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

“Princess!”

With the Duke’s startled voice, a warm sensation wrapped around my body.

At the same time, I saw a huge bookshelf collapse behind him.

Crash!

Fortunately, the bookshelf fell onto another bookshelf across from it, creating space below. But the real problem was something else.

Thud, thud.

Thick, hard books poured down from the tilted bookshelf like rain.

Each heavy impact seemed to cause pain, and I could see the Duke’s brow twitching in discomfort.

‘That must hurt.’

Even someone without empathy could feel how dull and heavy the sound was.

What should’ve been a fleeting moment felt like it stretched on forever.

When I came to my senses, I found myself lying on a soft carpeted floor, staring up at the Duke, who was sprawled on top of me.

“Ah…”

I stared blankly at him.

Although it wasn’t the right situation, I couldn’t help but be more conscious of the unnaturally close physical distance between us than the pain he might be feeling.

With our bodies almost touching, I could feel his breath so close, and it seemed like his body temperature was rising.

‘What is this?!’

This can’t be allowed, right?

It’s like something out of a low-budget drama!

Of course, his face was flawless, even with the close-up shot, perfect without a hint of humiliation, just like a Northern Duke male lead. But if I were the one lying under him, it’s a whole different story.

It was like something you’d see in a historical drama, where the king rushes to protect a servant girl.

‘I hope the Duke won’t come to his senses later and have me assassinated…’

Damn it.

While I was lost in those ridiculous thoughts, it seemed like the rain of books had stopped, and the surrounding area calmed down.

“Phew, Princess…”

The Duke, having turned his head to check my safety, slowly raised himself onto his knees.

Seeing the books that had fallen from his back, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how heavy and painful it must have been for him.

‘I’m so sorry…!’

If I’d known this would happen, I should have just asked for help.

But as a bastard who doesn’t even get treated as royalty, how could I possibly give orders to a Duke in this rigid class society…?

I muttered excuses in my head as I squeezed my eyes shut.

But then the Duke’s voice came, and I couldn’t help but be stunned.

“Didn’t you say you know about acupuncture points or something like that?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking if there are any acupuncture points that can relieve pain.”

“Ah…”

I didn’t know how to respond and stared at him, dumbfounded, when the Duke stretched and, with a perfectly calm face, extended his hand toward me.

It was obvious that he meant for me to take it and get up, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“…I’m sorry. I think I caused trouble for you by stepping in.”

He didn’t reply.

Still, I couldn’t ignore his extended hand, so I carefully took his large hand and raised myself.

In the awkward silence, I whispered in a much smaller voice.

“And, thank you.”

“Well, you’ll repay me later, won’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t you promise to be a loyal, unpaid slave? I can’t let such a valuable person die from being hit by books.”

Hah, this man…

…He’s an even worse employer than I thought?

* * *

After the unexpected book avalanche incident, I no longer visited the library.

As a result, I lost touch with the Duke, but I knew he would be coming to find me again soon.

Why?

“I’ll be going to the Magic Tower soon anyway. Think about it until then, Princess.”

At the time, I didn’t want to believe it, but the Duke had practically invited me to join him on his trip to the Magic Tower!

And that was clearly an opportunity.

‘I found a clue on how to destroy the core…’

The problem, however, was where to find the Partanium to use for it.

Lately, it was incredibly hard to find weapons or tools made from Partanium.

But then…

“Why isn’t it here? It should be!”

“Are you talking about a Partanium weapon?”

“Of course. The Duke’s residence has everything. Hoho!”

Unexpectedly, it was Bonita, the competent maid, who gave me the answer.

Bonita, with a confident declaration, returned in the evening holding a box.

Inside the box was, surprisingly… a hammer made from Partanium, neatly resting inside.

How did she know? The certificate that came with it listed all the materials, showing how expensive it was.

“Why…?”

I couldn’t hide my shock as I stared at the hammer, but Bonita proudly shrugged.

“I found it in the storage. I thought it might be there. There’s nothing our Duke’s storage doesn’t have. Last time, I even found the spare mithril needles that Marina lost, and the watering can that gardener George swore was one of a kind…”

“Ah, I get it. T-thank you.”

I cut off her endless explanation and slowly grasped the hammer.

The hammer, which looked expensive at a glance, felt incredibly good to hold.

“But… this looks expensive. Am I allowed to use it?”

“Of course! It’s just been sitting there collecting dust. No one’s using it!”

“…What if it’s the Duke’s possession?”

I was naturally worried about becoming a thief who stole from the Duke.

Bonita hesitated for a moment but then smiled brightly and answered confidently.

“Well, there might be some things like that, but there are also plenty that aren’t. The Duke’s storage is just full of random things. Last time, I found the rare watering can that George swore was the only one in existence…”

It didn’t sound like a lie, and since Bonita was a maid in the Duke’s household, she wouldn’t be stealing things from him for me. So, I nodded.

But then…

“Where are you hiding it, hm?”

Hehehehe!

Before I could finish my sentence, an eerie laugh came from right next to me.

“Bonita…?”

“No one dares to inspect a lady’s body. Hehehehe!”

And that was why I was now walking with such a clumsy gait.

Stagger, stagger.

Unsteadily, like a newborn goat, I slowly walked toward the magic circle.

‘This hurts so much…!’

The hammer, tied to the inside of my thigh with leather straps, was causing constant discomfort as it rubbed against my delicate skin.

I didn’t want to refuse Bonita’s suggestion, hoping to look like a cool agent from a blockbuster spy movie… but at this rate, I was sure I’d look even more ridiculous than usual.

“Princess. Why are you walking like that today?”

The Duke, who had been silently observing me, asked.

“W-what do you mean?”

The Duke’s face, as if he was seeing something unusual, made me feel an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.

But still, I couldn’t stop walking in this awkward posture.

If I pulled the hammer out from my skirt now, things would get even worse…!

I should’ve just packed a separate pouch for women’s items!

‘I’m finished if this gets found out.’

There was no way out now, no matter how much I regretted it.

“…I don’t know what kind of folk remedy this is, but at least stand up straight.”

“Why…?”

“You’re hanging onto my right arm with all your strength.”

“Ah, hahaha… Haha! I’m so sorry!”

Realizing I had been clinging to his arm, I quickly stood up straight in shock.

‘Ah, this is so embarrassing.’

Heat rushed to my head as if my scalp was on fire.

“Ready? We’ll depart now.”

The mage, checking the number of people, placed a hand on the magic stone, and blinding light surrounded us.

“Oh, amazing… Ugh!”

For a moment, I forgot about the pain and looked down at my body, but I couldn’t even finish my sentence as I bent over.

Long-distance teleportation magic is known for causing motion sickness, and sure enough, I felt my body twisting uncomfortably, nausea rising from deep within me.

It was like experiencing seven hours of motion sickness on a bumpy bus all at once.

The light faded, and I heard a voice announcing our arrival, but I couldn’t regain my senses for a while.

“Looks like teleportation sickness hits you hard?”

“…I think so.”

Grabbing my throbbing head, I raised my gaze, only to be overwhelmed by an unfamiliar landscape.

The first thing I saw was the purple sky, filled with abundant magical energy, and a towering black tower.

The black brick Magic Tower, built with pure, intricate magic, showed no sign of age despite its long history.

I was dazed, overwhelmed by the sight of it, when the Duke, who had been silent, gently tapped my shoulder.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Yes?”

“Can’t you see the flag?”

What flag?

Only then did I snap back to reality and slowly looked around.

And then I saw it.

‘Holy…’

The flag of my country, Salt, fluttering in the wind.