TBRFC 12

“Ugh, we really should’ve added more eggs. The food should’ve been softer.”

“What are you talking about! We should’ve focused on making sweeter dishes!”

“Seriously? Sure, sweet food tastes good, but it’s bad for health. And this is the first meal in the estate—we should serve proper cuisine!”

Voices arguing in the kitchen grew louder.

“Ahem!!!”

So-ya coughed loudly, unable to tolerate it any longer.

The quarrelling from the kitchen stopped instantly.

I glanced toward the kitchen.

People who had been sneaking looks at me from beyond the wall quickly disappeared.

‘I feel bad about this.’

If my stomach had been fine, I would’ve eaten everything.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected such treatment.

Right now, my status in this estate was basically Sharon Abner’s ward.

It sounded impressive, but I was still just a commoner child.

‘Why is everyone here so kind?’

My chest and stomach ached again with a dull sting.

I sighed and was about to put my fork down completely when—

Something among the many dishes caught my eye.

“…Bread?”

On a flat plate lay neatly arranged bread.

I quickly stood up from my chair and reached out.

Then I grabbed a piece without hesitation.

So-ya stared at me wide-eyed.

I took a big bite.

It was plain bread, without butter or jam… but—

Munch, munch.

All eyes were fixed on me as I chewed.

“…Tasty.”

After a brief silence, I spoke, and everyone’s eyes widened.

I hurriedly grabbed another piece of bread.

‘But it really is delicious.’

The other luxurious dishes just smelling them made my stomach twist, but not this bread.

The moment it entered my mouth, it melted softly with a nutty richness.

Excited voices came from the kitchen.

“He’s eating it! He’s eating it now!”

“Ah, little master, would you like some milk?”

So-ya also nervously held out a cup.

I shook my head and kept eating the half-finished bread.

As food entered my stomach, it began to growl energetically.

‘It’s good. Really good. I think I could survive on just this…!’

I swallowed bread after bread, then looked at So-ya.

“So-ya noona, do you maybe have coffe—?”

So-ya looked at me, startled.

“Pardon? Coffee?”

“Yeah! Coff—”

I stopped.

Something felt off.

‘I-I can’t ask for coffee in this body. I’m four years old.’

I had been eating bread and coffee all my previous life, and it slipped out unconsciously.

As I panicked and rolled my eyes—

“Oh my, hello there, little lady.”

Someone hurried in from the kitchen.

“I’m Marenes, the assistant head chef. That man over there is my husband, the head chef.”

I quickly nodded politely.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but coffee is forbidden for children in this kitchen, hohoho.”

Marenes smiled gently as if to soothe me.

“Instead, how about some warm cocoa?”

I hesitated, then inwardly applauded.

She had interpreted my request for coffee as childish curiosity.

I put on an apologetic expression and looked at her pleadingly.

“Hmm… I really wanted to try coffee…”

“But coffee isn’t good for children. It can upset your stomach, make your heart race, and even stop you from growing taller.”

I pretended to think deeply for three seconds.

Then I nodded reluctantly.

“Okay… then it can’t be helped…”

So-ya smiled brightly, overly enthusiastic.

“W-wow, little master! You’re so kind and understanding!”

“Exactly! Such an adult-minded four-year-old!”

Marenes also smiled broadly and patted my head.

For some reason, I felt proud and straightened my back a little.

‘…So this is what being a child is like.’

Just breathing earned praise.

I continued eating bread and said,

“Teacher Anne said that if you listen to adults, cake falls from the sky even while you’re asleep.”

So-ya covered her mouth.

For some reason, the kitchen staff lowered their heads.

Marenes laughed again.

“Oh yes, of course! How smart you are! Please wait a moment, I’ll bring cocoa right away.”

Then she rushed back to the kitchen.

I grabbed another piece of bread.

‘Phew, I managed to get through that with my acting… but that was close.’

I had almost casually asked for coffee as a four-year-old.

After just waking up, when hungry or in pain—

This body’s thinking became foggy at times like that.

‘I need to be more careful.’

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the dining hall.

“…My goodness.”

Miel looked like she was about to cry.

Sharon Abner stood beside her.

“He’s eating only bread… ignoring all the better dishes.”

The butler spoke calmly.

“It happens occasionally. The child’s body may not yet be accustomed to the sudden change in environment.”

“So you’re saying a child only eats bread? And plain, dry bread at that?”

“It may be instinctively rejecting rich foods, considering the child’s previous environment…”

The butler glanced at Sharon Abner’s expression.

“Perhaps they haven’t had very good living conditions.”

Sharon Abner’s violet eyes stayed fixed on the child stuffing bread into his mouth.

Finally, she spoke.

“Then put it on the bread.”

“Pardon?”

Miel and the butler looked surprised.

“Meunière, veal, salad, fruit—anything. Put it on the bread from now on.”

Sharon Abner was serious.

“He’s at the age where he should be growing. We can’t let him live on bread alone. He needs vegetables and meat too.”

Then, after watching Aenelia for a few more seconds, she turned and left the dining hall.

Time at the Abner ducal estate passed quickly.

“Ta-da! Lady Aenelia! Guess what I brought!”

Miel burst into the room, excited.

I, who had been playing with So-ya, turned my gaze toward her.

Miel was carrying a large bundle wrapped in white cloth.

I pretended to be surprised.

“Wow. What is it?”

Miel placed the bundle on the floor and began untying it.

“I heard it again—from the famously quiet Wendel!”

Miel continued excitedly.

“He said Lady Aenelia really likes books!”

“Yes, I do!”

“So! I searched the entire public library three times~~!”

Finally, the contents were revealed.

“A whole bunch of picture books!”

“O-oh… wow.”

I smiled awkwardly.

Miel showed me the covers one by one.

“The Dragon Who Returned a Favor, The Mouse Guest in Rabbit Village!”

Then I spotted one and asked in disbelief,

“…How Do Poops Come Out?”

Miel nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes! You were curious about how poop is made in the body, right? I brought it just for that!”

She whispered to So-ya.

“I told you, right? Kids your age love poop and fart stuff.”

So-ya shot her a look.

“S-still, poop is…”

So-ya quickly slid another book toward me.

“Ah, little lady… what about The Secret of Fairy Liri?”

“Heh… hehe…”

I gave a hollow laugh.

‘Reading picture books all day was already exhausting…’

‘Now I even have to read books…’

‘And the topic is poop…’

Just as my unfocused eyes wandered—

“It seems you’re having reading time.”

An familiar voice came from the door.

I looked up to see Wendel entering with a curious expression.

My face instantly brightened.

“Uncle Wendel!”

I jumped up and ran to him.

Wendel carefully lifted me into his arms.

I buried my head in his chest and patted his arm.

“Waaah, uncle! I missed you!”

Of course, it was a completely calculated move—

a perfect escape from How Do Poops Come Out?