Chapter 20
I Was Reincarnated as a Homebody in a Grim, Captive Romance
Episode 20
“They say the Magic Tower might collapse."
The conclusion was that.
And I knew without hearing the main point.
That this event was described in the original work, <Forced Empress>.
“We don't know the reason, but the Core of Magic Power in the deepest part of the Magic Tower has started to crack. If that breaks..."
“The Magic Tower will collapse, won't it?"
It was a serious situation.
The Magic Tower, whose exact origins are unknown, was a treasure trove of knowledge containing ancient magic yet to be discovered.
Because of this, the mages belonging to the Magic Tower abandoned even their livelihoods and gathered to replenish the Magic Power leaking from the cracked Core.
However, in the original work, the Magic Tower eventually collapses.
'I should have looked back a little more.'
In the original work, which revolved around Rumeia, this story wasn't covered with much importance, so I overlooked it.
It was only described as, 'Rumeia offered advice, but the Tower Lord did not accept it, and the Magic Tower collapsed.'
As complex feelings arose, the Grand Duke spoke again.
“Ah, I forgot to mention beforehand. This is still top secret. It's something that absolutely must not be leaked to the outside."
“R-really? Then why are you telling me a secret…?"
“Why do you think?"
“I-I don't know?"
Could he be trying to blackmail me with the excuse that I learned information I shouldn't have?
I truly didn't want to know. If possible, I wanted to continue not knowing.
But he seemed to find amusement in teasing me, his lips curling upwards.
“I have to go to the Magic Tower soon anyway. Think about it carefully until then, Princess."
Surely, he wasn't suggesting I go with him, was he? I hoped not.
But he left me feeling uneasy without ever revealing the reason.
His personality, inversely proportional to his handsome face, was clear proof that God was fair.
“Do you have something on your mind?”
“Ah, I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere….”
In response to Ashley's question, I apologized with an awkward smile.
I was having tea time at Ashley's request, as she had been incredibly busy lately, but I felt sorry for not being able to focus on her.
Ashley responded thoughtfully to my hasty excuse.
“It’s alright, I was just worried I might have called someone who is busy.”
“No, that’s not it. Haha, the cake is really delicious, isn't it?”
I scooped up a soft cream cake with my fork and shoved it into my mouth.
Fortunately, as the sweet food entered my stomach, my brain felt a little more activated.
I felt truly sorry for Ashley, but I stopped talking again and fell into a daze.
Ever since the last time I met the Grand Duke, my mind has been filled with thoughts about the Magic Tower.
And at times like these, it was difficult to concentrate on anything else.
'If the Magic Tower collapses, things will get complicated.'
Perhaps it was a characteristic of those who wielded mana, but the Magic Tower was a link that bound together mages with their capricious and difficult personalities.
The collapse of such a Magic Tower would lead to a temporary halt in the activities of mages, and businesses and trade connected with them would suffer significant losses.
Salt was no exception. It experienced isolation due to the inability to use Teleportation Circles around the time the food shortage began.
Furthermore, it became the catalyst for dark mages, who had been hiding in the shadows, to reveal themselves and begin their activities in earnest. The impact of the Magic Tower's collapse could be enormous.
It was another moment when something that was merely a few lines in a book was felt as a great reality.
And the way to solve the problem…
'I have to break the Core.'
But it was by no means an easy task. After all, even Rumeia, who had the heroine's buff, couldn't prevent the Magic Tower's collapse.
'The original heroine wrote in a letter that the Core must be destroyed to protect the Magic Tower.'
However, the mages of the Magic Tower, thinking it was absurd nonsense, ignored the letter.
But in reality, the Magic Tower's Core was not breaking, but undergoing a kind of molting process.
This fact became unknown to modern mages as related records were lost during the war between ancient mages and dark mages.
In any case, for them, the advice to break the Magic Tower's Core would have been akin to saying, 'Someone scribbled on the walls of Gyeongbok Palace, so let's burn it down!'
Clink.
Eventually, I put down my fork, having eaten the cake without much thought, and unintentionally opened my mouth.
“Have you ever broken a magic stone?”
“…What? A magic stone?”
“Well, more precisely, a stone containing more Magic Power than a typical magic stone?”
I wasn't sure if I could refer to the Magic Tower's Core like this, but…
Ashley, who asked back in a surprised voice, showed a complex expression.
Only then, looking at her face belatedly, did I realize my mistake.
“Ah, no. Please just ignore it.”
To break a magic stone, which ordinary people rarely even get to see… it must have sounded absurd.
However, Ashley seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.
“Hmm… I don’t know the details, but wouldn’t the Grand Duke’s family library have many books containing various knowledge?”
“Ah!”
'Right.'
In this world, books were rare. More precisely, opportunities to access refined knowledge were not open to just anyone.
Therefore, proper books containing information could only be found in the libraries of prestigious noble families, royal families, or imperial families.
In the original work, it was also mentioned that Rumeia—though it was unlikely for the dense Rumeia, it was likely April, who worked hard behind the scenes—found various information in the library of the Salt royal palace and resolved a national disaster.
“Thank you, Ashley. That was a great hint!”
Ashley replied softly to my thanks.
“I have my next schedule soon, so would you like to go ahead?”
I looked at Ashley's teacup, which still had more than half left, and nodded gratefully.
“Then I’ll see you later. As I always say, don’t overdo it!”
“I’ll return the same words to you. You always seem so busy yourself.”
Huh? Is that so?
Only then did I realize that the time I spent confined to my room recently had decreased.
'I need to be vigilant.'
What if I lose my identity as a homebody at this rate?
I shook my head.
Once the Magic Tower problem is solved, the comic book business will proceed smoothly, and with the Grand Duke's capital backing it, becoming rich will be a matter of time.
Then, naturally, I will have plenty of time left.
Yes, I made a firm resolution.
Once this is over!
I must rest.
Absolutely.
Today, there was no one near the Grand Duke's study. A quiet stillness had settled, as if they had deliberately vacated the area.
Wary of Liam popping out from somewhere, I slowly knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
After a slight wait, a leisurely voice was heard.
As I opened the door and entered, my eyes met the Grand Duke, who was sitting at his desk.
But something about his appearance was off.
'Did he sleep?'
He rubbed his dry face, not hiding his tired expression.
Thinking back, his voice was also hoarser than usual and felt languid.
Was it a break time? But if he was going to sleep, why not sleep comfortably in his room, why in the study…
“What is it again, Princess? If you're here to talk about business, how about later?”
“No, it’s not that. I was wondering if I could get permission to access the Grand Duke’s family library.”
I quickly got to the point, not wanting to upset him.
“What, are you planning to wander around my house as if it were your own room now?”
“Of course not! Ah, but if it’s not possible, then it can’t be helped…”
His question was laced with playfulness, but I quickly denied it.
I knew that responding playfully to the whims of a person in power was madness.
However, the Grand Duke, seemingly making a light joke without any particular intention, readily granted permission.
“You may freely access the library.”
“Thank youuu.”
It would be even better if he had just said so at once.
But seeing his exceptionally tired face, such a complaint didn't last long. When I thought about it, he seemed to work day and night, so it was strange that he possessed a healthy sense of humor.
Come to think of it, this person…
'When does he even sleep?'
I spoke without leaving immediately, a somewhat impulsive decision.
“Um, are you alright?”
The Grand Duke’s eyes turned towards me.
Feeling inexplicably intimidated, I quickly added.
“You look tired.”
He stared at me for a while before slowly replying.
“…I’m fine.”
If he said he was fine, there was nothing I could do.
I bowed my head and walked out of the study. But I had to stop after only a few steps.
His tired appearance kept catching my eye… and I felt like I knew why.
'It’s like me.'
Not now, but it felt like a distant past, like my past self who died from overwork.
'Unlike before, he seems to have a bit of dark circles under his eyes too.'
Of course, the typical Northern Grand Duke buff was adding to that weary look, even enhancing the dark circles…
I soon shook my head.
'Let’s not worry about it.'
I have enough on my plate right now, who am I to worry about whom?
Pause.*
But in the end, I turned around and walked back into the study.
“What is it?”
The Grand Duke asked, leaning back in his chair as if taking a short break, but stopping halfway.
I walked briskly to him and extended my hand.
“If you’re tired, I have a little tip.”
The Grand Duke’s gaze flickered between my palm and my face.
“May I have your hand?”
“Whose hand?”
Yours, your hand.
I stared intently at the Grand Duke’s hand as if to say that.
