned.

“My Lord’s guests deserve respect. I’m talking comfortably enough, so do not worry.”

‘Lord.’

Navia wondered why Margaret was serving Lark as her Lord and took the role as the butler, but she didn’t ask.

Her position wasn’t clear yet. Until the problem was resolved, she had to act like a complete stranger.

When she was lost in thought, Margaret asked,

“Are you very hungry?”

Grofortable if she was fake.’

Margaret put a small table for patients in front of Navia and the strong smell of savory cream soup wafted up.

Navia was so hungry that she quickly picked up the spoon and blew the spoon to take a mouthful of the steaming soup.

“!”

It’s good.

Navia felt her mood soften by the warm sensation spreading inside her body.

How long has it been since she’s had warm food?

The thick cream soup was not greasy at all but had a deep taste. The tip of her tongue was enchanted.

Navia ate the soup little by little.

“Is it perhaps not to your taste?”

Margaret, who was watching, asked in wonder, and Navia answered quickly.

“No. It’s delicious.”