Chapter 24
I'm a Homebody, But I Possessed a Dark Imprisonment Story
Chapter 24
Kaiyan momentarily suppressed the laughter that threatened to escape his tightly shut lips.
It was fine when she was well-behaved, but no, even with her undeniably beautiful appearance… whenever she made faces like that, he just couldn't get used to it.
Swish, swish.
April, whose eyes met his, blushed as if embarrassed and waved her hand at him as if to say, don't mind me.
“A-ahem! Grand Duke Blale?”
Count Tonals, who had been ignored because April had stolen Kaiyan’s gaze, cleared his throat.
Only then did Kaiyan’s gaze finally lift.
Spotting the Reaper Corps from Salt, who had gathered in a crowd including the Count, Kaiyan scanned them with an arrogant demeanor.
“Make it brief. I’ve only just arrived myself.”
“Ah, yes, of course. We apologize if we are disturbing you during a busy time. It is a matter of great urgency.”
Even when his words pointed out their unannounced, abrupt visit, the Count, who had maintained a good-natured smile, suddenly changed his attitude and lowered his voice.
“The reason we have come is none other than… Salt’s food shortage.”
Perhaps judging that he disliked beating around the bush, the Count got straight to the point.
Even so, Kaiyan’s expression remained unmoved.
“And what does that have to do with me?”
At the rather sharp reply, the intimidated envoys flinched and began to exchange glances.
However, even in a situation that should have been embarrassing, Count Tonals forced a smile and took a step closer to Kaiyan.
“It is as we said, Your Excellency. In fact, we came to the Magic Tower in haste to seek countermeasures and assistance for this very issue… but we were refused.”
The Count’s tone clearly conveyed the predicament Salt was currently in.
Kaiyan’s lips curled upwards at this.
‘So, they’ve finally reached a level where they need saving.’
It was as he intended.
Salt, a small country with an environment unfavorable for farming due to the sea on both sides.
Most of their food had been supplied through imports, but with Cletan’s food export ban and the recent grain trade scam, they had nowhere left to retreat.
As if to respond to his conjecture, Count Tonals’ resolute voice was heard.
“We, the ministers of Salt, have been ordered by His Majesty the King to find a way to save our starving people, and thus, we wish to formally request assistance from Grand Duke Blale.”
As soon as the words fell, the Reaper Corps collectively bowed their heads.
It was a humiliating act, but it was also proof of how desperate their situation was.
Kaiyan, with a faint smile, looked down at them and spoke softly.
As if he were deeply moved.
“You said your name was Count Tonals.”
“Y-yes, that is correct. Currently, I am the deputy in charge of establishing food policies, assisting Princess Rumeia in Salt…”
“I refuse.”
“…Pardon?”
Given the seemingly positive atmosphere, such a bewildered response was natural.
But Kaiyan’s expression did not change.
“I said I refuse.”
“Yes? Wh-why….”
“Rather, I should ask. What does this matter have to do with me?”
It was a valid question.
In fact, it would have been more than enough to be angered and driven out, so the fact that he was meeting with them was a great favor in itself.
While the excuse of urgency was plausible, it was utterly audacious for the Empire’s Grand Duke, one with the power comparable to a nation, to barge into Kaiyan’s chambers without prior notice and demand food.
“B-but… Princess Rumeia…”
The mention of Princess Rumeia’s name again suggested they had believed the rumors of Raiden’s favor, but unfortunately, they had come to the wrong place.
Although Kaiyan and Raiden were half-brothers, their relationship was, at best, transactional. The mention of Princess Rumeia would have no effect on him whatsoever.
“Hmph.”
At his short sigh, Count Tonals, realizing they had miscalculated, quickly changed his tune and bowed his head.
“The poor people are starving.”
“If this continues, there may be many deaths from starvation in the near future.”
“If Grand Duke Blale refuses, then perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince…”
Among the flustered envoys, words that crossed the line began to surface.
Kaiyan let out a scoff at their attitude, which seemed ready to head to Cletan at any moment.
“Then do so.”
Beneath his calm voice, a condescending sneer flickered.
As Kaiyan openly revealed his mockery, Count Tonals’ face turned bright red, and he bowed his waist.
“I misspoke. It is merely a sign of the urgency of the matter… Grand Duke Blale, I implore you, truly.”
Thump.
The Count eventually knelt down.
“What a shame. The grain imported from Salt was stolen due to ‘your mistake,’ and we are currently short-handed dealing with that.”
Kaiyan, who had continued to trample on the envoys until the very end, was about to issue a dismissal order.
There was no point in listening further; it would only lead to wasted effort and hurt feelings.
After all, Salt was destined for ruin according to Crown Prince Raiden’s will.
With the Emperor having been in a coma for a long time, Raiden was desperate to achieve something to secure the throne.
Moreover, it seemed he had chosen to destroy Salt and take Rumeia as a secondary option after her kidnapping.
Therefore, what was bound to happen would happen. Whether the timing was slightly earlier or later didn't matter.
But.
‘…….’
Kaiyan, who had been walking away, stopped after taking not a single step.
Looking down, a small hand, like a hook, tightly gripped the hem of his trousers.
April Solt.
The Princess, with a forlorn face like a wet dog, held onto his trousers as if they were a lifeline.
‘C-could you please help…?’
Her quivering lips seemed to say just that.
Kaiyan, as if hearing April’s trembling voice in his mind, shook his head involuntarily.
‘No.’
His decision was firm. If he tolerated such an attitude, not even a polite one, but one that implied entitlement, they would undoubtedly become more demanding without appreciating his kindness.
But the indomitable April did not give up.
Grip.
From where did such strength come from her slender arms? The veins on the back of her hand, gripping Kaiyan’s trousers, were clearly visible.
It was quite troublesome.
‘Oh dear.’
…Most importantly, it was physically troublesome.
Why? Because his trousers felt like they were about to fall down.
Although they were securely fastened with a belt, if April pulled with her weight, he would be in a ridiculous situation.
If he kicked his legs here, the envoys from Salt would realize someone was under the desk, and Kaiyan did not want such a comical scene.
‘Pleaseeee.’
April’s face became pleading. She then tugged at his trousers again, repeatedly.
‘Stop!’
Kaiyan frowned and signaled, but April did not cease her bold(?) action and now grabbed both hems of his trousers.
Then, as if smoothing out the pleats of the fabric, she began to pull them alternately.
At this rate, not only would his trousers fall down, but if they somehow held, they would likely tear.
‘This crazy—’
While the Princess might not have considered such an extreme outcome, he, the person involved, had to consider the worst-case scenario.
After fierce internal conflict, Kaiyan finally let out an inaudible sigh.
“One moment, envoy from Salt.”
He finally spoke.
“If the people of the border regions, driven to desperation by hunger, resort to thievery, it would be equally troublesome for us. I will dispatch knights from my territory to procure food.”
With the Grand Duke’s face suddenly etched with exhaustion and a conditional permission granted, the envoys displayed expressions of utter bewilderment.
Except for Count Tonals.
“Y-you will go personally? But…”
“It would be best to accept before my mind changes.”
“Y-yes! Understood. Thank you, Grand Duke!”
While the prospect of skimming some of the supplied goods in transit was dashed, the immediate crisis was averted.
The envoys from the Kingdom of Salt, perhaps fearing his mind might change, hastily withdrew.
“Then we shall take our leave. We are most grateful, Grand Duke!”
Bang!
As soon as the door closed, the Grand Duke’s furious gaze turned towards the space beneath the desk.
