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

“Hmm.”

Kayan let out a low groan, his face tightening into a grimace.

Seeing how clearly displeased he looked, the aides, who had been reporting on the budget expenditures, began stealing nervous glances.

‘What doesn’t he like?’

‘Did we get something wrong?’

‘Did we forget anything…?’

While the aides rolled their eyes around in anxious silence, Kayan himself didn’t notice at all.

Normally, he would’ve kept his emotions in check for the sake of others, but today, that control seemed to have slipped.

‘The Marquis of Stephan…’

A bitter connection.

There were only a few people Kayan would consider to be bad blood, and the Marquis and Marchioness of Stephan were among the top of that short list.

That’s why they irritated him.

People who would trample over anyone for their own success without a second thought.

“Your Grace,”

Liam’s calm voice broke through Kayan’s deepening thoughts.

“There’s nothing further to report aside from matters regarding Lady April. May I dismiss the aides?”

“Ah.”

Only then did Kayan realize he’d kept his retainers standing far too long and gave a nod.

“I know you’ve all worked hard investigating the budget allocations and progress. You may go for the day.”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace. Thank you very much.”

No one ever disliked getting off early.

Relieved aides quickly exited the office, their tension melting away.

Once the room quieted, Kayan spoke again.

“What’s the report concerning the princess?”

“Lady April is scheduled to attend a tea party soon, hosted in the Imperial Capital by the Marchioness of Ambrose.”

He already knew that much.

And perhaps that’s exactly why it continued to bother him.

The Empire’s noble society was far more complicated than it looked.

And April, who didn’t yet fully grasp that complexity, might easily fall victim to the likes of the Stephan household.

If they really were pulling strings behind the scenes, April would seem like nothing but easy prey to them.

“…Apparently, her personal maid requested access to Lady April’s account to withdraw gold coins for a new dress and accessories.”

Liam’s report was more of a formality before approval.

Normally, Kayan would’ve told him to handle it however he saw fit.

But this time—

“I’ll take care of it.”

His response was different than usual.

“Pardon?”

“…This matter isn’t unrelated to the Duchy, after all. The princess is stepping forward in an affair that affects the livelihoods of many citizens.”

“……”

“Not to mention, she’s currently known to be my distant relative. That means she requires appropriate support, wouldn’t you say?”

Liam said nothing and simply listened.

Still, Kayan rambled on with awkward excuses, almost like someone caught red-handed—though he didn’t seem aware of it himself.

‘I was unsure before, but now…’

A sharp glint flashed in Liam’s eyes.

Though he had pledged all his passion and loyalty to serving the Duke,

and though he’d never had the time—or perhaps even the chance—for romance,

he recognized it immediately now.

‘This is a sign.’

Kayan, who was usually all business and as rigid as stone, had begun to act strangely whenever April was involved.

The most baffling case was when Kayan personally served as her bodyguard—and still hadn’t stopped.

Everyone thought it was temporary.

But when April fell ill, he’d even reduced his sleep to work outside her room while keeping watch.

Thanks to that, even April’s maid likely figured out by now that her knight and the Duke were one and the same.

Honestly, things had seemed off for a while.

And Liam was annoyed at himself for only now putting the pieces together.

“Yes, of course. In the capital, nobles who fall behind the trends are often ridiculed. It’s only right that we ensure Lady April is well-prepared.”

“…So you think so too?”

Kayan, who had looked awkward after his own suggestion, started to ease up once Liam went along with it.

“Certainly. We’ll spare no expense and provide her with dresses and jewelry that can stand alongside even the wealthiest noble daughters in the capital.”

“Good. No spending limit, then.”

I knew it.

Seeing Kayan make the decision without hesitation, Liam became fully convinced of his theory.

His work-obsessed, stoic boss had apparently fallen for a lazy hostage who’d become buried in responsibilities.

* * *

A few days later.

After arriving at the Duke’s private villa in the Imperial Capital, I hurried to get ready for my outing.

…Though to be honest, it was more like I was being half-dragged into it.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for a day like this!”

Right on cue, Bonita shouted next to me, clenching her fists like someone possessed.

“I-It’s just a tea party, though. What’s the big deal?”

“No, even if it’s a small tea party, the hostess is the Marchioness of Ambrose! Of course you need to dress appropriately for the occasion!”

“Hmm.”

Still, isn’t this a bit over the top?

Besides, I’m officially just one of Duke Blaire’s very distant relatives.

“Hurry now, or you’ll be late.”

I glanced nervously at the extravagant dress before me, but eventually gave in and let Bonita help me get changed.

Some might say that wearing a beautiful dress is every dreamy girl’s fantasy.

But I wasn’t particularly dreamy—and the dress I was about to wear? It looked like I could walk straight into a year-end ball and steal the spotlight.

In other words…

It was incredibly glamorous and stunning.

“Wow… now that I see you in it, blue really does suit you, my lady.”

“Hmm, really?”

“Of course! His Grace clearly has good taste.”

Surrounded by nonstop compliments, I found myself leaning closer to the mirror to take a better look.

The dress flared out elegantly toward the bottom, giving off a graceful aura even while just standing still.

The calm, slightly subdued blue dye further accentuated that elegance.

And the material and texture of the dress were so luxurious that it didn’t feel lacking even without flashy accessories.

But the Duke had sent accessories too—plenty of them.

As a result, every place on my body that could hold an ornament—ears, neck, arms—was now decked out with sparkling gemstones.

‘Did the Duke really send all this?’

I couldn’t believe it when I first received the gifts.

(In fact, I was so worried they might be charged as part of my room and board that I had Liam double- and triple-check it for me.)

“I-It feels a little embarrassing…”

“Embarrassing? Not at all! You have to wear at least this much to make His Grace feel proud!”

“Why would he feel proud of me wearing this?”

“Oh! That’s, um…”

Silence fell for a moment.

Bonita opened and closed her mouth a few times before rapidly spitting out an answer the moment I tilted my head in confusion.

“…Because once you’re out in public, you are the face of House Blaire! The prettier and more impressive you look, the better it reflects on His Grace!”

“Really…?”

“Of course! Hahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha! It’s only natural!”

Bonita replied in an overly loud voice, nodding vigorously.

Still, no matter how I thought about it, it didn’t seem like me dressing up a bit would have any major effect on the Duke’s image.

But… maybe other people thought differently?

Though I was still unsure, I came to a conclusion: in the eyes of other nobles, that might indeed be the case.

After all, the Duke’s household didn’t yet have a formal lady of the house—no one to serve as its public face.

“We’re all set, my lady.”

“Thank you, Bonita.”

After checking my reflection one last time, I carefully made my way down to the first floor, being extra mindful not to step on the expensive dress’s hem.

“Have a safe trip, my lady.”

At that moment, a nearby servant gave me a polite bow.

“Oh, thank you…”

“Not at all. Please watch your step.”

At the servant’s kind words, I walked even more carefully across the polished floor.

But at the same time, I felt a pang of confusion.

‘Didn’t they say this villa isn’t used much, so there’d only be one maid and one servant here?’

That’s what the head maid had told me, so I’d arrived expecting to take care of things mostly on my own.

But everything I’d been told seemed like a lie.

From the moment I arrived, the place had felt vibrant and well-staffed.

Neatly dressed attendants bustled about, and sweet aromas wafted from the kitchen—as if my favorite snacks were being prepared.

Every single dish and treat they served was something I loved.

I didn’t know how they did it, but the entire estate felt like it had been perfectly tailored just for me.

‘Why does it feel like they’re going out of their way for me?’

Was I imagining things?

Still puzzled, I stepped into the carriage waiting outside.