Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 03: Fattening Up the Heroine

Chapter 03: Fattening Up the Heroine

The grand dining hall of the Egrid estate was usually shrouded in silence. But today, things were different.

Seated at the center of the long table were the mother and daughter who, just yesterday, had been struggling in the back alleys.

The servants were visibly unsettled by Cerios’s decision to bring them back. They cast pitying glances at the two, as though they were stray pets he had picked up off the streets.

Now, they sat across the table from me, sharing the meal.

“All this food… can we really eat it?”

Liese’s mother, Maria, looked at the extravagant spread with a mix of awe and hesitation. And yes, she was absolutely stunning.

She looked like an older version of Liese, with a mature elegance about her.

On the table were roasted chicken, freshly baked buttery bread, soup, and a colorful assortment of fresh fruits—luxuries far beyond anything they would have ever seen on their plates.

“Of course. As long as you’re sitting at this table, you’re my guest. Eat.”

I said it matter-of-factly as I picked up my fork.

The maids and butlers standing around, however, looked utterly flabbergasted.

“Lord Cerios… just told them to eat… in such a kind tone…”

“That same arrogant Lord Cerios… speaking gently to someone… it’s unbelievable!”

Apparently, the original Cerios had a habit of issuing commands to the staff in a harsh and overbearing manner.

Cerios had a reputation for barking cold orders like, “Put it there,” “Hurry up,” or “Can’t you follow my instructions?” His staff lived in constant fear of him. But while I had his tone, my personality was entirely different, so the change was inevitable.

“Is there still something wrong?”

Seeing the mother and daughter hesitate to reach for the food, I furrowed my brow slightly.

“I figured heavy dishes might be too much for a sick person and someone malnourished, so I had a gentle soup prepared. Are you saying you can’t even eat that?”

“N-No, not at all! Thank you so much!”

Liese hurriedly took a sip of the soup. Her face immediately lit up with astonishment.

“It’s… delicious…”

Her mother, seeing Liese’s reaction, cautiously brought a spoonful to her own mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes as she swallowed.

“This is the first time I’ve ever tasted something so warm and comforting…”

The maids around the room softened their gazes at the sight of the two. Still, they seemed puzzled by the stark difference in my behavior.

As I watched the mother and daughter continue their meal, I turned to address the butler.

“Arnaud, these dishes were made under my orders. No issue with that, correct?”

“Y-Yes, Lord Cerios. No issue at all. Everything is exactly as you commanded!”

“Also, the heavy taxes—cut them in half. This year’s harvest wasn’t that great, and if we keep taxing them at this rate, the residents won’t be able to survive.”

“W-What?”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

“Of course! I’ll get to it immediately!”

Butler Arnaud bowed deeply. There was something different in his demeanor this time—an air of respect that hadn’t been there before.

I couldn’t tell just how cruel Cerios had been in the past, but the weight of it all made me let out a quiet sigh.

“Good. But listen, Arnaud, from now on, handle things more flexibly. If anyone is in trouble, report it to me immediately. Also, make sure the maids get proper rest. Faina, in particular, seems overworked lately.”

Honestly, the way Faina trembled every time I spoke was hard to bear. She must still be terrified of me.

Hearing my words, Arnaud’s eyes widened in shock once more.

“Lord Cerios… you would say such things…?”

Still, he quickly masked his surprise and bowed deeply again.

“Understood, Lord Cerios. I will see to it at once.”

Meanwhile, the maids standing in the hallway covered their mouths as they whispered among themselves.

“Has something happened to Lord Cerios…?”

“His expression seems softer today, don’t you think?”

“Maybe bringing in that mother and daughter changed something in him…”

In time, I figured, the servants would get used to the new me.

♢

For the next two months, the mother and daughter lived at the Egrid estate.

Looking back, it was hard to believe how things started on their first day here.

“You there, maid. Get these two into a bath, prepare new clothes and a room for them. Also, have some easy-to-digest soup ready.”

“Y-Yes, right away!”

“Faina, help them settle into their room.”

“Understood.”

That first day left everyone in the household astonished.

Since then, under my orders, meals carefully balanced for nutrition were delivered to them daily. Maria’s strength returned rapidly as a result.

The gaunt, unhealthy appearance she once had was replaced by a healthy glow, with a slight rosy complexion. Her once hollow frame now carried soft curves, particularly around her chest, which was… impressively full.

As for her daughter, Liese, she had been far too thin to be called a beauty. But with proper nourishment, her height began to increase, and her once-bony frame filled out. It seemed her malnutrition had been stunting her growth.

“How are you feeling?”

I decided to visit Liese and her mother in their room to check on them.

“Lord Cerios! I-I’m so sorry!”

“You must be exhausted from taking care of your mother. Are you eating properly yourself?”

The Liese I had seen in the game was a proud, untouchable woman. A prodigy who, with her intelligence and strength, had earned a scholarship to the academy, charming royalty and nobles alike in the process.

She competed fiercely with her rivals and ultimately discovered true love.

But the Liese standing before me now was different. Rather than exuding confidence, she nodded absentmindedly, looking uncertain.

Her complexion had gradually improved, and a faint blush was beginning to return to her cheeks.

“If you collapse, it defeats the purpose. Take better care of yourself.”

At my words, Liese looked startled.

“Lord Cerios… you really are a changed person, aren’t you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“When we first met, I thought you were a little… frightening. But I never imagined you could be so kind.”

Her words made me avert my gaze slightly. I sighed, as if brushing off her observation.

“Don’t overthink it. It’s just that if you die, it would inconvenience me.”

“Why would it trouble you, Lord Cerios?”

“Never mind that. Just focus on getting better.”

To end the conversation, I ruffled Liese’s hair and left the room.