CH 12.2

Bianca Marietta was born as an illegitimate child of a Count, but with her excellent swordsmanship and her overwhelming combat magic, she excelled in warfare and was awarded even the rank of Count, she’s a legendary figure in the Empire.

And she was something I admired for a long time.

A woman who proved her need to the world by being recognized for her abilities alone, regardless of status.

But when I learned of Bianca’s existence, I could only hear it from the story that she had come down from her position as Knight Commander of the Duke of Belarus and had long retreated.

I felt uncontrollably moved by our unexpected encounter.

In the meantime, when I arrived on the first floor, I saw Diana nibbling intently with a large chicken leg in her hand that was unsuitable for her small stature.

As I was about to go straight and approached Diana, I stopped, startled.

Duke Elrad, who was sitting next to the child, was looking at me with a terrifying expression.

‘Am I too late for the meal?’

Confused, I soon found the answer.

I couldn’t help it when I was in the orphanage, but things have changed now.

The difference in status between Diana and I was obvious.

Most of the aristocrats I met in my previous life were very authoritative except for a few, and some treated commoners as objects below their feet.

‘The Duke of Elrad may not be that far.’

Anyway, what’s certain was that I could no longer call Diana’s name or speak informally, or try to sit down next to her as naturally as I almost did just now.

I lowered my gaze to the ground naturally, cautious of the Duke’s eyes.

After Bianca took me out of the inn with the waiting attendants, I was wondering where to eat.

At that moment, I saw a familiar face among the knights sitting around the table. It was Taze Sedian.

It was when I was about to approach him.

“Sister!”

Diana threw her chicken leg and ran to me.

‘Why would you give up your chicken legs?’

Impressed, I completely forgot what I had thought before, and lightly patted Diana’s hair, which was neatly tied in two, and said, “Dana, your hair looks pretty.”

“Umm! Daddy does it!”

“Oh my?!”

A startled voice flowed out of my lips.

Looking at the beautifully tied hair without baby hairs sticking out, it was not a skill of someone who tried tying it up for a day or two.

It was not easy to imagine him combing his daughter’s hair with such a cold face.

“Sister, come here.”

Then Diana took my hand and dragged me  to the seat next to her.

I stood there, unable to shake Dana’s hand, and slumped down to the seat.

As Duke Elrad’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me, I felt even more depressed.

“Dana, I…”

“Hurry up, sit down and eat.”

Tac—

As soon as the Duke finished speaking, I sat down on the chair.

It was worth listening to and seeing the words of those in power, even those who were as fearful as Duke Elrad.

I lowered my head to avoid staring at the food on the table and naturally opened my mouth.

It may not be enough for the Duke and his daughter, a high-ranking aristocrat, to eat, but the inn seemed to have poured all the ingredients they had and even if they didn’t have much.

Unable to overcome my hunger, I noticed and took a large bite of the stew in front of me with a spoon.

When the stew made with pork, potatoes, and carrots was savored in my mouth, my stomach became hot and my appetite rushed madly.

As I shamelessly picked up a basket full of brown bread, Diana suddenly handed over a chicken leg.

“Eat this too!!”

“Thank you.”

The Duke was still staring intently, observing my every action, so I quickly answered with a smile at the end of my words.

Even though I knew I wasn’t supposed to, I couldn’t come up with respectful words, perhaps because of my friendly memories with Diana while at the orphanage.

Embarrassed, I hurriedly took a bite of a chicken leg when a sudden question came up.

“Didn’t you say you were eight?”

“Yes?”

“Age.”

I couldn’t swallow the meat in my mouth and nodded quickly.

I told him my age and my name on our way here, but why does he suddenly ask about it again?

As I tilted my head in wonder, the Duke asked again.

“But why are you so small? It’s similar to Diana.”

He looked as if he didn’t understand. And it was the same for me, why would you be curious about that?

Then, as if her father didn’t know, Diana said bluntly, “Sister can’t eat, because Dana is hungry.”

“Cough!”

I managed to hold back the food that almost came out of my mouth because it didn’t match her cute voice.

Even the knights’ ears pricked up though they were pretending not to hear it, but couldn’t help but laugh.

But for some reason, Duke Elrad’s expression looked serious.

“What does that mean, Diana?”

“Dana is hungry, but eats once a day. But I like the bread.”

Diana replied sullenly, twirling her fingers.

“Dana, it was bigger than that…”

“But Sister gave me all the bread. Sister is stupid.”

Diana, who lightly ignored my small rebuttal, raised her voice.

For a moment I was dumbfounded…