Though I’m a Homebody, I Found Myself in a Dark Captive Genre

The letters exchanged within the imperial palace were thoroughly censored by the assigned administrators.

And since I had to connect Genevra Golbro and Marchioness Ambrose as quickly as possible, my departure preparations were completed in an instant.

The speed was so fast that it felt like a dream that I had even stayed in the imperial palace at all.

The morning after I encountered the crown prince, before the sun had even risen, I was already seated in the carriage, unable to suppress my drowsiness, and let out a yawn.

‘Ah… I’m so sleepy.’

Already sleep-deprived from worrying about how to win over the notoriously picky Lady Golbro, I leaned against the plush seat of the carriage and closed my eyes.

“Princess.”

If only the grand duke hadn’t called me in that solemn voice, I would have fallen asleep right away.

Shaking off the drowsiness, I blankly stared at the grand duke.

“…Yes?”

In his hand was a piece of paper that looked like a letter.

“You said you met with the crown prince yesterday, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And you properly refused his offer to remain in the imperial palace?”

“Yes…”

Just yesterday, after running into that lunatic in the garden, I had immediately sought out the grand duke and explained everything.

I thought everything had been settled after that, so why was he bringing it up again now?

Worried that something had gone wrong, I quickly asked,

“Why, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

The grand duke remained silent for a long moment before answering in a puzzled tone.

“It’s nothing like that. The crown prince sent a letter this morning, but the contents are… strange.”

“What did he say…?”

The grand duke tilted his head slightly, as if he truly didn’t understand.

“He asked me since when I became a ruthless loan shark.”

“A, a ruthless loan shark?”

At that moment, the events of yesterday replayed in my mind.

“What does he mean by being in debt to Grand Duke Blaire? He doesn’t engage in financial transactions lightly.”

“Ah, well… It just so happens that I’ve been relying on the Blaire Grand Duchy for all my meals and lodging.”

Though it had all started with me being a prisoner…

Since the crown prince had no way of knowing the truth, I kept my face straight and continued my blatant lie.

“I—I was grateful and offered to pay for my room and board, and His Grace handed me a contract.”

“A contract?”

“Yes. It basically stated that the costs of my stay at the Blaire Grand Duchy would be calculated and billed accordingly.”

While I was at it, I had made sure to emphasize that until my debt was fully repaid, I wouldn’t be able to leave the grand duchy even by a single step.

At the time, I had thought the crown prince had given up, since his eyes had gradually lost their sparkle the more I spoke.

But now…

‘He really went and told him I was being extorted!?’

And he even took the trouble to write a formal letter about it?

Thinking back, I did recall a few concerning moments.

…Actually, more than a few.

In the middle of my speech, I might have gotten a little emotional and ranted about being overcharged for my lodging and meals, saying it was practically a scam.

But that had been my desperate attempt to avoid getting recruited as one of the crown prince’s “talents.”

As I rationalized my actions, I looked up at the grand duke again, only to find his eyes filled with suspicion.

“Princess.”

“Yes?”

The way my voice trembled pathetically only encouraged him to press further.

“It seems like there’s something else you need to say.”

“Well, that is… um…”

Rolling my eyes wildly, I eventually shrank back and blurted out a feeble excuse.

“He’s the crown prince, after all. I needed a good excuse to refuse his offer outright.”

If I had simply rejected his kindness, he might have taken offense, and given his unpredictable nature, he could have made another troublesome offer.

So I stressed that what I had done was the best possible decision, considering the circumstances.

“I see.”

The grand duke, who had been silently listening, nodded.

Did… did I get through to him?

Hopeful, I looked up at him with a brightened expression.

“So you decided to paint me as a ruthless loan shark who squeezes people dry.”

But his quiet muttering made me freeze.

“P—paint you?”

…Okay, fine, if I were to be honest, I did paint him that way.

But there was no way I could admit it now, even if my life depended on it.

And that tone of his… he was definitely holding a grudge!

“I—I was just faithfully playing the role of a ‘social misfit’ as Your Grace described.”

Right, all of this started because he set the tone wrong from the beginning!

Blatantly shifting the blame, I tried my best to feign nonchalance and looked away.

“Forget it.”

“Huh?”

After a brief pause, his voice was noticeably softer.

The unexpected reaction made me turn back toward him—only to meet his emerald eyes, now curved into a faint smile.

In a clear, deliberate tone, the grand duke said,

“If that’s what it took for you to leave safely, then that’s enough. I didn’t want to lose you so meaninglessly.”

“Uh…”

Wait, what?

As I processed his words, my expression grew more and more bewildered.

‘This sounds like…’

Something a guy would say when he’s into a girl?

Haha, no way.

There was absolutely no way that the ever-cool and aloof grand duke would say something like that to me.

He must have meant that he didn’t want to lose the lodging fees I technically owed him.

This man… for someone who looks so elegant, he sure knows how to squeeze money out of people.

Dismissing my baseless hunch as mere delusion, I nodded.

“Haha, yep! I’ll be careful to avoid such trouble in the future!”

“That’s all?”

“Huh?”

Was I supposed to say something more?

After a brief thought, I hesitantly added,

“I—I won’t let anything leak. I’ll stick close to the grand duchy.”

After all, I needed to pay off my debt properly.

Perhaps impressed by my diligence as a debtor, the grand duke’s gaze deepened.

“Good.”

Satisfied with my answer, he nodded.

But then—

“….”

Poke.

Poke, poke.

‘Why, why is he still staring at me…?’

His piercing gaze practically pricked at my skin, making me try my best to ignore it.

‘I—I really want to meet Lady Golbro soon…’

If I didn’t, I felt like I’d burn up under that gaze.

* * *

A towering spire that seemed to pierce the sky.

Arch-shaped windows carved into the outer walls, allowing for an open, airy view.

After passing through a garden that resembled a labyrinth, I arrived at a palace straight out of a fairy tale.

‘This is my first time actually coming here.’

Having only ever communicated through letters, I had never expected to see this place in person.

‘The famous Golbro Mansion…!’

Calling it a “mansion” was an understatement—it was just as extravagant as the Kletan Imperial Palace.

How luxurious was it? Even the servants’ clothing exuded an air of opulence.

“Are you Miss April Salt?”

“Oh, yes. I’m here to see Lady Golbro.”

Due to the reclusive nature of the Golbro family, one couldn’t simply request a meeting and expect to be received. That’s why I had no choice but to visit under the identity of “April Salt.”

…Well, not that I had ever been recognized as a princess before. Back then, I had only been acknowledged as an administrator.

Following a maid dressed in a light and flowing gown, I walked forward somewhat awkwardly. Before I knew it, we had arrived in front of a grand door engraved with intricate geometric patterns.

“My lady, your guest has arrived.”

At the maid’s announcement, I suddenly found myself reminiscing about my long and turbulent history with Genevra Golbro.

Now, after countless written exchanges and a deep understanding of each other’s personalities, our relationship had finally blossomed into friendship—but back then, it had been pure agony trying to navigate her notoriously difficult temperament.

“Come in.”

The heavy-looking door swung open smoothly and soundlessly.

As expected, the sight of the lavishly decorated room inside completely stole my attention, causing me to notice Genevra Golbro a beat too late as she approached me.

“…Miss Salt.”

Dusky skin, jet-black hair.

Sharp, piercing eyes that gave off an air of confidence. With the light streaming in behind her, she almost looked like she had a divine glow surrounding her.

“Oh.”

But more than her striking presence, something else caught my eye—

‘What are you doing there?’

Behind her, filling an entire wall of the room, was a massive bookshelf.

Packed from end to end… with comic books.