I looked at the butler, Rubel.

In the novel, Rubel wasn’t particularly good or evil—more like a background extra. Still, he was highly capable, which was why the Duke kept him close and valued him. Though he looked like a kind, white-haired grandfather, he was said to have considerable expertise in swordsmanship. In contrast, the heroine’s knowledge didn’t even include that much. It seemed they had barely interacted at all.

When our eyes met, Rubel’s gaze softened into a gentle smile.

It was the first time anyone in this household had smiled at me, so I was slightly taken aback—but I returned a small bow, as if to say please take care of me as well.

He didn’t seem like a bad person, but with so little information about him, it was best to stay cautious.

I stood up.

The meal was over, and my business had gone smoothly. I didn’t want to waste any more time sitting there uncomfortably.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and left.

It wasn’t like anyone would reply anyway.

‘…What should I do first?’

I was about to get very busy.

First, I needed to turn the Sword Master experience in my head into something my body could actually perform.

It would be best to go to that dungeon from my memories—but I had no way of getting there right now.

So for now, I’d make the most of this body’s natural talent and push my limits as far as I could.

Organizing my thoughts, I headed back to my room.

***

After Ruby left, silence lingered in the dining hall.

The Duke couldn’t get the image of her back—leaving without even turning around—out of his mind.

She didn’t even say goodbye.

Normally, she would greet him properly—she would never leave first like that.

‘She’s changed lately.’

The usual Ruby had always seemed timid, constantly watching others’ reactions.

But now… she was different.

Confident. Assertive.

She ate properly instead of picking at her food, and the girl who couldn’t say anything beyond a greeting had just asked for an allowance.

The Duke was slightly shaken by what had happened earlier.

To be honest, he had never paid attention to what Ruby wore or what she ate. He believed that as long as he provided her allocated funds, he had fulfilled his duty as a father.

And yet—

Even while eating together, he hadn’t noticed her wearing worn-out clothes.

He hadn’t even known that the maid, Marin, had been stealing her money.

“A sinner of the ducal house…”

Yes.

She had said that. Her final words echoed in his mind.

She had shown signs before—quite often, in fact. But that was precisely why he avoided giving her attention.

Not resentment, but indifference—that had been the best he could offer her.

A worn dress…

Now that he thought about it, she had always worn such clothes during meals. He hadn’t cared, thinking it was just her taste, but now he realized she must have been forced to wear them due to a lack of money.

His daughter—treated like that in his own house? The Duke clenched his teeth.

He had known, to some extent, that the servants bullied her.

Rubel had warned him several times—that if he continued to neglect her, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

But he hadn’t wanted to hear anything more about the child. Had that been a mistake?

The Duke glanced at Rubel.

The butler simply wore his usual calm smile, as if he already knew what the Duke was thinking.

Then the Duke noticed Rudian and Rudik.

Though they tried to hide it, their eyes showed clear shock.

“…Did you know?”

“…Excuse me? Father, what do you mean?”

“What are you talking about, Father?”

At the sound of them calling him Father, the Duke suddenly realized something.

‘…What did she call me?’

She had always called him “father,” but at some point, she had started referring to him as “Your Grace.” She had also called his sons “older brothers,” but now she referred to them as “the Duke’s sons.” Those distant titles left an uneasy feeling in his chest.

He had never intended to grow attached to her—

So why was she starting to bother him now?

This was all because of that maid. Thinking about how he had failed in his duty made guilt creep in. A simple punishment wouldn’t be enough. He should throw her in prison and make her reflect on her crimes.

“…It’s nothing. Let’s end the meal here.”

The Duke stood up.

He no longer had the appetite to continue.

Normally, he would rise first, followed by Rudian and Rudik, and then Ruby—who would hesitantly follow after finishing her small bites.

But now, only the two sons remained.

Ruby had already left on her own.

That unfamiliar scene left a cold feeling in his chest—but he ignored it and walked toward his study.

Rubel followed quietly behind him.

Once inside, the Duke turned sharply toward the butler.

“You knew, didn’t you?”

“…Yes. I did. That the maid Marin had been embezzling the young lady’s funds.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“My master is you, Your Grace. I intended to inform you—but you ordered me not to speak about the young lady.”

“…That’s…”

He hadn’t realized it was this bad.

Memories surfaced—Rubel telling him that the young lady was pitiful and asking if they should help her.

He had dismissed it.

At the time, he thought, What is there to pity? She’s born into a noble house and lacks nothing.

He blamed her instead—for failing to control her servants—and even ordered Rubel not to interfere.

Rubel spoke again, as if he already understood.

“I did warn you—you might regret it.”

“…I don’t regret anything.”

No.

This wasn’t regret.

The Duke let out a deep sigh.

He remembered what his wife once said.

She had wanted a daughter.

She said that if they had one, she would dress her in beautiful clothes, feed her delicious food, go shopping with her, attend balls together—

She wanted to raise her with love, wanting for nothing.

But the wife who said all that…

never even got to see her daughter.

She left before she could.

Yes.

What he was feeling now wasn’t regret—

It was guilt.

Guilt toward his wife.

Slowly, the Duke spoke.

“…Tell me everything. What has happened to Ruby… what she has gone through at the hands of the servants… what you were trying to tell me. I cannot allow things I don’t know about to happen in this house again.”

At those words, Rubel finally smiled warmly and began to speak.

Everything Ruby had endured—

Every hardship, every wound—

One by one, without leaving anything out.

***

From the day the Duke promised to give me my allocated money, I began organizing my plans more systematically.

Until now, I had been waiting—thinking I might return to my original world soon.

But a week had passed, and I was still here.

It seemed I wouldn’t be going back anytime soon.

Maybe not until the story itself ended.

So I needed a solid plan.

In case I forgot anything later, I wrote everything down thoroughly. I summarized all the events I could remember.

And most importantly, I carefully documented the training methods needed to become a Sword Master.

Of course, actual practice would be more effective than writing—but this was insurance, in case I ever lost my memories.

I looked at the papers filled with everything I knew about this world, smiling in satisfaction.

From tomorrow, I’ll follow this schedule.

As planned, I would train in the mountains behind the estate.

It was well-maintained, so there were no monsters—perfect for safely building stamina.

And stamina was the most important thing.

I would build it step by step.

For my happy ending.

I steeled my resolve.

Just then—

Knock, knock.

I quickly hid the papers under the bed, straightened my clothes, and spoke.

“Come in.”