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

“Overdue settlement…?”

April asked with a puzzled expression.

Seeing her innocent, clear eyes made the decision he had just made falter for a moment, but Kayan clenched his fists tightly to regain control over his wavering heart.

In truth, there was nothing wrong with April saying she would leave. The grand duchy had decided to treat her as a guest, not a hostage.

However, something about her mention of independence stirred up an odd anger.

He couldn’t figure out why.

Was it because this strange woman, who was exceptional at getting things done yet constantly made it clear how much she hated the work, would leave and possibly cause him a loss?

Or was it the possibility of getting caught by Salt and being dragged into a bothersome conflict if April’s presence in the grand duchy was discovered?

Or was it about missing out on the benefits April could bring?

No, it wasn’t any of that. Those things didn’t matter from the start.

When April first arrived, he had thought her presence was just a headache due to a failed plan.

But at some point, watching her bustling around became entertaining, and when she holed herself up in her room, he found himself wondering what she was doing.

Occasionally, despite not being in a position to care about others, seeing her try to help and take care of as many people as possible evoked complicated feelings.

Kayan couldn’t clearly define any of the emotions he felt when he looked at April.

But one thing was certain.

At this moment, the most undeniable truth was that the thought of her leaving the shared space bothered him immensely.

“Exactly. I’m talking about overdue settlements.”

“Did I miss a settlement…?”

Of course not.

He knew he was making up an excuse…

The promise to treat her as a “guest” and not a “hostage” was tied to the honor of the grand duchy, so it couldn’t be taken back.

In the end, the only surefire method to keep her there, even if it meant being petty, was one thing.

* * *

“In the first month, it was appropriate for us to cover all expenses since the princess had come here involuntarily. But starting from the second month, wasn’t it the princess who voluntarily stayed in the grand duchy?”

“Excuse me?”

Vroom vroom.

It felt like I was hearing the engine of robbery starting up.

Why was this being brought up?

With a light smile on his face, the grand duke began to press me.

“Now that the princess has a steady income, I thought it would be reasonable for you to pay for the overdue costs of room and board.”

Wait a minute.

Overdue room and board?

I felt like I had just heard something outrageous, and my mouth flapped open and shut.

But the situation was moving ahead without regard to my will.

“Since the second month until now, the princess has taken care of all her lodging and meals in the grand duchy’s most luxurious building. Not only that, but you enjoyed meals and desserts prepared by the most expensive chefs in the duchy.”

Well… that’s an irrefutable fact.

‘So should I have just starved!?’

The more he talked, the more my face turned ashen.

“Even the dresses, accessories, and daily necessities… You’re well aware of how expensive items from high-ranking noble families are.”

“…!”

“If we were to charge for all that, it would be at least 10 million Tris per month, and with the cost of hiring renowned artists included, it would be about 80 million Tris.”

What? 80 million Tris!?

“Not to mention the cost of hiring the new bodyguards…”

“W-wait a moment.”

Though I was flustered by the far-off amount, there was no fault in his calculation.

If anything, it sounded strangely convincing.

And judging by the grand duke’s serious expression—or was that a hint of madness?—he had no intention of backing down.

“Wasn’t I being treated as a guest…?”

“A guest.”

Unlike before, when I had been talking boldly, I was now much smaller, and the grand duke leisurely stroked his chin as if basking in his superiority.

“I’ll waive one month’s cost as if you were a guest. How much would that be?”

I immediately began calculating.

‘Even if I subtract one month, 70 million Tris… If I empty my royalties and blackout curtain profits, I could probably manage it somehow…’

But if I did that, my dream of independence would be over.

And I needed to live in the heart of the grand duchy for work convenience.

But the heart of the grand duchy?

With its top-notch security even at night, well-maintained roads, and proximity to business districts, it was practically the equivalent of Gangnam in South Korea.

Thinking about Gangnam’s real estate prices meant…

‘There’s no way I could save enough money for a mansion in the heart of the grand duchy while spending 10 million Tris every month.’

It would take at least three years, assuming business went exceptionally well.

Three years!?

The grand duke’s single comment had completely crushed my dream of independence.

‘This is a complete antlion’s pit.’

Yet I couldn’t just freeload at someone’s house.

The face of Lady Lainey briefly flashed across my mind, but knowing she had five bunny-like children to support, I shook my head internally.

What should I do then?

“Princess.”

“…Yes?”

This time, a gentler voice reached me.

“By when will you pay the overdue room and board? I understand this month’s earnings have already been settled.”

“T-that’s true…”

Sniff…

Was I really going to get cleaned out like this, with my eyes wide open?

There was no way to escape. If I could have refuted him, I would have done so a hundred times already.

Admitting defeat internally, I raised a white flag.

“I’ll pay by tomorrow…”

My money, my future!

While my soul was being crushed in real time, the grand duke’s face looked quite refreshed.

“Good, one more thing.”

“…Yes.”

“The contract period is six months.”

“Six months… contract?”

It seemed he had built up momentum because his next words came smoothly.

“The chef mentioned it. They said they’d need to contract six months’ worth of ingredients in advance for the princess’s favorite desserts. So it’s only fair for the princess to sign a six-month lodging contract.”

“Ah… okay.”

Having been robbed once already, my tired brain couldn’t come up with a counterargument.

And so, another unfair contract was sealed.

“If there’s no talk of termination four months before the contract ends, it’ll automatically renew. That’s all I have to say.”

Six-month contract, with a four-month notice for cancellation…

Does that make sense?

But my body was already drained, and all I could do was stand there nodding.

Satisfied with my gloomy acceptance, the grand duke turned to leave. Before walking away, he glanced back at me.

“Princess, do you know what ‘poverty’ spelled backward is?”

“…Me?”

“That’s right. It’s you.”

Clack.

“…Huh?”

It wasn’t until long after the door closed that I realized he had been teasing me.

I only exploded with delayed anger once everything was over.

* * *

“Marry Count Ravioli.”

King Berga’s thunderous command echoed through the room.

“F-Father?”

Thud.

Summoned early in the morning, Lemeia—yawning continuously—fell to her knees in shock.

‘This can’t be happening.’

Had her engagement to the ugly Count Ravioli not just been a show of deterrence for Raiden?

Lemeia’s assumptions, which she had clung to so firmly, shattered in an instant.

Knowing full well that the king’s commands were not easily overturned, Lemeia pleaded in a desperate tone.

“I-I’m not ready yet. It hasn’t been long since the engagement! Besides, I have national duties to attend to—”

“Enough.”

National duties—those accursed national duties!

Berga, whose patience had run out, rose from his seat.

“Ever since you got involved in state affairs, all it’s done is pile up more problems.”

At first, even Berga thought Lemeia would be competent. He had encouraged and supported her as best he could.

But now, all that remained in him was disappointment and fury toward his only daughter.

“Do you even know how many administrators have resigned? And Sir Luberic, who just turned sixty, can no longer even move, I hear.”

Ha!

Berga’s heavy sigh rang in Lemeia’s ears.

“All because we’ve been cleaning up your messes!”

Lemeia’s eyes welled up at the harsh rebuke.

“F-Father…”

Even her pitiful expression—one that fully utilized her beauty—seemed useless now.

With a cold face, Berga delivered his verdict once again.

“Just get married.”

“I won’t marry that man!”

Such immaturity—it was beyond belief.

Berga’s temper finally erupted.

“Are you defying your father’s command?”

“The Crown Prince of Kletan will take me!”

“Lemeia Salt!”

At last, Berga saw through all of Lemeia’s delusions.

He had no idea where to even begin correcting her.

“…The Crown Prince is not a man you should trust so easily.”

“He’s a wonderful person! And he’s handsome too!”

“What? Have you lost your mind?”

Berga’s neck strained as he shouted, his veins bulging.

“Do you even know how many sinister rumors follow him? Rumors that he’s consorted with dark sorcerers are spreading far and wide!”

“It’s all slander. The Crown Prince would never do such things!”

“Are you really unaware that he’s preparing to turn his sword against Salt?”

But as Berga met his daughter’s gaze, he realized it was already too late.

“…Take the princess away. Lock her up until the wedding, and begin her bridal training.”

“What? Father! Father!”

Bang.

The door shut behind Berga, ignoring Lemeia’s cries. Yet, as he stood alone, the expression on his face grew darker and more troubled.