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

“Ah, right…”

I suddenly remembered something I had completely forgotten.

Like the fact that the blackout curtains were made from Poletta leather.

Or that the rumors about tumblers and thermoses being harmful were false.

All of it had spread through articles published in magazines or newspapers.

‘I never thought to track down the sources of those articles.’

Is it because he’s a native? They really are different, huh?

I was reminded once again that I was a stranger in this place, and looked at him with curious eyes.

“Who is it?”

In response to my question, the Grand Duke took out a small portrait from his coat and handed it to me.

The palm-sized paper showed a woman with a stern expression.

Sharp eyes and prominent cheekbones—she looked extremely ill-tempered… a woman in her 50s?

While I studied the portrait closely, the Grand Duke spoke.

“Laura Elegance.”

“Hm…?”

I’d never heard that name before.

I tilted my head, trying to recall it, but what came next was something I hadn’t expected at all.

“She’s the Empress’s mouthpiece.”

“Whaaat?”

It was a metaphor, but I understood immediately.

After all, a “mouthpiece” refers to someone used to spread another’s intentions—basically slang.

And the Empress’s mouthpiece, at that? It was clear this woman handled at least half of the social gossip.

“But…”

Still, I found it hard to believe.

‘I don’t think the Empress planned this.’

That’s because the current Empress was a devoted reader of “Safety rules for duke’s haunted manor.”

Granted, I hadn’t met her often, and she was someone capable of scheming behind the scenes, having helped put her son on the throne.

But there was no reason she’d now sabotage the Grand Duke’s business—especially the tumbler business she herself had supported.

She had even helped uncover illegal transactions involving tumblers because she didn’t want scandal tied to her favorite comic series.

As the weight of the situation settled on me, my voice trembled slightly.

“I don’t get it. Then, Lady Elegance…?”

“Young Lady.”

“Sorry?”

“She’s a young lady. She’s never married.”

Ah—right…

In this noble society, being unmarried in your fifties was rare, so I’d assumed she was married. I guess she was ahead of her time.

Anyway, it’s a serious faux pas to misaddress an unmarried woman, so I quickly corrected myself.

“Right, so, could it be that Lady Elegance wrote the article on her own?”

“That’s possible.”

“Then we’ll need to look into it further. Things just don’t add up.”

No way the Empress’s mouthpiece would suddenly pick a fight with the Grand Duchy out of nowhere.

‘But then again, nothing’s certain yet.’

People get jealous even when a cousin buys land—how many must envy the already-successful Grand Duke family now that they’re flourishing even more?

Looks like we really should investigate Laura Elegance.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I smiled sweetly at the Grand Duke, who’d been watching me all along.

“Thanks for the new information, anyway.”

“Princess.”

Just as I was about to turn and leave, his voice stopped me.

“Yes?”

His expression was hard to read, and he slowly parted his lips.

“I know this incident hit you hard.”

“…Ah.”

“I’m sorry. All this happened right after you finally recovered.”

Now that he mentioned it, he was right.

Ever since I was kidnapped at the Grand Duchy, I’d been pushing myself to the limit, eventually collapsing from exhaustion.

Then, as soon as I took a break to rest, all this chaos broke out.

Anyone would say I was born under a busy star.

‘Maybe I’m just fated to live like a worker ant…’

I let out a self-deprecating sigh and shrugged my shoulders.

“Well, I guess that’s just my lot in life.”

“No.”

Huh?

Saying it so firmly like that kinda makes me feel awkward…

But the Grand Duke continued without regard for my thoughts.

“Don’t overdo it this time.”

“Pardon? Still, I…”

“You’ve seen with your own eyes how much everyone around you worries. Haven’t you?”

“Ah…”

His words reminded me of when I recently collapsed from motion sickness.

Bonita, Ian… and even the many staff members whose names I didn’t know had worried about me.

As all those moments flashed through my mind, I fell silent, like a clam snapping shut.

‘And this man… he cared a lot too.’

Even this Scrooge-like guy had gone so far as to discount my room and board—that was proof enough.

A man who’s filthy rich but still scrapes up every penny from a penniless guest!

It was like something out of a romance novel—where the cold CEO male lead turns all soft for the poor female lead…

Side glance.

I stole a peek at him and, struck again by his ridiculously handsome face, reminded myself to come back to reality.

Someone like the Grand Duke—a top-tier romantic lead—surely already had someone in his life. A debt-ridden tenant like me shouldn’t get any funny ideas.

“I’ll… be more careful.”

After a brief nod, I quickly added to avoid any awkward silence.

“Anyway, I need to stay healthy so I can keep paying my rent, right? Haha… Right?”

The Grand Duke didn’t respond, but I turned around before he could answer.

Somehow, I felt like if I looked back now, I’d fall for his looks again.

* * *

“Ugh…”

Dawn was breaking.

Baroness Pavron, having finally finished her work, stretched and turned her head toward the rising sun.

How long had she been shut away in the study?

The deadline was tight, and since she could concentrate best at dawn, she had ended up pulling another all-nighter.

Only now did the baroness realize that fact and made an awkward expression.

“The sun’s already up…”

“Mmgh… Is it over now?”

“Oh, dear. Did I wake you?”

Hearing the rustle of his wife rising from her seat, Baron Pavron opened his eyes, tousling his disheveled hair as he sat up.

Since his wife had only recently recovered her health, he’d been worried and had stayed with her, sleeping uncomfortably in the study just to be nearby.

“I’m sorry. I’ve finally finished everything.”

Hearing the apologetic tone in her voice, Baron Pavron shook his head gently.

“Don’t say that, my dear. I can’t offer much help, so I’m glad I can at least support you like this.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“You stayed up all night—does your mouth feel dry or anything? Is there something you’d like to eat?”

“Hmm… I’m craving hot soup.”

It was the kind of sweet conversation one might expect from a loving couple.

Baron Pavron gently adjusted the shawl around the baroness’s shoulders.

“Potato soup would be perfect, don’t you think?”

“Oh, potato soup. It’s just right for this kind of weather.”

“How about some rye bread to go with it, like we used to have?”

“I’d love that! Ever since we came here, we’ve only had soft white bread.”

Since everything was top-tier in the Marquess of Ambrose’s household, it was even harder to find tough rye bread than white bread.

That’s probably why the rye bread they once got tired of in poorer days had now become a nostalgic memory for this young couple.

“Then I’ll go tell the kitchen myself, dear. The servants probably aren’t ready yet anyway.”

“Oh, would you do that?”

“Of course. Oh, and while I’m at it, I’ll send this off too.”

“Thank you, dear.”

Baron Pavron accepted the sealed envelope containing the next installment outline of Safety rules for duke’s haunted manor that his wife had been working on.

As she handed him the letter, Baroness Pavron gave him a serious reminder.

“You remember, right? It needs to be sent to ‘Bonita,’ not Lady April. You also have to change my name.”

“Of course I remember. Don’t worry.”

Thanks to the various security measures they’d taken to prevent story leaks, no major issues had occurred so far.

The upcoming plot summary wasn’t even written plainly—it had been encoded so only those familiar with the rules could understand it.

“Then, I’m counting on you.”

Leaving behind his wife’s radiant smile, Baron Pavron briskly set off.

It was the start of yet another peaceful, ordinary day.