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

“So, she took the seal and the key with her?”

“Yes. The Pascal trading company requires identity verification.”

“Hmm.”

Kayan’s expression turned subtle upon receiving Liam’s report.

It hadn’t been long since they had been asked to provide piles of Polleta leather to the Grand Duchy.

Even when asked about its purpose, she didn’t share any opinions, which had been frustrating. And now, she suddenly wanted to reclaim the seal?

‘What exactly is she up to?’

Kayan crossed his arms and furrowed his brows before throwing out a casual question.

“Did she go alone?”

“She was accompanied by a maid.”

“I see.”

Kayan nodded once, tapping the edge of his desk with his long fingers.

As soon as Liam left after delivering the report, Kayan pulled something out of a drawer.

It was an ornament bearing the Blaire family crest, intricately crafted with delicate details.

It was none other than the ring passed down to the head of the Blaire Grand Duchy—an accessory capable of altering one’s appearance.

* * *

Bonita, who had been sweeping gold coins into the pouch she had brought from the grand ducal residence, looked ecstatic.

I wasn’t all that different.

‘There’s more than I expected.’

The shimmering gold coins, reflecting light brilliantly, amounted to a considerable fortune at a glance.

I had heard rumors about the rising popularity of the comic book and that many people were looking for it, but I hadn’t imagined it would be to this extent.

For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I should abandon my investments and just move to the countryside to live in peace… but I quickly dismissed the thought.

Money, after all, is something you can never have too much of.

While I was indulging in my pleasant daydreams, Bonita had completely filled a pouch the size of a person’s head and stepped back without showing any sign of strain.

“Isn’t it heavy?”

With a sly grin, Bonita whispered in a small voice.

“No, there’s a weight-reduction spell on it.”

“…You’re well prepared.”

As expected of Bonita.

Satisfied, I nodded and turned away.

The head of the trading company, honored to have such a distinguished guest, expressed his wish to serve tea before I left, but I politely declined.

As an introvert with many errands to run while I was already out, I knew my schedule would be packed for the rest of the day.

“I-I’ve never handled such a large sum before.”

As we stepped outside, escorted by the Pascal trading company’s employees, Bonita muttered in a dazed voice.

“…Me neither.”

Seeing the amount I had only ever encountered on documents now in my hands felt surreal.

All that was left was to board the carriage and move to the next destination…

Just as I was about to take a step forward, an ominous feeling struck me.

“Huh?”

‘Be mindful of pickpockets near banks and ATMs.’

Why did that thought suddenly cross my mind?

A sudden wave of unease washed over me, and my gaze instinctively shifted to the money pouch Bonita was holding.

“Hey, Bonita. Wait a sec—”

I straightened up and reached out, but it was already too late.

Tap, tap, tap!

A dark shadow dashed in like lightning, snatched the pouch, and disappeared.

“Oh my!”

The sight of Bonita stomping the ground helplessly with empty hands, watching the pouch disappear, played out in slow motion.

What just happened?

“I-I…”

‘A mugging!?’

It took me a moment to grasp the situation.

Had I been too sheltered in the safety of the grand ducal residence for too long?

I was utterly shocked that I hadn’t even considered the possibility of something like this happening to two unescorted women.

“A pickpocket!”

I shouted toward the shadow vanishing into the distance, but none of the onlookers made a move.

Bonita, looking devastated, clutched her long skirt and took a few hurried steps forward, but there was no way she could catch up.

‘That was my hard-earned money!’

Should I run after them myself?

As I agonized over the decision, a figure suddenly emerged from the crowd, which had gathered due to the commotion.

“Are you alright?”

Flutter.

A gust of wind lifted the man’s hood, revealing his face.

His ash-gray hair shimmered under the sunlight, and his golden eyes gleamed, clear and undisturbed.

‘Huh? His face looks…’

I barely had time to be startled.

The moment I got a clear look at his face, my eyes widened.

The Grand Duke?

…No, wait, he’s someone else.

‘Even though their hair and eye colors are different, they look similar enough to mistake them for each other.’

For a brief moment, I was shocked by how much he resembled the Grand Duke. But before I could dwell on it, the man quickly took off running.

I was still standing there, dumbfounded, when I heard a tearful voice.

“Ah, my lady… I’m so sorry. I was so distracted…”

Bonita, unable to even step forward, looked devastated, blaming herself for what had happened.

“No, it’s okay.”

But there was no reason to scold her. It had been my responsibility to anticipate something like this.

We had been standing in the middle of the street, right in front of a trading company that was practically a bank, holding a pouch that was obviously filled with money.

Honestly, getting pickpocketed was the least of our worries—what if we had been targeted by robbers instead?

“Let’s go find the city guards.”

“But what if the money is gone forever? I’m really sorry, my lady…”

Bonita’s eyes glistened with tears, her face filled with concern.

In truth, I wasn’t very optimistic about the guards catching the thief.

I tried my best to stay calm for Bonita’s sake, but deep inside…

‘I’m screwed. I’m so screwed.’

I had taken out an entire pouch of gold, leaving only a small amount in the safe.

It wasn’t nothing, but considering labor costs and other expenses, it was likely not enough.

“…Haah.”

Just as I was deep in thought—

Clunk!

A heavy object dropped onto the ground with a loud thud.

I instinctively looked up and saw it—the very pouch that had been stolen from me just moments ago, lying right in front of me.

“Gasp!”

Bonita also gasped upon spotting it.

“Took longer than expected. I had to hand the pickpocket over to the guards.”

“You… helped us?”

The man, whose appearance I had mistaken for the Grand Duke’s, stood before us, completely unscathed.

For someone who had supposedly apprehended a thief, there wasn’t even a speck of dust on him.

“It’s your stolen property. Check to make sure everything’s there.”

“Ah, yes.”

Still in shock, I peeked inside the pouch. Everything was intact. I quickly bowed in gratitude.

“Th-Thank you…”

I never expected a complete stranger to help us. I was truly touched.

There are still good people in this world!

‘To meet someone so honorable in a place like this…’

After years of being treated like a slave and betrayed in the Salt Kingdom, my faith in people had hit rock bottom.

That’s why I was even more grateful that he had not only caught the thief but also returned the pouch without taking a single coin.

How should I repay him?

“Is there anything you’d like in return…?”

“Hmm.”

Ah, was I being too hasty?

Mentioning a direct amount might make things awkward, but surely he had seen what was inside.

“You can name your price. I want to properly express my gratitude…”

“I didn’t do it for a reward.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll accept your thanks. That’s all.”

Completely caught off guard, I gawked at him.

And just like that, he turned to leave.

“W-Wait.”

Hold on.

It would be a waste to let him go just like this!

I needed to recruit him somehow!

Had Liam’s overworked spirit possessed me for a brief moment?

Driven by the urge to secure talent, I instinctively grabbed his sleeve.

“W-Would you consider working as my bodyguard?”

Right now, since I’m roughly assuming the noble persona of being a distant branch of the Grand Duke of Blaire, hiring a bodyguard wouldn’t be too strange.

I anxiously waited for his response, watching his lips intently.