LATOH C3

Chapter 3

From the very first day I entered this body, I had no intention of twisting the original story. Still, I wanted to see the heroine’s father and her two older brothers with my own eyes. I remembered them, of course, but seeing them in person would surely be different. As a fan who had enjoyed the novel, the thought of meeting its characters in reality was undeniably exciting. With a fluttering heart, I quickened my pace.

Fortunately, thanks to my memories, I didn’t get lost on the way to the dining hall. Normally, a maid would be guiding me, but my maid, Marin, was probably somewhere laughing with the others, busy thinking of new ways to make my life miserable.

Sure enough, when I arrived at the entrance to the dining hall, I spotted Marin whispering and giggling with the other maids.

“…My lady, why are you so late? Please go in quickly. The Duke and the young masters have already begun their meal.”

“Mm.”

Even as Marin scolded me with clear displeasure, I simply nodded obediently and stepped inside. At the same time, I made a silent vow not to let her sharp tongue go unpunished forever.

“Yes, that would be best. And then…”

‘…Wow, this is seriously intimidating.’

The moment I entered the lavish dining hall, the three men who had been conversing over their meal stopped and turned to look at me. They all had identical black hair and red eyes, as if stamped from the same mold. Perhaps it was the strong blood of the ducal line, but even their appearances were strikingly similar.

More importantly, they were all incredibly handsome. It was obvious without asking where the heroine’s genes had come from.

As I was inwardly admiring them, they abruptly turned their heads away and resumed their conversation.

‘…Right. So this is how it is.’

Memories surfaced—how the heroine had mustered the courage to greet them or start a conversation, only to be completely ignored every time. Back then, she would retreat to her room, bury herself under the blankets, and cry. But as for me now… I actually found their indifference more comfortable.

I quietly walked over and took an empty seat. Thankfully, although the food had cooled somewhat, everything was already set. Picking up my utensils, I began to eat as my body instinctively remembered how.

‘…Wow!’

The meat was delicious, and the salad was fresh. I’d never been to one, but this must be what a five-star restaurant tasted like. Every dish was refined and flavorful. Even though I wasn’t used to such food, it suited my taste perfectly.

At the very least, I had to admit—the food was excellent.

I steadily brought food to my mouth. I could hear their conversation, but I let it pass in one ear and out the other. Honestly, I hoped they would continue to ignore me like this.

I had never expected any familial affection in the first place. Back on Earth, I had been an orphan anyway. This kind of indifference was far more comfortable.

With that, I continued my meal in a much more relaxed state of mind.

Soon, the Duke finished his meal, gracefully setting down his utensils before rising from his seat. As he stood, the two young masters followed suit, finishing their meals and standing up as well.

I felt as though their gazes briefly turned toward me, but since I had only just begun eating, I ignored them and focused on the food in front of me.

They seemed ready to leave, yet for some reason, they lingered for a moment. I found it slightly odd, but since I couldn’t recall them ever initiating conversation with the heroine, I assumed it was nothing—perhaps there was a bug crawling somewhere behind me.

A faint, amused chuckle echoed before the three men finally left.

Now alone in the dining hall, I didn’t mind at all. In fact, I preferred it.

However, my peaceful meal didn’t last long.

The moment the Duke and the young masters left, the servants began clearing the table. I stared at them blankly, a fork still in my mouth.

What are they doing? Clearing already?

“I’m not finished eating yet.”

“…Oh, were you planning to continue?”

“You saw me just arrive, didn’t you? I’m still eating. Clear it later.”

“…Ha…”

At the servant’s exaggerated sigh, my brows furrowed.

I’d heard that being treated poorly over food was the worst—and right now, they were clearly pressuring me to hurry up and leave, weren’t they?

In response, I deliberately slowed down even more.

Every time I took a bite, I could see them sighing heavily on purpose—but I didn’t stop. Having grown up with little to eat, I was sensitive about food. If I gave in here, I had a feeling I’d never get a proper meal again.

I would leave this family eventually—but now wasn’t the time. And until then, I had no intention of starving.

‘…I’ll remember every single one of you.’

As I chewed, I memorized the faces of the servants glaring at me with annoyance. I etched them into my mind, determined to repay them someday.

At that moment, someone approached with a cup filled to the brim with water.

I glanced at the maid walking toward me.

A familiar face.

‘…Right. I remember.’

She was the one who had thrown water on me when I first woke up. Her freckles had been quite distinctive—and I could still hear her mocking laughter.

In the distance, I spotted Marin standing with her arms crossed. So she was behind this.

Anyone could tell—the maid was clearly about to splash water on me. I looked at her with an innocent expression.

‘…Honestly, this is so unoriginal. Is throwing water the only trick they know?’

But I had just been drenched not long ago. This time, I had no intention of letting it happen.

I quietly waited, suppressing the smile threatening to curl at my lips.

“My lady—ahhh!”

Perfect timing. Perfect aim.

Just as the maid approached close enough to throw the water, I struck the bowl of soup in front of me—the one with the most ingredients.

Exactly as intended, the contents splashed all over her.

“…W-What is… what is this…?!”

Oh. That’s quite a sight.

Covered from head to toe in soup, the maid stared at me in shock, her face full of disbelief.

Her trembling hands, shaking pupils, and gaping mouth made it clear—she couldn’t process what had just happened.

The same went for everyone else. The servants who had been whispering earlier fell completely silent.

As confusion filled the room, I slowly stood up. In my hand, I was now holding a bowl full of salad.

“Oh my, what should I do… I made a mistake. Are you alright?”

“Ahhh!”

“Oh dear… I’ve made the same mistake again… what should I do…”

“What—what are you doing?!”

As I approached her, I flung the salad directly onto her face.

The maid screamed, clutching her face.

Her appearance—drenched in soup and salad—was so ridiculous that I almost burst out laughing. I bit my lip to suppress it, then tilted my head innocently.

“My hand slipped… But it’s fine, right? You all make mistakes like this sometimes, don’t you?”

“T-That’s…!”

“I’ve always been understanding whenever you made mistakes. So I hope you’ll understand mine as well. Especially since I’m sensitive about food—if I’m disturbed while eating, I might end up making mistakes like this again. So please, be careful.”

At my words, no one dared to respond.

It was unthinkable for servants to ignore a noble lady’s words—but this wasn’t defiance. They were simply unable to adjust to the sudden change in my demeanor.

Looking at their pale faces, I smiled in satisfaction.

Finally… that felt refreshing.

The stress I had endured from society—and all the frustration I had suppressed until now—felt like it had been blown away.

“Marin.”

“…Y-Yes!”

“Let’s go back. My dress is a mess from the splattered food.”

“…Yes. Please follow me, my lady.”

Startled, Marin hurried over. She looked flustered by my uncharacteristic behavior.

I gazed at her with the same gentle expression the heroine usually wore.

Seeing that familiar face, Marin’s expression gradually turned displeased again. It seemed she wanted to scold me, but with so many eyes around, she bit her lip and held herself back.