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

TL Note:- Guys i got my first supporter!!!,  Thank  Queenbb for these bonus chapters and muuhhwaa thank you for the support :3 ,byeeee~
⁞

Mrs. Lainey ultimately couldn’t refuse the conditions I set and surrendered.

“…I’ll do my best.”

It was only natural.

After all, who could turn down such a good offer?

As the saying goes, “Well begun is half done.” With Mrs. Lainey’s consent, I took my first step and headed straight to Liam’s office.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

A voice, weary and dejected, responded shortly after my knock.

I cautiously opened the door and stepped inside, where I found Liam buried in a mountain of paperwork, just like the Grand Duke.

His once fair and smooth face looked visibly worn and haggard, making the man I had always found annoying seem almost pitiful.

“What brings you here?”

“…Um, are you busy?”

The elegant motion of his quill pen came to an abrupt halt.

Liam slowly lifted his gaze to me with an unreadable expression before parting his lips.

“No, not at all. Even though I’m receiving an overwhelming number of interview requests and contract proposals regarding the distribution of comic books, handling tax reports, overseeing the final stages of construction with the Black Eagle Mercenary Corps, and sourcing rare Polletta leather… I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a proper night’s sleep. But no, I’m not busy.”

Hearing his rapid-fire response, my conscience pricked at me, and I lowered my head slightly.

But that didn’t mean I could just leave.

After composing myself, I fixed my gaze back on him.

“Oh, I see. Well, I won’t take up too much of your time.”

With quick strides, I approached him and whispered in a low voice.

“Where’s my money?”

“…Pardon?”

Liam narrowed his eyes as if trying to gauge my intentions, then adjusted his glasses.

“You mean your royalties?”

“Yes.”

“The princess’s share is being kept separately.”

Okay, but where exactly?

Of course, I never thought they’d embezzle the money I worked so hard (?) to earn, but I still pressed a little further.

“I need some money….”

“Hmm?”

His sharp gaze swept over me again, making me feel oddly guilty.

“I, uh, I just have something important to pay for.”

“As you can see, I can’t accompany you right now.”

Liam gestured at his surroundings.

Indeed, papers were scattered everywhere, enough to make it seem impossible to get through them all in a single day.

“Oh… I see. Then what should I do? Should I come back later? But it’s urgent….”

Maybe he was hoping I’d give up quickly, but I was just as desperate.

Mrs. Lainey needed to start working right away, which meant I had to pay her and hire the necessary staff immediately!

“…Sigh.”

Fortunately, Liam, moved by my relentless passive-aggressive attack, let out a long sigh before getting up.

“Fine, then.”

Clatter.

He pulled open a drawer beneath his desk and retrieved a small pouch.

“What’s this?”

“The Blaire Duchy’s seal and a key. Take them with you to the Pascal Trading Company, and they’ll guide you through everything you need.”

Ah.

When I opened the pouch, I found a round seal and an intricately engraved key. I nodded in understanding.

Since this world didn’t have banks yet, people usually stored their wealth at home or entrusted it to reputable trading companies.

Pascal Trading Company was a massive firm with multiple branches in Salt, so its credibility was solid.

“Hm, but…”

As I closed the pouch and turned back, Liam was already buried in his paperwork again.

‘Can I go alone?’

Wasn’t I still technically a captive who had been kidnapped?

Various doubts crossed my mind, but I felt bad about interrupting his work again.

In the end, I simply shrugged and offered a light farewell.

“Thanks, Liam. You got this!”

Just hang in there—I’ll make sure to get you some really nice blackout curtains!

* * *

And so, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement about going outside for the first time in a while, I boarded the carriage with Bonita.

“Come to think of it, this is my first time going out with you, Miss! You never seemed to like going outside much. Hehe.”

“…Yeah.”

Bonita’s cheerful voice made reality hit me.

When did my peaceful, introverted homebody life start getting so busy?

‘But this will all end once I get rich!’

Passive income!

A dream space where I’d never get bored, even when alone!

A comfortable life without being exploited for my labor!

As I indulged in hopeful fantasies about my near future, the carriage came to a stop.

I leaned out of the door opened by the coachman and was immediately greeted by the sight of a rare high-rise building.

A massive handmade sign hung over the entrance, and the area was packed with people, forming long queues.

“There’s even a line?”

Bonita, standing beside me with a proud expression, replied, “Since Pascal Trading Company handles so much business, this place is always crowded.”

“Ah, really?”

I wandered around for a bit before naturally lining up behind the others.

“Miss!”

If Bonita hadn’t rushed over in alarm, I probably would have just waited there.

Startled by her outcry, I paused and looked at her, confused.

“M-Miss, you don’t have to wait in line!”

“…Why?”

“Because you’re a guest of the Blaire Duchy!”

Thud!

Grabbing my wrist, Bonita led me straight to the gatekeeper managing the entrance queue.

I’d been taught since childhood that cutting in line was bad etiquette, so I felt a little guilty.

“Hello!”

“What business do you have here?”

Bonita politely greeted the intimidating gatekeeper and took out the seal.

The man’s eyes widened at the sight of the prestigious duchy’s insignia, embedded with valuable gemstones.

“O-oh! Please, come inside immediately!”

His reaction was so obviously flustered that I felt a bit awkward—like a VVIP customer entering a luxury department store.

After a brief commotion, it wasn’t long before the branch owner himself appeared before me, sweating profusely.

“H-how may I assist the Blaire Duchy today…?”

As he repeatedly wiped his damp forehead with a handkerchief, he glanced back and forth between the key Bonita handed him and me.

“A vault key?”

“I came to retrieve something stored here.”

“Ah, of course! Please follow me.”

I trailed behind him as he led me to a heavily secured iron door guarded by two armed soldiers.

Creak.

Beyond the door was a seemingly endless staircase.

As I descended, I noticed the temperature gradually dropping, and I took extra care not to trip.

‘This feels like a vault from Harry P*tter.’

Lost in thought, I barely noticed when we reached a section filled with identical vault doors. The branch owner finally stopped in front of a vault bearing the same emblem as my key and stepped aside.

“This is the one.”

‘Ooooh.’

I slowly inserted the key into the keyhole.

With a silent click, the heavy vault door swung open, revealing a small space of about three or four square meters.

I stepped inside and halted in front of the large sacks piled on the floor.

‘H-how much is this?!’

I had expected decent royalties from selling comic books, but not this much!

A hush fell over the room, thick with an indescribable tension.

I nudged one of the sacks with my foot, and loose gold coins spilled out, gleaming brilliantly.

“…Bonita.”

“Yes?”

I wondered if my voice trembled, but Bonita answered energetically.

After taking a deep breath, I spoke again, this time with even more excitement.

“Let’s take it.”

“Yes, Miss!”