Chapter 25
I Was Reincarnated as a Shut-In in a Dark, Captive Romance
Episode 25
“How long are you going to stay in there?”
At the Grand Duke’s chilling voice, I clutched my pounding heart and slowly lifted my head.
“Uh, hohoho….”
Is he very angry?
Well, I did pull on his trousers a bit hard…?
As I hesitated, he sternly commanded.
“Come out.”
I wanted to come out too.
But I was scared….
What if he’s angry about my crazy act and tries to kill me?
I trembled uncontrollably and shook my head frantically.
“Ahahahahaha, I, I’m here. It seems quite cozy and nice, more than I thought….”
“Will you come out if I break the desk?”
Why are you so violent….
Unable to withstand the pressure, I crawled out slowly and stood before him.
But I couldn’t possibly meet his eyes, so I just bowed my head low.
“…….”
Then the Grand Duke called me again.
“Hey, Princess.”
“S-Sorry!”
Never mind that, let’s apologize first!
Besides, this was the only apology I had to offer.
By his logic, I had no obligation to help Salt, who had been foolishly scammed.
I felt deeply apologetic that my insistence seemed to have changed his mind about refusing the Reaper Corps’ unreasonable request.
Of course, it was because the commoners were innocent.
But at the same time, Grand Duke Bleil had no obligation to consider such commoners. Frankly, they weren’t even his people.
I fidgeted, continuously avoiding the Grand Duke’s gaze.
Then.
“…Hmph. There’s no need to apologize.”
“Yes? What do you mean….”
At his unexpected words, I slowly lifted my head. The Grand Duke, who had been wearing a very ill-tempered smile, asked arrogantly.
“Do you perhaps think, Princess, that I could be a kind volunteer or a benefactor?”
“Huh? No.”
Absolutely not. Not until the sun rises in the west….
I immediately shook my head.
As if amused by my reaction, the Grand Duke raised one corner of his mouth and added neatly.
“Let this be the true price for the dam construction.”
“Ah, um….”
“If you understand, you may leave now. To your room.”
The Grand Duke pointed to a small annex (?) attached right next to him.
Normally, he would use his room, and I would use my own designated room…
But now, with Salt’s Reaper Corps staying indefinitely, I was using the room attached to the Grand Duke’s vast bedroom.
“Ah, yes.”
In any case, I nodded as if I had been waiting for this.
Though this easy solution and being let go so easily felt somewhat ominous…
‘For now, I’ll rest.’
Perhaps because I had been so tense under the desk, my legs felt weak as I headed to my room.
No, maybe it was because I could feel Grand Duke Bleil’s persistent gaze burning into my back….
Regardless.
“Haa.”
As soon as I returned to my room, fatigue washed over me.
Perhaps because of that? I threw myself onto the plush bed and closed my eyes.
Yes, this was heaven.
Q. Describe the feeling of living in a room attached to the Grand Duke’s 5-star hotel suite-level bedroom.
A. I am eternally grateful for this grace. I will dedicate my life to loyalty, so please keep me in this room and let me live in luxury.
This was truly a heartfelt answer.
Despite sharing a bedroom (in a broad sense), the Grand Duke perfectly guaranteed my privacy.
Because of that, I had been able to spend my time devouring manga I hadn’t read since arriving at the Magic Tower.
Moreover, Bonita wasn’t with me, as only the Grand Duke’s direct attendants accompanied him, so I didn’t have to force myself into awkward conversations.
It was literally freedom!
‘I’m so happy!’
Hehehe.
As I flipped through manga with a chuckle, a sudden thought made me sit bolt upright.
“Wait a minute.”
Isn’t this the only moment when the surveillance on me is extremely minimal?
The realization struck me like lightning.
‘This is a complete opportunity!’
Even today, the Grand Duke had a packed schedule and couldn’t do anything to me.
“Princess, what are you planning to do today?”
“Me? I was just planning to stay put in this room like a dead mouse….”
“Not much different from staying at the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“Hahaha… is that… so?”
“Well then, I’ll go meet the Tower Lord.”
Just in case, I took out the hammer I had tied to the leg of the bed for safekeeping.
Was today finally the day to use it?
As soon as I arrived at the Magic Tower, Salt’s Reaper Corps had swept in like an unexpected storm, and other than that, the Grand Duke was always present, so I had no choice but to behave myself.
I almost forgot my purpose, but I couldn’t let that happen.
I slowly examined the hammer in my hand, my eyes sparkling.
‘Even a stone bridge must be tested before crossing.’
Then, before starting anything, I opened the door and looked around.
The empty corridor was devoid of anyone, perhaps left that way for the Grand Duke’s privacy.
“Hoo.”
Grand Duke Bleil’s afternoon schedule today is fully booked with a meeting with the Tower Lord, and all his aides are accompanying him.
Therefore, I just need to finish all my business (?) before he returns, and when he arrives, I can pretend to be lazing around reading manga, and the perfect crime will be complete.
But…
‘Is it really okay to do this?’
Although I came with the intention of destroying the Core, as I was about to act, the soul of a max-level office worker held me back.
Saying, ‘If you stir up unnecessary trouble, only you will get tired.’
I hesitated and pulled out a bag from under the bed. As I did, I began a fierce self-justification.
‘Strictly speaking, isn’t this a plan to save the Magic Tower, not a crime?’
Isn’t the result all that matters, regardless of the process?
“Let this be the true price for the dam construction.”
But at the same time, I recalled the Grand Duke’s unexpected act of kindness.
Repeatedly, even simple words made my heart sink, making it hard to distinguish between Stockholm Syndrome and the excitation transfer effect.
‘Snap out of it.’
Kayan Bleil is a killer handsome man, but he also commits actual murder.
More importantly, in the original work, he was a sub-male character who became interested in Rumeia’s pure appearance.
Though he had no real connection with Rumeia, and the author forced their pairing, it had no significant impact, but still…
If there’s any plot armor in the original work, I don’t know how he might change the moment he actually sees Rumeia.
If so, I must suppress my fluttering heart, even if I have to force it.
‘Let’s break the Core and then think.’
Stopping my hesitation, I took out the maid outfit I had secretly brought and changed into it.
…And a black mask.
Having completed all my preparations, I hesitantly stepped outside and slowly walked down the corridor. Then, I caught sight of my reflection in a mirror I happened to pass.
‘What, what is this?’
I didn’t realize it when I checked alone, but it was a ridiculous sight.
“Huh.”
A maid holding a hammer and wearing a mask.
At a glance, it screamed, ‘I am a suspicious person.’
But I was undertaking a desperate escape from reality.
‘I-Is it okay?’
After all, this is the Magic Tower, and various people with various tastes gather here.
Yes, maybe a masked maid would be considered one of the many diverse tastes in the world…
…No, of course not.
‘I-I’ll just get the job done and retreat.’
I judged that it would be difficult to reach the Core in such a shoddy appearance and quickly turned back.
And then I ran into him.
“What are you doing here?”
Liam, who had extended one hand as if to greet me, froze right there.
