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

‘It’s entirely possible.’

His green eyes darkened.

‘At least it doesn’t seem life-threatening.’

Fortunately, unless someone was utterly reckless, using a lethal dose of poison in the imperial palace was unthinkable.

Weren’t there already plenty of people who had been branded traitors simply for bringing suspicious items inside?

With a hardened expression, Kayan fell silent. That left only one possibility.

‘A drug that affects the mind.’

If so, it was actually a rather clever approach.

One mistake before the imperial family could mean instant death.

After quickly coming to a conclusion, Kayan forcibly ignored the awareness of his thigh being touched and instead opened his mouth.

“She is April Pepper, a distant branch of the Blaire ducal house.”

April’s hand froze in place.

So she really did need help?

As Kayan’s misunderstanding deepened, he did his best to shield April from making any slip-ups.

Of course, in the process, he unintentionally made her sound completely insane…

At some point, the strange sensation on his thigh gradually faded away.

“Well, that’s boring.”

Fortunately, the crown prince seemed to lose interest as well.

Kayan watched Raiden idly pick up his now-cold tea before finally feeling relieved enough to turn his gaze toward April.

But then—

‘…Huh?’

Something was off about her.

Her eyes were fixated on an empty spot on the table, and her slightly parted lips looked as though drool might start dripping any moment.

She looked completely out of her mind.

‘A narcotic?’

At that moment, names of poisons known to cause similar symptoms flashed through Kayan’s mind.

An extract of the Royfin flower? Parnax? Pure Datina essence?

If it was any of those, now was not the time to sit around idly.

Forcing himself to remain calm, Kayan stood up.

“I deeply appreciate Your Highness’s hospitality. However, thanks to Her Majesty the Empress’s support, the artists will now be able to continue their work within the palace. Therefore, we shall take our leave.”

His gaze met the crown prince’s before he subtly lowered his eyes.

“…Very well. Do so.”

Fortunately, Raiden had completely lost interest. As Kayan turned away, his expression darkened.

* * *

‘Wow, what a relief.’

Thanks to the duke’s dazzling maneuvering, the uncomfortable tea time had ended much faster than expected.

Now, all that was left was to put my amazing new idea into action!

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from grinning.

‘But first, maybe a quick nap.’

However, just as I stepped outside the crown prince’s palace,

—Whoosh.

A hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Uh?”

“Go on ahead.”

The owner of the hot, firm hand—Kayan.

I stared blankly at my captured arm as a chilling command flowed from him.

“I have something to discuss with April alone.”

…What’s happening?

It was surprising enough that he so casually dismissed the others, but what stood out even more was one particular word.

‘April.’

Given the imperial palace’s tendency to have ears everywhere, he must have chosen to call me by name instead of using my title, “princess.”

‘But still, this feels… strange.’

What did he want to say?

I was about to ask when—

“W-Wait—”

Drag.

Without warning, I was being pulled away.

“Y-Your Grace?”

Kayan, striding forward with his long legs, didn’t even acknowledge my call.

He led me toward an increasingly deserted part of the palace.

‘Wait, a place like this exists in the imperial palace?’

Soon, we reached a secluded corner, even servants rarely passed through.

I couldn’t hide my confusion.

This situation fit into two common genres.

One: an intense, passionate romance.

…Two: a blood-splattering horror thriller.

Since Kayan wasn’t going to kill me, that left only one option.

From the moment I truly noticed how handsome he was, ridiculous thoughts like this kept popping into my head.

‘A wall slam, a kiss…’

If someone this good-looking had feelings for me, I wouldn’t exactly complain, but this was too sudden.

Had he always been like this?

Did he suddenly realize his possessiveness when the crown prince showed interest in me?

Still lost in my pink-tinted delusions, I was snapped back to reality by Kayan’s rigid voice.

“Princess.”

“…Yes?”

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Just as I had imagined earlier, I found myself backed against a wall, staring up at him in a daze.

Thump-thump.

My heartbeat echoed through my body, and just as my face began to heat up, Kayan spoke.

“What did you eat?”

“…Huh?”

I responded dumbly.

What kind of question was that?

‘Wait, what did I eat today…?’

I think there was something with garlic at breakfast.

But I had brushed my teeth thoroughly before meeting the crown prince!

“I think I had the same menu as you… Bread, soup, the sauce had garlic. Do I smell or something?”

I looked at Kayan, desperately hoping for denial.

If I had reeked in front of the crown prince, that would be an embarrassment I’d regret for the next three thousand years.

But Kayan just stared at me, saying nothing.

‘Then did I spill something?’

I quickly checked my clothes.

Nothing. Not a single stain on my beige dress.

Bonita had recently commented that I tended to spill things, so I made sure to be extra careful.

I even checked my sleeves, but as my cheeks grew hotter, I lowered my head in embarrassment.

Honestly, by the end of the tea time, I had been so preoccupied with my tumbler idea that I barely listened to what was being said.

Had I done something without realizing it?

“…Did you think I was asking because of the smell?”

“Then what was it for?”

This felt like a twenty-questions game. I pouted.

Then suddenly, I recalled Kayan’s behavior earlier when he had answered on my behalf.

…Wait.

“…Are you asking if I lost my mind?”

“So you do understand the meaning of my question.”

So that’s why he had been making me sound crazy in front of the crown prince!

I frowned, frustration bubbling up.

Above me, I heard a sigh.

“Hah.”

When I looked up, Kayan’s expression was indescribable.

Was that… relief I saw?

As I absentmindedly analyzed his face, I suddenly became aware of something else.

His hand was still gripping my wrist.

The moment I registered the warmth of his touch, my face heated up like it was on fire.

“Um, but…”

“Hmm?”

“Could you… let go of my wrist?”

“Oh. Right.”

His response was almost a mumble, but he must have understood because he finally released me.

An awkward silence followed.

“…Anyway.”

Khm.

Stepping out of his shadow, I hastily explained,

“I didn’t eat anything strange. I did zone out a little, but that’s it.”

I didn’t know exactly what he had misunderstood, but I had made it clear I was in a perfectly normal state of mind.

Kayan studied me with an unreadable gaze.

Like he still had more to say.

‘There’s still more?’

Just as I started feeling uneasy about the increasingly strange atmosphere, he suddenly asked,

“Then why were you feeling up my thigh like that?”