Chapter 03
“Ugh… the first and second plans failed! They’re not easy opponents.”
Serina opened her diary and crossed out the failed plans.
“The next plan is… a hunger strike!”
Right then—
Grrr…
Her stomach growled loudly.
Looking out the window, the sky had already turned orange.
“Huh? Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything all day.”
After returning to her room, Serina tried to go back to the office, but the servants watched her closely and kept her inside.
Because she was focused on escaping, she ended up skipping breakfast and lunch.
“Now that I realize it, I’m starving. Ugh… a hunger strike might be too much.”
She flopped onto the bed.
“And how am I supposed to resist delicious snacks? Not eating dessert once a day is a crime! Right, Tosoon?”
She turned to the side and lifted her favorite sky-blue rabbit doll.
“So what should I do…?”
Closing her eyes, she thought hard. Then she remembered something hidden under her bed.
“Ah! Right! My snack box! Merilly’s nagging actually helped!”
Because of Merilly always worrying about her health, her snacks had been limited before.
Since then, Serina secretly collected snacks from the maids, servants, and even the chef.
She quickly lay on the floor and pulled out a blue box.
Inside were white chocolate cookies, caramel, and colorful candies.
“Hmm… I wonder how many days this will last.”
As she counted them—
Knock knock.
“Lady Serina, it’s almost dinner time.”
It was Merilly.
“Wait a moment!”
Serina hurriedly stuffed the snacks back into the box, closed it, and kicked it under the bed.
The door opened, and Merilly entered.
‘Good. I didn’t get caught.’
Relieved, Serina spoke.
“Merilly, I’m not eating dinner today. Please tell them.”
“No. You skipped breakfast and lunch. You must eat dinner.”
“I’m not hungry!”
But her stomach growled loudly.
“…That was just because I was bored! It’s not hunger!”
She quickly made an excuse.
“Actually, it’s because my stomach hurts! Ouch, it hurts so much!”
She clutched her stomach and acted with all her strength.
“I don’t know why you’re refusing, but being stubborn won’t work.”
Merilly, who had taken care of her since birth, valued her health too much.
In the end, Serina was dragged away.
“I said I’m not hungry! I won’t eat!”
At the dining hall entrance, Serina resisted going inside.
A servant opened the door, and she stumbled forward.
“Huh?”
Before she knew it, she was already inside.
‘Fine. Then I’ll show them my hunger strike right in front of them!’
She walked to her seat and climbed onto it using the footrest.
Merilly quietly smiled and left.
Even after some time, Serina didn’t touch her utensils.
“Serina, what’s wrong? Eat.”
“I’m starting a hunger strike today. Brother’s engagement is very important to me. I won’t eat until you cancel it!”
She turned her head proudly.
“Even so, you need to eat.”
Nereus, who hadn’t spoken before, finally said something.
His low voice made her hesitate—but she didn’t back down.
“I’m serious. Even if you say it, I won’t eat.”
Then the others joined in.
“Serina, you know you won’t get snacks if you don’t eat, right?”
“Serina, come on. Let’s eat together. Today’s dessert is pudding—you like it.”
Her eyes moved to the trolley beside the table.
A shiny custard pudding sat there.
Smooth, soft, and jiggly… it looked perfect.
Even from a distance, she could smell the sweet caramel.
Her empty stomach screamed for it.
And of all things—it was her favorite pudding.
‘N-not eating dessert is a crime…’
She swallowed.
‘No! I can’t!’
I can eat pudding later. I’m a mature person who can endure!
She shook her head strongly and resisted.
‘For my goal, I must endure!’
She successfully skipped dinner and quickly returned to her room.
After confirming no one was around, she took out her snack box.
“Just in case, I’ll eat secretly.”
She hid under the blanket, curling up like a caterpillar.
Carefully, she took a bite of a cookie.
Sweetness filled her mouth.
In no time, she finished several cookies and came out.
“Hehe, they’ll think I’m really fasting.”
She hid the empty wrapper and smiled brightly.
Proud of her fake hunger strike, she fell asleep.
“What is this smell…?”
As soon as she woke up, a sweet scent filled the air.
The door was slightly open.
She quietly walked over and peeked out.
Her eyes widened.
Through the gap, she saw a trolley filled with layered strawberry desserts from her favorite shop.
She gulped.
Even though she ate cookies, she was still hungry.
As if possessed, she slowly opened the door—
And froze.
Lakus was standing there.
“Ta-da! I prepared this specially for you. Surprised?”
“I’m on a hunger strike…”
But her eyes stayed on the desserts.
“Serina, fasting is bad for your health. I reserved these days ago for you. Are you really not going to eat?”
Lakus looked like a sad puppy.
‘Ugh…’
After thinking hard, Serina grabbed the trolley.
“Well… since you’re worried, I’ll eat. It’s not because I want to, okay?”
She made an excuse.
“Of course, of course. Good girl, Serina.”
Lakus held back laughter and patted her head.
She quickly pulled the trolley inside and picked up a strawberry pudding.
Taking a big bite, she chewed like a hamster while writing in her diary.
- Hunger strike (they might give in since I need to eat while growing)
→ Stopped because Brother was worried. I’m kind, so I had no choice.
“Then… only the last method is left.”
- Throw things in the house (final method! Be ready to get scolded!)
“…It’s really, really scary, but I can’t give up!”
Imagining Aura with devil horns scolding her, Serina trembled.
Holding Tosoon tightly, she shouted—
“Tosoon, I’ll go do my best!”
“Hmm… where should I do it…”
She wandered around the mansion, looking for the perfect place.
Then she arrived at the library.
‘The library?’
A place full of things to throw—and not urgent to clean.
Perfect.
“Alright, the library it is.”
She quietly entered and looked around.
No one was there.
Beautiful decorations, shelves full of books, a large chandelier, paintings on the walls.
A clean rug, luxurious sofa, spotless table.
On the table were snacks and flowers.
“Hmm… it feels wrong to throw things here.”
She hesitated.
“Maybe I’ll just mess it up a little. And throw one book to make noise.”
Breaking things would make it hard for the servants.
So she carefully placed decorations messily.
She laid a vase on its side so water spilled slightly.
She scattered flower petals.
She broke some snacks and took down a few paintings.
After placing books around, she wiped her sweat.
“Phew… perfect.”
Finally, she picked up a thick book.
“One, two, three!”
With wind magic, she threw it hard.
Thud!
The loud sound startled even her.
Soon, hurried footsteps approached.
Her heart pounded fast.
“Ah… I’m going to get scolded a lot, aren’t I?”
