Chapter 7
Kidnapped by My Fan (7)
After sending everyone away, I sat down in the chair in front of the desk.
The chair was still just as comfortable as before, and I almost smiled again. But instead, I picked up the quill and focused on something.
With such a nice environment and pleasant atmosphere, it would have been perfect for writing my novel.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t what I was writing.
The only thing filling the paper was a list of escape plans.
“About this much should do…”
I placed the quill back into its stand and lifted the single sheet of paper. Though it was only one page, it was packed from top to bottom with different methods of escape.
I read through them once more and quietly memorized each one.
“Method A. Help Mary escape first, then have her report this to a noble of equal or higher rank than the Duke.”
At first glance, it sounded reasonable.
But reality was cruel.
I could probably get Mary out of this mansion.
The problem was everything afterward.
A noble of equal or higher rank than a duke meant another duke—or even a member of the imperial family.
Even I, the daughter of a viscount, rarely had the chance to meet people like that. There was no way Mary, a commoner, could.
And even if she somehow managed to meet one of them, why would they help someone like me, just the daughter of a viscount?
Especially when the other party was Duke Abelheim.
“So Method A is basically impossible…”
I frowned and drew several thick lines across it with the quill.
Method A: Eliminated.
“Method B. Quietly write the next volume, then leave afterward.”
Honestly, this was the most peaceful solution for everyone.
But there was one problem.
The Duke.
Even if I finished writing the next volume, there was no guarantee he would actually let me go afterward.
What if he suddenly changed his mind and decided to keep me here forever?
“And I don’t even know when I’ll be able to finish the next volume…”
After thinking for a while, I marked Method B with a triangle.
Let’s think about this one more.
“Method C. Make him get tired of either me or my novels.”
Out of all my ideas, this one seemed the most promising.
No matter how obsessed he was, everyone eventually got bored.
If he grew tired of me—or of my books—maybe he’d let me go simply because I became annoying.
“This is definitely the best one so far.”
Smiling faintly, I circled Method C.
And finally…
The glorious Method D.
“Hmm…”
My brows furrowed again.
Well, of course they did.
I had written Method D without thinking.
I tapped the desk with my finger before reading it aloud.
“Method D… just…”
“Just what?”
At that exact moment, a devil’s voice slipped into my ear.
Startled, I quickly hid the paper behind my back.
When I looked toward the door, the Duke was walking into the study.
Sure, it was his mansion.
But coming in without even knocking?
His rudeness made me frown automatically, though I quickly forced my face back to normal.
Instead, I calmly asked,
“W-What brings you here?”
“I was wondering whether my author was writing properly. There’s nothing else to do in the study, is there?”
The Duke smiled gently, his eyes curving.
“Or…”
He tilted his head.
“Were you doing something… sneaky instead?”
My heart nearly stopped.
Thankfully, it didn’t show on my face.
Secretly wiping away a cold sweat, I answered casually,
“I wasn’t doing anything.”
“Hmm…”
He rubbed his chin.
The fact that he suddenly fell silent only made me more nervous.
Then he held out his hand toward me.
Confused, I looked at it.
He smiled brightly.
“Give it.”
“W-What?”
“The thing you’re hiding behind your back.”
My mind went completely blank.
The Duke simply curled his fingers, signaling for me to hand it over.
In the end, I lowered my head and reluctantly gave him the paper.
He snatched it away and slowly read every line.
“…A summary of the previous volume?”
“That’s right.”
I pouted in complaint.
“I was summarizing the earlier books so I could write the next one.”
Outwardly, I sounded annoyed.
Inside…
I grinned.
Knew this would happen.
That was exactly why I had placed the summary sheet on top beforehand.
While hiding the papers behind my back, I had folded the real escape plan and tucked it neatly between the ribbons of my dress.
Completely unaware of that, the Duke carefully read my fake summary.
“Hmm… So you’ve finally decided to start writing again?”
“Well… I can’t avoid writing forever.”
It was both a lie…
And the truth.
I did have to write.
Just not here!
I swallowed those words before they could escape.
After finishing the summary, the Duke handed the paper back.
“Fine.”
“I’ll let it slide this time.”
Let what slide?
The confusion must have shown on my face.
The Duke only smiled without explaining further.
Seeing that smile made me uneasy.
…He couldn’t have found out… right?
I told myself that couldn’t be the case.
Still…
My attention kept drifting toward the note hidden inside my ribbon.
Trying to move past the awkward moment, I said,
“I-I need to write now.”
“If you have something to say, please say it quickly.”
“How admirable.”
“But we’ll skip that today.”
“…What?”
I stared at him in disbelief.
He had been pressuring me to write all this time.
Now he suddenly wanted to skip it?
Seeing my expression, the Duke burst into laughter.
“That’s a funny face.”
Something inside me snapped.
Earlier he said my cheeks were puffed up.
Now this again.
Of course, I couldn’t actually complain to him.
So I simply kept my mouth shut while quietly boiling inside.
When he finally stopped laughing, he smiled again.
“I’ll show you around the mansion.”
“It’ll be troublesome if someone as foolish as you gets lost.”
“I’m not that stupid.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
The Duke blinked innocently.
“Then how stupid are you?”
“…”
I wanted to spit right in his face.
Instead, I swallowed my anger and quietly stood up before walking toward the door.
Following behind me, he kept chatting.
“Author, are you sulking?”
“No.”
“I’m not.”
“I think you are.”
“You’re walking faster.”
“I said I’m not.”
“Hmm…”
“If you insist.”
“By the way…”
“Are you going to keep walking ahead of me?”
I stopped immediately.
Only then did the Duke smile with satisfaction before walking past me.
“Come on.”
“I’ll show you my mansion.”
✑ ✑ ✑
Contrary to my expectations, the Duke gave me a perfectly normal tour.
As we walked through the mansion, he explained what every room was used for.
“This is my office.”
“It’s where I read and deal with piles of completely useless paperwork.”
Well…
His explanations were slightly—
No.
Very abnormal.
I smiled awkwardly while listening.
Looking over the documents on his desk, he added,
“When I’m working, I throw out anyone who interrupts me over something stupid.”
“But for you, Author…”
“I’ll make an exception.”
“You can come in anytime.”
Wow.
How generous.
The sarcastic words nearly escaped my mouth.
Fortunately, I valued my life.
So instead I asked,
“There are quite a lot of documents.”
“Is it really okay for you to spend all this time showing me around?”
“Exactly.”
“You should be grateful.”
“I’m using my valuable time to personally guide you through my mansion.”
“…Ah.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Even to my own ears, the gratitude sounded completely lifeless.
The Duke smiled and bent down.
For the first time, instead of looking up at him, our eyes met at the same level.
“Author.”
“You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself.”
Would you like me to make it even less enjoyable?
He hadn’t actually said those words.
But somehow I could hear them anyway.
His crimson eyes shimmered strangely.
Coming back to my senses, I quickly forced a smile.
“N-Not at all!”
“I’m having a wonderful time!”
“Good.”
He smiled and straightened back up.
As soon as he looked away, I quietly let out a sigh.
How did my life end up like this?
If I could, I’d run back to my bedroom, throw myself onto the bed, and sleep for hours.
That was how mentally exhausting this entire situation was.
The Duke, however, couldn’t care less.
He led me out of the office.
We walked downstairs toward the first floor before stopping in front of a room.
“Oh.”
“And this is my bedroom.”
“Your bedroom?”
I tilted my head.
Why was he showing me his bedroom?
It wasn’t like we’d ever have a reason to meet there.
Seeing my confusion, he smiled mysteriously.
“Just remember where it is.”
“…Okay.”
My curiosity only grew stronger.
But my instincts screamed at me not to ask any more questions.
My instincts had never led me wrong before.
So I let it go.
Without entering his bedroom, we continued downstairs.
The first floor was surprisingly quick to tour.
Unlike the second floor, it mostly contained the kitchen, dining room, storage rooms, and similar places.
There wasn’t much to see.
Even so, the Duke continued leading me somewhere.
Eventually, he stopped in front of a room with a pair of enormous double doors.
“I think you’ll like this place.”
Tilting my head in confusion, I watched as he pulled open one of the doors.
The moment I saw inside…
My eyes widened.
Calling it a room didn’t seem right.
It was enormous.
And every inch of it was filled with books.
It looked more like an entire library.
“Judging by your face…”
“I’d say you like it.”
I quickly controlled my expression.
But I couldn’t hide my excitement.
Loving rooms full of books was simply an author’s instinct.
“While you’re staying here, you’re welcome to come to this library whenever you like.”
“If there’s a book you want, take it.”
“You can even place it on the bookshelf in your study.”
Even while he spoke, my eyes remained fixed on the library.
The longer I looked, the more I loved it.
It was the kind of place that made me wish I had one just like it at home.
Then…
A door built into one of the walls caught my attention.
At first, I assumed it was a storage room.
But it looked far too elegant for that.
Noticing where I was looking, the Duke grinned and pointed toward it.
“You want to see in there?”
“…Yes.”
“Come with me.”
“Since you’re an author…”
“I’ll make a special exception.”
Following him to the door, I watched as he grabbed the handle and looked back at me.
A proud smile spread across his face.
Just what’s inside there?
An uneasy feeling crept over me.
Don’t tell me… there are corpses inside…?
Completely unaware of my thoughts, the Duke spoke playfully.
“Try not to be too surprised.”
“Huh?”
Instead of answering, he threw the door wide open.
I followed him inside.
Looking around in a daze, I muttered,
“This is…”
