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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: A Curious Confinement
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“…Tired?”
“Yeah, I don’t want to see anyone. I’m just going to lock myself in my room for the rest of my life and live with a cat. I think that would be the happiest I could be.”
“…Do you even know what ‘locking yourself in’ means?”
His tone, as if questioning whether I could possibly know such a thing, puzzled me.
What about you? As a merchant, you must be busier than anyone, running around outside. How would you know?
I pushed my question aside and answered his first.
“Yeah.”
Darcy's eyes widened as he stared at me. He gradually leaned forward. It seemed he wanted to talk.
“Then how do you plan to use this magic tool?”
“I'm going to record operas and plays and watch them all by myself. Without taking a single step out of the house.”
“So, the only daughter of the House of Marquis Etoile is saying she's going to imprison herself?”
Darcy's words made me feel awkward. It was even more so seeing his face, which looked intrigued.
I mumbled my answer and changed the subject.
“…Yeah. So, about the item?”
At my words, Darcy let out a smirk.
“Of course, I made the requested item perfectly.”
His half-lidded eyes gleamed dangerously. He grinned, licking his lips.
“My work is impeccable.”
His low voice clung to my ears.
“Hold out your hand.”
He demanded. I held out both hands. It was too much trouble to point out his rudeness. In fact, everything except what was needed for my life of confinement was too much trouble.
“You're completely different from what I expected…”
Darcy muttered, propping his chin on his hand. He was staring at me so intently that I almost turned my head away. Because he was too handsome.
“I'm glad to hear that.”
I gave a noncommittal reply and slightly turned my head. His gaze was too much for my heart to handle.
“Here.”
Darcy placed something in my hand.
The brief touch of his hand was hot. I was surprised by its warmth, so different from his usual demeanor.
…Can I finally record videos? And play them back?
Just as I was about to examine the magic tool, my heart pounding with anticipation…
“Let's change our contract.”
Darcy's voice rang out.
Was he unhappy with something? Seeing that he'd created the magic tool in such a short time, he was a talent I didn't want to lose…
I was just starting to think of terms that might appeal to him.
“I've taken an interest in this 'life of confinement' of yours. Show me how it's done.”
Darcy said to me with a bold smile. His face shone so brightly it was as if a halo was behind him.
***
Darcy was sick and tired of a life of confinement. His plan to leave for another country instead of seeking revenge was all to escape these shackles.
The Emperor, who only sought to use him, and those around him who silently condoned it.
Humans were truly selfish creatures.
That was why he'd never imagined someone could actually enjoy confinement. Sure, he knew it took all sorts to make a world, but he'd thought yearning for freedom was a basic human instinct. He had thought it was a peculiar taste, but…
“I'm tired of dealing with people.”
The expression on her face as she said it was strangely unfamiliar. It was a face mixed with an anguish that couldn't be explained by such a simple reason—certainly not an expression one would expect from the only daughter of the House of Marquis Etoile, who should have lived her life without wanting for anything.
It was strange how her downcast eyes held a lonely light.
A strange woman. From her first request to her current answer, she always exceeded his expectations.
“Let's change our contract.”
He fudged the reason, making it sound moderately honest. It was a purely impulsive statement, but he didn't regret it. He was curious what she was thinking, discussing confinement in front of him, a man who had lived his entire life in the shadows.
The woman was wary of his words.
“Why would you?”
“Because I've also spent a lot of time alone.”
“But you're a merchant.”
“I'm not as popular as you might think.”
“……”
Marso didn't seem to believe him, but it was the truth.
If he had been popular, he wouldn't be a mere hidden prince preparing to flee to another country, but would be living a brilliant life like the current First Prince, Ryan Stregen.
If he could just make it past his birthday this year… it wasn't as if he had no chance of winning.
He could challenge for the throne, but he had no reason or attachment to endure such a long time for something like that.
There was no fundamental reason for him to put down roots here.
Considering the time he had wasted, even getting revenge felt like a waste.
Life is short. He wanted to spend his remaining time doing what he wanted.
…While atoning, in his own way, for what he had done.
Having lived under pressure for so long, he loved freedom and impulse, and his current choice stemmed from that.
Without realizing that this choice would change his life.
Darcy casually persuaded her.
“There aren't many people who can make something like this.”
He said it because he knew how serious she was about the magic tool.
Marso flinched, then finally sighed and led him to another room. Of course, before they moved, she dismissed all the servants to uphold the terms of their contract.
Darcy walked behind her. He had heard about the House of Etoile, but this was the first time he had seen the inside of the mansion.
The mansion, which he was seeing for the first time, was as magnificent as its reputation. From the chandeliers to the murals, it was obvious that a fortune had been spent.
How much money had she thrown at the place she'd decorated as a 'movie theater'? With a disinterested thought, Darcy stared intently at the door.
Marso opened the door and ushered him in.
“…This is the movie theater.”
Looking inside the room, Darcy raised an eyebrow. He wondered what this was all about.
“More modest than you expected, right?”
Marso smiled sheepishly at him.
“This is beyond modest.”
Despite his sarcastic tone, Marso didn't argue. It meant she knew he was right.
Why decorate it like this if she knew? The mysteries just kept piling up.
As soon as she entered the room, Marso placed the magic tool on the bedside table next to a plush, chair-like bed.
“It's a shame there's nothing recorded yet…”
“There was nothing to record beforehand.”
“Ah, it's fine.”
Even if I recorded myself cooped up in my room, the only thing it would show is me smelling scented candles.
Marso activated the magic tool. A moderately sized screen appeared on the wall in front of the bed. Since she hadn't recorded anything yet, it could only project a blank screen.
“Wow, this is truly amazing…”
“Well, it's nothing much.”
Darcy shrugged. He'd actually had some fun making it.
He was still looking around the room.
There were three beds, all facing the wall. A phonograph for listening to music stood out, but other than that, the room was almost empty. There were no dressers or wardrobes.
Isn't this room too empty to do anything in?
“So you're going to live your life of confinement in this room? Doing what, exactly?”
“Ah, I usually just lie down and listen to music. Now I'll watch videos, too. I'll read books, and eat delicious food.”
Darcy was at a loss for words.
“…You're not going to leave your room just to do *that*?”
It was an answer he couldn't comprehend no matter how he thought about it. In response to his words, Marso nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He felt like he would go crazy with curiosity if he left now, so he asked a question.
“Why not go outside?”
“I like being alone.”
“…Being alone?”
He furrowed his brow at her absurd answer, and Marso stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“A merchant probably doesn't get much time alone. Hmm, since you said you were curious, I'll let you experience it. It's more comforting and pleasant than you'd think. Here's what I do… Come on, lie down on one of the other beds.”
Receiving that naive gaze, which assumed he knew nothing of being cooped up in a room, a strange sense of defiance welled up in him.
*That's not something you, who's probably spent your entire life surrounded by people, should be saying. If anyone knows what it's like to be alone, it's me.*
‘Even I have to admit, that's childish of me.’
Darcy swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.
“You said you were curious, so I'm showing you.”
Marso's eyes widened as she stared at him, as if asking why he wasn't doing as she said.
Darcy lay down with a reluctant expression. At least the bed was much plusher and of better quality than he'd expected.
“My favorite time is around midnight, and into the early dawn.”
Marso drew the curtains. They were so thick that none of the intense sunlight from outside could get in.
The room darkened, and the atmosphere changed. It felt like the dead of night, or perhaps the early dawn. Marso approached the phonograph.
“This is my favorite composer. His name is Schoupen.”
“I have no ear for music, so I wouldn't know.”
He hated technical jargon he didn't understand. Besides, his circumstances had never allowed him to take an interest in such things. Marso just smiled, saying it was fine.
“I don't know anything about being a merchant, either. It's only natural.”
That wasn't what he'd meant to hear.
She started the music. It was a serene melody. The performance of an unknown pianist trickled into his ears. It was quiet.
The piano melody filled the room. Marso went to her own bed and flopped down on the covers. She closed her eyes.
“This is it. Just lying here blankly, listening to the music.”
“…That's all?”
“Yep. Sometimes I read a book. Just spending time alone, lying down.”
“…This is quite a bit different from the confinement I imagined.”
Darcy silenced his movements and got up. He was curious to see Marso's face as she spoke.
He quietly approached Marso, who was lying down. The magic tool he wore over his eyes had the power to let him see people clearly even in the dark.
Marso was lying comfortably, staring at the ceiling. Her face was quite placid.
What could she be so afraid of? They say man is the most fearsome animal, but couldn't someone like Marso Etoile use people as she pleased? She should have the wealth and power to do so.
“Why bother? You're the only daughter of the House of Etoile, who has everything.”
“Being the only daughter doesn't mean I'm not human, does it?”
Darcy paused at her words, which carried a deep weight. Her eyes looked the same as before.
As if his silence were a tacit signal that it was okay to continue, Marso spoke again.
“Relationships always end up flowing in completely different directions than I expect. I need some time for myself, away from people.”
After hearing about her life, Darcy delivered a merciless assessment.
“You get tired because you care about what people think. You could just live without thinking about them in the first place.”
But to his harsh critique, Marso replied with a smile.
“That's my plan from now on.”
It was such a quick agreement that it made Darcy feel awkward instead.
“……”
“I have to stop getting hurt now.”
Her earnest expression was strangely captivating.
She looked strangely vulnerable.
He didn't know how to offer comfort. Darcy simply stared at Marso, who was truly just lying there listening to music, before asking.
“What do you want this time?”
“Oh, right. This time…”
It was at that moment. Marso's eyes began to sparkle, just like when they had first met.
“A device that amplifies the screen projected by this magic tool until it fills the entire wall.”
“…The wall?”
“Yes, this entire wall will become a screen.”
Her face was full of excitement as she spoke. The stark contrast…
bothered him a little.
