003. Nadia’s Family
The nanny, who had been tilting her head in constant suspicion, finally spoke.
“Usually, you wouldn’t even let me touch your lotion, insisting on applying it yourself. But why are you so well-behaved today?”
Oh, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. But… I don’t think I can keep up this act. What should I do?
I paused to think, then wiggled my short, chubby fingers and held up a random number of them, calling out:
“Nyah, I’m Onni now, Onni.”
I was mimicking my friend’s son, who always insisted on calling himself “older brother” whenever he did something.
“Ahahaha! That’s right, little lady. You’re four now, so you’ve become more mature.”
The nanny laughed, clearly finding me adorable.
Nadia was four years old.
I filed that new information away in my mind. Judging by how people had reacted so far, it wouldn’t be difficult to blend in naturally with the body of a mischievous four-year-old. Even if the possessed me behaved slightly differently, people would simply attribute it to a child’s whim or assume I’d grown more composed.
A small problem, perhaps, was that both my father and the nanny doted on me too much.
In my past life, having matured far too early, I had always found it awkward and unbearable to receive the love a child should naturally get.
As I endured my embarrassment and let the nanny’s affectionate hands tend to me, the door suddenly swung open, revealing a small shadow.
“Nadia! You’re awake?”
“Oh my, Master Liam came to see you first.”
I stood on tiptoe to peek over the nanny’s shoulder.
Young Liam was a boy with golden hair and fair skin, just like Nadia. His features, identical to our father’s, announced at once that he was indeed a child of the Renard household.
The only difference was that unlike our father’s deep, composed eyes, Liam’s gaze still brimmed with the playful mischief of childhood.
“Oppa?”
Ugh… Even though I was inhabiting a four-year-old body, calling such a tiny kid “older brother” made my mouth twitch. The name felt especially awkward because it reminded me of the age my younger brother had been when our father passed away.
Then, another voice sounded from behind.
Unlike Liam’s loud, booming voice, this one was thin and gentle.
“Nadia, happy birthday.”
“Oh, the eldest daughter came too?”
“Yes. I wanted to be the first to congratulate my beautiful little sister before your birthday party starts…”
The girl blushingly speaking was the eldest daughter, Mila.
Meeting Mila in person—she had the most prominent role among the Renard family members in the web novel—felt strange.
Mila had inherited our father’s features as well, but her delicate lines gave her a fragile, graceful appearance. Even at her young age, it was clear she would grow into a beauty who would trigger protective instincts in others.
“Onni!”
Unlike when I called Liam, the word “older sister” slipped out naturally.
I didn’t care—if someone was pretty, they were an “older sister.”
I scampered over to Mila on my short legs and hugged her.
Mila swayed slightly under my weight but smiled gently.
“Our Nadia seems cheerful this morning.”
“Little lady seems excited too, it being your birthday. Now, you need to change your clothes and have your hair brushed, so come sit over here.”
I dashed to the mirror again and changed into the outfit the nanny had brought.
As I sat to have my hair brushed, Mila and Liam approached, peeking curiously from either side.
Seeing the three of us reflected side by side in the mirror, so alike it was amusing.
“Puh, the power of inheritance… heh!”
“Nadia, what did you just say?”
Mila tilted her head at me.
I clasped my hands over my mouth and shook my head vigorously.
Why does my mouth keep moving on its own, even though I’m just thinking? Maybe it’s because I’m a child…
Meanwhile, the quick-handed nanny tied my hair into a neat half-updo with a ribbon.
“All done, little lady! Now, let’s go downstairs for breakfast. Master must already be there.”
The nanny ushered the three children into the hallway with practiced ease. The lively Liam bolted down the stairs first.
“Master! Don’t run, you’ll fall and get hurt!”
The nanny called after him anxiously.
Mila, staying behind, held my hand tightly. The warmth was pleasant.
But… why does her grip feel stronger by the second?
“You always run ahead wherever we go. You’ve really grown up, my dear sister. How admirable.”
Ah, she’s holding my hand so tightly because she’s worried I might dash down the stairs. But excuse me, pretty sister… you’re cutting off my circulation.
“Nyah, I’m Onni now, so no pulling.”
Even with her slightly lisped pronunciation, Mila laughed softly. Her grip relaxed, and warmth flowed back into my hand.
Upon arriving in the dining room, Count Renard, who had already arrived, stood to greet the children.
“Did you sleep well, my dears?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Yes!”
“Yes.”
As the three children responded and took their seats, breakfast was served.
“This afternoon, we’ll have a luncheon combined with Nadia’s birthday party. They’re preparing in the garden, so stay in your rooms and play after breakfast.”
“Who’s coming to the party, Father? Will there be boys too?”
“We sent invitations to most noble families in the capital, but unfortunately, families with children your age mostly had prior commitments.”
“Tch, that doesn’t sound fun at all.”
“Liam, today isn’t about your fun—it’s about celebrating your sister.”
“That’s right, Liam. Today’s star is Nadia.”
“I know. It doesn’t matter. Even if I make friends, we hardly come to the capital, so we wouldn’t see them again anyway.”
“Liam, don’t grumble. Father can’t manage raising us and tending to the estate on his own in the capital.”
Seeing Liam sulk and Mila gently admonish him, Count Renard’s expression darkened.
Chewing my food while listening to the conversation, I couldn’t help but notice…
‘Even with servants, it must be hard raising three children without a mother…’
Count Renard gently stroked my hair with a somewhat wistful expression.
“Our Nadia, eating so well today?”
“Y-yes, it’s delicious.”
“Oh my, the youngest with a small appetite is eating so much? Did you grow a bit in one year? Eat up, have some more!”
Excited by my response, Count Renard transferred more food to my plate.
It really was delicious… but isn’t this too much for a four-year-old?
Glancing between the full plate and Count Renard’s eager eyes, I swallowed hard.
He seemed determined not to miss a single bite I took.
Finally, when the plate was nearly empty, I could put down my fork.
My stomach was so full I could barely breathe.
“You ate all that, Nadia! If only you always ate this well. Look at that round little belly—so adorable!”
Count Renard joyfully patted my protruding stomach.
‘He seems so happy… Nadia must have always been a picky eater.’
I fondly poked the slight bulge above my dress.
But as soon as I returned to my room after parting with my family, I immediately regretted it.
I had pushed myself because Count Renard was watching me so expectantly, but it had been foolish.
“I’m so, so full!”
To make matters worse, my stomach felt like it was about to burst.
‘Ah… if only I had a Gas-X or something.’
I sighed and slid off the chair, sitting on the floor.
Leaning against the chair, I pondered how, in this world without Gas-X or Beano, I could quickly get this overly full meal moving down.
‘A walk might help. A little movement should make it go down.’
Having mostly stayed in this room since possessing the body, I was also curious about other parts of the mansion.
Count Renard had said not to go outside because of the party preparations, so I just needed to avoid that area, right?
Acting impulsively and uncharacteristically for myself, I grabbed the elephant plush that had been on the bed.
