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

The comic book publishing business was progressing smoothly.

The blackout curtain business, which Lady Lainey managed, had now stabilized into a factory system, making it unnecessary for me to personally oversee it.

Likewise, the tumbler and thermos business with the Mage Tower, utilizing Partanium, was running without issue.

At a glance, everything seemed fine.

But.

But why did I feel so frustrated!?

“Uwaaaah!!”

Even burying my face in the bed and screaming did nothing to ease the feeling of being completely blocked.

I, who used to find the greatest joy in not stepping a single foot outside my room!

I, who used to be perfectly content spending the entire day lounging in bed and trying out new desserts!

Why was I now staring endlessly at a closed door…?

Of course, I had spent some time thinking about the reason behind this.

After all, I had plenty of time to spare these days.

And so, I arrived at a conclusion.

‘I must actually be a very responsible person.’

Being unable to handle the work I was responsible for was driving me insane.

In the past and even now, the fact that I always took on various tasks and practically volunteered to be a workaholic was proof of that.

“Of course, it’s not entirely bad…”

If nothing else, my body was definitely recovering, as if this was what it had needed all along.

Day by day, my shoulders, which had felt like they were being weighed down by a ghost, were becoming lighter.

The problem was that, mentally, I felt as if I were constantly being chased.

‘What if all the work I’ve put off suddenly piles up and comes crashing down on me?’

I wanted to throw open the door and dash out right this moment, but I couldn’t.

Because just a few days ago, I had succumbed to my impatience and tried to sneak out—only to run straight into Ian, who was standing guard outside my door.

With an unusually stern face, Ian blocked my path.

“Escape is not an option.”

“Ah, no, I was just going for a walk…?”

“Your personal maid is currently absent. Please wait.”

“Even though it’s just a normal walk!?”

I still couldn’t forget the sharp gaze that had pierced through me at that moment.

And to think he had once asked to work part-time, yet now he was standing watch outside my room at all hours—it was beyond strange.

He had extended his working hours, but surely that didn’t mean he was on duty 24/7. How was this even possible?!

‘Did he… quit his main job?’

Then again… considering Ian had once lost a friend to a similar situation, maybe I was unknowingly triggering his trauma.

‘Fine, let’s just assume that’s the case.’

In any case, these days, everyone, including Bonita, was treating me as if I were a fragile block of tofu that could crumble at any moment.

But I couldn’t stay like this forever.

“Sigh…”

I was now in a situation where I had to wait for Bonita just to get some fresh air.

But since I knew this “restriction” was coming from a place of concern…

I decided to stay put in my room for a little longer.

‘Just hold on a bit more!’

.

.

.

That was what I thought—just an hour ago.

“So, do you like the scent of the tea?”

Why had my peaceful walk turned into a tea time with the Duke?

“Uh, yes… of course.”

I awkwardly smiled and swallowed the warm tea.

Bonita had finally returned after what felt like an eternity, and it was nice to leave the room together.

But the moment we took just a few steps, we ran into the Grand Duke near the hall.

“Out for a stroll, I see.”

Before I could even say a word, he spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment, then promptly extended his arm, offering to escort me.

And Bonita, who usually stuck to me like glue, just—

“Oh ho ho! Have a nice time!”

—abandoned me to the Grand Duke.

And so, the torturous walk began. But why did this dreadful stroll turn into an uncomfortable tea time as well?

…There’s a lot to explain, but to start, it was because of my slip of the tongue.

“I was rereading some of our past letters, and it suddenly crossed my mind—why not hire Golbro’s mercenaries again for the upcoming fortress wall construction project in the Grand Duchy?”

“…I don’t recall discussing the fortress wall construction project with the princess. How did you know about it?”

“Oh, I overheard the aides talking about it in passing. It got me thinking.”

I answered without much thought, but the Grand Duke’s expression turned… strange. As if he was upset.

“…Ha. It seems the princess is incapable of keeping work out of her mind. So devoted to work, aren’t you?”

“Huh?”

“In that case, why don’t we have a proper discussion about it?”

“W-Wait, what!?”

And so, before I knew it, I was dragged into a tea time meeting by the slightly disgruntled Grand Duke. To break the awkward atmosphere, I tried speaking up again.

“Um, but you said we’d talk about work…?”

“Drink your tea first.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

When your employer gives an order, you follow.

I picked up the teacup I had just set down and took another sip to soothe my burning throat.

…Huh? This tea is actually pretty good.

“The aroma of this tea is particularly nice. Is it something you import or distribute regularly?”

“It was a gift. Supposedly excellent for fatigue recovery.”

“Oh, I see…”

A silence followed my words.

Having nothing else to say, I stole glances at the Grand Duke’s face.

‘He looks a little less irritated than before.’

But somehow, it felt even harder to start a conversation now.

Also, I thought his complexion had improved ever since the blackout curtains were installed, but…

‘Why does he look like this?’

His dark circles had deepened significantly since I last saw him.

His skin was rough, like someone who hadn’t slept for days, and his pupils were slightly unfocused.

The sheer exhaustion written all over his face… It reminded me of an office worker suffering through endless overtime by day and hustling a second job delivering packages by night.

‘Is he just overworking himself?’

From what the aides said, the Grand Duke was a relentless workaholic.

I had never seen him rest, either.

The only times he left his office were to eat or to head out to battle during a monster wave.

“Um… Are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t look well…”

“I’m just a little tired. It’s nothing.”

Maybe I wasn’t the one who needed rest—it was him.

As I seriously pondered this, the timing couldn’t have been better—dessert arrived.

“Wow.”

Even before the tray was fully placed down, a rich, sweet aroma filled the air and made my mouth water.

The actual dessert was even more enticing. The elegant vanilla flan, speckled with tiny vanilla bean dots, looked so delicious it was impossible not to salivate.

“Go ahead.”

“Y-Yes!”

At the Grand Duke’s prompt, I quickly dug into my portion with a fork. The texture was perfect, and it melted in my mouth—it was a flavor I would never forget.

“It’s… amazing.”

I was so lost in the dessert that I momentarily forgot all the awkwardness. That’s when the Grand Duke spoke.

“They said it would suit the princess’s taste.”

“Huh? My taste?”

Who said that?

I lifted my head and looked across the table. The Grand Duke, who hadn’t even touched his tea or dessert, was watching me intently.

“They analyzed the desserts you’ve ordered more than twice to determine your preferences. The result is that vanilla flan you’re eating now.”

As I listened, I quickly picked up on something odd.

“Thank you… But, um… Why analyze my taste in desserts?”

“To take better care of you.”

“…Why, though?”

I was just a guest. No, not even a guest—more like a boarder.

Either way, for the Grand Duke to go so far as to analyze my dessert preferences… It completely defied my understanding of common sense.

“Besides, you even reduced my boarding fees because I’ve been sick and using fewer services.”

Was it yesterday?

Liam had brought me an invoice with an attached note stating that my monthly boarding fee had been reduced by 40%.

“The princess has been unwell and using fewer services. His Grace the Grand Duke has ordered a temporary reduction in boarding costs, as he suspects inadequate home care may be a contributing factor to the illness.”

Thinking back on the whole situation, his kindness felt even more surreal.

This was the Grand Duke—someone who should be treating me with cold indifference.

The Grand Duke, who should be preoccupied with squeezing every last bit of value out of me—why was he being so generous?

As I sat there, my expression growing more perplexed, the Grand Duke silently observed me before finally speaking.

“Is that a problem?”

His question made me furrow my brows.

His face was that of someone who genuinely didn’t understand.

“It’s not that it’s a problem, but… why go through all this trouble?”

“…Because I care about you.”

His serious expression and straightforward answer left me utterly speechless.