Layla looked at the familiar walls around her as she walked to the guest room, mostly left unattended. She could feel the maids looking at her curiously, but no one approached her.

It was reminiscent of her past when no one liked her and approached her. But unlike others, Layla had never felt bothered by it all.

Instead of paying attention to it, she turned to look at her guard with a curious expression.

"What do you think about this place and Henry? Do you feel like he is also a fool for holding on to this place, despite knowing that it is useless and he will never be able to get what he wants from it?"

Layla asked her guard, mainly because she wanted to know his opinion. But a part of her was sure that this question would reveal her guard's identity, and she felt excited to learn.

Her guard looked cautious, but he also decided to answer her.

"Henry has always been a fool, so it is no surprise that he fails to look after himself and this castle. I did not pay much attention to him once we left this place, mainly because that man was no threat.

But seeing you feel curious enough to come here….should I have paid more attention to that man?"

The guard asked, and now Layla was sure that she knew this guard. He was Raziel, and he had grown up a lot. She could not even recognize him anymore.

Knowing the guard's real identity felt liberating, but Layla had no time to waste. She could ask him about himself later.

"No, it's fine. I am not here for Henry anyway. We just need to make sure all these people head out today and do not return until the Duke is done with his possible rampage and interrogation."

Layla was not loyal to this place, but she did not want to see someone get killed when she couldn't help it. Even if it was not her fault, a part of her felt responsible for things turning out this way.

She had been directly responsible for Roma's kidnapping and making sure the chimera did not fall into her father's hands.

'Although, that would not have resolved anything. My interference or not, this building was doomed from the start.'

Exactly fifteen minutes later, Layla decided to head down and called for the kid who had asked her to be informed. The kid looked tense as he headed into her room, but Layla sighed in relief.

"So, what do you want to do today? Is it a tour around the mansion? Or something else?"

The kid asked, and Layla threw a bone at him and the other kids.

"Well, this place has been my home, so even if I don't like it, all you kids are my siblings one way or another. I was thinking of taking you out shopping for some necessities and food. Now that I can afford it, I would like to give back.

Can you ask everyone to gather so we can head out?"

Layla asked, but the kid looked taken aback by her request. His eyes were filled with suspicion at her generous offer.

"You want…to take us out shopping? Just like that? Are you sure about it? You don't even know us, much less what we might ask for."

The kid asked in a small voice, but Layla just smiled and spoke in a charming voice.

"Hmm, I am sure I can afford it. Besides, think of it as a present. You can ask Henry about this outing if you don't want to believe me. I am sure he won't say no to you."

Layla assured the kid, and she had to admit that this kid was smart. Instead of taking the decision himself, he brought it to Henry to ask about this outing.

"I see. In that case, please wait a minute, and I will ask Henry about this. I will be back in ten minutes."

The kid promised before he closed the room and broke off into a run.

"Lady Layla, shall I go after them and try to see what is happening here? I might also be able to 'convince' Henry to follow what we want him to"

Raziel offered, but Layla waved her hand to show that it wouldn't be needed.

"There is no need to do that. I am sure that kid will bring us good news soon. After all, Henry is greedy. I am sure he won't be able to ignore such a tempting offer."

What Layal did not tell Raziel was that the Duke had already cut off the money supply for this place, and it was barely holding firm. Henry had taken a lot of loans, and he continued to head out to the Duke to reason with that man.

But so far, nothing had worked, and this place was about to go under.

None of the kids knew about this burden, so they continued spending as usual. But the lack of servants and the drop in food quality were easy to see. In about a few weeks more, this place would go under, and no one would be able to survive.

'Henry, I hope you make a wise decision. As much as a fool you are, I am sure even you won't be foolish enough to ignore what I am offering you. It is not in your nature to not pay attention to things.'

Layla sighed before she pushed herself away from the chair and stood up. Loud footsteps were heading her way, and the door was slammed open.

The kid who went to ask Henry about this trip outside looked happy and flushed, which made Layla sure that this kid had good news for her.

"I-I talked with Henry, and he says we can head out now. I will gather everyone, and we will head out soon. T-Thank you for this sponsored trip. We will be sure to behave in the best way."

The kid promised before he ran out once more.