When I arrived at the dining hall, the servants greeted me with a noticeably different attitude than before. Of course, their faces still looked sour, but their manners had clearly improved.

Unlike the first day—when I had walked in alone looking pitiful—this time I entered confidently under their guidance.

“I see. So that’s how it is?”

“Yes, Father. So…”

Inside, the ducal family members were, as usual, talking among themselves without sparing me a glance.

‘What’s with him? Why is he staring like that…?’

The second son, Rudik, who hadn’t even looked at me during the last meal, was now openly glaring at me.

Unlike the eldest, Rudian, and the Duke, Rudik had a fiery temper. As a child, he had been the one who most openly blamed the heroine—saying their mother died because of her—so she had always felt the most uncomfortable around him.

I shifted my gaze to the Duke.

For a man with three children, he looked remarkably youthful and handsome. He ate elegantly, the very image of a perfect noble.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, he looked up—and our eyes met.

For a brief moment, his eyes widened slightly, then returned to their usual unreadable expression.

Silence filled the table.

Because of noble etiquette, there were no sounds—no clinking utensils, no chewing.

Fortunately, the heroine’s body remembered proper manners, so I didn’t have to think about it. Otherwise, I might have been the only one noisily eating.

More importantly… when should I bring up the topic of money?

Probably after the meal.

“Lately… the ducal house has been rather noisy.”

The Duke broke the silence.

I looked at him, confused—and realized he was looking straight at me.

‘…Is he talking about me? Because I disciplined Marin?’

I waited for him to continue, but that was all he said. He simply resumed eating.

I tried to read his intention—but it was impossible.

Was that a warning to behave?

I didn’t know enough about his personality to interpret a single sentence.

Even in the novel and the heroine’s memories, the Duke was simply known as someone difficult and intimidating. There was almost no interaction to draw from.

So in the end, it came down to a gamble.

‘Whatever.’

I decided to ignore it. I wasn’t the original Ruby, desperate for his affection. There was no reason to fear being disliked.

I’d just ask for money and leave. If he refused, fine—I’d earn it myself.

I set down my utensils and looked at him.

“Your Grace.”

“…Yes.”

He looked slightly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to address him. After a brief pause, he responded.

“I have something to say.”

“Speak.”

“Would you take a look at my clothes?”

“…?”

He looked me up and down, clearly confused.

“And could you also look at your sons’ clothes?”

Now his gaze shifted to his sons—but he still didn’t understand my point.

Wow. He’s slower than I thought.

I didn’t really want to say it outright, but since I had already started…

I gestured to my dress.

“I only have five outfits—including this one. And they’re all old dresses with no proper decorations. Meanwhile, your sons always wear clean, stylish clothes—like they’re brand new every time.”

“So what are you trying to say?!”

Rudik snapped, clearly annoyed.

But I wasn’t talking to him.

I ignored him and looked straight at the Duke.

His expression remained unreadable.

“I may be a neglected daughter, but people are still watching the ducal house. I’m already of age—how long am I supposed to go around like this? At this rate, other noble families won’t just look down on me—they’ll look down on this house.”

“…So what is it you want?”

“…Please give me an allowance, Your Grace.”

Finally, I said what I actually needed.

The Duke’s brow furrowed slightly.

That made me uneasy.

‘Wait… he’s not going to refuse, is he?’

“…Rubel.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“She should have an allocated allowance…”

“Yes. A considerable amount. It’s currently being managed by her personal maid, Marin.”

At that, everyone’s gaze turned toward Marin—who stood trembling in the corner, her face pale.

She clearly hadn’t expected me to bring this up.

‘…Ah.’

So that’s why I was broke… 

The duke had indeed allocated some pocket money for me as his daughter, but Marin had been taking it all for herself.

Of course.

No matter how neglected I was, there was no way a ducal house wouldn’t assign a budget to its daughter.

But embezzlement?

Even I hadn’t expected that.

Looking back, there had been no sign of it in the heroine’s memories—which meant Marin had successfully stolen the money without getting caught the entire time.

Wow.

‘That’s infuriating.’

I glared at Marin coldly.

“T-That is… what happened is… I was planning to manage it for you, Young Lady! If you had just told me, I would have given it to you—right now, even—!”

“…Really? I didn’t even know such a thing existed. I’ve never received anything. You always told me I was a sinner in this household—that I should be grateful just to live here. So I assumed I wouldn’t get anything. But it seems His Grace did provide it… didn’t you, Your Grace?”

I fired back at Marin, then turned to the Duke for confirmation.

But he said nothing.

I frowned.

‘What? Is he siding with her?’

Just as I stared at him—

“…Butler.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Take that maid away immediately. Recover every coin she embezzled—even if it means charging her family. And for daring to covet the ducal house’s wealth… punish her accordingly and throw her out.”

“P-Please! That wasn’t my intention—!”

“Take her away.”

“KYAAAH! I’m sorry! I won’t do it again! Your Grace! Your Grace—!”

Even as she was dragged away, she didn’t apologize to me even once.

Marin struggled desperately—but was helpless against the servants and was dragged out.

With that, Marin was completely out of my sight. While this wasn’t exactly my intention, it turned out to be a fortuitous outcome.

I looked at the Duke. He, too, seemed to have been watching me for some time, and our eyes met.

I gave him a small nod.

Thankfully, he made the right decision. Otherwise, I would’ve had to deal with Marin myself again—and that would’ve been a hassle.

After Marin was gone, silence filled the room again.

Breaking it, the Duke spoke.

“…It would be best to assign you a new personal maid. Choose one you like and inform the butler.”

“Yes.”

Do I even need one? I’d be leaving this house soon anyway. But I couldn’t say that outright, so I simply nodded.

“I will also return the allowance that should have been yours. If you need anything else, tell the butler.”

“Yes, I will.”

I nodded again.

The Duke handled things more decisively than I expected. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore.

‘…So I can just ask the butler for whatever I need, huh?’